ASEAN observer team visits Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket

Thailand’s Second Army Region took members of the ASEAN observer team to inspect the Thai-Cambodian border today, in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket.

The 13 military attachés, from the Bangkok embassies of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, visited Phu Makua mountain in Kantharalak district, were provided with a briefing on the remaining anti-personnel landmines in the area.

Then the team visited Pha Mor E-daeng Mountain, which is not far from the Khmer-era Preah Vihear ancient temple on Cambodian soil. They observed the damage caused to the area by the war last December, between Thai and Cambodian forces, which has affected the lives of local people and potential revenue from tourists.

The ASEAN observers also had a chance to visit a border village in Sao Thong Chai sub-district, which was heavily damaged by artillery shells and rockets fired by Cambodian forces last December.

The Second Army Region said that the visit was intended to be a demonstration of Thailand’s transparency, as well as its cooperation and presentation of facts about the border situation to the international community, while showing the Thai Army’s determination to protect Thai people living along the border with Cambodia.

The army said that the ASEAN observers expressed concern over border villagers affected by the war, but expressed their appreciation for the army’s efforts to take care of them.