Thai forces repel hilltop assault

FIGHTER JETS PUT BACK INTO ACTION

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

>>Thai troops reclaimed Phu Makuea, a strategic highland in Si Sa Ket province after repelling a predawn assault by Cambodian forces on it as fierce clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border entered a third day yesterday.

The confrontation reignited in the early hours of yesterday, following an operation by Thai troops to reclaim the border hilltop in northeastern Si Sa Ket province at 6.50pm on Friday.

At 3.30am yesterday, Cambodian troops launched a renewed offensive to retake Phu Makuea. The attempted incursion was pushed back, said the Royal Thai Facebook's news update "RTATrend" Facebook page. At 9.20 am yesterday, the army's page posted an update confirming Phu Makuea had been secured, sharing photos of Thai soldiers raising the national flag along the peak and singing the national anthem. The accompanying message underscored Thailand's unwavering stance on sovereignty: "Our sovereignty will not be trampled upon".