Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) officials confirmed today, August 1, that the Thai air force dropped 10 MK-84 bombs during the five days of fighting with Cambodia. Only four exploded, it noted.
The centre said its findings corresponded with statements made by the Royal Thai Air Force, which confirmed it had employed F-16s, supported by Swedish-made Gripens during the conflict.
Officials presented the damage caused by the 1,000 kilogramme bombs to a group of more than 20 diplomats and UN officials, who toured Banteay Ampil district in Oddar Meanchey province. The tour was led by foreign minister Prak Sokhonn.
“We found 10 bombs were used. Four bombs exploded and six did not,” he said.
“They are the type of MK-84 used by the Thai air force,” he added.
The delegation visited pagodas and schools that were destroyed in the attacks, as well as displaced people. More than 170,000 people fled the fighting. Some returned to their homes after the July 28 ceasefire, but they are still fearful that the clashes will flare up again.
In a July 29 statement, the Royal Thai Air Force stated it actively supported joint operations with the Royal Thai Army from July 24-28, in response to the “escalation of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border”. It claimed its objective was to protect national sovereignty, minimise risks to civilians and establish strategic conditions that facilitate peaceful diplomatic negotiations.
Air Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee, spokesperson of the Royal Thai Air Force, stated that the air force deployed F-16 and Gripen fighter aircraft “to conduct precision air strikes on hostile military targets that posed threats to Thailand’s national security”.
He claimed that their missions were conducted both during day and night, and battle damage was assessed using integrated intelligence and modern surveillance technologies.
Although they said they targeted military command centres, one of their bombs was found in a villager’s home in Kok Mon commune, Oddar Meanchey’s Banteay Ampil district.
It was suggested by some pundits that the use of modern jet aircraft was out of proportion to Cambodia’s use of 1960s Soviet-era BM21 rocket artillery.
