Cambodia continued its attacks on Thai territory on Tuesday, even though both countries expect bilateral truce talks to begin on Wednesday.
Defence spokesman RAdm Surasant Kongsiri told reporters on Tuesday that Cambodia resumed its shelling of Thailand on Tuesday morning, following repeated attacks on Monday.
Speaking at the daily afternoon press briefing, he said that on Monday Cambodian heavy artillery fired on Thai military positions in Ta Phraya district, Sa Kaeo, around 11.30am, and one Thai soldier was killed.
About 4pm on Monday, Cambodia fired BM-21 rockets that hit houses in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo. The rockets detonated, injuring seven Thai civilians and a Thai policeman. One civilian was seriously injured, with shrapnel wounds to the abdomen, body and head.
On Tuesday, Cambodia again fired heavy weapons at many areas in Thailand, beginning about 6.30am.
Col Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesman for the Thai army, said intense Cambodian shelling continued, affecting Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Ban Klong Pang and Ban Nong Chan of Sa Kaeo province.
“Civilians are heavily affected as their areas have been fired on since yesterday (Monday). Nearly 200 rockets hit their areas and people were injured,” he said.
According to Col Richa, Cambodian rockets have hit 51 areas in Sa Kaeo since Dec 8, damaging or destroying 14 houses and about 5,800 rai of farmland.
In the Northeast, Cambodian artillery fired on the Phu Makua-Huai Ta Maria area in Si Sa Ket province and at Ta Kwai and Ta Muen temple ruins in Surin province.
“Despite a roadmap to the GBC (General Border Committee), the daily shelling continues. The armed forces must fire back to stop the attacks,” Col Richa said.
RAdm Surasant said the situation remained uncertain, with Cambodia still firing weapons at civilian areas in Thailand.
The defence spokesman said the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee would begin its meeting in Chanthaburi province on Wednesday. Secretariat officials of both sides would meet from Wednesday to Friday, with the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers expected to meet on Saturday.
AFP news agency reported that Cambodia had asked for the talks to be moved to neutral ground, suggesting Kuala Lumpur as a suitable venue.