A Change of Guard

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Wednesday 23 March 2011

[Thai] Army: Indonesian observers not wanted


Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha

Published: 23/03/2011
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and commanders of all the armed forces have resolved not to allow Indonesian observers to enter the 4.6 square kilometre dispute area on the Thai-Cambodian border, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Wednesday.

Gen Prayuth said the top brass wanted the Thai-Cambodian conflict to be solved by bilateral negotiations between the two countries, without outside involvement.

He said the army had made a proposal to Cambodia through the Foreign Ministry that if there were to be joint checkpoints in the disputed area, then a special centre should be set up to coordinate their operation.

The coordination centre must be manned by Thai and Cambodian soldiers only. It was not necessary to have Indonesian observers.

If Cambodia insisted on having Indonesian observers, they should be allowed to perform their duty only outside the disputed area, Gen Prayuth said.

"Why do they want to enter the disputed area? It's not safe there. The question is, if Indonesian observers come, will they be able to order Cambodian soldiers not to violate the Memorandum of Understanding?" he said.

The army chief was firm in his stand that the Thai-Cambodian conflict over the ancient Preah Vihear temple area was a matter to be solved by Thailand and Cambodia, and that Indonesia or any other third country should not be involved.

"Thailand and Cambodia, can reach a settlement through negotiations, especially between the soldiers," he said.

Gen Prayuth reaffirmed the Thai top brass would not attend the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Indonesia on April 7-8.

"The 8th GBC was initially to be hosted by Cambodia. If Cambodia cannot host the meeting, we would offer to host it in Thailand. We are contacting Gen Tea Banh, the Cambodian defence minister, over this matter," he said.

Asked what would happen if Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen insisted on not holding bilateral talks, he said: "If the meeting cannot be held, it will not be held."

Talks must be bilateral and foreigners should not interfere, Gen Prayuth said.

Regarding the map to be used in talks to settle the border conflict, Gen Prayuth said Thailand stands firm on using the 1:50,000 map, not the 1:200,000.

"Fighting will not bring anything good, only losses. Problems must be solved through negotiations," he said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh has submitted a petition seeking a royal pardon on behaldfof Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his personal secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon.

Mr Thani said the petition, signed by Mr Veera and Ms Ratree, was submitted through the Cambodian Foreign Ministry on March 14.

The petition had been forwarded to the proper agency and was being considered, he said.

Detained yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid

Asked Mr Veera's reported illness, Mr Thani said the Thai embassy reported that his condition had improved.

Asked if a change of government after the general election would affect the petition for a royal pardon, Mr Thani said he did not think so.

No matter what the politics may be, the Foreign Ministry is duty-bound to help Thai people in trouble, he said.

Mr Thani had no idea how long the pardon process would take.

Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were among the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 for illegal entry.

The five other Thais were sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to nine months in jail for illegal entry. They were freed after the remaining eight months in jail was suspended by the court.

The pair was additionally charged with spying. Mr Veera was sentenced to eight years in jail and Ms Ratree six years in jail.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

siam got no right to prevent indonasia observer to come.because they will station on cambodia land with cambodia soilder.whether siam like it or not.

Anonymous said...

Thailand is the most wicked nation on earth worst than ancient biblical Babylonia.One day the wrath of true God will ravage upon this lawless and untrustworthy nation of the Siamese,the shameful place beyond redeem.

Anonymous said...

Cambodia welcome Asean team to our side as observers, if Thailand scared and hesitate...Thailand don't want the world know their bad behavoir..?

Anonymous said...

Thai army chief said, its difficult for Thailand to cheat and steal lands from Cambodia, if Asean Team being there...

Anonymous said...

UN and ASEAN allow Thailand mocking at them? The way Thailand is acting right now...is mocking at United Nation and Asean's team...

Anonymous said...

Siemland(Thailand) is one dirty, sneaky, manipulative, and untrustworthy SOB of a nation. It kiss ass to those who are strong and rich like America and Europe. Siemland is the most westernize country in Asia. By having them as allies, Siemland is able to evade the international rule of laws set forth by ASEAN and UN and committed crime against Cambodia. This is not ecceptable. Siemland need to withdraw itself as a member of ASEAN. ASEAN will do just fine without Siemland(Thailand).

Anonymous said...

If Cambodia is the one who doing this shit...UN/ASEAN properly won't forgive or have mercy on us...at all? But for rich country, they say nothing..??

Anonymous said...

these day and age thailand only comply with people have bigger guns if cambodia have bigger rockets 100 of Sukhoi Su-37 400,000 men in the frontline really mad ready to fight and won't take any none-sense from thailand, every time a fighting few villages flatten by the rockets and thailand properly bow to cambodia long time ago .
the situation today with thailand because thailand can do what ever thailand want and not dame thing cambodia can do.
cambodia should strengthen it military have a long range rockets can reach any major part of thailand have 100 units of PHL-03 or BM30 100 modern portable SAM and 100,000 more men if the government unable to pay the wages just get the volunteers a lots of people willing to defend the motherland anyway.

Anonymous said...

Yes If Cambodia do like what the Thai did the UN + The ASEAN Which are under the US's umbrella will not
forgive us at all
That not fair at all may be because Thai is belong to the US