Thai military bombed Poipet casino hub on border, says Cambodia

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Poipet is a major land crossing between the two nations that are engaged in renewed border clashes.

PHOTO: AFP

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said Thailand’s military on Dec 18 bombed the casino hub of Poipet, a major land crossing between the two nations that are engaged in renewed clashes along their border.

Thai forces “dropped two bombs in the area of Poipet Municipality, Banteay Meanchey Province” at around 11am local time (12pm Singapore time) on Dec 18, the Cambodian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Thailand had not commented on the strike as at early afternoon on Dec 18.

The

renewed fighting between the South-east Asian neighbours

The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800km border and a smattering of ancient temple ruins situated on the frontier.

Each side has blamed the other for instigating the fresh fighting, claiming self-defence and trading accusations of attacks on civilians.

Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said on Dec 16 at least four casinos in the country were damaged by Thai strikes since the fighting began on Dec 7. AFP