BANGKOK, Oct 23 – Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said the Thai-Cambodian border will be on special alert next month when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announces its judgement on the Preah Vihear temple dispute.
He said military forces along the border have been instructed to intensify security and create understanding among the people.
Thailand and Cambodia have been on good terms thanks to successive discussions among officials of the two countries at every level, he said, expressing hope that Thai people would accept the ICJ’s judgement.
The government and the Foreign Ministry are responsible for giving explanations to the Thai public, he said.
The World Court is scheduled to give its verdict to the Preah Vihear dispute on November 11, starting at 4 pm (Thailand local time).
Cambodia petitioned the ICJ for a ruling on the ownership of the region adjacent to the Hindu temple. The ICJ ruled in 1962 that the temple itself belonged to Cambodia but there was no mention of the surrounding area.
The army chief refused to comment on the highly-criticised Amnesty Bill which has passed the first reading in the Lower House and is currently being scrutinised by a House committee.
“I’m not a losing party but I only have to legally fight for military personnel (involved in the 2010 political upheaval). It would be more appropriate to let the losing party comment on this matter,” he said.
