THE THAI army estimates that around 2,500 Cambodian soldiers have died in the border clashes while they are trying to retake Prasat Ta Khwai area in Panom Dongrak district of Surin and Pumakhua area in Kantharalak district of Sisaket, Naewna newspaper said today (Aug. 5).
Maj. Gen. Wanchana Sawatdee, deputy army spokesman, said in an interview with “Colours of Politics: Deng Deng,” programme on “Naewna Online” YouTube channel that he had received reports from four sources on Cambodian casualties in the fighting.
The first source stated at least 700 had died but did not confirm if the total reached 1,000, the second source put the death toll at 1,000-2,000, the third source said 2,700 while the fourth estimated the total reached 6,000.
However his estimate, based on assessment of daily operations, is that around 2.500 Cambodian troops had died.
Most of the Cambodian soldiers’ bodies were found in support divisions at the rear or the base of each division due to Thai airstrikes. Casualties during frontline clashes were not significant.
Maj. Gen. Wanchana also said that Thai forces were able to advance to the proper operational line while Cambodians had to retreat from their operational line with both sides having previously overstepped the boundaries leading to the dispute flaring up.
The Cambodians had gradually advanced and established themselves within the disputed territory, but Thai troops have retaken the territory in keeping with the 1:50,000 scale map.
Right now, Cambodian troops are trying to retake Prasat Ta Kwai and Pumakhua with the former being the most dangerous point because Cambodians have topographical advantage, particularly Hill 350 which is in their territory.
Some might ask why Thai forces do not bomb these hills and move in and seize them, but this is dangerous to do because the Cambodians would fire long-range weapons from these high points.
“Right now, Cambodia is redeploying forces to reinforce troops at these two points – Pumakhua and Ta Kwai,” he said.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: A Thai soldier at Pumakhua. Photo: Thai Rath
Insert: Maj. Gen. Wanchana Sawatdee. Photo: Thai Rath
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