Phat Vibolsopheak, director-general of the defence ministry’s Department of International Relations, informed visiting military attachés and other international observers about Thai breaches of the current ceasefire.
During the July 30 inspection tour of the An Ses Pass battlefield in Preah Vihear province, he showed them photographs taken by Cambodian forces of seven Thai soldiers who were on the Cambodian side of the lines demarcated by the ceasefire.
He also noted that 20 Cambodian soldiers were captured by Thai forces at around 5am on the morning of July 29. One managed to escape, while 19 were taken to Thai territory.
“What we want at the moment, regardless of what else is going on, is the release of the soldiers who were captured after the ceasefire,” said Vibolsopheak.
He also described how the damaged terrain told its own story to the visiting attachés.
Major General Chanth Sopheaktra, commander of the Preah Vihear Operational Area, confirmed that 20 Cambodian soldiers were captured by Thai soldiers, at around 5am on the morning of July 29. One managed to escape, while 19 were taken to Thai territory.
He described this action as a violation of the ceasefire by the Thai side.
“They shook hands, smiled and greeted each other in a friendly manner, then took photos together to show that both sides respected the agreement. However, additional Thai forces emerged from the forest, overpowering ours. Twenty people were captured. One escaped, but we fear that some may have been killed,” Sopheaktra said.
