BANGKOK, 26 April 2011 – Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has pledged that the Thai military will not lose any single square-inch of the Thai soil to Cambodia upon the prevailing border skirmishes.
General Prawit ensured that the troops will take the utmost attempt to protect the national sovereignty as well as the land. He said if the Cambodian side violates the sovereignty, the military will carry out identical measures in retaliation.
The minister added that the Thai forces are stationing in the border disputed areas in order to protect the kingdom against intrusion of Cambodian troops. He admitted that occasional skirmishes are still reported between both sides.
Nevertheless, General Prawit believed the conflicts could be resolved by negotiation means, and ASEAN will be ready to help coordinate and facilitate the procedure.
The minister noted that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will have a chance to discuss the issue with other ASEAN leaders when he participates in the upcoming 18th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia from 4 to 8 May 2011.
