With regard to the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border on 30 April-3 May 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state the following:
1. On 30 April 2011 from 05.00-05.50 hours, the Cambodian troops opened fire into the Thai territory in the area around Ta Kwai Temple, resulting in the injuries of 10 Thai soldiers. Later in the evening at 19.10 hours, Cambodian troops advanced to the Thai military base in the area of Ta Muen Temples, using illumination flares and hand grenades. Until about 22.17 hours, the Cambodian troops started firing heavily at the Thai troops using mortars. The Thai troops reacted in defense by using proportionate means with necessity in accordance with international law. The exchange of fires ended at 23.00 hours.
2. On 1 May 2011 from 22.00 until 04.40 hours of 2 May 2011, the Thai troops detected that the Cambodian troops tried to advance to the Thai defensive line in the area around Ta Kwai Temple. The Thai troops used hand grenades to prevent the intrusion by Cambodian troops, while the Cambodian troops fired at the Thai troops using small arms and hand grenades. The Cambodian troops heavily fired at the Thai troops using small arms, hand grenades and artilleries. The Thai troops reacted proportionately. The exchange of fire ended at 05.54 hours of 2 May 2011. This resulted in the death of one Thai soldier and injuries of six Thai soldiers.
3. On 2 May 2011, at 21.20 hours, the Cambodian troops heavily fired into the area of Ta Kwai Temple, using mortars and artilleries. The heavy firing ended at around 23.10 hours.
4. On 3 May 2011 at 00.00 hours, the Cambodian troops resumed the heavy firing using mortars. The Thai troops reacted in defense. The exchange of fire ended at 00.40 hours. At 00.57 hours, Cambodian troops again opened fire using small arms into the western area of Ta Kwai Temple and using artilleries to attack the Thai troops in the eastern area of Hill 350. The exchange of fire ended at 01.05 hours. This resulted in the death of one Thai soldier, injuries of three Thai soldiers, death of one Thai civilian and injuries of four Thai civilians.
5. Thailand exercised its utmost restraint but the repetition of these provocative acts of aggression left the Thai troops with no choice but to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as in protection of the Thai civilians in the area, by using proportionate means with necessity, under international law, and strictly directed at only military targets.
6. Thailand protests in a strongest term the repeated unprovoked armed attacks by Cambodia, which are in clear violation of international law. Thailand also condemns Cambodia’s acts of aggression which have been putting the lives of innocent civilians at risks.
7. Thailand hereby, again, calls on Cambodia to ceasefire immediately and to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue under existing bilateral mechanisms.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th