Cambodia has agreed to an official re-drawing of the border line for a watershed area near Ubon Ratchathani province that has been the centre of recent border tension, a 2nd Army official said Wednesday.
Commander Thawat Sukplang said Cambodia agreed to official border demarcation for a stretch of disputed land in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province that sits opposite Ubon's Ratchathani's Nam Yuen district.
Cambodia last year began excavating a road in the area that is claimed by that country but considered neutral ground by Thailand. The army responded by sending 200 soldiers to the border region and closing the temporary Chong Arn Ma border crossing.
In a joint meeting on Jan 8, Cambodia authorities agreed to suspend road construction, but declined to fill in the excavated land. The border checkpoint then reopened.
Deputy Defence Minister and army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr began a two-day visit to Cambodia today. Following talks, Cambodia officially halted all roadwork until the border demarcation is completed, probably late this month, Lt Gen Thawat said.
He added that once the demarcation is finished, the Chong Arn Ma crossing would be upgraded to be a permanent border checkpoint. Permanent crossings are open for transit during scheduled hours. At temporary checkpoints, vendors or others crossing the border must request that the gate be opened.
Apart from Lt Gen Thawat, accompanying Gen Udomdej in the visit to Cambodia were Lt Gen Kampanart Ruddit, the 1st Army commander.
During the visit, Gen Udomdej will have a meet with Gen Tea Banh, the deputy prime minister and defence minister, as well as with the supreme commander and army chief of Cambodia.
Gen Udomdej said the visit is intended to strengthen relations between the two countries. Thai and Cambodian soldiers will step up cooperation on the suppression of contraband and illegal logging and conduct more joint patrols.
More villages on both sides of the border will be set up - as initiated by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha while he was army chief - in line with the government's plan to set up special economic zones along the border, including one in Sa Kaeo province, he said.