Surin: Entering its fifth day, the fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border continues to intensify. Early this morning, Cambodia launched an offensive against Thailand, while last night, Thai F-16s dropped high-explosive bombs on casino targets in the Chub Ko Kee area.
According to Thai News Agency, the 2nd Army Region confirmed via its Facebook page that, since 4:35 AM, Cambodia has launched an offensive against Thai forces in the areas of Chong Bok, Chong An Ma, Ta Kwai, and Ta Muen Thom. Thai soldiers have stood their ground in defending national sovereignty to the fullest extent. Meanwhile, the Army Military Force Facebook page released a video of fierce fighting showing Thai soldiers firing 155 mm artillery shells at Cambodian military bases in the Ta Kwai temple area.
The conflict wasn’t limited to the northeastern region; both the 2nd and 1st Army Areas experienced attacks in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. In these areas, soldiers from both sides engaged in continuous artillery, mortar, and heavy weaponry exchanges. This prompted security agencies to request that the public evacuate all high-risk areas along the border, as intense clashes and an expansion of the fighting were anticipated. Furthermore, the use of mobile phones was strictly prohibited in high-risk areas, as Cambodia could intercept the signals for attack purposes.
Furthermore, it was stated that last night, Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducted airstrikes, dropping high-explosive bombs on casino targets in the Chub Ko Kee area of Banteay Ampil District, Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia. They also provided artillery support, attacking a Cambodian oil depot located near the casino in Chub Ko Kee, which is situated opposite the Sae Takoo border crossing point in Ban Kruat District, Buriram Province, Thailand. This attack followed reports that the casino and oil depot were being used by Cambodian military forces, specifically as a location for suicide drone attacks against Thailand, a storage facility for heavy weapons, and a refueling point for rocket launchers.
The Army Region emphasized that when a “casino” transforms into a command center, it must be “destroyed completely” in accordance with the right to self-defense, specifically targeting military objectives and limiting damage with the utmost precision. The military target coordinates include:
– Chong Chom, Surin – Bon O Samet
– Chong An Ma, Ubon Ratchathani – Chong An Ma Pond
– Sai Takoo Channel, Buriram – Sai Takoo Gambling Den
– Ta Phraya, Sa Kaeo – Casino located opposite the Ta Phraya area.
– Chamrak, Trat – Bon Thmodda
Just a moment ago, the 2nd Army Region and Surin Radio Station released images of damage from artillery shells that landed in civilian areas. This is similar to the situation in Ban Kruat District, where more than 10 shells landed, forcing nearly 100% of the residents to evacuate. Only community leaders, village defense volunteers, and auxiliary police remain to maintain order and protect property.
Footage from local residents’ CCTV cameras, which captured the sounds of fighting, showed a large barrage of approximately 80 BM-21 rockets being fired into the Saddle Pass area between 7:55 and 8:00 AM. The explosions caused tremors felt in the surrounding area.
The latest reports indicate that two more soldiers have died: Private Chanchai Padungchok, who perished in the Battle of Bueng Takuan-Ban Khlong Phaeng, Ta Phraya, and Private Thanakorn Singhachart, who died in the Battle of Prasat Ta Muen Thom. This brings the total number of casualties to nine soldiers and over 120 wounded.