Army scraps sports day at border

Published: 17/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Army chief Anupong Paojinda (pictured) has cancelled a sports day scheduled for Saturday between Thai and Cambodian troops to stay in line with the government's attitude towards Phnom Penh, an army source says.

The move came after talks between the government and military leaders. It was decided the army should adopt a similar stance to the government towards Cambodia even though the military ties between the two countries remained good.

It would be an "unpleasant image" to see the government cut diplomatic ties with Phnom Penh while its soldiers played sports with Cambodian troops as if nothing had happened. The policies of the government and the army should be the same, the source said.

Thailand and Cambodia have seen their relationship deteriorate after Bangkok last year opposed Phnom Penh's unilateral move to list the Preah Vihear temple ruins as a World Heritage site with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The situation worsened after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his and Cambodia's economic adviser, and refused to extradite him to Thailand when Thaksin paid a four-day visit to Cambodia last week.

Hun Sen last week told Cambodia's deputy supreme commander Gen Chea Dara to meet Thai 2nd Army commander Lt Gen Weewalit Chornsamrit to ensure the soldiers of the two countries maintained a friendly relationship.

Gen Anupong had supported holding the sports day as a way to strengthen military ties after talking with Gen Chea Dara. The two sides have agreed not to reinforce troops at the border.

Although the army has decided not to go ahead with the planned sports day, the source said, Gen Anupong was still allowing Thai soldiers, who have frequent contact with Cambodian troops stationed near the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area surrounding Preah Vihear, to continue playing unofficial outdoor games. They could play volleyball, football and Petanque together as they have been doing, the source said.