Thais Answer Border Attack

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30783, 22 June 1965, Page 15

Thais Answer Border Attack

(N.Z. Press Association-Copyright)

BANGKOK, June 21.

Thailand today rushed a marine company into Trad province, bordering Cambodia, after reports of a heavy clash with Cambodian troops yesterday. The governor of adjoining Chadburi province said 14 Cambodian soldiers were killed in a series of battles along the border.

There are no communications with Trad province. The governor told Interior Ministry officials in Bangkok that a company of Cambodian soldiers penetrated less than a mile into Thailand at Khao Wong village.

Only one border policeman was reported seriously wounded. A statement issued by the Thai Government last night said “the Thai Government and people will suppress them (Cambodians) decisively. Cambodia will have to bear the consequences of this act.” ‘Serious’ Attack An official at the office of the Prime Minister, Thanom Kittikachorn, said he believed the incident to be serious. Border clashes have occurred in Trad province before but never on such a scale, he said.

Reports reaching Bangkok said that more than 200 Cambodian soldiers were digging in near Khao Wong village. The Under-Secretary of the

Interior, Puang Suwanarat. left with the commander of provincial police and commander of border police by helicopter for Trad province. The area. is located some

180 miles south-east of Bangkok. Thai marines disembarked on beaches near the area and were trucked to the reported battle area.