Thai villager killed, five soldiers wounded, in deadly border clash

SI SA KET, Feb 4 — Fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops ended Friday evening after lasting for two hours at the border near the disputed Preah Vihear temple with artillery shells from Cambodia falling into Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province, killing one villager and wounding five soldiers.

Artillery shells landed at Bhumsrol village in Kantaralak district Friday afternoon as Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged heavy fire on Phu Makua Hill near the stairway to the ancient temple, forcing local residents to flee in disarray.

Thai Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit confirmed a Thai villager identified as Charoen Hahom, 49, was killed when artillery shells fired by Cambodian troops landed in Bhumsrol village. Five soldiers were wounded and are now hospitalised in Kantaralak hospital.

MCOT