Landmark landmine agreement reached

 June 30, 2011

Bangkok Post

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to carry out landmine clearing operations in the disputed area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said the agreement was reached at the second meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Working Group, held in Phnom Penh from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

The landmine clearing work would be conducted at spots known to both sides as A, B, C and D that have been referred to by the International Court of Justice, ACM Sukumpol said upon his return to Thailand yesterday.

Before the clearing work can begin, a joint Thai-Cambodian landmine clearing working group will have to hold more talks next month to discuss the framework of the operations.

After the landmine clearing task is completed, both sides will move on to discuss demilitarisation in the disputed area, ACM Sukumpol said.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself Ruam Phalang Pokpong Phaendin (United to Protect the Motherland) has urged the army to expel Cambodians who they say are encroaching on Thai territory.

They say Cambodian soldiers and civilians have reclaimed a forest in the disputed area that belongs to Thailand.