[Thai] PM wants parliament to debate troop move [-Yingluck's stance is no different from Abhisit when it comes down to Preah Vihear]

SPECIAL REPORT: Govt does not want to make a decision that could affect its relationship with military

16/08/2012

Achara Ashayagachat

Bangkok Post

Still, a military source involved in the issue said the military saw no merit in rushing the deal unless Cambodia offers some real concessions.

The Yingluck Shinawatra administration will ask parliament to decide whether Thailand should comply with the International Court of Justice's order to withdraw troops from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.

The aim is to free the government from making sensitive decisions that could affect the relationship between the administration and the armed forces, according to a government source.

The issue is expected to be considered at a cabinet meeting soon, the source said. If the idea is endorsed, the cabinet will forward the issue to parliament for its consideration. "We are still optimistic that within this four-month parliamentary session, the issue should get a debate. It's a matter that all sides should be jointly responsible for," the source added.

On July 18, 2011 the ICJ ordered both Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw troops from the Provisional Demilitarised Zone, an area covering roughly 17.3 sq km.

Military officers and diplomats have been at odds over whether to comply with the ICJ's ruling.

Thai troops pull out from frontline facing Preah Vihear temple

04 Nov 2008
Kampuchea Thmei newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Thai troops stationed in front of Cambodian troops have pulled out gradually without making too much noise since 01 November.

Thai troops use a strategy to reduce their soldiers gradually from each unit. On certain days, 10 Thai soldiers would be removed, whereas on others only 5 were being pulled out. In the past, there were more than 100 Thai troops stationed in front of the Prasat market, near Preah Vihear temple, but now only about 40 of them are left.

General Srey Doek told Kampuchea Thmei that Thai troops indeed pulled out, but that this occurred only on their frontline, and Cambodia cannot perform a review into the case, because it is outside of Cambodian authority.

General Srey Doek indicated that Thai troops stationed in front of the ancient staircase located to the north of the temple, have been gradually reduced in the past 3-4 days.

He also indicated that Thai troop commanders have informed him that they will reduce the troops to release the tension in the frontline between the two countries from now on.

A Military Police (MP) officer stationed at Preah Vihear temple said that Thai troops have reduced their number from the frontline gradually because these soldiers are sent for reinforcement in Bangkok. The MP made this claim because a Thai soldier told Cambodian soldiers that Thai troops were pulled out from the Preah Vihear temple frontline because the political situation in Bangkok is getting worse. This Thai soldier indicated also that Thai political problem could face major emergency issue in the future because of opposition movements against the Thai king are protesting almost everywhere, therefore, Thai troops were ordered to be on high alert in the near future.

As for the 20 Thai soldiers who are supposed to be stationed outside Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda, they are nowhere to be seen, they have vacated the area and only empty tents remain. However, these 20 Thai soldiers asked Cambodian commander to tell their Thai commander who would ask about their whereabout, to let their commander know that they remain there constantly, but in reality, when their commander leave, these Thai soldiers also leave the area.

For the 10 Thai soldiers stationed inside Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda, they have not been pulled out yet, but they have gathered their guns and grenades into a pile, and they do not carry anything on them. They also hold cordial talks with Cambodian soldiers. These 10 soldiers have no worry at all inside the pagoda, after eating their meals, they would take a nap, and when they wake up, they play cards.