Cambodian Logging

Thais to punish Khmer Rouge for killing 22
19 December 1994
Straits Times
STIMES

BANGKOK - Thailand's army chief General Vimol Wongwanich has said Thailand will punish the Khmer Rouge for the massacre of 22 Thai loggers in northern Cambodia last month, according to Thai television.

He said on Saturday that there was clear evidence Khmer Rouge guerillas had killed the loggers.

"I think the situation now is getting rather clear that it's the Khmer Rouge

who killed the Thais," he said.

He was reported by Channel 7 as saying Thailand would punish the Khmer Rouge

and that the Thai army had its own measures to punish them as well.

A survivor from the massacre told reporters last month that some 100 Khmer Rouge guerillas rounded up 33 Thai workers from a logging site in Choam Khsan district of Preah Vihear on Nov 17 and marched them deep inside Cambodia.

Most of the workers were brutally slain a few days later when their employer , BLP Import-Export Company, paid the Khmer Rouge only US$12,000 (S$17,400) instead of the US$200,000 demanded. Ten escaped the killings.

Twenty-two bodies have been recovered. One logger is missing, feared dead.

Meanwhile, Cambodia Foreign Minister Ung Huot praised Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's recent directive to governors of seven border provinces to sever links with Khmer Rouge guerillas. He also predicted improved relations between the two countries.

"We are very satisfied with the move the Thai government has made to stop people dealing with the Khmer Rouge. It's the best news we've ever heard.

"I support him totally, Thai-Cambodian relations are very good," he said yesterday after returning from a visit to Thailand.

If enforced, the directive - which was made public on Wednesday - could affect severely the future of Pol Pot's movement, which now counts business links with Thailand as its only financial support.