63-Year-Old Man Hunted for Fish but Caught in Crossfire with 10 Cambodian Soldiers, Barely Escapes
A 63-year-old fisherman from Buriram province narrowly escaped after encountering 10 armed Cambodian soldiers near a village dam, abandoning his motorcycle and catch as gunfire erupted during his retreat.
May 9, 2025 – A villager from Ban Krot district, Buriram province, went fishing behind his village dam when he encountered about 10 Cambodian soldiers armed with guns and knives. They shined flashlights and fired warning shots, forcing him to abandon his motorcycle and catch to escape.
Reporter spoke with Aphirak Butphet, 63, who recounted the incident. He was fishing with two younger companions who walked about 50 meters ahead. When he saw three flashlights, he assumed they were fellow villagers also fishing and approached them asking "Catch anything yet?" As he got closer, he realized they were three Cambodian soldiers fully armed with guns and knives. Both parties were startled, each thinking the other were their own people.
Aphirak tried to communicate that he was only there to fish, but they couldn't understand each other. When he mentioned hearing fish sounds, he turned off his light and ran. About 10 more Cambodian soldiers chased after him. He hid in thick brush, discarded his catch, and his companion took a different route. They hid for about two hours before abandoning the motorcycle to escape. Gunfire erupted as they fled in panic.
Aphirak insists the fishing area is Thai territory, located 1-2 kilometers from the border. He expressed confusion about how Cambodian troops penetrated so deep into Thai land, though he acknowledged the area is a natural corridor often used for smuggling goods and contraband.
