ANUCHA CHAROENPO & TANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Thailand will not allow the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to play a role in resolving the border row with Cambodia, a government source said yesterday.
The source said the Thai intention was to settle the problem over the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple through bilateral negotiations rather than getting the regional grouping involved in the issue.
The border conflict between the two countries has raised concerns among Asean foreign ministers, who began their annual talks in Singapore yesterday.
"The situation has escalated dangerously, with troops from both sides facing off on disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a speech opening the Asean meeting. "Asean could not stand idly by without damaging its credibility."
Singapore, which chairs the meeting, on Sunday night issued a statement urging Thailand and Cambodia to exercise the utmost restraint and resolve the issue amicably.
Asean was also ready to help resolve the problem, the statement said.
Thailand and Cambodia informed the informal meeting of foreign ministers on Sunday night about the situation in the area immediately adjacent to the temple.
Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Bunditkul led the Thai delegation to Singapore.
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