Border talks

The Cambodian and Thai defence ministries exchanged positive statements yesterday about the introduction of Indonesian observers into the Preah Vihear border area ahead of today’s meeting of the Regional Border Committee.

In a statement yesterday, the Cambodian Ministry of Defence praised their Thai counterparts for reportedly making preparations for the deployment of observers in a demilitarised zone established by a July 18 International Court of Justice ruling.

Thai defence minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa also retracted comments on Monday he made earlier this week suggesting Indonesian observers might not be needed, conceding they were “crucial”, the Bangkok Post reported.  

Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Thanatip Sawangsaeng also reportedly said Thailand would propose the RBC set up a joint committee to take care of the Preah Vihear temple and boost cross border trade. A Cambodian delegation has arrived in the Thai province of Nakhon Rachasima, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, Chum Socheat, said yesterday.