Thai, Cambodian foreign ministers to hold border talks

BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) - Foreign Ministers from Thailand and Cambodia will discuss pending border issues in Indonesia on Monday, while the Thai defense minister said he believed both countries could eventually return to bilateral negotiation.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong are expected to pick up on their discussion during the ASEAN Summit on Sunday, which collapsed after Cambodia refused to pull out troops from a disputed area. The withdrawal has always been Thailand’s requisite before signing an agreement for the entry of Indonesian observers.

Following a rejection by Cambodia to convene the bilateral General Border Committee (GBC) until Thailand signs the agreement, Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has said that the Thai prime minister already clearly explained Thailand’s reasons and that he believed that the two countries could still talk to each other.

In an independent bid to boost bilateral relations, border traders from the two countries held a boxing event in Pong Namron district of Chanthaburi, spurring nine bouts between Thai and Cambodian boxers, most of whom are workers in nearby border markets. (TNA)