BANGKOK, April 24 -The Royal Thai Army (RTA) and the defence ministry Sunday charged that Cambodian soldiers had intruded into the area around Ta Kwai temple, violating an agreement between the two countries and sparking fierce fighting since last Friday.
The RTA and the ministry also denied charges by the Phnom Penh government that Thai forces used poisonous chemical gas and airstrikes during the deadly clashes.
RTA spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd told a news conference that both countries had made an agreement earlier that there would be no soldiers around disputed Ta Kwai temple. But Cambodian soldiers last week went in to the area, which was considered a violation of Thai sovereignty and the agreement, Col Sansern said. Thai soldiers then issued a warning but Cambodian soldiers instead fired at Thai troops which have led to fierce fighting to date.
He said the “Thai government wants to settle the dispute in line with mechanisms laid out by the two countries, both on a bilateral basis and on the Year 2000 MoU (memorandum of understanding).”
So far four Thai soldiers have been killed and 17 wounded while Cambodian soldiers likely suffered similar casualties, he said.
More than 27,000 Thai villagers have been temporarily moved to 22 centres in Surin province and six in nearby Buri Ram province for their safety.
Col Sansern added a permanent cease-fire depends on Cambodia withdrawing all its troops from the “no-man land.”
However, the army spokesman stated talks on a cease-fire should be carried out first as it will lead to the withdrawal of troops of both countries.
Defence Ministry spokesman Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng, meanwhile, denied Cambodia’s charges that Thai troops used chemical poisonous gas and airstrikes during the ongoing fighting, saying that only helicopters had been used in transporting wounded soldiers out of the fighting area.
Col Thanatip said Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan believes that a bilateral meeting would be the best solution in solving the dispute.
“Talks will have to start from the (Thai) regional army command level first before negotiations at the governmental level takes place,” Col Thanatip added.
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday he expects to meet with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) scheduled to be held in Indonesia May 7-8.
“If I have chance, I would like to talk with him on the Thai-Cambodian conflict,” said the Thai premier.
Mr Abhisit asserted the border dispute should be solved by the two neighbours and no other country should be allowed to intervene in the matter.
Regarding the government’s policy to handle to Thai-Cambodian issue after the dissolution of the parliament, Mr Abhisit said Thailand has made its clear stance on the matter, which is protecting its own sovereignty and not invading any country, adding the Thai army is concerned about this, and their operation have followed the international practices.
