THE fighting along Thai-Cambodian border that broke out yesterday [Dec. 7] and continued this morning escalated with the Thai air force scrambling F-16 fighter jets to hit Khmer military targets while Thai troops cut off a cable car to Prasat Ta Khwai ancient temple which is a supply route, PPTVHD36 and Amarin TV said.
At 7.10 a.m. army spokesman Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari said fighter jets had been deployed to target Khmer support weapons installations across from Chong An Ma area, Ubon Ratchathani province, with artillery and rockets barrages having led to the death of one soldier with two others being injured.
The Thai air force said F-16s were scrambled to provide ground support, targeting Cambodian artillery fired into Thailand and these aircraft are currently carrying out their mission.
Ms. Wasana Nanuam, a senior military journalist, indirectly said in her personal Facebook page that eight bombs were dropped with a casino in Poipet used as a military base to fly drones to Thailand also hit.
Meanwhile the Thai army is moving to reclaim Prasat Ta Kwai temple at Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province, by destroying the cable car link 300 metres west of the temple thus disrupting the supply route.
In another development, a 55-year-old man suffering from heart disease died while evacuating from Ban Kruat district, Buriram province, after a clash broke out there.
Sounds of shells exploding were heard across this district as well as further away at Prakhon Chai district, over 30km from the border, with residents of this district too evacuating.
CAPTION:
Cable car to Prasat Ta Kwai bombed. Photo – Amarin TV
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