Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich said today that he will no longer hold talks with Cambodia about reopening the border between the two countries.
In response to a recent remark by Cambodian strongman Hun Sen, that he would not mind at all if Thailand wanted to close the border with Cambodia for 100 years, he said he feels relieved because he will never talk with Cambodia about this particular issue.
He also reiterated that the 18 Cambodian prisoners of war will not be released unless Cambodia ends its hostilities and that Thailand will continue its unilateral effort to clear the Cambodian landmines on Thai territory.
At the general border committee’s meeting on September 10th, Thailand proposed de-mining operations in 13 areas, five of which are now in the process of being cleared by Thai demining units.
General Nattaphon said that, after de-mining these five areas, Thailand will proceed with de-mining in the remaining eight areas, to ensure safety for Thai military personnel and civilians.
