THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkok Post and AFP
The plan by Cambodia and Thailand to sharply reduce troop levels on the border will be completed before a new round of border talks begins on Monday, Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Phat said yesterday. The agreement was reached on Wednesday during a meeting of military officials from the two countries in Surin.
''The redeployment of the troops that we have agreed to will finish before the ministerial meeting on Aug 18,'' Gen Neang Phat said.
Gen Neang Phat said the remaining troops would be allowed to carry only light arms. Their future positions would be determined after the ministerial meeting next week, he added.
The border dispute erupted on July 15 after three Thai ultra-nationalist protesters were arrested for trying to illegally cross into Cambodia to reach the temple. Thailand insists that the land is also Thai territory.
Thai nationalists were incensed that Cambodia last month won World Heritage status from the United Nations for the ruins, which Thailand has long claimed despite a World Court ruling giving the ruins to Cambodia.
The Cambodian-Thai border has never been completely demarcated, partly since it is littered with landmines left from decades of conflict in Cambodia.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission on Monday and Tuesday in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi will focus on the disputed area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Preah Vihear province of Cambodia.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will lead his delegation to talk with his Thai counterpart Tej Bunnag. The Cambodian minister will be granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district in Prachuab Khiri Khan on Tuesday.
''Thailand expects more progress from this meeting after the first one in Siem Reap last month,'' said Mr Tharit.
''The redeployment of the troops that we have agreed to will finish before the ministerial meeting on Aug 18,'' Gen Neang Phat said.
Gen Neang Phat said the remaining troops would be allowed to carry only light arms. Their future positions would be determined after the ministerial meeting next week, he added.
The border dispute erupted on July 15 after three Thai ultra-nationalist protesters were arrested for trying to illegally cross into Cambodia to reach the temple. Thailand insists that the land is also Thai territory.
Thai nationalists were incensed that Cambodia last month won World Heritage status from the United Nations for the ruins, which Thailand has long claimed despite a World Court ruling giving the ruins to Cambodia.
The Cambodian-Thai border has never been completely demarcated, partly since it is littered with landmines left from decades of conflict in Cambodia.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission on Monday and Tuesday in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi will focus on the disputed area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Preah Vihear province of Cambodia.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will lead his delegation to talk with his Thai counterpart Tej Bunnag. The Cambodian minister will be granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district in Prachuab Khiri Khan on Tuesday.
''Thailand expects more progress from this meeting after the first one in Siem Reap last month,'' said Mr Tharit.
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