Cease-Fire Deal Brings Calm On Thailand Cambodia Border

[Lite Beer]

Cease-fire deal brings calm

By The Nation on Sunday.

PM calls for unity after fresh clashes break out on border; about 3,000 Thais evacuated; Army spokesman claims up to 64 Cambodian soldiers were killed, armoured tanks destroyed

Thai and Cambodian generals yesterday agreed to a cease-fire as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called for national unity in response to the border conflict with Cambodia.

Citing a passage in the national anthem, Abhisit said Thailand will not intimidate neighbouring countries but is always ready to defend its sovereignty.

The premier also gave full backing to the military, which clashed with Cambodian troops on Friday and yesterday morning.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, meanwhile, told ambassadors from 16 Asian countries and United Nations Security Council members that the Thai military had responded appropriately in the border conflict.

According to Kasit, the Thai military action was in self-defence as the country always exercised reasonable caution on the border issue.

Since the border skirmish started on Friday, one Thai soldier - Sergeant Wutthicharin Chartkamdee - and one villager were killed with another 12 soldiers wounded, according to Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

Sansern said one Cambodian villager was killed while 60-64 Cambodian soldiers died. In addition, Cambodia lost 12 to 13 tanks and armoured vehicles.

Abhisit yesterday chaired a top-level meeting of the armed forces, national security and related agencies, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Kasit, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Army chief Prayut Chan-ocha.

Also present was Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who represents Thailand in overseas meetings concerning the listing of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.

Abhisit said Thailand was attacked first so it had to respond. The country also viewed the areas around the Preah Vihear Temple as "very sensitive", therefore nothing should be done to increase the tensions between the countries.

"That means the World Heritage registration procedures [with regard to areas surrounding the ancient Hindu temple] should now be suspended. We have been warning the World Heritage Committee for quite some time," Abhisit said.

Abhisit said the Interior Ministry would also take care of Thais affected by the skirmishes, especially those evacuated from their houses.

About 3,000 Thais had to be evacuated from the border area.

"This is the time I would like to see Thais united and supporting our military and soldiers who protect our sovereignty. I believe in our national anthem that Thais love peace but are also ready to fight," he said.

Army spokesman Sansern said Cambodian troops started yesterday's clashes when they fired rocket-propelled grenades into a Thai army camp near the border shortly after dawn.

He said the clash escalated into a 20-minute artillery exchange in which one Thai soldier was killed and four others were wounded.

Sansern said yesterday's clashes were followed by talks between Second Army Region commander Lt-Colonel Tawatchai Samutsakorn, who is in charge of Thai troops in the sensitive border area, and his Cambodian counterpart. The cease-fire also included a deal that neither side would increase the level of their troops in the area and that military commanders would ensure that there would be no accidental clashes.

According to an official statement from the Thai Foreign Ministry, "On February 4, 2011, at 15.20 hours, Cambodian troops opened fire at a Thai military base at Phu Ma Khua in Thai territory using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and recoilless rifles. At 16.20 hrs of the same day, Cambodian troops also opened fire from the area of the Temple of Phra Viharn [Preah Vihear] at a Thai military base at Pha Mor I Dang in Thai territory."

"In between the two incidents, several artillery shells were also fired by Cambodian troops into Phum Srol village in Si Sa Ket province of Thailand located about 5 kilometres from the border area."

"The incidents led to one Thai civilian casualty, six injured military personnel and severe damage to seven civilian houses. Moreover, 3,000 civilians residing along the border area had to be evacuated.

"The attack carried out by the Cambodian troops constituted an act of aggression and a clear violation of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity. Thai troops were left with no choice but to exercise the inherent right of self-defence in accordance with international law.

"While Thailand reaffirms its commitment to resolve the boundary dispute through peaceful means, it reserves its legitimate right to defend its sovereignty.

-- The Nation 2011-02-06

[Lite Beer]

Compensation for victims on border

By The Nation.

The government was ready to assist villagers affected by fighting on the Cambodian border, the head of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said yesterday.

Wibul Sanguanpong said the Interior ministry was in constant contact with the Si Sa Ket governor to provide assistance to those affected. The family of any Thai killed in the clashes would get Bt50,000 in compensation if the deceased was a bread-winner and Bt25,000 if he or she was a family member.

The owner of any house that was totally destroyed was entitled to Bt30,000 and residents could get up to Bt20,000 for homes partially damaged.

Wibul said that besides manpower and tools prepared to assist those who ask for help, the department had also prepared 5,000 bags of relief to distribute to victims.

-- The Nation 2011-02-06

[londonthai]

"Army spokesman claims up to 64 Cambodian soldiers were killed"

from where this figure is taken?

[londonthai]

from bangkok post:

"Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd neither confirmed nor denied the report, but said: "If it's true, I would like to pay my condolences to them."

[Lite Beer]

PM: MOU with Cambodia plays part in returning calm to border

By The Nation.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday insisted that keeping the memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on border disputes would benefit Thailand more than annulling it as demanded by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Abhisit said the MOU, which was signed in 2000, helped return calm to the disputed border area after two days of clashes.

Abhisit said without the MOU, troops of the two countries could have clashed everyday.

To criticisms that MOU could not have prevented the clashed on Friday and Saturday, Abhisit replied: "I'll say the calm has returned partly because of the MOU".

-- The Nation 2011-02-06

[aperturebkk]

65 khmer dead against 2 in thailand - either this report is not correct or Thailand is the aggressor in this feud. I would not be surprised to learn Thailand initiated this attack to please yellow nutters of bkk.... Most foreign report have taken this line of thought so far....

[preahko]

Haha...this figure (65 Khmer dead against 2 Thai dead) is more likely the dream of a Thai military spokesperson incredulous at the fact that his forces cannot do better than they did against a "barbarian," ill-equipped "third world" army such as the Khmers...when it reality it was one THAI killed, no Khmers, and multiple Thai military taken captive by the Khmers.

[jayjay0]

65 khmer dead against 2 in thailand - either this report is not correct or Thailand is the aggressor in this feud. I would not be surprised to learn Thailand initiated this attack to please yellow nutters of bkk.... Most foreign report have taken this line of thought so far....

My thought was did they evacuate the Thai's before they attacked Cambodia.

A surprise raid is the only way they could have done that much damage. It would have had to used Jet fighters also.

Being as Thailand is using uncivilized methods all ready. Why not go whole hog and declare martial law clear the streets of protesters shut them up and return to the table for a mutually beneficial solution.

This method would have a double benefit. It would show the protesters that there protest while allowed is not accepted as a permanent thing and can in no way be allowed to interfere with the business of doing government or in private citizens lives. Also that promoting war is not allowed.

It would also show the world that Thailand is a country dedicated to peace with it's neighbors.

Is it going to happen NO Thailand will continue to stumble along with it's misplaced pride and ineffective methods for resolving difference's of opinion.

[Lite Beer]

Trat and Chanthaburi to increase border patrol amid Thai-Cambodian tensions

TRAD, 6 February 2011 (NNT)-The Royal Marine Corps and Chanthaburee and Trat Border Division Control Commander, Vice Admiral Pongsak Pooreerot, visited border units in Ban Dan Chumphon and Ban Khao Lan to make sure they are ready to protect Thai border after the report of clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Sisaket province.

Vice Admiral Pongsak stated that the border in Trat province, the easternmost province of Thailand which is also adjacent to Cambodia, has been peaceful.

He added that local army units have also provided cooperation and will be ready to defend Thai border at any time. However, there will be no increase in manpower at present. Offshore patrol vessels around Ko Kut will also be added for security at sea.

-- NNT 2011-02-06

[webfact]

Related topic:

Renewed Thai-Cambodian Border Fighting: Army

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