Khmer army commander meets with Thai commander in Phnom Troap

Thursday, April 9, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

According to the RCAF commander of Unit 42, General Srey Doek and Thai General Kanok are meeting each other for discussions in Phnom Troap at 9AM of 08 April 2009. This meeting is not that important, but the two commanders promised each others that there will be an end to fire exchange and troops movement along the border. General Srey Doek indicated that, during the clash on 03 April, Thailand’s Red House located in front of the Preah Vihear temple was turned into a base for numerous pieces of artillery equipments and they were used to shoot into Preah Vihear temple. General Srey Doek said that, right now, Thailand moved out those artillery equipments and they have replaced it with three vehicles equipped with radar equipment instead. Srey Doek added that 6 truckloads of Thai soldiers from the Burma and Laos borders were moved in here to help their troops in the Preah Vihear temple zone.

Cambodia, Thailand agree to prevent new border clash

April 06, 2009
Xinhua

Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Sunday during an urgent meeting that their commanders would increase their supervising over their soldiers to prevent re-occurrence of the Friday's clash, in which two Thai soldiers were killed.

Maj Gen Kanok Natrakawesana, commander of Thailand's Suranaree Task Force, held the urgent meeting with Cambodian Maj Gen Srey Doek in Preah Vihear Temple on Sunday morning, the website by The Nation newspaper reported.

"If any problem happens, commanders of both sides would immediately step in to prevent any new fighting," Kanok said, describing the urgent meeting as constructive.

Meanwhile, Srey Doek told Khmer media that the meeting was held in order to make the situation return normal and to make sure there 's no more gunfire.

"We have agreed to stay on our own sides of the border," Srey Doek said.

Concerning last week's exchanges of gunfire, Kanok said it was a misunderstanding and both countries had already discussed and solved the misunderstanding.

"We have agreed that we will cooperate more and such fighting would not happen again," Kanok said.

Cambodia, Thailand agree to prevent new border clash

BANGKOK, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Sunday during an urgent meeting that their commanders would increase their supervising over their soldiers to prevent re-occurrence of the Friday's clash, in which two Thai soldiers were killed.

Maj Gen Kanok Natrakawesana, commander of Thailand's Suranaree Task Force, held the urgent meeting with Cambodian Maj Gen Srey Doek in Preah Vihear Temple on Sunday morning, the website by The Nation newspaper reported.

"If any problem happens, commanders of both sides would immediately step in to prevent any new fighting," Kanok said, describing the urgent meeting as constructive.

Meanwhile, Srey Doek told Khmer media that the meeting was held in order to make the situation return normal and to make sure there 's no more gunfire.

"We have agreed to stay on our own sides of the border," Srey Doek said.

Concerning last week's exchanges of gunfire, Kanok said it was a misunderstanding and both countries had already discussed and solved the misunderstanding.

"We have agreed that we will cooperate more and such fighting would not happen again," Kanok said.

Thai, Cambodian field commanders agree to avoid clashes in future

General Srey Doek (R) shakes hand with Thai General Kanok Netrakavaesana (L) at the Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda, near Preah Vihear temple on 05 April 2009 (Photo: Savyouth, Radio Free Asia)

SI SA KET, April 5 (TNA) -- Two days after deadly clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers erupted near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, field commanders of the two neighbouring countries agreed Sunday to avoid future battle through talks.

Thailand’s Suranaree Task Force commander Maj-Gen. Kanok Netrakavaesana told a press conference that he had discussed with Cambodia’s local commander Lt-Gen. Srey Deok at a temple atop Preah Vihear earlier in the day, agreeing maintain tighter discipline over their field commanders to keep the peace in the temple vicinity.

If any problem arises in future, army commanders of both sides in the area will come to the negotiating table and find ways to solve the problem, Maj-Gen. Kanok said.

The latest clashes were purely “accidental” and both sides agreed to avoiding future clashes, he said.

The latest incident broke out last Friday when soldiers of the two countries clashed twice near the ancient temple. Two Thai soldiers and two Cambodian soldiers died in the fighting while nine Thai soldiers were wounded.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple – called Khao Prah Viharn by Thais -- belongs to Cambodia, but the most practical entrance is from a mountain in Thailand, and both sides claim some of the same portions of surrounding territory.

On reports that Cambodian soldiers have moved six tanks to two villages near Preah Vihear which could be interpreted as reinforcing their troops in the area, Maj-Gen. Kanok said it was Cambodia’s concern, but the number of Thai troops in the area remained unchanged.

“Future problems can be settled through talks immediately,” he added, “because Thailand and Cambodia are friendly long time ago,” he added.

Thailand and Cambodia agree to prevent border fightings

Sun, April 5, 2009
The Nation

Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Sunday that their commanders would increase their supervising over their soldiers to prevent reoccurrence of the last week's fighting in which two Thai soldiers were killed.

They firmly agreed that their troops must stay on their territory.

Maj Gen Kanok Natrakawesana, commander of Suranaree Task Force held an urgent meeting with Cambodian Maj Gen Srey Doek in Preah Vihear Temple on Sunday morning.

After the meeting, Kanok described the meeting as constructive.

Two Thai soldiers were killed Friday when troops from both countries fought heavy gun battles. In addition, Kanok said that the soldiers who guarded the border area would not be allowed to bring in any alcohol drinks to the border area.

"If any problem happens, commanders of both sides would immediately step in to prevent any fightings," Kanok said.

Referring to the last week's fightings, Kanok said it was a misunderstanding and both countries have already discussed and solved the misunderstanding. "We have agreed that we will cooperate more and such fightings would not happen again," he said.

Meanwhile Srey Doek told Khmer media that the meeting was held to make the situation return to normal and to make sure there's no more gunfire.

"We have agreed to stay on our own sides of the border," he said.

Local troop commanders meeting in Preah Vihear

Cambodia Major General commander Srey Doek (L) shakes hands with Thai Major General Kanok Netra Kaveysana (R) on their way to a joint lunch at Keo Sekhakirisrarak pagoda near Preah Vihear temple April 5, 2009. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday supported Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen's move to downplay a border clash, calling it the result of a misunderstanding that could be resolved through amicable talks. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over a 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia Major General commander Srey Doek (R) arm wrestles with Thai Major General Kanok Netra Kaveysana (L) during a joint lunch at Keo Sekhakirisrarak pagoda near Preah Vihear temple April 5, 2009. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday supported Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen's move to downplay a border clash, calling it the result of a misunderstanding that could be resolved through amicable talks. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over a 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea