Unease at peace-keeping drills

June 24, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

Thai soldiers say Cambodian troops 'won't talk to them'

A week into a peace-keeping drill led by the United States, Thai soldiers say there was a "wall" between them and fellow Cambodian troops that is preventing them from developing a bond with one another.

Cambodian soldiers practise disarming techniques during the Ayara Guardian 2011 peacekeeping drill in Pran Buri district, Prachuap Khiri Khan. CHAIWAT SADYAEM

The drill, called Ayara Guardian 2011, includes about 400 soldiers from 13 countries, including Thailand and Cambodia. The exercise started June 18 and runs until July 1 at the Infantry Centre of Thanarat Camp in Pran Buri district.

Thailand has 60 soldiers in the drills, and the Cambodian Peace-keeping Centre sent 48 troops. Other countries that have sent soldiers include the Philippines, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Rwanda.

A Thai participant said Cambodian supervisors had ordered their subordinates not to talk to or befriend Thai soldiers during the drill.

"We only talk to each other when it's necessary. So, the atmosphere is not as friendly as before," said the Thai soldier who asked for anonymity. He said some Cambodian officers could speak Thai, but they avoid talking to Thai soldiers so they don't unintentionally leak information about the country's military.

"Sawasdee" is the only word the Cambodians are willing to say when meeting Thai soldiers.

Sgt Long Tony, one of the five female Cambodian soldiers taking part in the drill, however, said there was no distrust between Thai and Cambodian soldiers.

Sgt Long said she had attended the US-led peace-keeping drill before but this was the first time that she joined one in Thailand.

She admitted that she had not talked to Thai soldiers much. But it was just because Thai soldiers were not keen on speaking English.

All she can do is smile at the Thai soldiers during the drills.

Sgt Yaren Chea, 24, another female Cambodian soldier, said the confrontation between Thai and Cambodian troops along the the two countries' border between February and May had nothing to do with the perceived gap between them at the Ayara drill.

"Whatever has happened at the border, the drills with Thai and Cambodian soldiers have went by as normal. We go through the training together and we do talk to each other," she said.