The Thai army is not yet ready to reopen border checkpoints with Cambodia and it will not withdraw its troops from the 11 locations along the shared border, which were captured during the battle with Cambodian forces between July 24 and 28, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, said today.
The 11 locations now controlled by Thai troops include Phu Makua, Chong An Ma, Ta Muen Thom ancient temple, Chong Bok, Prasat Don Tual, Prasat Ta Kwai, Sattasom, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Taku, Preah Vihear and Plai Yao.
He also said that the Thai army will propose the landmine issue for discussion at the Regional Border Committee (RBC) at the end of this month in Malaysia. The RBC secretariats of Thailand and Cambodia will meet ahead of the full RBC meeting on the Thai side of the border to discuss the issues to be raised at the RBC meeting, he added.
During the ceasefire talks in Kuala Lumpur, Cambodia rejected Thailand’s call for cooperation in clearing landmines along their common border and in tackling scam operations in Cambodia.
Recently, Thailand sent protest notes to the United Nations, accusing Cambodia of violating the Ottawa Convention by laying anti-personnel landmines along the shared border, posing a threat to Thai soldiers.
Lt Gen Boonsin stressed the need for Thai troops to patrol the border with Cambodia to protect its territorial sovereignty adding, however, that heavy machinery will be deployed in the patrol missions for the safety of Thai troops.
Boonsin, who is due to retire from service at the end of September, told the media that he is confident that his successor will be a suitable person for the task of defending the country.
He thanked those who have proposed that his term be extended for at least six months, to ensure that there is no flare-up of the border dispute.
He has won widespread praise for his tough and no nonsense approach to the handling of the border dispute with Cambodia.
