Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has reiterated that no Thai red shirts or political dissidents are hiding in Cambodia, according to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Speaking on Thursday after returning from a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Cambodia, Gen Prawit, who is also deputy prime minister, said Hun Sen denied that Thai nationals wanted on arrest warrants are lying low in Cambodia.
But he stopped short of saying if he believed the Cambodian premier's assurances. "Whether I believe it or not in my personal opinion, I can't comment on the matter," he said.
Gen Prawit visited Cambodia on Wednesday and Thursday, accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister and army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, permanent secretary for defence Gen Sirichai Dithakul, Supreme Commander Gen Worapong Sanganet, navy chief Admiral Krisorn Chansuwanich, air force chief Air Chief Marshal Treetos Sonchaeng, and national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang.
During the trip, the delegation called on Hun Sen and attended the GBC meeting. They also met Gen Tea Banh, the Cambodian deputy prime minister and defence minister, to discuss the maintenance of peace and security for residents along the Thai and Cambodian border.
They discussed issues including drugs and human trafficking, with a particular emphasis on the special economic zones in Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces. Asked about the issue of the Preah Vihear temple dispute, Gen Prawit said it was not on the agenda.