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Cambodian Government officials on Thursday strenuously denied shooting at a Thai helicopter that was flying into Cambodia territory in Pailin province on September 22.
The rumor, printed in the Khmer-language press, was that at 6 pm, a Thai helicopter flew illegally into Cambodia airspace in Pailin province without first requesting permission from the Cambodian military. Camb- odian soldiers fired warning shots and the helicopter returned to Thai territory.
The Thai helicopter was said to be on a reconnaissance mission to report back on Cambodian deployments at the border.  “We strongly reject the rumor saying that our soldiers shot down a Thai helicopter,” Pailin Governor Y Chhean told DAP News Cambodia on Thursday. Chhum Socheat, a Defense Ministry spokesman, also scotched the rumor, saying that “We today formally reject the rumor that our soldiers shot at a Thai helicopter in Pailin province.”
“We will investigate the source of this rumor further,” Chhum Socheat said.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesman said he had no official information about the incident.
A story printed by several newspapers alleged that Cambodian soldiers fired about 10 shots at the Thai helicopter on September 22.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has publicly warned that any helicopters of bordering countries flying into Cambodia territory without first requesting permission would be fired upon.


Written by DAP NEWS   --   Friday, 25 September 2009 02:59