Marines launch offensive to regain occupied Thai territory in Trat

TRAT - Thai navy marines launched an operation against Cambodian troops on Tuesday morning to reclaim a border area seized by Cambodian forces.

The fighting in Trat leaves neighbouring Chanthaburi as the only border province free of armed clashes between the two countries.

Capt Thammanoon Wanna, commander of the Trat Marine Task Force, said the operation to regain an area of Ban Nong Ri in tambon Chamrak, Muang district, started at 5.30am. Three houses in the area were the prime target.

The Royal Thai Navy said aerial images showed Cambodia reinforcing the area with weapons and troops, including snipers and multiple rocket launchers, in and around the three houses. This posed a serious security threat to Thailand.

"The Royal Thai Navy assesses these actions as a direct and serious threat to Thailand’s sovereignty," navy spokesman RAdm Paraj Ratanajaipan said.

The navy and other Thai security agencies found it "necessary to undertake military operations to expel the Cambodian forces from Thai sovereign territory", he said.

The three houses are in the vicinity of Ban Nong Ri, which according to the navy has been illegally controlled by Cambodia for more than four decades. The village is opposite Pursat province in Cambodia.

The fighting was continuing in the area about 10am on Tuesday, and TV Channel 3 reported the gunfire could be heard in Trat city.

Somchai Chaivej, a village defence volunteer, said he heard an explosion followed by a dozen or so gunshots. He had decided to stay at a bunker in the village, but his family had moved to a safe area on Monday.

"Although the clashes are serious, the morale of the people is still high because they are well accustomed to the border situation here," he said.

Provincial authorities have recommended that people in the border villages of Bo Rai, Khlong Yai and part of Muang district evacuate to shelters because of the intensifying tension.

Thittapha Nualwilai, a farmer, said she decided to stay in Ban Nong Ri to continue tapping her rubber trees for latex, because they still needed an income to make ends meet.

"I know all too well the danger, but the bills never stop," she said. "I hope these clashes end quickly and decisively".

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