Thai F-16 jets strike Cambodian casino used as drone and military base

Thai F-16 fighter jets have bombed a Cambodian casino near the Chong An Ma border pass, in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani, and a Cambodian cable car near Prasat Ta Khwai ancient ruins, in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin today, in retaliation for Cambodian bombardments of Thai military and civilian targets along the border.

According to the Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, the casino has been used as a military base for heavy weapons, particularly drones.

The Second Army Region reported at 9.20am today that the cable car, constructed by Cambodians from its base to the summit of Mount 350, about 300 metres to the west of Prasat Ta Khwai, was completely destroyed by the air strikes.

Mount 350 is a militarily strategic point for Cambodian troops, giving them the ability to control Prasat Ta Khwai and prevent Thai troops from reclaiming the ancient ruins. Supplying Cambodian troops guarding Mount 350 requires the use of the cable car.

Meanwhile, the ‘Army Military Force’ web page posted a video clip today of a Cambodian soldier complaining about the air strike by the Thai Air Force, which destroyed the casino near Chong An Ma border pass in Ubon Ratchathani.

The Thai army claim that the casino was being used by Cambodian troops to store the heavy weaponry and munitions being used to attack Thailand.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has ordered the temporary closure of 641 schools located near the border in Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram and Sa Kaeo provinces for the safety of teachers and children.

According to the Office of the Basic Education Commission, there are 145 schools in Surin, 170 in Si Sa Ket, 54 in Ubon Ratchathani, 127 in Buri Ram and 147 in Sa Kaeo province.

In Sa Kaeo province, which currently remains calm, the First Army Region ordered the evacuation today of people living close to the Cambodian order in Ta Phraya, Aranyaprathet, Khok Sung and Klong Hat districts as a precautionary measure, in case the border flare-up spreads to this eastern province.

Evacuation is yet to be ordered for people living in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, which also share a border with Cambodia.