(27 Aug 1997) Natural Sound
One Thai soldier was killed on Wednesday amidst intense fighting between warring Cambodian factions on the Thai-Cambodian border.
Several shells strayed over the border, killing the Thai soldier and wounding two others.
The clashes were the heaviest in two weeks around the Cambodian village of O'Smach, with the sound of heavy artillery, mortars and small arms echoing around the area.
Outnumbered and outgunned soldiers loyal to deposed First Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh have been putting up a stubborn defence against the government army backing Second Premier Hun Sen.
Cambodian government forces appeared to be launching a final assault on Wednesday against resistance forces holed up at the border town of O'Smach.
After a morning of intermittent exchanges, government artillery opened up with a heavy barrage on what was the last resistance stronghold of O'Smach.
The resistance - made up of men backing deposed First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh and the Khmer Rouge - has held out for two weeks against government troops from hilltop positions heavily ringed by mines.
A wooden stall at an open air market was set on fire.
The market and O'Smach town village have been abandoned since August 19th, when 22-thousand civilians sought refuge in Thailand.
One shell apparently hit an ammunition store, which crackled with exploding bullets and rocket-propelled grenades.
The barrage died down after half an hour, followed by an exchange of machine gun and small arms fire as Hun Sen's men apparently tried to move forward.
Three blood-covered pro-Ranariddh soldiers were brought to the border and allowed across for medical treatment in Thailand.
Further artillery exchanges continued through Wednesday afternoon, with several rounds landing in Thailand.
One shell landed in a Thai bunker, immediately killing one Thai soldier and seriously injuring two others.
The blast occurred near a group of journalists, throwing A-P-T-V's cameraman off his feet, but he was unhurt.
Thailand returned fire with five artillery rounds, warning the Cambodian gunners to keep the fighting on their side.
The Thai army moved journalists away from the fighting to a road checkpoint about one kilometre (half a mile) from the frontier.
It's believed that the Thai Foreign Ministry will lodge a protest to the Cambodians over the incident.
In Phnom Penh, Hun Sen again rejected an appeal by Ranariddh to call a ceasefire that would coincide with King Norodom Sihanouk's scheduled return on Friday.
Wednesday's heavy assault indicated Hun Sen intends to finish the resistance at O'Smach before the king's arrival.
Hun Sen overthrew Ranariddh in a coup on July 5 and 6 in the capital, Phnom Penh.
His men then chased the prince's armed supporters through northern Cambodia until they made a stand at O'Smach.
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