via CAAI
BANGKOK, Dec 1 -- Thai troops stationed at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket province will not be redeployed after Cambodia reportedly plans to reopen the border gate at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple this weekend, according to Acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.
Dr Panitan, who is also deputy secretary to the premier, said Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has informed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that there will be no troop re-deployment at the Thai-Cambodian border.
The number of soldiers will remain the same and the prime minister has stressed that if the talks between Thailand and Cambodia cannot agree on the contested area, the Thai troop level would remain the same at the border, he said.
Cambodia is reportedly rearranging its forces in the area to a more relaxed situation and the move signals a good sign to Thailand that the talks may progress to ease tensions, Dr Panitan said, adding that some Cambodian have moved from the temple and communities in the contested area.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Monday quoting Cambodian general Chea Tara, deputy commander-in-chief who oversees troop operations at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as saying that Cambodian and Thai troops were working "on a good solution to resolve the problems along the border" and he hoped that the gate will be open very soon.
Cambodia closed the gate after Thai protesters rallied near the ruins in June 2008, but, according to the French news agency, an official at the Preah Vihear authority, a government-run agency managing the temple, said there is a plan to open the gate on Sunday.
Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over Preah Vihear since the World Heritage Committee added it to the World Heritage List of 2008. The listing has nothing to do with the boundaries, but Thailand feared Cambodia would use the disputed areas adjacent to the temple as a buffer zone, particularly the 4.6 square metre area which is claimed by both countries.
Since the conflict started, there has been a military standoff, on and off, along the two countries' border and several military clashes recorded limited casualties on both sides.
The International Court of Justice on June 15, 1962 ruled in favour of the Cambodians, saying Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia.
However, relations between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai prime minister Abhisit appear to have improved in recent months following a series of meetings held on the sidelines of international and regional summits.
In related developments, Chawanon Intharakomansut, secretary to Thailand's foreign minister, said the Ministry is considering proposing Asada Jayanama, advisor to the minister of foreign affairs, as the chief Thai representative to Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) replacing Vasin Teeravechyan, advisor to Ministry of Foreign Affairs who resigned Nov 1.
He said the ministry would submit Mr Asada's name to the Cabinet for approval soon.
Mr Vasin led JBC negotiation's three times since 2008, and the outcome of the talks was pending Parliament approval before the task could move ahead. (MCOT online news)
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