Thai government and military in unison over border conflict with Cambodia

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said today that the Thai government and military are in unison regarding the border conflict with Cambodia.

He also said that he disagrees with Thailand closing 11 permanent and temporary border checkpoints with Cambodia, noting that such a drastic measure may affect the livelihoods of people living along the border and undermine attempts to de-escalate border tensions.

The defence minister disclosed that he has had several discussions with the military’s top brass and that they agree that the best way to ease the tensions between Thailand and Cambodia is to prioritise the public interest and national sovereignty and avoid unnecessary confrontation.

He said that the military must, however, be on the alert to protect Thailand’s territorial sovereignty and that the Thai military and the Foreign Ministry will hold talks with Cambodia, via the joint boundary committee (JBC), to resolve border conflict.

Phumtham has ordered the withdrawal of Thai troops stationed at Prasat Ta Muen Thom in Surin province, to avoid confrontation with Cambodian forces. The order came after Cambodian troops and their wives marched to the ancient temple to sing the Cambodian national anthem. The gesture which was seen by the Thai military as a symbolic claim over the temple by Cambodia.

The commander of the Second Army Region, Lt-Gen Boonsin Pladklang, however, refused to withdraw Thai troops from the temple unless the Cambodian force did likewise.

Earlier, former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has claimed that the “Emerald Triangle”, known as “Sam Liam Morakot” in Thailand, belongs to Cambodia. The area was the scene of a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian forces on May 28th, during which one Cambodian soldier died.

Hun Sen has suggested that the border conflict be settled in the International Court of Justice.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also claimed that three ancient temples, including Prasat Ta Muen Thom in Thailand’s Surin province, which is another flashpoint between Thailand and Cambodia, belong to Cambodia.