THE DEFENCE Ministry today (Feb. 20) denied Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to apologise for a group of Cambodian soldiers and civilians singing their national anthem at Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple which lies along the border at Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province, a few days ago, Naewna newspaper said.
He added that foreign media had misquoted Phutham as saying Hun Manet had apologised.
This action had led to a heated verbal exchange between Thai and Cambodian troops with the confrontation filmed by a Thai and shared online.
The Defence Minister had already explained the resolution of this problem at the local level and would not allow such activities to be held in the area in future.
Phumtham also held talks with his Cambodian counterpart on adjusting the plan on taking care of this area to ensure orderliness without any display of such symbols again in future, with this being the second time a similar incident has occurred. The aim is to resolve the problem peacefully so that people from both countries can safely visit the temple.
Regarding the construction of a 55-kilometre wall on the Thai-Cambodian border, Pol. Gen. Thanathip Sawangsaeng said this was just an idea that has still to be studied on the impact it would have on the peoples of the two countries, including at the government level, while confirming no such fence has been built yet.
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Top and Front Page: The group of Cambodian soldiers and civilians singing their national anthem at Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple. Photo: PPTVHD36
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