Cambodian troops cross Thai border

Cambodian troops cross Thai border

ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand (AFP): Cambodian government troops crossed into Thai territory and stole a motorcycle and personal effects from a member of the Thai Border Patrol Police (BPP), a Thai official said yesterday.

Six Cambodian soldiers armed with assault rifles and rocket- propelled grenade launchers entered the Aranyaprathet district of Thailand's Sa Kaew province and forced the Thai man back into Cambodian territory, he said.

The policeman, who was not wearing a uniform, was taken about 100 meters inside Cambodia where his motorcycle, watch and cash were stolen, the BPP official said, adding the Thai man was able to run away when the soldiers became careless.

A BPP source said he had no hope the stolen goods would be returned because, he said, robbery by Cambodian troops occurred often in the area and the government in Phnom Penh never did anything about it.