The Thai Army says there is no evidence at this stage to prove that China has been secretly resupplying Cambodian forces with weaponry, amid scepticism over China’s motives following the seizure by Thai troops of a large cache of sophisticated guided anti-tank missiles at Mount 500 in the Chong Anh Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani province.
Colonel Richa Suksuvanon, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, said the captured guided anti-tank missiles are now under the care of the Thai army and confirmed they will not be handed over to anyone.
Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Chakkrit Thammavichai, spokesman for the Royal Thai Air Force, noted that the intensity of artillery and rocket barrages by Cambodian troops eased today, probably because they are running short of munitions after many were destroyed by Thai bombardments and air strikes.
He also said Thai troops have disrupted Cambodian supply routes, making it difficult, if not impossible, for Cambodia to deliver military supplies to the front lines.
An assistant spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy said naval officers have detained a suspected Cambodian spy in Trat province, who is now being questioned.
The Second Army Region said today there are signs Cambodian forces are withdrawing from several front lines, including Chong Anh Ma, as well as Chong Chom, Chong Rayee, Plod Dang and Prasart Ta Muen Thom in Surin province.
According to the Thai army, the weapons seized from Mount 500 included;
- An 82mm projectile-grenade round (82mm Type 65 projected grenade), which is ammunition used with the Chinese Type 65 or Type 65-1 recoilless grenade launcher, along with various types of ammunition.
- the Norinco PF-89 (Type 89) 80mm unguided, man-portable anti-tank rocket launcher, measuring 900mm in length and manufactured by China’s Norinco, is classified as an anti-tank and anti-bunker weapon. It has an effective firing range of 200 metres and a maximum range of 400 metres.
The Norinco PF-89 is a lightweight, easily portable infantry weapon, weighing approximately 3.7 kilograms, and is designed
for single-shot use with a disposable launch tube.
- The PF-89 (Type 89) anti-tank rocket has been developed in several variants, each using warheads designed to engage different types of targets.
- The basic variants, PF-89 and PF-89A, primarily employ HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) warheads, which generate a high-energy jet to penetrate light to medium armoured vehicles.
For use against modern main battle tanks equipped with enhanced protection, such as Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA),
the PF-89B variant employs a tandem shaped-charge HEAT warhead.
