After Thai coup (#Xinhua # VOA)

[geovalin]

Cambodia tells troops, governors along border to continue good ties with Thailand

Cambodia tells troops, governors along border to continue good ties with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has advised its armed forces and officials along the border to continue maintaining good relations and cooperation with Thailand after Thailand's army seized control of the government in a coup on Thursday.

"To continue maintaining peace, order, cooperation and development along Cambodia-Thailand border, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Police must advise all armed forces stationed along the border to continue good cooperation and relations with Thai side," acting Prime Minister Sar Kheng said in a directive released to the media Friday. "Redeployment of armed forces is not allowed."

He also ordered governors in the provinces along the border to continue cooperation with the Thai side in order to maintain peace and order and to enhance the control of cross-border activities.

In addition, he advised armed forces and governors to closely monitor the development of situation in Thailand, especially the situation along the border.

Sar Kheng has assumed the title of the acting Prime Minister since May 18 after Prime Minister Hun Sen is on a visit to China.

Cambodia and Thailand has had a bitter border dispute since July 2008 when the UNESCO added the Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple to its World Heritage List, but Thailand claimed the ownership of 4.6 square km of scrub next to the temple.

The temple had become a flashpoint of armed clashes between the two countries' troops since then.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in November last year that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear temple.

To date, the two countries have not met and discussed the implementation of the ICJ's ruling.

+++++++

Impact of Thai Coup on Cambodia Uncertain

Kong Sothanarith,

PHNOM PENH — The military coup d’etat in Thailand has had little impact so far on ordinary Cambodians, but rights workers said Friday it was of some concern.

“Even though it is not in Cambodia, when we see all power put into military hands, we are concerned,” Pung Chhiv Kek, founder of the rights group Licadho, told VOA Khmer. “If the country becomes a dictatorship controlled by the military, we’re afraid that economic and political and social issues could be matters of concern.”

The Thai military announced it was taking over the country on Thursday, overthrowing the elected prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who has typically had cordial relations with Cambodia.

Koy Kuong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Cambodia was following the situation closely, but considered the change in power an internal matter.

The coup could have an economic impact, especially in tourism. Many tourists cross into Cambodia from Thailand, and international travelers have been warned to stay away from the country, said Tourism Minister Thong Khon.

For everyday Cambodians like Tieung Ngoc, a tuk-tuk driver, the coup made the news. He read about it via Facebook, he said.

“It good because the coup did not cost blood, he said. “We aren’t thinking much about it, because we’ve got political problems too, and we haven’t solved them.”

http://www.voacambodia.com/content/impact-of-thai-coup-on-cambodia-uncertain/1921159.html