Thai-Cambodian border crossing reopened Wednesday

O'Smach-Chong Chorm Border Checkpoint with O'Smach Resort in the background.

People's Daily Online
May 04, 2011

Chong Chom/O'Smach immigration checkpoint on the Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand's northeastern Surin province was reopened on Wednesday morning after military leaders of both sides held another round of ceasefire talks.

Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, Thailand's Army Region 2 commander, went across the border to meet Lt-Gen Chea Mon, commander of Cambodia's 4th Army Region, at the O'Smach Resort Hotel where the two military commanders discussed strict implementation of a ceasefire, the Bangkok Post online reported.

They agreed that if a clash took place, the unit commanders of the two sides must immediately contact each other to stop it and prevent it from recurring.

Chong Chom/O'Smach crossing was subsequently opened at 10 a.m. local time to the relief of traders on both sides of the border. It had been closed for 13 days since the latest round of border fighting between the two neighboring countries erupted near the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples on April 22, halting cross-border trade.

Both Thai and Cambodian traders were expected to fully resume business, according to the report.

Truce agreement that the field commanders of both sides reached on April 28 was breached as the border skirmishes continued on April 29. The situation in the border area has become stable over the past few days with only small-arms clashes occurred occasionally. A Thai soldier was killed while three others wounded from gunfire exchanges Monday night and early Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua