MiG activities alarm Thais

Press, 14 August 1980, Page 6

MiG activities alarm Thais

NZPA Bangkok Thai military authorities have reported the despatch of Soviet-made MiG2l fighters to north-western Kampuchea in what they say is a “worrying” development for Thailand. A highly placed military source said that up to seven MiGs had been sent to Siem Reap, north-west of Phnom Penh, signalling a possible escalation of Hanoi’s drive against resistance elements along the Thai-Kampuchean border. The source said the development was ■ “worrying” since air power was not necessary for a normal suppression drive. An independent Western source, who could not confirm.-: the report, noted that Thai air power played a big part in beating back Vietnamese troops during the fighting which followed the June 23 incursion into Thailand’s None Mak Mun village. The dispatch of MiGs to the area could mean that Hanoi was contemplating another similar operation “and this tithe .they would have the means!to hit back,” the source addted. At the -same time, the Thai military source reported the recent dispatch of a full division of Vietnamese troops to beef up the estimated eight divisions already deployed along the 800 km area bordering- with Thailand.. The source further reported stepped up activities by Vietnamese-led forces in

Those moves appeared to be aimed at Khmer Rouge | guerrillas loyal to the deposed Prime Minister, Pol Pot, and nationalist Khmer Sereika elements loyal to another former Prime Minister, Son Sahn, who have bases in the area..;, ’ ■ The latest disclosures of Vietnamese military movements in western Kampuchea came after the Thai Supreme Command spokesma n , ' Lieutenant-General Som Kattaphan, said he expected Hanoi’s forces to step up activities against the guerrillas if Vietnam failed to gain recognition for the Heng Samrin regime in Phnom Penh at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting. Western analysts said that if Vietnam planned to launch a big attack before. the Assembly meets in New ' York next month, it would . be soon, in order to allow the dust to settle in time for their diplomatic offensive at the world gathering. Field reports said yester- , day that Vietnamese-led forces fought a night-long battle in the Phnom Malai foothills south of the , key ■ Thai border town of Aran- . yaprathet, about 250 km east. of Bangkok. The reports said that the Vietnamese side, backed up i with T 54 tanks' and heavy , artillery, were gaining ground in the guerrillas’ stronghold and were over- 1 coming logistics - problems j with three strategic bridges t and two helicopter landing

areas further north border- strips set up to move suping Thailand’s Surin and Si P lies i nto the rugged footSaket provinces. hills.