Thailand, Cambodia to solve border dispute through GBC: Thai defence minister

PHNOM PENH, Sept 24 (MCOT) - Thai Defence Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa said Thailand and Cambodia agreed to solve its prolonged border dispute through the existing framework and that the Thai government is prepared to seek the release of two Thai activists now detained in Cambodian jail on charges of espionage.

The Thai defence minister made his remarks as he returned from the visit to the neighbouring country on Friday and met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Banh to boost bilateral ties between the two kingdoms.

Gen Yutthasak said both countries will plan to hold talks on the arrangements for the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) upcoming meeting.

The Committee from both sides will lay out the agenda and the framework of the meeting which would include the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple, the withdrawal of troops and other considerations.

Cambodian, Thai DMs Agree to Pull out Troops

The newly appointed Thai Defense Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha (R) and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh (L) review the guard of honor at the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Sept. 23, 2011. Yuthasak started a two-day official visit in Cambodia on Friday morning. [Photo: Xinhua/Sovannara]

2011-09-23
Xinhua

Cambodian and Thai defense ministers on Friday agreed to comply with the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to withdraw both sides' troops from the disputed border area surrounding the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, but no specific date of pullout is set.

"We have agreed each other to comply with the ICJ's order on troop pullout at the area near Preah Vihear temple and to allow Indonesian observers to monitor ceasefire at the area," Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh told reporters after a 30-minute meeting with visiting Thai Defense Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha at the Ministry of Defense.

However, he said there was no exact date for the troop withdrawal as both sides would discuss further in the General Border Commission in the future.

Defence minister visits Cambodia

Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

23/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa on Friday morning left for Phnom Penh for an official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tia Banh, reports said.

Gen Yutthasak said before leaving that his visit is for strengthening ties between the two countries and paving way for a meeting of the General Border Committee to settle the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

“If everything is ready, the GBC meeting will be held immediately. I insist that there will be no hidden agenda or any vested interest during the meeting”, he said.

Thai Defence Minister asserts disputed 4.6 sq km adjoining Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Thailand [-So much for Hun Xen's hope for Puea Thai!]

BANGKOK, Sept 17 (MCOT online news) -- Thai Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa on Saturday said the disputed 4.6 sq km area adjoining the ancient Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Thailand, adding that Thailand had sovereignty over the area.

He said that Thai troop had worked in the area continously, and that the country had never withdrawn soldiers from the area.

Gen Yuthasak said the status of 4.6 sq km was in accordance with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra clarification made on her Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Ms Yingluck posted messages on the social network and microblogging service that the disputed 4.6 sq km near Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Thailand.

[Thai defense minister] Yutthasak to visit Cambodia Sept 23-24

6/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Tuesday he plans to make an official visit to Cambodia on Sept 23-24 when a broad framework for the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting may be raised for discussion.

He had contacted his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh to inform him of the tentative schedule for the visit.

Gen Yutthasak said the framework for the GBC meeting needs to be worked out in advance because the Thai side has to seek approval from the cabinet, and some issues for further agreements may have to first go through parliament as required by Section 190 of the constitution.

Thai-Cambodia Tensions Ease Ahead of Defense Ministers' Meeting

Thailand General Yutthasak Sasiprapha (Reuters file photo).

Thursday, 01 September 2011
Ron Corben, VOA | Bangkok

“I think both sides are trying to create a new impression that they are back at the negotiation table."

Thailand and Cambodia hope a meeting of their defense ministers in September will help rebuild cross-border relations after two years of tensions and armed clashes. The improved diplomatic outlook follows the election in July of the Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thai Defense Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapha and Cambodia’s deputy prime minister and defense minister, General Tea Banh, will co-chair a meeting of the general border committee in Phnom Penh on September 8.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University and former government spokesman, says although there are several outstanding disputes, there is also a sense that both countries want to return to normal diplomatic relations.

Thai defense minister to visit Cambodia in September

BANGKOK, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Defense Minister Gen. Yuthasak Sasiprapha would visit Cambodia in late September at the invitation of his counterpart Gen. Tea Bahn, Thai defense ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

His visit will be an informal one in order to pave the way for the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, according to the spokesman's statement.

Gen. Yuthasak would also meet with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and His Majesty Narodom Sihamoni.

[Thai defense minister] Yutthasak to visit Cambodia

30/08/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Monday he will soon visit Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh for informal talks to lay the groundwork for the long delayed General Border Committee (GBC) meeting.

Gen Yutthasak said both Thailand and Cambodia were satisfied with the results of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima on Aug 25, but the two sides had not reached any agreement.

Decisions were pending approval from the cabinet.

The Defence Ministry would compile a list of matters discussed at the RBC meeting and submit proposals to the National Security Council for consideration.

Vichit promises to smooth Thai-Cambodian relations

21/08/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Gen Vichit Yathip, the former deputy supreme commander, is expected to be made adviser to the defence minister. He is well connected with Cambodia's leaders, and is likely to help the government mend ties with Phnom Penh. Here he speaks about the challenges ahead.

Q: What is Cambodia's reaction to the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting which will take place in the next few weeks in an attempt to improve border ties?

A: Very good. Since the Pheu Thai Party's victory in the election, there's been a positive response from Phnom Penh. Prime Minister Hun Sen is ready to have the GBC meeting set up. [Cambodian deputy prime minister and defence minister] Gen Tea Banh, who will co-chair the meeting, has written to congratulate Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa and invite him to visit Cambodia.

The meeting could take place by early next month after the Regional Border Committee meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Second Army headquarters in Nakhon Ratchasima.

After that, a delegation including the Department of Border Affairs chief under the Royal Thai Armed Forces will travel to Cambodia to help prepare for the GBC meeting.

Q: Some reports say Cambodia doesn't want Indonesian observers in the disputed border area, is this true?

A: It may have been a misunderstanding. Gen Tea Banh has affirmed the Indonesian observers are needed to monitor the area, as agreed earlier.

Thai defence ministry gears up for border meeting with Cambodia

Thursday, 18 August 2011
MCOT

BANGKOK, Aug 16 – Thai Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa is set to meet his Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Banh in the General Border Committee (GBC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to settle the border disputes with the neighbouring country.

Gen Yutthasak said on Tuesday that he had received an invitation to attend the Thai-Cambodian GBC meeting and had ordered the director-general of the Border Affairs Department under the Supreme Command who serves as secretariat to coordinate preparations for the meeting.

A Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting to lay out the framework for two countries GBC meeting will be held as soon as possible so the higher level border meeting will take place, he said.

Defence Minister: Situation along Thai-Cambodian Border Remains in Peace

29 June 2009
Thai ASEAN News Network

The defence minister revealed that the situation remains normal along the Thai-Cambodia border near Preah Vihear after peace negotiations between the two countries.

General Prawit Wongsuwan, Thailand's Defence Minister revealed that the situation along Thai-Cambodia border remains in peace after Thailand has negotiated with Cambodia leader.

The defence minister has accompanied the deputy prime mimister Suthep Thaugsuban in a recent visit to Cambodia. He further informed that the talk in reducing tension along Thai-Cambodian border went well. He said that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a plan of not to create violence along the border.

However, with regard to the removal of troops out of the border, the defence minister said there will be another meeting to disccuss on this matter with Cambodia border authorities whether or not both sides will withdraw troops from the border area.

The defence minister reaffirmed that the situation along the border near Preah Vihear temple is back to normal. Meanwhile, the shops at the Thai-Cambodia crossing gate have been back to regular trading and ready to welcome visitors. Hoever the national park of Preah Vihear, which is the gateway to the temple from the Thailand side remains closed for security reasons.

Prawit visits Cambodia, not talk about Thaksin's passport

April 28, 2009
The Nation

Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan left for an official visit to Cambodia Tuesday morning.

Speaking to reporters before leaving, Prawit said that during the talk with the Cambodian government, he would not mention reports that Cambodia had issued a passport for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prawit said the talk would focus on Thai-Cambodian disputes.