Thai Foreign Ministry: April clash site is on Thai territory

BANGKOK, May 12 (TNA) – The armed clash between the Thai and Cambodian military on April 3 occurred on Thai soil, according to Tharit Charungvat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman. The clash site is on Thai territory which was illegally occupied by Cambodian civilians, Mr. Tharit asserted. However, the Thai authorities are lenient for the sake of good relations between the two countries and for humanitarian reasons. The ministry spokesman made the remarks following media reports that Cambodia asked Thailand to pay more than US$2 million (about Bt74 million) in compensation for damage allegedly caused by heavy weapons the Thai Army used during the border clash on April 3 near the ancient Preah Vihear (Phra Viharn) temple. The Cambodian Foreign Ministry Monday sent a diplomatic note to Thailand, asking for the compensation. It said the gunfire destroyed 264 stands at a market in front of the Preah Vihear temple, affecting 319 Cambodian households. The Thai foreign ministry will send a letter to Cambodia to reaffirm its stance on the issue, the spokesman said, noting that Thailand had earlier clearly asserted that the area in question belongs to Thailand.

Map of the 3rd April clashes. Areas above the yellow line is Thailand and below yellow line is Cambodia. The red stars with arrows are areas where the clashes took place.

Asked if Thailand would seek compensation from Cambodia for damage on the Thai side, Mr. Tharit said the Ministry’s Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs is looking into how to proceed with the matter.

The disputed area, which surrounds the ancient temple, has long been a source of tension between the two countries.

An international court awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but a 4.6-square km (1.9-square mile) parcel of land surrounding it remains the subject of territorial claims by the two neighbouring countries. (TNA)

In another development, Deum Ampil newspaper reported that Cambodia has not reacted to the Thai refusal yet. Koy Kuong, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, told Deum Ampil that Cambodia cannot make any comments regarding the Thai position as it has not received the official Thai response in writing. He said that any Cambodian official response can only be made after Cambodia has received an official written response from Thailand.