Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PHNOMPENH221
2009-04-03 02:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:  

APRIL 3 MORNING CLASH ON THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER AT

Tags:  PREL MOPS PGOV TH CB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8337
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHPF #0221 0930207
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 030207Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0571
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 2693
C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 000221 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR THE WATCH; EAP/MLS, P, D, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV TH CB
SUBJECT: APRIL 3 MORNING CLASH ON THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER AT
PREAH VIHEAR

REF: STATE

Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAROL A. RODLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L PHNOM PENH 000221

SIPDIS

STATE FOR THE WATCH; EAP/MLS, P, D, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV TH CB
SUBJECT: APRIL 3 MORNING CLASH ON THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER AT
PREAH VIHEAR

REF: STATE

Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAROL A. RODLEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) A clash between Thai and Cambodian infantry erupted
at 7:20 a.m. April 3 inside the disputed border area near the
Cambodian Preah Vihear UNESCO World Heritage Site according
to Council of Ministers Secretary of State Phay Siphan.
Fighting erupted in an area called the Field of Eagles, the
site of a clash last October 15 that left one Thai and three
Cambodian soldiers dead. Phay Siphan told Pol/Ec Chief that
Thai soldiers had tried to enter the site on March 30, but
were turned away after a period of negotiations. Since then,
the Cambodians had been negotiating access to the area, which
Phay Siphan described as thick jungle cut by a path used by
Cambodian infantry patrols.


2. (C) The local Cambodian commander had offered to escort
unarmed Thai soldiers in the area. However, early in the
morning of April 3 as many as 100 Thai soldiers occupying the
high ground around a Cambodian platoon position of about
30-40 soldiers descended on them and an exchange of gunfire
took place. Phay Siphan said the fighting continued as of
08:15 hours. He did not have any reports on casualties.
Prime Minister Hun Sen would be briefed at the Friday morning
Council of Ministers meeting, he said.
RODLEY