THAI-CAMBODIAN ROW
BANGKOK POST and AFP
The prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand plan to hold talks in Beijing after a long-running border dispute escalated into a deadly shoot-out last week, a Cambodian official said yesterday.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expects to meet Thai premier Somchai Wongsawat on the sidelines of a meeting between leaders of Asian and European nations on Friday and Saturday.
"During his stay in Beijing, the prime minister will bilaterally meet with the Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao and we have planned to meet with the Thai prime minister as well," Hun Sen's advisor Sri Thamrong said.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said Thailand was busy trying to arrange talks between the two leaders.
The government expects to endorse Wasin Teeravejayarn as chairman of the Joint Boundary Commission today so he can hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart on attempts to demarcate the land border.
Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat chose the retired career diplomat because of his expertise in international law and treaties.
Mr Wasin, who retired as ambassador to South Korea last month, is a former director-general of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department.
The border clash last Wednesday happened in the disputed area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province and Preah Vihear in Cambodia.
Three Cambodian soldiers were killed and seven Thais injured.
Malaysia yesterday urged Thailand and Cambodia to restart peace talks to resolve the conflict.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said he would carry a peace message from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Thailand this week.
He said Thailand and Cambodia should "avoid skirmishes", adding that the deadly conflict could "embarrass Asean [the Association of Southeast Asian Nations] as a whole".
After the clash, the two countries agreed to conduct joint patrols in the disputed area.
Generals from both armies will hold talks on Thursday and Friday in Siem Reap, according to Second Army commander Lt-Gen Wiboonsak Neeparn.
The seven Thai soldiers injured in the fighting in the overlapping area near Pha Mor E Daeng in Kantharalak district have been treated in hospitals and all but one are expected to recover, doctors said yesterday.
Volunteer ranger Bunyarit Kantee's kidney is not functioning well and his circulation is poor, said Chawalit Limpawitayakul, deputy director of the Sapasitprasong hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province, where he is being treated.
"His chances of regaining consciousness are slim," the doctor said.
The three rangers who were also seriously injured in the skirmish are expected to recover. Those being treated at Kantharalak hospital are Sgt-Maj 1st Class Pricha Pokapan, volunteer ranger Kritsanarak Jandaeng,and Sgt-Maj 1st Class Natapol Jansuk.
The remaining three soldiers were not badly hurt. BANGKOK POST and AFP
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