Thai army leads ASEAN military attach to observe border situation
BANGKOK, Feb 21 Thai army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence on Monday led the military attach corps of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Phum Srol village at the Thai-Cambodian border to observe army operations and the effects of border clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers earlier this month.
Lt-Gen Sirichai Ditthakul, army deputy chief of staff led military attachs from the ASEAN countries, and negotiation partners including France, the US, Indonesia, China, Korea, Russia, the Philippines and Vietnam to disputed areas at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Kets Kantharalak district.
The diplomatic corps was scheduled to arrive at Phun Srol School at 9.30am before going to Pha Mor E-Daeng cliff to be briefed on the border situation.
Phum Srol School was damaged by artillery shells during clashes between the two countries earlier this month.
Gen Sirichai said before leaving on the mission that Thailand wants to create understanding with other countries, particularly with other ASEAN member countries, so they will see for themselves that the Thai army operations dealing with the border situation are intended to settle the dispute peacefully.
He said officers from the Second Army Region would explain the recent clashes and that the visit on Monday would not negatively affect or otherwise jeopardise tomorrows ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Jarkarta, Indonesia, with the Thai-Cambodian border conflict on the agenda for discussion.
Thailand and Cambodia have blamed one another for the clashes around the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, which have left at least eight dead since the fighting began February 4.
The United Nations Security Council last week called for a permanent ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and expressed support for mediation efforts by Indonesia, the current chair of the 10-nation ASEAN group.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Cambodia would urge Thailand to sign a permanent ceasefire dur! ing the Jakarta meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers.
But Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted that the conflict could be settled on a bilateral basis without outside intervention. (MCOT online news)
Lt-Gen Sirichai Ditthakul, army deputy chief of staff led military attachs from the ASEAN countries, and negotiation partners including France, the US, Indonesia, China, Korea, Russia, the Philippines and Vietnam to disputed areas at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Kets Kantharalak district.
The diplomatic corps was scheduled to arrive at Phun Srol School at 9.30am before going to Pha Mor E-Daeng cliff to be briefed on the border situation.
Phum Srol School was damaged by artillery shells during clashes between the two countries earlier this month.
Gen Sirichai said before leaving on the mission that Thailand wants to create understanding with other countries, particularly with other ASEAN member countries, so they will see for themselves that the Thai army operations dealing with the border situation are intended to settle the dispute peacefully.
He said officers from the Second Army Region would explain the recent clashes and that the visit on Monday would not negatively affect or otherwise jeopardise tomorrows ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Jarkarta, Indonesia, with the Thai-Cambodian border conflict on the agenda for discussion.
Thailand and Cambodia have blamed one another for the clashes around the ancient temple of Preah Vihear, which have left at least eight dead since the fighting began February 4.
The United Nations Security Council last week called for a permanent ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and expressed support for mediation efforts by Indonesia, the current chair of the 10-nation ASEAN group.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Cambodia would urge Thailand to sign a permanent ceasefire dur! ing the Jakarta meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers.
But Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted that the conflict could be settled on a bilateral basis without outside intervention. (MCOT online news)
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