Phumtham condemns Cambodia’s unprovoked, indiscriminate and random attacks

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai today condemned unprovoked random attacks with heavy weapons by Cambodian forces that have killed at least 11 civilians in four border provinces.

He said 10 of those killed were civilians and the other was a soldier. Another 28, including four soldiers were injured.

He specifically pointed out the attack on the convenience store at a PTT petrol station in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, killing 6 civilians and injuring 10 others.

Vowing to staunchly defend the country’s sovereignty, Phumtham said Cambodian forces launched unprovoked attacks on areas in four provinces – Ubon Rachathani, Buriram, Sisaket and Surin.

“Without any provocation, they used heavy weapons to fire indiscriminately into the Thai territory, prompting Thai forces to respond,” he said after an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).

Thai military officials reported that rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and the Russian-made BM-21 multiple rocket launchers were used in the attacks.

Phumtham described the firefight between the Thai and Cambodian forces “merely as clashes.”

“We have not yet declared war on Cambodia. What is happening are just armed clashes,” he said.