Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said yesterday (Dec 8) that the casino had served as a command centre following reports that a Thai fighter jet had been spotted dropping bombs on a casino across the border from Chong An Ma in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani earlier in the day, reports the Bangkok Post.
Maj Gen Winthai said Cambodian attacks on Sunday afternoon showed a clear intention to harm Thailand, leaving the country no choice but to defend itself. Thailand’s response, he said, was focused on destroying Cambodia’s rocket bases, which posed serious risks to both military personnel and civilians.
This action was taken because those positions had employed artillery and air-dropped munitions against Thai forces at the Anuphong base, resulting in one Thai soldier being killed and two others injured. “The ultimate goal is to destroy as many of Cambodia’s supporting fire systems as possible,” the army spokesman said.
He added that Cambodia has been observed increasing the readiness of its troops, with indications that Cambodian forces have identified long-range strike coordinates deeper inside Thai territory - including areas near Buriram Airport and near a hospital in Prasat District in Surin, which lies 30 kilometres from the border.
“Thailand’s use of air power is directed exclusively at Cambodian military targets, with efforts made to limit the scope of damage and prevent further Cambodian fire-support attacks that have caused Thai casualties,” he said, explaining that such operations are highly precise and do not affect civilians living in the conflict zone.
Air Marshal Chakkrit Thammawichai, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force, told the meeting that this operation is being carried out jointly with the Suranaree Task Force in response to the Cambodian military actions that pose a direct threat to Thailand’s security, the safety of residents living along the border, and the military personnel operating in the area.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul convened a meeting of national security agencies at Government House yesterday. He later delivered a televised address via TV Pool during which he informed the Thai public that, since Sunday, clashes have occurred in several locations along the border.
“Today, the National Security Council convened and resolved that the government will act in accordance with NSC resolutions - namely, to undertake military operations in all necessary circumstances arising from the situation,” he said.
Thailand will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty and will act in accordance with principles of peace, security and humanitarianism, he said.
Anutin later said that Thailand will no longer open the door to negotiations with Cambodia. He said that negotiations were no longer necessary, as the events made it evident that the attacks were not “signals” but deliberate actions requiring Thailand to respond.
He explained that, in recent weeks, there had been attacks launched on Thai civilian areas and several Thai military bases. Thailand, therefore, had a duty to safeguard its sovereignty and the security of its people.
He emphasised that military operations are matters of strategy, and operational details cannot be disclosed to the public without a detrimental effect.
There will be no further negotiations as Thailand had been attacked first on multiple occasions, and this was its response, he said. The Kuala Lumpur declaration clearly stipulates that issues between Thailand and Cambodia must be resolved, but Thailand would not be the only party to stand down, according to Anutin.
“They did this to us, and we have responded in kind,” he said.