Military chiefs of Thailand and Cambodia to meet amid border tensions

The top military commanders of Thailand and Cambodia will meet this afternoon after a brief gunfight between their troops at the undemarcated border close to Ubon Ratchathani province yesterday led to a death of a Cambodian soldier.

The meeting at 3pm will take place at the Chong Chom border pass in Thailand’s Surin province and the Thai delegation will be led by Army Commander in Chief Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk.

The clash took place at a site both countries regarded as “no-man’s land” as the demarcation has not done.

Meanwhile Thailand’s Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai proposed that Thai and Cambodian forces should withdraw approximately 200 metres from their current positions to avoid further confrontation.

Phumtham said he has already spoken with an advisor to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as with his Cambodian counterpart, to convey Thailand’s stance: it does not wish to engage in armed conflict.

“This is not the right time to discuss the long-standing border issue, as suggested by Hun Sen,” he said.

Both sides have agreed, in principle, to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.

Phumtham also confirmed that he had discussed the current situation with General Pana and instructed Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, to order Thai troops stationed at the border to remain in place.

He also appealed to the Thai media not to exaggerate the situation, urging responsible reporting to avoid heightening tensions.