Thai airstrikes saw almost 50 bombs dropped on two areas of O Beichoan commune in Banteay Meanchey province, and again in Srei Snam district, Siem Reap province, according to the Ministry of National Defence and local residents.
The ministry said that just before lunch, Thai jets dropped 40 bombs on Chouk Chey village, while a resident in Siem Reap province told The Post that they had heard approximately 10 bombs fall in Srei Snam district.
Thai shelling has reportedly intensified in O’Beichoan commune, with a total of 360 artillery rounds fired into Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages, added the ministry.
It noted that from 7am to 2.30pm, the Thai military fired approximately 250 shells into the area of Chouk Chey village, O Beichoan commune, O Chrov district, and approximately 110 shells into the area of Prey Chan village.
“The brutal actions above are indiscriminate attacks by the Thai military and represent a serious violation of international humanitarian law,” said the ministry.
“Under attacks with light and heavy artillery, as well as countless bombs dropped from fighter aircraft by the invading Thai military, Cambodia’s heroic armed forces exercise their right to self-defence and continue to stand firm to protect the land and honour of the Cambodian nation,” said the ministry, in another separate social media post.
It remains unclear why the Thai military has intensified their attacks a day before the December 27 GBC Special Meeting between the defence ministers of the two countries.
