THAILAND denied firing 22 rounds at Chong Chom border crossing, Surin province, abutting Cambodia’s O’smach border town, Oddar Meanchey province, stating that only warnings were shouted across after Khmer troops were seen moving closer to the Thai-controlled territory, Amarin TV and Naewna newspaper said this evening (May 24).
The 2nd Army Region said it is untrue that Thai troops had fired the 22 rounds in two separate incidents from morning to noon today as claimed by Cambodia, underscoring that no firearms were used.
Cambodia claimed that between 9.24 to 9.45 a.m. their forces heard 12 small arms gunfire emitting from Thai-controlled territory, and later, at 10.10 a.m. another 10 rounds were heard at the same area, totalling 22 rounds.
However, the Thai side clarified that during that time, Thai troops detected Cambodian forces moving closer to the barbed wire fence, in their area of responsibility, and therefore shouted warnings as a precautionary measure. Shots were not fired nor any weapons used as alleged.
Furthermore, the situation along the border continues to be closely monitored with security agencies of both sides coordinating to prevent misunderstandings and avoid clashes.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen today urged the government and the Interior Ministry to investigate how individuals involved in online scams entered Cambodia without proper travel documents, according to PPTVHD36 and Khmer Times.
During a meeting with leaders from various ministries, agencies, councils, districts and departments today Hun Sen said suspects arrested in online fraud cases should be investigated to determine how they entered Cambodia, particularly those without valid travel documents.
Hun Sen stated, “The question we must ask is, how did these people enter our country without passports? This is a question that needs an answer.”
Hun Sen further noted that Cambodia has no direct flights from distant countries and observed that these suspects could not have entered Cambodia through any of the country’s major airports, including Techo, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
He therefore questioned the transit routes these individuals used to enter Cambodia, emphasising that many of the suspects remain in Cambodia and there needs to be a clear answer regarding their travel routes.
Hun Sen also accused some countries of trying to shift responsibility for online crimes to Cambodia, even though these individuals travelled through the territories of those countries before entering Cambodia.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Thai army logo and Thai border abutting Cambodia. Photo – Amarin TV
Insert – Cambodian Senate Speaker Hun Sen. Photo – PPTVHD36
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