No troop readjustment at Thai-Cambodian border: Thai military commander

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, July 3 (TNA) - Thailand's 2nd Army commander on Friday said border troop deployment remained unchanged along the Thai-Cambodian border near the disputed ancient Hindu temple ruins, stating that any troop readjustment had to be carried out in conjunction with a similar move of Cambodia. Lt-Gen Wibulsak Neepal, second army commander, said the situation along border at Thailand's Si Sa Ket province remained calm, and there were no signs of any unusual troop movements, but precautionary measures have been taken to prevent possible clashes. Referring to talks Thursday with Cambodia's 4th Army chief Lt-Gen Chea Mon in Thailand's northeastern province of Surin, Gen. Wibulsak said both parties agreed to submit each other's proposal to their superiors for further consideration. He stressed there was no progress on any border troop reductions, but both sides pledged not to resort to violence and recommitted to peaceful means through talks to end the dispute. "Thailand will not be the first to remove any troop from the area claimed by both countries as the troop reductions had to be carried out by Thailand and Cambodia at the same time," the general said. "If it isn’t done, the standoff otherwise will remain as it is for the time being until the boundary committee can resolve the border dispute through (proper) demarcation," he said. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban is scheduled to leave for the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Saturday to talk with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Mr. Suthep said the troop reductions should help ease border tensions. He and the Cambodian leader had agreed during their meeting last week border dispute should be settled by peaceful means. Border tensions have been escalating since the Thai government protested to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its World Heritage Committee over their decision granting Cambodia's unilateral application last year to list Preah Vihear (Phra Viharn in Thai) temple as a World Heritage site. (TNA)