Thai and Khmer armies meet to prepare the visit

Hun Sen flanked by bodyguards.

By The Nation

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will chair the opening ceremonies of a village and an army battalion during his visit to the area near Preah Vihear Temple this weekend.

The Thai army is informed that Hun Sen is scheduled to give moral supports to his soldiers who guarded along the border.

The visit will start on Saturday until Tuesday.

Thai and Cambodian armies meet on Friday to prepare for the border visit of Hun Sen.

Maj Gen Weewalit Jornsamrit, the second army region commander, said that the meeting will take place at Pa Mor I Daeng in Si Sa Ket's Kantararak district at 2pm.

The meeting is expected to discuss about safety measures and other issues in preparation for the four-day visit of Hun Sen.

The general said the Thai army was informed that Hun Sen is scheduled to officially open Siharat Decho Village and an army battalion, both inside the Cambodian soil.

Hun Sen, as the army leader, will also give moral support for his soldiers who worked along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The Cambodian patrolling along the border has been intensified in preparation for the visit as there were sporadic fighting between Khmer soldiers and illegal loggers.

"However we will push back any Cambodian soldiers who were found carrying weapons and stepping on the Thai soil during Hun Sen's visit," Weewalit said.

Earlier reports claimed that Hun Sen will visit 4.6-square-km disputed zone near Preah Vihear. Rumours spread that convicted Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was appointed as Hun Sen's economic adviser will join the trip.