UPDATE: 4 soldiers killed, 8 hurt

22/04/2011
Bangkok Post

Four Thai soldiers were killed and eight others wounded, one of them seriously, in a five-hour clash with Cambodian soldiers along the border in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province on Friday morning, deputy army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said.

Col Sirichan said the fight began about 6.30am along the border between Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province.

Before the clash, a number of Cambodian soldiers were seen moving over a hill in violation of an earlier agreement that no armed troops either side would be allowed to trespass on the hill.

Cambodian soldiers moved on to the hill this morning in an attempt to take it, in violation of the agreement.

Thai soldiers asked them to pull back, but the Cambodian soldiers instead open fire at the Thai soldiers, Col Sirichan said.

This clash lasted until about 11am.

Four Thai soldiers were killed and eight others wounded, one of them seriously. The wounded were later admitted to Surin and Phanom Dong Rak hospitals.

About 7,500 people in tambons Bak Dai and Ta Miang were evacuated from their villages. Four temporary evacuation centres - one in Prasat district and three others in Phanom Dong Rak district - were set up to take them, Col Sirichan said.

Surin governor Serm Chainarong has been in Phanom Dong Rak district to oversee the evacuation. Food supplies and water were being rushed to the evacuation centres.

The 2nd Army has ordered the closure of the Chong Chom - O Samed border crossing on the Thai-Cambodian border in tambon Dan in Kap Choeng district of Surin province for an indefinite period.

Posted in: Bangkok Post