Two Thai soldiers were killed in a fierce battle at Mount 350, close to the Prasart Ta Kwai ancient temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province yesterday, as Cambodian troops tried to advance on the strategic hilltop position, which has been reclaimed by Thai forces.
The two fallen soldiers were identified as Sgt Maj. Samroeng Klangprakome and Pvt. Panuphat Saosa, both attached to the 3rd infantry battalion of the 23rd infantry regiment, according to the Second Army Region.
Their deaths have brought the loss of Thai troops to 19 since the outbreak of renewed armed conflict on December 7.
Thai troops are still unable to retrieve the bodies of the two fallen soldiers.
The Second Army Region reports that Thai troops have regained full control of Prasart Ta Kwai, but are still unable to capture Mount 350 because of the terrain, which advantages the Cambodian defenders.
Cambodian forces continue to attack Ta Kwai and surrounding areas with BM-21 rockets and sacrificial drones, prompting the Thai army to warn defence volunteers not to collect any drone debris for safety reasons.
Thai tanks shelled a casino building in Chong Sai Taku in Cambodia yesterday, opposite Ban Kruat district of Thailand’s northeastern province of Buri Ram. The building is suspected to have been used to store drones and ammunition by the Cambodian forces.
A huge column of smoke and flames was seen billowing from the casino after it was hit by tank shells.
