Thai Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit has asked Cambodia to refrain from military activities in border areas populated by civilians following a cross-border exchange of gunfire between Thai and Cambodian forces on Wednesday.
He said he made the point in a phone conversation with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha.
Speaking to reporters, Gen Nattaphon also said the exchange of gunfire was initiated by the Cambodian side as a “provocation”. He insisted that Thai forces returned fire in accordance with the rules of engagement.
“The Cambodians obviously stage-managed the incident to provoke the Thai side,” he said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Wednesday condemned what he claimed to be Thailand’s “use of violence” that killed on civilian and injured three others in Prey Chan village of Banteay Meanchey province, opposite Sa Kaeo province of Thailand.
Gen Nattaphon said that in his phone conversation, he asked Tea Seiha to stop Cambodian forces from engaging in military activities in areas with civilian population. He did not say how his Cambodian counterpart responded to the request.
He said soldiers of Burapa task force, which oversees security on Thailand’s eastern border, returned fire without knowing that there were civilians in the area.
