THAILAND: Troops to remain along Thai-Cambodian border till further notice

SURIN, 13 November 2013 (NNT) –Although the border situation is peaceful, Thai troops will remain positioned along the Thai-Cambodian border near Phra Viharn Temple until further orders have been received, according to Commander-in-Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.On Tuesday, Thai commanders of forces along the border in Surin met their Cambodian counterparts at Prasat Ta Khwai historic site to foster good relations and to make sure that each commander had access to his counterpart’s direct line, to ensure that communications can be made quickly in case of urgent matters. The Thai and Cambodian commanders also had lunch together, surrounded by the scenic setting of the historical site. Army chief Prayuth asserted that Thai soldiers would maintain the country’s sovereignty and protect the border area until they receive further notice. He noted that negotiations on the disputed area around the Phra Viharn Temple were to be handled by the working committee staffed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internal Security officials. BANGKOK, 14 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the joint sitting of Parliament this morning that she had never officially announced the government’s acceptance of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict on the Phra Viharn Temple case. However, she clarified by reiterating what she stated before; that whatever the ICJ’s verdict may be, the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia will still stand, and that the government will continue to protect the nation’s sovereignty. The Thai Ambassador to the Netherlands stated that the ICJ had no power in determining the official borders between Thailand and Cambodia. Furthermore, he also stressed that Thailand did not lose its Phu Makhua region to Cambodia; and that the 1:200,000 map was deemed irrelevant to the case. Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed with the government’s stance of not yet officially accepting the ICJ’s verdict, as it is not relatively clear how much land Thailand will lose to Cambodia. Moreover, he urged Ms. Yinglcuk to further clarify the issue to the public.