A Cambodian military official from Battambang province is in the custody of Thai police after he allegedly crashed into and killed two people with his car on the Thai side of the border and fled the scene.

On Wednesday afternoon, Rorng Rin, deputy military commander in Battambang’s Sampov Loun district, travelled across the Romduol border checkpoint in Battambang’s Phnom Proek district for a business meeting in Thailand, said Meas Peun, communications director at the checkpoint.

Driving back from the meeting, about 10 kilometres from the border, Rin allegedly collided with a motorbike, killing both Thai passengers on the bike, Peun said.

“According to [the Thai police] report, Rorng Rin tried to escape after hitting the motorbike, and was chased by the Thai authorities,” Peun said yesterday. “He was arrested on a corner near the border checkpoint.”

As of yesterday Rin remained in Thai custody, Peun said. Military and border officials on the Cambodian side are attempting to negotiate with Thai officials, offering compensation to the families of the two victims.

It was not clear yesterday if the victims’ families had agreed to negotiate.