THE EDITOR – The number of fatalities from Cambodia’s attacks on Thai civilian areas has risen to 12, including an eight-year-old boy, with over 30 injuries, according to the Thai army.
Bangkok Post said that as of 2.15pm on Thursday, Thai authorities confirmed that civilian zones were hit by supporting fire, resulting in fatalities, injuries and property damage after Cambodian forces launched artillery strikes into Thai territory following a morning assault on a Thai military base near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province.
The affected areas included:
1. Surin: Two civilians killed, including an eight-year-old boy; four civilians injured; five soldiers wounded.
2. Ubon Ratchathani: One civilian killed; four seriously injured.
3. Sisaket: Eight civilians killed, including a 15-year-old; 15 civilians injured; one soldier killed, two wounded.
4. Buriram: One civilian injured.
The attacks also caused property damage, with reports of residential damage and damage to agricultural property and livestock in affected areas.
In a statement, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin condemned Cambodia’s actions, labelling the attacks as inhumane and a severe violation of human dignity and Thailand’s sovereignty. He highlighted ongoing efforts to coordinate emergency medical responses, with additional personnel and resources dispatched to the impacted zones.
Mr Somsak reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to safeguarding its people, stating: “The government will pursue all necessary measures to respond to the aggression and ensure the safety of its citizens.”
The army reiterated its commitment to protecting Thailand’s sovereignty and its citizens, stating it is prepared to take all necessary military measures in response to what it described as violations of humanitarian principles.
“The Royal Thai Army strongly condemns the violent actions targeting civilians by Cambodian forces,” the statement read. “Thailand stands ready to defend its sovereignty and protect its people from such inhumane acts.”
Thai villages hit by Cambodian rockets
In Surin’s Kap Choeng district, two people were killed and two injured when BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia struck their village in the morning. Evacuations of up to 40,000 residents to emergency shelters were under way.
District chief Sutthiroj Charoenthanasak confirmed that two rockets struck the village at 9.40am while residents were awaiting evacuation. Four people were wounded, with two later dying at hospital: a 12-year-old child and an adult.
Authorities were evacuating people from 86 villages to emergency shelters at schools in the neighbouring Prasat district, Surin. Mr Sutthiroj said shelter capacity was adequate and most evacuees had arrived safely.
Officials have not yet surveyed the attack site due to concerns over continued Cambodian artillery fire, he added.
Patients in Kap Choeng were being evacuated from Phanom Dong Rak and Kap Choeng hospitals after rockets fell near the Ta Muen temple ruins. Further casualty reports were not immediately available.
In Si Sa Ket, two people were reported killed and many other civilians hurt when Cambodian rockets fell into a supermarket at a petrol station in Ban Phue, provincial governor Watthana Phutthichat said.
Fire and Rescue Thailand reported that the two deaths at the supermarket were students. A Thaipbs reporter said their bodies were found in the ruins.
The 2nd Army Region posted a video of the incident on its Facebook page at 11.30am.
