Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has called a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on Friday to discuss the border dispute with Cambodia, which has signalled a hardening of its position.
Phnom Penh has sent a clear message that it is not interested in talking about solutions to four disputed land border areas at a meeting of the two countries’ Joint Border Commission (JBC) on June 14, Thai government officials said on Thursday.
Instead, Cambodia is insisting that the issue should be forwarded to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a ruling, which could take years.
The four overlapping areas are Ta Muan Thom, Ta Muan Toch and Ta Kwai in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province, and part of the “Emerald Triangle” in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani.
Cambodia said it supported talks with Thailand through the JBC.
“However, given the referral to the ICJ, the four aforementioned areas will not be included on the agenda of the upcoming JBC session,” the Khmer Times quoted a government statement as saying.
Mr Phumtham on Thursday reiterated that the Thai government and army were ready to protect the country's territory and sovereignty, according to Thitiwat Adisornphankul, the deputy secretary-general to the prime minister. (Story continues below)
People donate used tyres to the army to build bunkers at the border with Cambodia in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani province. (Photo: 2nd Army Region Facebook account)
Mr Phumtham chairs the NSC in his role as deputy prime minister responsible for security issues. Other members include NSC Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Gen Songwit Noonpakdee, the Chief of Defence Forces.
On Wednesday Mr Phumtham visited Chong Bok, the border area in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani where a brief skirmish between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on May 28 touched off the latest dispute.
The minister said Cambodia was still stationing soldiers in a no man’s land in violation of an agreement by the two countries to move troops 200 metres from the overlapping claim, Thai media outlets reported.
He said he opposed the move by Cambodia to resort to the World Court. “We hope that Cambodia would still adhere to the mechanism of the JBC,” he was quoted as saying.
Thailand did not rule out a move to partially or entirely close border checkpoints if tensions escalate, he added.
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa will lead the Thai side in the upcoming JBC talks.
- Editorial: Mixed signals at the border
