Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash: Deadly Artillery Attack Near Phra Viharn Mountain

This past July 24th brought a whirlwind of chaos and tragedy as tensions boiled over at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, near the majestic Phra Viharn mountain in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province. As the sun ascended, the sounds of artillery fire shattered the morning peace, starting ominously at 9 a.m., claiming two lives and injuring numerous others when shells struck a PTT petrol station.

In what unfolded like a grim historical drama, reminiscent of conflicts past, the gunfire barrage persisted for over two hours. A never-ending cacophony of weapons echoed across the land as government agencies quickly undertook emergency evacuations of the affected residents. The response, though swift, led to a tangled web of traffic, as if the roads themselves had become a battlefield entangled with cars stretched over kilometers.

Among the chaos, the community of Ban Sao Thong Chai showcased unwavering resilience. Drawing on their stoic experience from the skirmish of 2011, some residents chose to bunker down instead of evacuating. They armed themselves with the simple comforts of home-cooked rice, fish, and the ever-essential fish sauce, forging a connection to their past that nourished them both physically and spiritually.

In a turn of fate that seemed straight out of a suspense novel, as KhaoSod reported, a Cambodian artillery shell demolished the serenity of Sri Phanak Chai village when it landed at house number 4. Luckily, destiny favored absent occupants; the residents were already safely evacuated.

In yet another devastating strike, an ominous BM21 rocket from Cambodian forces hit the PTT petrol station in Ban Phue, causing chaos and destruction in its wake. The tragic toll: two lives lost. Among the injured were young students, their dreams shattered like glass by the morning’s violence. Chaos reigned at 11:04 a.m. as Cambodian military launched an audacious attack on Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, sparking panic and a rush of adrenaline across the area. This tumultuous barrage continued to rain over the Kab Choeng district in Surin province, bringing along the wrath of BM-21 multiple rocket launchers aimed at already embattled communities.

Nimbly, the hospital officials, akin to seasoned chess players anticipating their opponent’s move, had already confirmed the swift evacuation of patients from Phanom Dong Rak Hospital. Meanwhile, Kab Choeng Hospital mobilized its emergency response team, meticulously transporting patients to safety in an urgent symphony orchestrated to the tunes of distress, reported Naewna.

The morning thriller didn’t stop there. With a boldness that defied the horizon, Cambodian troops opened fire beside the eastern reaches of the Moo Pa military base, a place not far from the venerated Ta Muean Thom Temple. This blatant act of aggression compelled a response, perfectly executed by Thai forces defending their land.

Amid the din of conflict, a decisive command resonated: Lieutenant General Boonsin Phadklang, head of the Second Army Region, stood not unlike a hero drawn from age-old lore. His order was decisive and clear—closing all border checkpoints and tourist sites to ensure safety and uphold the revered national sovereignty.

As the dust settled and the clock ticked forward, news from across Thailand continued to unfold, telling tales of heroism, heartbreak, and humanity’s resilience in the face of adversity, painting a vivid mosaic of life on a day that will echo in the annals of history.