THE Thai army this afternoon (Nov. 19) branded as fake news claims by Cambodian Defence Ministry that Asean Observers Team (AOT) had to withdraw while visiting a ceasefire zone after explosions were heard from the Thai side pointing out that these observers were in fact imposters while they had themselves set off firecrackers, Amarin TV said.
Capt. Thammanoon Wanna, commander of Trat Marine Task Force, said he was present at the scene as his team was protecting the area at Ban Chamrak, Chamrak subdistrict, Trat province, where landmine clearing was taking place.
He then saw a group of approximately 30 Cambodians gathering in their base and all wearing blue hats. He looked at them through his binoculars and used a drone to take distant photos after which a loud noise was heard.
“In short, it was a situation created by bringing people wearing blue hats to gather at their base and setting off firecrackers, and making a loud noise.
“They then reported that Thai soldiers had lobbed grenades. If it was the real AOT team, they would have approached the Thai lines, but today they were about 200 metres away.
“The footage was edited to include an old clip of the real AOT team on the ground. If it was the real AOT team, they would have approached to coordinate an inspection of the area. They did the same thing last time,” he said.
“That the AOT team did not come across shows Cambodia staged the scene by bringing people disguised as observers and setting off firecrackers to make a loud noise. This is a tactic that terrorists use to create rumours and spread bad news.”
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – Capt. Thammanoon Wanna. Photo – Amarin TV
Also read:
Cambodia claims Asean observers heard explosions on Thai side of the border
Thaksin to miss Pheu Thai electoral campaign, literally
OAG to appeal lese majeste lawsuit against Thaksin in Appellate Court
Suspected rogue MP brags about being named minister in future govt
