BANGKOK, 26 April 2011 – Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will discuss with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan the Thai stance and measures towards Cambodia.
Speaking prior to attending the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Kasit announced that Thailand’s foreign policy toward Cambodia needs to be revised in the wake of continuous border shootings. He added that revised measures might include border closures.
The minister stated that Thailand had been exercising maximum restraints with Cambodia during the past two years while Cambodia had taken several stern actions against the Thai government and people such as arresting Thai citizens and imposing severe charges and appointing fugitive Thai politician Pol. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra as government advisor. Result of the discussion between the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister will be presented to the cabinet for approval.
Mr Kasit however noted that the measures would not be as harsh as severing the ties with Cambodia or calling back the Thai ambassador to Cambodia. He uttered that he did not want the Thai-Cambodian issue to undermine the domestic politics.
The minister also dismissed a news report that US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had volunteered to help mediate the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. He believed that it was just a rumour.
