[Thai] PM: Too many conflicting signals from Cambodia [-It looks like Abhisit is turning all Cambodia's proposals into his own. Can he still rein in the army?]

April 28, 2011
By NERISA NERYKHIEW
THE NATION

The government has stepped up the call for Cambodia to stop firing into Thailand and is urging Asean leaders to convince Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to commence bilateral negotiations.

The call was made at a House session yesterday that was held to discuss the conflicting signals coming from Cambodia, which is calling for a ceasefire and negotiations but shelling Thai territory over the past six days at the same time. 

"The government is doing everything in its power to restore peace as soon as possible at the Thai-Cambodian border," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

The neighbouring country initiated an armed attack on Thailand, which had not been anticipated or justified, Abhisit said, adding that the Army was duty-bound to repel the attack and had followed internationally accepted rules of engagement. He insisted that the skirmish was limited to military targets.

The government has always been ready to settle the dispute via bilateral negotiations, he said, adding that suspiciously Cambodia had offered a ceasefire on Tuesday but it did not stop shelling. He said he intended to meet his Cambodian counterpart in Jakarta on the sidelines of the Asean Summit next month.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, meanwhile, said that Thailand had no reason to provoke a battle because Thais have huge investment stakes in Cambodia. He said it was unfortunate that clashes had broken out because Cambodian soldiers were encroaching on Thai territory at the two ancient temple ruins of Ta Muen and Ta Kwai he said.

Kasit suggested that Parliament and the Asean legislature send a letter calling on Hun Sen to settle the border dispute via negotiations.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thailand had acted with restraint and ensured a measured response to the border skirmish.

"Thailand, its government and citizens want peace and are striving for friendly relations with neighbouring countries. We are not a war-mongering nation," he said, calling for bilateral negotiations to settle the dispute.

Suthep said Thailand had never provoked or initiated the border attacks, which began in Surin on Friday, but was obligated to defend its territory.

He said he suspected that the dispute over Preah Vihear Temple might have triggered the military attacks, adding that the border skirmishes would not escalate into a full-scale war even though the Cambodian side appears unwilling to stop firing into Thai territory. "Though Thailand aims for peace, it has to safeguard its territory," he explained.

Meanwhile, a number of government MPs took the floor yesterday to voice concerns about the border clashes.

Bhum Jai Thai MP Sanong Thapaksornnarong from Buri Ram questioned the early election at a time when the country was on the brink of a war. He called on his fellow lawmakers to unite in defending the country, attacking certain opposition MPs who, he said, had adopted the Pheu Cambodia Party instead of their Pheu Thai Party.

He also alleged that foreign troops were helping Cambodia attack Thailand.

Puea Pandin MP Somkiat Soralamba said he suspected Cambodia was retaliating against the protests led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, during which the protest leaders had made insulting remarks against Hun Sen for months. He also voiced concern that the fighting would escalate due to the presence of F-16 fighter aircraft at the border areas.

In a government rebuttal, Suthep said the F-16 jets were conducting a training flight and were not linked to the skirmishes.