Hopes rise for ceasefire talks

27 Apr, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

China, Vietnam urged to pressure Cambodia

Thailand and Cambodia could soon enter into ceasefire talks after five days of heavy exchanges of fire which has claimed the lives of at least 13 troops.

Soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Division gather in the division’s compound in Sanam Pao in Bangkok to show their combat readiness yesterday. CHANAT KATANYU

"[As reported] our defence minister [Gen Prawit Wongsuwon] will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart soon and that is a good sign for a return of peace," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

Mr Abhisit said it was clear Cambodia wanted other countries to intervene in the border spat and the government had to lay down strategies to ensure the situation did not play into the hands of Cambodia.

"Today it is obvious that Cambodia feels frustrated that they can't press ahead and make the border conflict an international issue," Mr Abhisit said.

Cambodia's defence ministry said in a statement issued yesterday: "Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh has agreed to meet his Thai counterpart in Phnom Penh shortly to discuss a ceasefire between the two countries".

As for a move to resolve the conflict using an Asean framework, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will raise the issue with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who serves as Asean chair, tomorrow.

The cabinet yesterday agreed with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's proposal to review relations with Cambodia at all levels including trade and culture but there has been no discussion about a downgrade in diplomatic relations.

Mr Abhisit has assigned all ministries to consider the issue thoroughly as it had affected border trade at the Chong Jom border checkpoint in Surin and Chong Sa-ngam border checkpoint in Si Sa Ket, which account for 5% of all border trade. The Foreign Ministry has also asked China and Vietnam to help convince Cambodia to turn to the negotiating table.

The request was made through Chinese ambassador to Bangkok Guan Mu and Vietnamese ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang during a meeting with Permanent Secretary Theerakun Niyom yesterday.

Defence Minister Gen Prawit will visit China today. His official schedule is to discuss the submarine project development but observers believed he would raise the Thai-Cambodia dispute issue with his Chinese counterparts.

As China and Vietnam have a good relationship with Cambodia, Thailand hopes both countries will be able to help talk Phnom Penh into turning to the negotiating table, ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said.

Mr Thani said the Chinese envoy said his government was closely monitoring the situation and would try to help. Mr Ngo Duc Thang said Vietnam is a good friend of both Thailand and Cambodia and would be neutral.

The move came amid continuous heavy border fighting yesterday. The clashes have left at least 13 troops dead - five Thais and seven Cambodians. Despite the talk of a ceasefire, heavy mortar and artillery fire was exchanged yesterday, expanding to locations near Preah Vihear in Si Sa Ket province border.

Cambodian troops attacked the Thai border with heavy artillery yesterday afternoon at Phu Makhua in Kantharalak district, forcing local residents to flee to shelters. Thai soldiers were forced to retaliate to the Cambodian attack.

During the past four days after the clashes erupted last Friday, the exchange was restricted to Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin. Nearly 30,000 people have been evacuated.

The Thai troops local commander said Cambodia opened fire at the Thai border after they heard the sonic boom from an F-16 fighter of Thai airforce which did a flight exercise near the border.

At about 6.30pm yesterday, Cambodian soldiers fired artillery attacks deeper into tambon Naengmud, tambon Kok, tambon Kian and tambon Prasart Beng in Kap Choeng district of Surin, east of Phanom Dong Rak district.

Sa-ard Veeracharoen, chief of Surin's public health office, said two villagers had reportedly died during yesterday's clashes which continued from about 1pm until late at night.

"The fight was very heavy today. We received an unconfirmed report that two villagers have been killed - one in Kab Cheong and the other in Dong Rak district," Dr Sa-ard said. At least 22 people were injured, including 18 soldiers and four civilians, two seriously, he said.

Kab Cheong Hospital has been temporary closed due to the heavy bombing. All patients had been evacuated to Surin Hospital, he said.

More than 70 people, mostly soldiers, have been wounded in Surin province since the clashes broke out on Friday.

The border clashes also continued unabated near Ta Muen and Ta Muen Kwai temples in Phanom Don Rak district until about 3pm yesterday.