ID :
178014
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 14:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/178014
The shortlink copeid
No review of bilateral relations with Cambodia at Thai Cabinet meeting
BANGKOK, April 26 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has resolved to use military measures to pressure neighbouring Cambodia to stop triggering border clashes, rather than a degradation of bilateral relations, in order to maintain border trade--which normally accounts for some 5 per cent of overall two-way trade between the Thai and Cambodian economies.
Acting Thai Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn spoke of the official decision after the Thai Cabinet's weekly meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday, at which the initial resolution on pressuring Cambodia through limited military measures, instead of the downgraded review of bilateral ties as proposed by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, was endorsed for more rational reaction amid a new spate of crossfire between Thai and Cambodian troops since last Friday.
Panitan, who is also deputy secretary general to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, said the Thai Democrat premier had suggested that overall bilateral relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh should not be affected and border rows should be carefully limited to protect border trade and innocent people and business operators at the main Chong Jom and Chong Sa-ngam border passes in Thailand's northeastern Surin and Si Sa Ket Provinces--although Thai military forces should be fully alert to uphold national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan insisted that military operations of Thai troops are to be limited at two border areas in Surin and Si Sa Ket, near Ta Kwai and Preah Vihear Temples respectively, to avoid any third-party involvement in Thai-Cambodian issues--with a possible claim of helping to contain spreading conflict. The current round of border clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers first took place near the Ta Kwai Temple and then reportedly erupted near the Preah Vihear Temple on Tuesday afternoon.
General Prawit said he believed that tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border should ease after a forthcoming meeting between the Thai foreign minister and his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa, expected on April 28. Indonesia is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which both Thailand and Cambodia are members. (TNA)
Acting Thai Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn spoke of the official decision after the Thai Cabinet's weekly meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday, at which the initial resolution on pressuring Cambodia through limited military measures, instead of the downgraded review of bilateral ties as proposed by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, was endorsed for more rational reaction amid a new spate of crossfire between Thai and Cambodian troops since last Friday.
Panitan, who is also deputy secretary general to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, said the Thai Democrat premier had suggested that overall bilateral relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh should not be affected and border rows should be carefully limited to protect border trade and innocent people and business operators at the main Chong Jom and Chong Sa-ngam border passes in Thailand's northeastern Surin and Si Sa Ket Provinces--although Thai military forces should be fully alert to uphold national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan insisted that military operations of Thai troops are to be limited at two border areas in Surin and Si Sa Ket, near Ta Kwai and Preah Vihear Temples respectively, to avoid any third-party involvement in Thai-Cambodian issues--with a possible claim of helping to contain spreading conflict. The current round of border clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers first took place near the Ta Kwai Temple and then reportedly erupted near the Preah Vihear Temple on Tuesday afternoon.
General Prawit said he believed that tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border should ease after a forthcoming meeting between the Thai foreign minister and his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa, expected on April 28. Indonesia is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which both Thailand and Cambodia are members. (TNA)
