Border calm returns as Thai and Cambodian troops hold routine talks - Lt Gen Boonsin

Border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has reduced to the point that military field officers from the two countries have agreed to meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, in the disputed Emerald Pagoda area, for informal discussions aimed at avoiding further armed conflict, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region, said today.

He added, however, that a dialogue between the Thai and Cambodian leaders would help to improve the border situation and provide the right signal to the troops of the two countries stationed along the common border.

He reiterated that the Thai troops do not want to engage in another armed conflict with their Cambodian counterparts and have been trying to avoid a hostile confrontation, although his troops are absolutely ready to defend Thai territory if needed.

He said he is confident that the border situation will steadily improve and that peace can be restored before he reaches mandatory retirement at the end of September.

The Second Army Region commander has also disclosed that an army engineering unit has been building roads to the Phu Chong-Na Yoi National Park and the Yod Dome Wildlife Sanctuary in Ubon Ratchathani, to promote tourism in the province, adding a demining unit has also been deactivating landmines planted along the K-5 route, near the border with Cambodia.

He stressed the need to improve the condition of the border roads, which have been abandoned since 2011.