Thai Deputy PM Says “Sunday’s Shooting Targeted Illegal Loggers, Not Cambodian Soldiers”

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) – Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapa said Monday that the Sunday’s shooting launched by Thai soldiers near Thai-Cambodian border targeted illegal loggers, not Cambodian soldiers. General Yutthasak denied an accusation from Cambodian Deputy Military Commander of Preah Vihear province Major Men Ly that Thai soldiers fired at Cambodian troops while they were on patrol on Sunday afternoon. General Yutthasak told reporters in Bangkok that senior military officials from both countries are scheduled for talks Monday to clear any misunderstanding. The deputy prime minister said he has not telephoned to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh to discuss the matter as as he believes Thailand’s Region 2 army commander, who supervises the Thai-Cambodian area, will be able to directly coordinate with his Cambodian counterpart, adding that the problem will not create a stir between governments of the two nations. Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said gun exchanges between Thai soldiers and illegal loggers have occurred regularly near the border area, noting that there have been talks on the issues at both prime ministerial and ministerial levels and that both countries clearly understad that the illegal loggers are armed. (TNA)