BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat plans to meet his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, in Beijing this week for talks on recent clashes along a disputed stretch of their border, the foreign minister said Tuesday. Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said the two sides were trying to fix a meeting for Friday on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe summit in the Chinese capital.
"We are working on a time slot for the two leaders to discuss what we should do next," Sompong told reporters before a cabinet meeting.
Cambodian officials also say a bilateral meeting is planned.
A Thai soldier died Tuesday from wounds sustained on October 15 in a 40-minute firefight near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries. Three Cambodian soldiers were also killed.
It was the most serious border clash in years but tensions have now eased and both sides have said they do not expect any escalation in the conflict.
Some analysts link the eruption of fighting on the border to the political instability that has roiled Thailand for the past three years, and which appears to be reaching another climax.
The Thai army has been under pressure from an anti-government street campaign to oust Somchai in a coup and some analysts suggest the clashes could be a way to divert public attention to the border from domestic politics.
Hun Sen said last week there was no need for outsiders such as the United Nations or the Association of South East Asian Nations to get involved in the dispute.
Somchai said he was looking forward to meeting Hun Sen in China. "It will be nice to have a talk with him," he said before a cabinet meeting Tuesday.
The hilltop Preah Vihear temple has stirred nationalist passions in both countries for generations.
The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that has rankled in Thailand ever since, but it failed to determine the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the Hindu ruins.
(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by Alan Raybould)
"We are working on a time slot for the two leaders to discuss what we should do next," Sompong told reporters before a cabinet meeting.
Cambodian officials also say a bilateral meeting is planned.
A Thai soldier died Tuesday from wounds sustained on October 15 in a 40-minute firefight near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries. Three Cambodian soldiers were also killed.
It was the most serious border clash in years but tensions have now eased and both sides have said they do not expect any escalation in the conflict.
Some analysts link the eruption of fighting on the border to the political instability that has roiled Thailand for the past three years, and which appears to be reaching another climax.
The Thai army has been under pressure from an anti-government street campaign to oust Somchai in a coup and some analysts suggest the clashes could be a way to divert public attention to the border from domestic politics.
Hun Sen said last week there was no need for outsiders such as the United Nations or the Association of South East Asian Nations to get involved in the dispute.
Somchai said he was looking forward to meeting Hun Sen in China. "It will be nice to have a talk with him," he said before a cabinet meeting Tuesday.
The hilltop Preah Vihear temple has stirred nationalist passions in both countries for generations.
The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that has rankled in Thailand ever since, but it failed to determine the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the Hindu ruins.
(Reporting by Nopporn Wong-Anan; Editing by Alan Raybould)
8 comments:
No much result will be expected from this talk. Should maintain the stata quo until the sign of stability of Thai politic emerged.
Cambodian government should not going into Thailand's internal affair, it will give an axcuse to the PAD for accussing Cambodia of assisting the pro Thaksin government.
If it does, it should also dialogue with the PAD too to avoid further misunderstanding. It is too dangerous to approach only one side.
Peaceful mean will always better than violence.
3:36 PM
What are you think for?
Cambodia should dialogue with PAD to make understanding? I am affraid while Cambodia does so (if appliable) your military will cross to Cambodian border as you always did. Wake up
Withdraw Thai troop from Cambodian land, make easy to talk
I dont think Cambodia should not hold further talks with Thailand, and refer that case to the UN or international organisations concern. Besides, engaging dialogue with PAD would never make any senses, as PAD is not the legitimate representative of Thailand, but only Somchai's current government, except otherwise new legitimate government emerged.
The map endorsed by France in 1907 should be more sufficient to prove that the area is belong to Khmer.
Fucking Siam Liars, the leaders, people and everyone in this country we cannot trust. Their roots are thieves as there is a popular Cambodian saying: "The leaves do not fall far away from thier trunks.
I know Siams from inside out. They seem to be nice and honest in front of you, but full of tricks behind. All Cambodians need to be careful.
Mr. Hun Sen in the bilateral negotiation do not forget to ask also for the financial compensation for our soldiers killed and injured in this armed conflict provoked by thais.
At least 100,000 dollars for every dead soldier, and 50,000 dollars for every injured soldier.
The thailande is guilty of this armed provocation.
Thaialnde has to pay this compensation.
Thailand Prime minister is like a piece of stone, doesn’t have the authority do anything. Hun Sen shouldn’t waste his times talking with this guy. In Thailand, if any body dare to compromise the Preah Vihear issue with Cambodia will force to resign from their post. Who would want to jeopardize their job, right?
“PAD” is a minority in Thailand, and they are like the “KK” in America. They hate everybody whom is not Thais. Hun Sen would not win them over either.
The only person that has the power to make ALL the final decision in Thailand is King Bhumibol Adulyadej. But this dude is not going to talk to you either if you don't feed him. So, what is Cambodia to do?
If I’m Hun Sen, I would asked Laos and Burma, how they dealt with Thailand in the past. I’m sure they are happy to give a few points.
Me? I will shoot them if they cross over to my side. Kill them first before they kill me.
Somchai should buy a ticket for England also, just in case.
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