Monday, 7 February 2011

Fighting shuts Phra Viharn border park


via CAAI

Published: 7/02/2011

Artillery shelling has destroyed part of the headquarters complex of Phra Viharn National Park, which adjoins the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple, and the park has been closed to the public until further notice. has been closed indefinitely because of the fighting between Thai and Cambodian soldiers.

National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Sunant Aroonnopparat said on Monday that artillery rounds that landed inside the park compound, causing heavy damage to the office building and equipment, including computers.

The roofs of the houses of the park staff had been demolished. The damage was initially estimated at 400,000-500,000 baht, he said.

All nine park officials had evacuated to Kantharalak. Soldiers from the 2nd Army had been deployed to take positions inside the park.

The park officials left eight or nine guns at the office. They would today seek permission from soldiers to go back their to pick the weapons, Mr Sunant said.

The park covers an area of 81,250 rai, or 130 square kilometres, on the border with Cambodia.

Thai and Cambodian troops started shooting at each other, again, on Feb 4. The fighting has continued.

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