Thai government urged to solve Cambodian border hostilities peacefully

8 Feb, 2011
Source: (MCOT online news)

BANGKOK, Feb 8 – Concerned with the heightened border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, the Joint Private-Sector Committee comprising the Federation of Thai Industries (FIT), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) has called on the government to cope with resolving the current tensions and hostilities through diplomatic means.

Children play at a shelter in Si Sa Ket province

Children play at a shelter in Si Sa Ket province, after fleeing the area near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, February 8, 2011. Thai and Cambodian troops clashed for a fourth straight day on Monday over a disputed border area surrounding a 900-year-old mountaintop temple, deepening political uncertainty in Bangkok and prompting Cambodia to urge U.N. intervention.« Read less

REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS)


Speaking after a meeting of the tripartite committee held on Monday, TCC Chairman Dusit Nontanakorn said the border clash between troops of both countries had not yet adversely affected overall trade because Thailand’s border trade value with Cambodia accounts for only 10 per cent of exports to neighbouring countries including Myanmar, Malaysia, and Laos.

Thai soldiers help woman evacuated

Thai soldiers help a woman evacuated from the Thai-Cambodian border, at Kantharalak in Si Sa Ket province,Thailand on Monday Feb. 7, 2011. Troops of Cambodia and Thailand continue to clash near a 11th century Preah Vihear temple, a world Heritage site, on the Cambodian side of the border.« Read less (AP Photo)

He said 24 per cent of Thailand’s exports are destined to ASEAN with 10 per cent each of the shipments going to the United States, Europe and Japan.

“Those who are directly impacted by the tension are people trading along the Thai-Cambodian frontier. The committee discussed the problem at the meeting and shared the common view the government should attempt to cope with the situation by a peaceful means because the ongoing conflicts have benefitted no parties,” he said.

Thai anti-war demonstrator holds sign

A Thai anti-war demonstrator holds a sign outside Victory Monument Monday, Feb. 7, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. Cambodia called for U.N. peacekeepers to help end the fighting along its tense border with Thailand, where artillery fire echoed for a fourth day Monday near an 11th century temple classified as a World Heritage Site.« Read less (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

On political rallies staged by anti-government demonstrators at present, Mr Dusit said he wanted all parties to stop their movement and turn to jointly find a solution for the sake of the country’s trade and investment. They should better cooperate to boost confidence among investors and tourists.

FTI Chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said Thailand's private sector is worried about the border clash and wants the government and all parties concerned to solve the confrontation peacefully by setting up a committee tasked to develop a way to address the problem.

“We want leaders of both countries to hold talks to end the clash between troops of both countries. We understand the protection of the national sovereignty and integrity is a sensitive issue. So, both neighbors need to use the diplomatic channel to cope with the problem,” he said.

TBA Chairman Chartsiri Sophonpanich said the committee had closely monitored the situation because Thai banks which are members of the association have branches in Cambodia and along the common border. Despite the hostilities, they now remain open for service as usual.