The Royal Thai Army has indicated that the Thai troops did not open fire first

BANGKOK, 4 February 2011 (NNT) – Thai troops did not open fire first in the recent clashes on Friday afternoon at the disputed Preah Vihear zone, killing one villager in the scene.

Army Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd stated that the gunfire started at 3.30 pm on Friday afternoon. He said local army officers reported that unidentified bullets were fired from the Cambodian side against Thai troops at Phu Makhua Hill on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Colonel Sansern continued that the Thai side had to return fire to counter and warn that Cambodian bullets fell on the Thai territory; however, the situation escalated to exchanges of heavier war weapons.

The spokesperson stressed that he did not want to say who started the shooting first because the fight might be caused from misunderstanding; however, he confirmed that the Thai troops normally would not open fire first.

According to a recent report, a Thai man, later identified as Mr Charoen Phahom, 50, was killed during the clashes, and 15 houses were damaged by fire. Local residents have already evacuated f