Cambodia tells troops, governors along border to continue good ties with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has advised its armed forces and officials along the border to continue maintaining good relations and cooperation with Thailand after Thailand's army seized control of the government in a coup on Thursday.

"To continue maintaining peace, order, cooperation and development along Cambodia-Thailand border, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the National Police must advise all armed forces stationed along the border to continue good cooperation and relations with Thai side," acting Prime Minister Sar Kheng said in a directive released to the media Friday. "Redeployment of armed forces is not allowed."

He also ordered governors in the provinces along the border to continue cooperation with the Thai side in order to maintain peace and order and to enhance the control of cross-border activities.

In addition, he advised armed forces and governors to closely monitor the development of situation in Thailand, especially the situation along the border.

Sar Kheng has assumed the title of the acting Prime Minister since May 18 after Prime Minister Hun Sen is on a visit to China.

Cambodia and Thailand has had a bitter border dispute since July 2008 when the UNESCO added the Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple to its World Heritage List, but Thailand claimed the ownership of 4.6 square km of scrub next to the temple.

The temple had become a flashpoint of armed clashes between the two countries' troops since then.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in November last year that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear temple.

To date, the two countries have not met and discussed the implementation of the ICJ's ruling.