Games planned to ease border tensions

In an attempt to ease tensions Cambodia's Gen. srey doek (r) wrestles Thai Gen. Kanok NetraKaveysana on 5th April 2009, two days after the deadly armed clashes.

Published: 12/11/2009
Bangkok Post

Cambodian soldiers have been invited to join a sports day the army is organising in the border province of Si Sa Ket today to ease increasingly tense ties between the two countries.

An army source said army chief Anupong Paojinda issued an order on Tuesday morning for the 2nd Army to sponsor the sports day.

The games will be played by Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed near the Preah Vihear temple on the border.

Residents of Phum Sarol village in tambon Sao Thongchai in Kantharalak district will also take part in the event.

The strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia over Phnom Penh's appointment of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser have placed the border situation under close watch.

The sports activities including volleyball and tug-of-war would brighten up the atmosphere, the source said.

The sports day is scheduled for today as Thaksin plans to deliver a talk as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

The sporting event is aimed at demonstrating that despite the presence of Thaksin in Cambodia and the downgraded diplomatic ties, the border atmosphere remained peaceful.

The Thai military invited the commander of Cambodia's 3rd supportive division, Lt Gen Sarai Duek, to lead a group of his troops to join the sports day.