THAI BORDER: Govt to look into reports of shootings

The Phnom Penh Post
Wednesday, 15 July 2009 14:03
By: VONG SOKHENG

Cambodian consular officials in Thailand will investigate reports that two Cambodian soldiers were shot by Thai border troops on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Tuesday. Thai media reported this week that the two soldiers were shot and killed after illegally crossing into Thailand's Sisaket province, about 1 kilometre from the Cambodian border, to cut wood. "We don't have any accurate information at the moment because we have only received information through the Thai newspapers. Our consulate in Thailand has begun investigating the incident," he said, adding that about 30 Cambodian soldiers had tried to claim the soldiers' bodies but were blocked by Thai troops. If two soldiers have in fact been killed, he said, "We will continue to work to take the bodies back so relatives can organise a funeral".