The body of a border protection officer missing since Friday’s dispute between Cambodia and Laos was found along with his AK-47 assault rifle in the Sekong River in Stung Treng province on Monday, an official said on Tuesday.
Boun Noeung, a 50-year-old staff sergeant, drowned in the river between Cambodia and Laos on Friday afternoon in Siem Pang district after leaving the troops that had amassed for potential military action, provincial military commander Svay Nhorn said.
“We aren’t sure why he came back on Friday when everyone prepared to protect our land.
He came alone with a small boat and was a little bit drunk,” Mr. Nhorn said.
“It is careless of him, when he was drunk and driving,” Mr. Nhorn said.
“He knew the area had many rocks and could cause swirling water, sinking the boat.”
Boun Noeung had joined those guarding the border between the neighboring countries during a weekend dispute over construction in an undemarcated area that ended when Prime Minister Hun Sen met with his Laotian counterpart, Thongloun Sisoulith, in Vientiane on Saturday.
