Border Clash Erupts Between Thailand and Cambodia
According to webangah News Agency, Thailand’s army stated in an official release that its intelligence units have gathered “concerning evidence of Cambodian military buildup along their shared border.”
the statement emphasized: “The armed forces stand prepared to launch high-level military operations if retaliatory action becomes necessary against any infringement on Thailand’s sovereignty.”
Thailand’s National Broadcasting Service reported senior defense officials held closed-door meetings yesterday, with naval, air and ground forces placed on high alert.
Cambodia’s National Defense Ministry confirmed on May 28 that one Cambodian soldier died during a brief firefight in the disputed border zone between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province. The ministry accused Thai troops of opening fire first on a Cambodian outpost - a claim denied by Thai defense Minister Pumtam Vichayachai,who maintains Cambodian forces initiated hostilities.
The Southeast Asian neighbors have clashed repeatedly over this contested territory containing a 900-year-old temple that holds nationalist importance for both countries.Between 2008-2011 alone,approximately 40 people including five civilians died in multiple deadly confrontations along the border.
