Former Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council reveals why Cambodia abandoned soldiers' bodies on the border without proper rites, estimating heavy Cambodian casualties.

The matter escalated when the strong smell of decomposing bodies along the Thai-Cambodian border, particularly in the areas where clashes occurred, became a major issue.

The situation was so severe that campaigns were launched to collect donations for high-quality face masks, alongside direct protests from the Thai side, fearing potential disease outbreaks.

The reason Cambodia abandons its soldiers’ bodies on the battlefield without conducting proper rituals is to prevent the spread of news about the heavy casualties, which could undermine Hun Sen’s authority.

Pongsakorn assessed the losses, estimating that the troops engaged in the heaviest fighting against Thai forces had likely lost no fewer than 3,000 men.