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9 Thai soldiers charged with killing Chinese sailors

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A group of Thai army men have been charged by police in connection with the killing of 13 Chinese sailors on the Mekong River earlier this month.

Two cargo ships, Huaping and Yu Xing 8, were attacked on Oct. 5 on Mekong River near the golden triangle area and 13 Chinese sailors were killed.

Two cargo ships, Huaping and Yu Xing 8, were attacked on Oct. 5 on Mekong River near the golden triangle area and 13 Chinese sailors were killed.?[File photo]

The servicemen of a task force of the Third Army reportedly turned themselves in on Friday after Thai police issued an arrest warrant, the Bangkok Post reported Sunday.

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They have been questioned and are facing charges of murder and tampering of evidence. But they denied all the charges, Xinhua said.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who is in charge of security affairs and overseas national police, said that "solid evidence" suggested that the cargo ships with 13 Chinese sailors were attacked by weapons fired from the Thai side.

A background check on the victims showed that they didn't have any convictions for drugs offences, he added.

Thai police chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong Friday revealed the identities of the nine suspects and insisted that the army and the government were not behind the killing.

Further investigation is still underway, he said.

Two cargo ships, Huaping and Yu Xing 8, were attacked on Oct. 5 on Mekong River near the golden triangle area. Thirteen Chinese sailors were killed.