P Penh aircraft claim denied

[Admin]

P Penh aircraft claim denied
By Nuntida Puangthong
The Nation 2011-06-06

Thailand yesterday denied its military aircraft flew into Cambodian airspace, saying sorties were limited to flying over Thai territory.

"It's true that the military flew rotary aircraft in the area but we have a clear code of conduct not to fly too close to the boundary," Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said. "It's a possible misunderstanding when looking at the aircraft from an angle from within Cambodia."

The Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh was summoned last week to receive a note of protest.

Cambodia's National Security Ministry had complained that at 11.15am on June 1, a Thai L19 spy plane flew a scouting pattern around Poipet city to Chok Chey village, O'bey Choan commune, and then moved on to Boeng Tror Koun gateway, crossing three districts along the border - O'Chrov, Svay Chek and Thmor Pouk.

At 7.45am on June 3, black-clad Thai soldiers of Unit 523 used a paraglider to conduct an airborne surveillance mission in Battambang's Phnom Preuk district, it said. "These Thai military intrusions can be deemed as provocations to renewed armed clashes, and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces believe the Thai military have to bear the responsibility for any unfortunate present or future incident," it said.

[dimple joe]

patently not true as all the aircraft available were in for servicing on the day in question - see photo

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