ID :
177439
Sat, 04/23/2011 - 12:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/177439
The shortlink copeid
Thailand stresses no need for third-party meditation on Thai-Cambodian border rows
BANGKOK, April 23 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees national security, acknowledged on Saturday that the latest spate of Thai-Cambodian border clashes was continuing, insisting that Thailand could settle its problems with neighbouring Cambodia bilaterally without any involvement of a third party.
When making the comments, Suthep said that Cambodian soldiers started the latest round of border fights by opening fire at the Thai territory; so, Thai soldiers had to respond, and that he had told the 2nd Army Area Command chief and the governor of Thailand's affected northeastern Surin Province to evacuate local people to safe places and to take good care of them, as Cambodian shells nearly hit a local hospital.
The Thai deputy premier noted that he was not aware of the exact cause of the renewed border clashes, but viewing it as a normal incident of neighbouring countries which share a border and their demarcation has not fully been completed. The Democrat deputy premier urged both sides to exercise great restraint and resort to negotiations.
Over 3,000 Thai villagers have been affected by the renewed border clashes and have taken refuge at a local school and their number should reach 4,000 unless the situation relieved. Local defense volunteers with shotguns are guarding evacuated villages. Latest reports said that one Thai soldiers was killed and 11 others injured from crossfire between Thai and Cambodian border troops on Saturday morning, on top of three fatalities of Thai soldiers and over 12 other injuries from Friday's fight, both at the same contentious border area near Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom Temples of Phnom Dongrak District in Surin.
According to the deputy premier, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has clearly stated that Thailand wants to co-exist with neighboring countries peacefully and they should hold bilateral talks to settle emerging problems.
In a related development, chief of Ban Kruad District of nearby Buri Ram Province, inspected damages caused to his district by five artillery shells which hit two local villages on Friday. (TNA)
When making the comments, Suthep said that Cambodian soldiers started the latest round of border fights by opening fire at the Thai territory; so, Thai soldiers had to respond, and that he had told the 2nd Army Area Command chief and the governor of Thailand's affected northeastern Surin Province to evacuate local people to safe places and to take good care of them, as Cambodian shells nearly hit a local hospital.
The Thai deputy premier noted that he was not aware of the exact cause of the renewed border clashes, but viewing it as a normal incident of neighbouring countries which share a border and their demarcation has not fully been completed. The Democrat deputy premier urged both sides to exercise great restraint and resort to negotiations.
Over 3,000 Thai villagers have been affected by the renewed border clashes and have taken refuge at a local school and their number should reach 4,000 unless the situation relieved. Local defense volunteers with shotguns are guarding evacuated villages. Latest reports said that one Thai soldiers was killed and 11 others injured from crossfire between Thai and Cambodian border troops on Saturday morning, on top of three fatalities of Thai soldiers and over 12 other injuries from Friday's fight, both at the same contentious border area near Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom Temples of Phnom Dongrak District in Surin.
According to the deputy premier, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has clearly stated that Thailand wants to co-exist with neighboring countries peacefully and they should hold bilateral talks to settle emerging problems.
In a related development, chief of Ban Kruad District of nearby Buri Ram Province, inspected damages caused to his district by five artillery shells which hit two local villages on Friday. (TNA)
