Army: Deployed troops to remain at border

11 Feb, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

Thai troops now deployed along the Thai-Cambodian border will remain at their current levels and villagers affected by border clashes can return home tomorrow, Army Region 2 chief Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon said on Friday.

Lt Gen Thawatchai said he could not say whether there will be more clashes or not between Thai and Cambodian soldiers along the disputed border.

However, Thai soldiers were well positioned to take care of the people and the border.

The deployed troops will remain it the border area but the government should hold talks with Cambodia to settle the problem quickly, Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

Makeshift camps in Si Sa Ket. (Photos by Somchai Poomlard)

He said more than 21,000 residents evacuated to 27 temporary shelters in Si Sa Ket can return to their homes tomorrow.

The Army Region 2 commander said he had assigned army engineers and personnel from the Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) to instruct residents of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district about explosive devices and mines, so they would be aware what to look for and how to react.

He was speaking after a video conference with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Si Sa Ket governor Somsak Suwansucharit on Friday to assess the border situation.

Prime Minister Abhisit said the government will proceed with negotiations with Cambodia. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya would take part in the negotiation process.

Si Sa Ket governor Somsak said villagers at makeshift camps wanted to return home although they were uncertain about the border situation.

The weather was very hot and people said they could not sleep well in the tents provided as temporary accommodation.

They also wanted to get back to work to earn money, Mr Somsak said.

Air Force spokesman Monthon Satchukorn said the two fighter planes that flew close to the Cambodian border on Thursday were Thai F16s on a regular patrol, and were not planes taking part in Cobra Gold 2011 joint exercise as earlier stated.

A spokesman said yesterday that Thai, US and Singaporean F16s and F18s taking part in Cobra Gold had flown to within two or three kilometres of the border "by mistake".

The spokesman said they should have remained 10km or more inside the border.

Air Marshal Monthon said there was a misunderstanding. The planes were not taking part in the Cobra Gold 2011 exercise being held in the 2nd and 3rd Army Regions.

In fact, the two F16 fighters which flew to within two or three kilometres of the Cambodian border yesterday were Thai air force jets.

They were flying a regular air patrol from Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima and were not carrying any weapons, AM Monthon said.