THAILAND: ARMY ON ALERT AS CAMBODIAN FACTIONS NEAR BORDER UPDATE

(20 Aug 1997) English/Nat

Fierce fighting and heavy shelling between warring Cambodian factions moved within several hundred metres (yards) of the border on Wednesday, putting the Thai army on alert.

Thai soldiers took shelter inside bunkers, as Cambodian government troops trying to destroy a resistance artillery base at the nearby town of O'Smach launched shells along the frontier.

Two rockets landed about 300 metres (yards) inside Thailand, prompting the Thai military to fire two warning shots back across the border.

Thai commanders have called for reinforcements in case the fighting spills over the border.

Another 300 Cambodian refugees scrambled past the wire-strewn border gate on Wednesday to join the estimated 35-thousand who have already crossed into Thailand.

Reports said General Nhiek Bun Chhay - a military commander loyal to deposed First Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh - asked the Thai army to open the gateway at least twice on Wednesday to accommodate the refugees.

Explosions could be heard echoing from the northern Cambodian jungle.

In the weeks since Second Premier Hun Sen launched his July 5-6 coup and ousted the prince, his forces have pushed Ranariddh's men back more than 96 kilometres (60 miles) to the town of O'Smach.

Thai military aides said between 2-thousand and 5-thousand of Ranariddh's Funcinpec troops were spread across a 24 kilometre (15 miles) front, trying to make a final stand.

It is believed that the government of Hun Sen has massed 7-thousand troops at O'Puok, about six kilometres (four miles) inside Cambodia.

From there, they reportedly have been slowly encircling O'Smach - the largest remaining town controlled by Funcinpec.

Khmer Rouge guerrillas were rumoured to be laying land mines behind Hun Sen's troops to booby trap them if and when they retreat.

One Khmer Rouge soldier who was wounded in the leg was carried across the border to Thailand.

The guerrillas have teamed up with Funcinpec soldiers to fight Hun Sen and his men.

But, as one Funcinpec soldier has suggested, the battle looks increasingly bleak for the royalist supporters.

SOUNDBITE (English):
"Mr. Hun Sen has rockets and Funcinpec soldiers has none. The rockets were made in the U-S-A."
SUPER CAPTION: Funcinpec soldier

Thai military sources said small contingents of government troops were attacking opposition forces at many points along the front - but resistance soldiers were retaliating with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, artillery and mortars.

Nonetheless, Thai army officers said they expected the town would fall by Thursday - if not sooner - as they doubt Ranariddh's men have the ability to withstand a government assault for long.

It is believed that with the civilians now safely in Thailand, Hun Sen's troops would soon begin an all-out attack on O'Smach.

An estimated 35-thousand refugees have filed into Thailand to escape the clashes near O'Smach.

They have been receiving food and other aid from the Red Cross camp at Khueng Hoeichueng - six kilometres (four miles) from the border.

Aid workers said there were many refugees sick with malaria and other diseases.

The exodus began as soon as fighting between the rival factions escalated on Monday.

SOUNDBITE (English):
"We don't want to go back to Cambodia, because I can hear, I fear the artillery shells in O'Smach, the streets of O'Smach."
SUPER CAPTION: Cambodian refugee


Hun Sen announced on Wednesday that he would meet Thai officials on Thursday to arrange the refugees' return.


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