Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong (R) shakes hands with Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornviwat (L) at a hotel in Siem Reap province, some 314 kms northwest of Phnom Penh. Thailand and Cambodia agreed in principle Wednesday to reduce troops and use a century-old survey map to help resolve a long-running border dispute.
(AFP)SIEM REAP : Thailand and Cambodia will start surveying their disputed border area next month to pave the way for demarcation of their border near Preah Vihear temple, Vasin Teeravechyan said yesterday.
Mr Vasin, who is the Thai chief negotiator on the Joint Boundary Commission, said in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap that the joint survey was expected to be held in mid-December.
The commission held another round of talks yesterday in the Cambodian province followed by talks between the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers, Sompong Amornvivat and Hor Namhong.
The two countries, however, could not settle on wording to refer to the 11th century temple in the agreement and on military issues.
A Thai delegation source said Thailand insisted on using Phra Viharn in the agreement but Cambodia argued that it must be called Preah Vihear. The Thais were concerned that agreeing to use Preah Vihear would violate the mandate given by parliament which ordered them to refer to the temple as Phra Viharn.
But Cambodia argued that Preah Vihear was internationally accepted, the sources said, adding that Thailand would have to consult parliament on the wording.
The reduction or withdrawal of troops could also be discussed.
Mr Vasin, who is the Thai chief negotiator on the Joint Boundary Commission, said in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap that the joint survey was expected to be held in mid-December.
The commission held another round of talks yesterday in the Cambodian province followed by talks between the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers, Sompong Amornvivat and Hor Namhong.
The two countries, however, could not settle on wording to refer to the 11th century temple in the agreement and on military issues.
A Thai delegation source said Thailand insisted on using Phra Viharn in the agreement but Cambodia argued that it must be called Preah Vihear. The Thais were concerned that agreeing to use Preah Vihear would violate the mandate given by parliament which ordered them to refer to the temple as Phra Viharn.
But Cambodia argued that Preah Vihear was internationally accepted, the sources said, adding that Thailand would have to consult parliament on the wording.
The reduction or withdrawal of troops could also be discussed.
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