Two Cambodian loggers are feared dead after they failed to return home to Oddar Meanchey province after crossing into Thailand in search of rosewood earlier this month, according to the wife of one of the missing men.
Sok Ny, 19, said that her husband Phat Tha, 20, and his brother Phat Thy, 23, had snuck into Thailand via Trapaing Prasat district with seven other loggers on April 5, and were the only two who failed to return.
Ms. Ny said one of the loggers who had returned told her the group had been shot at by Thai soldiers while heading back to Cambodia on Thursday evening, causing the men to scatter and lose track of Mr. Tha and Mr. Thy.
She said another group of loggers who had recently returned from Thailand reported that they had come across a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg and attempted to bring him back across the border, but left him on the Thai side when he succumbed to the injury.
“They said one died, but I am not sure whether he was my husband or not,” Ms. Ny said, adding that she had not informed police about the reports due to the unlawful nature of her husband’s work.
District police chief In Kay said he knew nothing about the alleged shooting.
“If there is a death, the authorities will tell me, but if they were arrested, it will take more time,” he said.
