Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
A new chapter in Thai-Cambodian relations began when Thailand elected a new government in the middle of this year.
The Pheu Thai Party, widely known to be friendly with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, won the general election on July 3.
Following the victory, Hun Sen's hostility towards Thailand softened and he sought to strengthen bilateral ties during the second half of the year.
Relations during the first half of the year were soured after Cambodian police arrested seven Thai political activists who illegally entered Cambodia after crossing the border near Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province on Dec 29, 2010. They were put on trial early this year.
The seven were former Democrat MP Panich Vikitseth; Kitpolthorn Chusanasewi, Mr Panich's driver; Narumol Jitrawaratana, coordinator of the Thai Patriot Network; Veera Somkwamkid, a joint-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD); Ratree Pipattanapaibun, Veera's secretary; Samdin Lertbutr, a PAD activist; and Tainae Mungmajon , another PAD activist.
Five were later released. Veera and Ratree were detained, tried and sentenced to eight and six years imprisonment respectively on charges of illegal entry and spying.
Relations worsened after the two countries became embroiled in border disputes that led to military confrontations. Both claimed ownerhip over a 4.6-sq km piece of land next to Preah Vihear temple.
During the confrontations, Phnom Penh called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to mediate in the dispute.
The UNSC, however said the two countries should let Indonesia, which has held the Asean chair this year, mediate.
Not satisfied with this course of action, Phnom Penh went to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to interpret a 1962 ruling on the sovereignty of Preah Vihear temple, since the court did not rule at that time on who owned the disputed areas around the centuries-old structure.
Phnom Penh insisted the existing bilateral talks had failed.
The ICJ later ruled both countries withdraw their military personnel from the 17.3 km demilitarised areas defined by the court. This provisional order led the two countries to host talks at the General Border Committee (GBC) on Dec 21 in Cambodia. They set up a joint working group to work on details about the troop withdrawal but have not set a timeframe yet.
With signs of improving relations between the two countries, the Pheu Thai-led government is optimistic Veera and Ratree will be freed soon as their release will be one of the topics that Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will raise at talks with Cambodia during his visit on Dec 29-30.
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