Border troop reinforcements not necessary

5/02/2010
Bangkok Post

There is no need to reinforce the Thai troops around the disputed border area ahead of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit on Saturday, 2nd Army commander Lt-Gen Weewalit Chornsamrit said on Friday.

Lt-Gen Weewalit said the existing deployment was sufficient to maintain peace.

He had been contacted by senior Cambodian military officials and they discussed security measures along the border, especially the area where Hun Sen will visit which abuts Si Sa Ket province.

Lt-Gen Weewalit said he did not believe Hun Sen's visit to the border was a declaration of Cambodia's ownership of the disputed area.

Cambodian officials told him the main objective for Hun Sen's visit was to open a new village, Sinharaj Decho, and a new military unit, and to lift the morale of Cambodian troops along the border.

Lt-Gen Weewalit said had been assigned by the government to greet Hun Sen.

He said the 2nd Army would not allow escorting Cambodian troops to take weapons into the disputed area under Thai control during Mr Hun Sen's visit. They would have to disarm before entering.

This issue was to be addressed at a meeting with senior Cambodian officers on Friday afternoon.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said earlier the day that Lt-Gen Weewalit and the Si Sa Ket governor would greet Hun Sen during his visit. He would not be present to welcome him.

“Hun Sen has the right to visit the area but he cannot claim rights over it,” Mr Suthep said.

Mr Suthep said he hoped Veera Somkwamkid, a key leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, would drop his plan to lead PAD members in a protest against Hun Sen during the visit.

“Mr Veera should refrain from causing more problems as it is the responsibility of the government to settle border disputes with our neighbour,” he said.

The government would continue to ensure the safety of people living along the Thai-Cambodia border, he said.

Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said that it would be difficult for Thai authorities to take legal action against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra if he did accompany Hun Sen to the disputed border region, as unconfirmed reports had suggested..

Although the area is disputed, Cambodian troops were stationed within the overlapping area and Thai justice officials would not be allowed in, Mr Pirapan said.

Only Thai soilders would be allowed in the area and would have to arrange it in advance with the Cambodian troops, he said. Entering the area hastily could lead to problems and further conflict.

Thaksin later said in his twitter messages that he would not accompany Mr Hun Sen to the disputed area.

He also slammed the People's Alliance for Democracy for spreading false reports that he would be there with Mr Hun Sen.

He said he is currently in Dubai, and is heading to Uganda to see to his gold mining interests.