A Change of Guard

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Thursday 28 April 2011

Thai, Cambodian field commanders agree ceasefire: Thai army chief

Cambodian mobile rocket launchers heading to the frontline.

BANGKOK, April 28 (MCOT)- Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday that Thai and Cambodians field commanders have met and agreed to a ceasefire, but were still "assessing the situation" until sometime Friday.

The Thai army commander-in-chief made his remarks following seven days of clashes between soldiers of the two neighbouring countries which erupted at their shared borders last Friday, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of local residents and scores of casualties on both sides.

Gen Prayuth reaffirmed that the exchange of gunfire of troops of both countries has already stopped as of mid day Thursday, and that Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn, commander of Thailand's Army Region 2, met with his Cambodian counterpart this morning.

Both sides said they wanted a ceasefire, but have to wait and assess the situation at the border until Friday morning, Gen Prayuth stated.

The army chief said that all parties hope the situation will improve and no one wants fighting.

“If no further clash occurs between this afternoon and Friday morning, this will lead to a talk of higher officials,” said Gen Prayuth.

Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Thursday that the army chief has already informed the government about the ceasefire agreed by the field officers of the two countries.

Dr Panitan however said the situation must be monitored as the ceasefire may not be acknowledged in some areas where fighting has occurred.

Reuters news agency reported that Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan confirmed the ceasefire by the two armed forces, saying that both countries agreed to open a border point to allow displaced Thais and Cambodians to return home.

A Cambodian government spokesman said local military commanders of the two neighbours will meet regularly to avoid any misunderstanding which may lead a further border clash. (MCOT online news)

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