Thailand denies violating Cambodian territory

[News_Editor]

Thailand denies violating Cambodian territory

2011-06-06 03:29:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry denied accusations made by the Cambodian government that Thai military aircraft had violated that country's airspace recently, said Thani Thongpakdi, director-general of the Ministry's Information Department, on Sunday.

According to MCOT Online news, Thani told journalists that the accusations were groundless after the Thai foreign affairs ministry was informed by the Thai military that planes had never intruded into Cambodian territory. He added that the ministry will send a letter to the Cambodian government denying the charges.

The protest letter, issued by Cambodia's foreign ministry and handed to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh on Saturday, charged that Thai military aircraft intruded into Cambodian airspace over Poi Pet on May 31. It said that a Thai L-19 military aircraft again violated Cambodia's airspace on Wednesday while two days later, on June 3, a Thai soldier flew on a private aircraft and conducted unspecified activities over Battambang province.

"While remaining committed to exercising utmost restraint in order to avoid further armed clashes between the two armed forces, Cambodia reserves its legitimate rights to self-defense and to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the protest note said.

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.

Clashes resumed in February as both nations claim the lands surrounding the ancient Hindu Temple, which has been damaged due to the conflict. The Preah Vihear temple dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-06

[londonthai]

"a Thai soldier flew on a private aircraft"

interesting to know, how cambodians knew, he was a soldier.

if they have intercepted thai aircraft at a such close range, as to see a pilot, they had chance to force it to land on their territory and have a hard-prove, that their airspace was violated.

[FOODLOVER]

Of course the air incursion accusations were groundless as i am guessing they were baseless as well.

[webfact]

P Penh aircraft claim denied

By Nuntida Puangthong

The Nation

Thailand yesterday denied its military aircraft flew into Cambodian airspace, saying sorties were limited to flying over Thai territory.

"It's true that the military flew rotary aircraft in the area but we have a clear code of conduct not to fly too close to the boundary," Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said. "It's a possible misunderstanding when looking at the aircraft from an angle from within Cambodia."

The Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh was summoned last week to receive a note of protest.

Cambodia's National Security Ministry had complained that at 11.15am on June 1, a Thai L19 spy plane flew a scouting pattern around Poipet city to Chok Chey village, O'bey Choan commune, and then moved on to Boeng Tror Koun gateway, crossing three districts along the border - O'Chrov, Svay Chek and Thmor Pouk.

At 7.45am on June 3, black-clad Thai soldiers of Unit 523 used a paraglider to conduct an airborne surveillance mission in Battambang's Phnom Preuk district, it said. "These Thai military intrusions can be deemed as provocations to renewed armed clashes, and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces believe the Thai military have to bear the responsibility for any unfortunate present or future incident," it said.

-- The Nation 2011-06-06

[AleG]

"L-19 spy plane"?

Well, I guess... it ain't no SR-71 Blackbird though.

[Soutpeel]

"L-19 spy plane"?

Well, I guess... it ain't no SR-71 Blackbird though.

Maybe it was the Blimp the Thai miltary bought a while back....

[FOODLOVER]

hmm.. paraglider as well. Wait a minute. Now would be the time to use the balloon! GET THE BALLOON! Been wanting to see this bad boy in action for some time. Who's the head balloon guy? Probably some clown, but he should be notified!

Edited June 6, 2011 by FOODLOVER

[whybother]

... Who's the head balloon guy? Probably some clown ...

[DP25]

"a Thai soldier flew on a private aircraft"

interesting to know, how cambodians knew, he was a soldier.

if they have intercepted thai aircraft at a such close range, as to see a pilot, they had chance to force it to land on their territory and have a hard-prove, that their airspace was violated.

Cambodia doesn't have the ability to intercept a plane in their territory or force it to do anything. They do not have a single flyable fighter. Not sure how they could know who or what it was