Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Thai envoy denies killings on border

Thai envoy denies killings on border

Thai envoy denies killings on border

Thailand has denied its forces shot dead 12 Cambodian loggers who crossed the border illegally on March 5, Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said yesterday.

During a meeting with Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative Long Visalo, Thai ambassador Touchayoot Pakdi said Thai soldiers had made four arrests that day but did not shoot anyone, Kuong said.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces officers last week alleged that 12 loggers had been shot dead on March 5 and three more a week later.

“[He] confirmed that on March 5, their soldiers patrolling along the border found 15 Cambodians who had illegally crossed into the space. They arrested four but 11 ran back across the border,” Kuong said. “The four people were sent back to Cambodia, but he did not remember on what date.”

The ambassador, Kuong continued, said authorities knew nothing about the other three loggers allegedly shot dead.

Kuong said the government “could not draw conclusions” based on Thailand’s response, while Pakdi could not be reached for comment.

Preap Thoeurth, an RCAF intelligence officer at the border in Preah Vihear, yesterday stood by his claim last week that 15 had been killed in shootings on March 5 and 12. This claim was backed up at the time by another RCAF official.

On Sunday, Sok Hai, a district governor in Preah Vihear province, said the Thai military had confirmed it had killed three people last Wednesday and burned their bodies.

In an open letter to Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra sent yesterday, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights called on Thailand to end “continued arbitrary executions of Cambodian civilians” – a figure that the Ministry of Interior says reached at least 69 last year.

“The shooting of Cambodian civilians resulting in death or serious bodily harm constitutes an unlawful act and a grave violation of [Thailand’s] human rights obligations,” reads the letter, signed by executive director Chak Sopheap.

It was the third letter of its kind to Yingluck, Sopheap said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHEANG SOKHA

In the original version of this article, Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong was quoted as saying the Thai government claimed 11 Cambodian loggers were arrested and four fled the scene. He actually said four were arrested and 11 fled.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.