In a startling development, tragedy struck along the volatile Thai-Cambodian border at the stroke of midnight on July 28, 2025. The curtain fell over a distinguished military career as a source from Thailand’s Second Army Area confirmed the untimely demise of Gen Srey Duk, a man synonymous with valor and strategic prowess. Serving as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Army and the commander of the 3rd Support Division, Gen Srey Duk was not just a high-ranking officer; he was a living symbol of loyalty and dedication to his nation.
Gen Srey Duk’s name resonated in the corridors of power, not least because of his esteemed camaraderie with the former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Known for his unyielding resolve, Srey Duk had been at Hun Sen’s side through the crucible of past conflicts, leading soldiers with a steadfast hand and heart filled with patriotic fervor.
The general’s acumen wasn’t confined to the battlefield. He was Cambodia’s chief negotiator in talks with Thailand, tasked with easing tense border disputes. At the heart of these negotiations was the delicate issue at Chong Bok. Here, he matched wits with Maj Gen Somphop Paravech, commander of Thailand’s Suranaree Task Force, orchestrating a diplomatic ballet that saw troops withdrawing and trenches being backfilled—a testament to his strategic finesse.
The negotiations, which culminated in a significant troop repositioning on the 8th of June 2025, seemed like a breakthrough, offering a glimmer of peace in a chronically unstable area. Alas, the tentative calm was short-lived as hostilities flared anew, casting a shadow over the fragile peace that Gen Srey Duk had so laboriously cultivated.
Meanwhile, high above the turmoil, the Royal Thai Air Force showcased precision with purpose. At precisely 10.28 pm, the skies over the Ta Kwai temple area roared to life with the ferocity of two F-16 fighter jets. The mission: sever Cambodian supply lines and silence artillery positions that dared to encroach upon the border’s delicate peace.
The aviation spectacle was both dramatic and decisive. The jets, sleek and lethal, executed their mission flawlessly, swooping through their strategic corridors with the grace of predatory birds midflight. With pinpoint precision, they neutralized threats and ensured a swift, uneventful return to base, marking the operation as an unequivocal success.
As the dust settles, both nations grapple with the sobering reality of this latest skirmish. Gen Srey Duk’s passing is a solemn reminder of the price paid by those who walk the razor-thin edge between peace and conflict. Amidst the geopolitical chess game that continues to unfold across the Thai-Cambodian border, there remains a lingering hope for dialogue over discord, inspired by leaders who dedicate their lives to service beyond self.
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