Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets Used as Thai Police Clash with Cambodians at Border

SA KAEO, Sept 18 (TNA) - Thai police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse around 200 Cambodians who crossed the border into Sa Kaeo province and dismantled a barbed-wire fence. The incident, which took place in the village of Nong Ya Kaeo on Wednesday, was confirmed by Thai military sources to be within Thai territory.

The Royal Thai Army stated that the crowd, some armed with sticks, began dismantling the barrier, which had been recently reinstalled by Thai soldiers. After a 30-minute negotiation failed, Thai police and crowd control units used tear gas and then rubber bullets when the group continued to destroy the fence.

A security source said the Cambodians were there to provoke Thai authorities and damage property. Several Thai officers were injured, including one who suffered a head wound from a thrown rock. A video reportedly showed Cambodians using sticks to assault officers while Cambodian soldiers allegedly looked on without intervening.

Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, confirmed the crowd had breached Thai territory, obstructed officials, and destroyed property, calling it a "deliberate provocation" and a violation of the ceasefire agreement. 

He defended the use of tear gas and rubber bullets as a necessary and appropriate measure to prevent a riot. Four Sa Kaeo police officers were injured in the clash. - 819 (TNA)