Thailand Fires Artillery Shells and Continues To Throw Hand Grenades Into Cambodian Territory in Phnom Trap

Preah Vihear 16 February 2011 -- Deum Ampil in Cambodian

Between 1800 on 15 February and 0400 [on 15 Feb], Thai troops stationed in front of Phnom Trap [in disputed Cambodia-Thai border area] lobbed hand grenades and fired many rounds into Cambodian territory, but Cambodian soldiers have not fired back yet as of 0400.

Srey Doeuk, commander of the Intervention Brigade 3, said that Thai troops lobbed hand grenades and fired many rocket-propelled grenades and several rounds of 60-mm machine gun fire into Cambodian territory in the Phnom Trap hill area.  Cambodian soldiers, however, did not respond to the gunfire.

Srey Doeuk added that if Thai troops dared to enter Cambodian territory, Cambodian soldiers will retaliate in self defense.

According to a military official from the frontline, Thai troops further intensified their attack at 0200 on 16 February [ on 15 Feb].  The same military official specified that approximately 50 rounds had been fired into Cambodian territory by Thai troops by of 0400 [on 16 February].