Thai troops seize Phu Makua hilltop, raise Thai national flag

Thai troops raised the Thai national flag on the Phu Makua hilltop this morning, after driving Cambodian forces out.

Phu Makua covers an area of about 4.6 square kilometres, located about 2.8 km from the Preah Vihear ancient ruins in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province. It has been a contested area between Thailand and Cambodia since 2011. Both sides have since stationed troops there.

Second Army Region sources said today that 10 Cambodian soldiers were killed and many weapons and large quantities ammunition were seized by Thai troops, adding that the troops have cleared about 80% of the hilltop area and plan to dismantle a radar tower, cable car and stairway, which were used by Cambodian forces to move reinforcements and military supplies from their base at the foot of the mountain.

Colonel Richa Suksuvanon, deputy spokesperson for the Thai army, said that Cambodian forces have been trying to wrestle control of Phu Makua back and have been shelling the area.