AFTER the ceasefire agreement was signed by Thailand and Cambodia the situation at seven Thai provinces bordering Cambodia returned to normal but the neighbouring country has not responded to two key issues, Amarin TV and Thai Rath newspapers said this morning (Aug. 8).
Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, said at 7 a.m. that there were no reports of violent incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border from late last night till 7 a.m. this morning.
He added that the Special Operations Centre for the Administration of the Thai-Cambodian Border was to hold its 27th meeting at Government House at 9.30 a.m. to discuss the results of the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Malaysia yesterday.
Acting Defence Minister Gen. Nattapon Nakpanich said while the two countries agreed to refrain from attacking civilians and strengthening their military on either side of the border, Cambodia refused to respond to clearing landmines which is a factor stoking border tensions even though Thailand is ready to cooperate in doing so.
The Khmer delegation also refused to commit to cracking down on transnational online scammers who have defrauded both Thais and citizens in other countries.
Meanwhile Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dulyapak Preecharush, a lecturer at the Department of Southeast Asian Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, said the ceasefire negotiations were a conflict management exercise but Thailand cannot be complacent about possible truce violations and ongoing military buildup by Cambodia.
The agreement incorporates all seven points previously agreed upon by the commanders of both sides, with some exceptions by Cambodia.
He foresees troops of both countries maintaining border security based on their actual geographical advantages. The technical resolution of the new border demarcation will have to be addressed at follow-up meetings, particularly the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC).
“In a realistic analysis, it appears that there will likely still be violations of the agreement due to actual military fluctuations. For example, a few days ago, Cambodia extended the conscription period and a large number of workers in Thailand returned to Cambodia,” he said.
The total number of Cambodian troops opposite Thailand’s southern Isaan border has also increased significantly and as Khmers have lost significant territory in 11 areas it would be impossible for them to remain silent.
Amid the easing of tensions along the border Thailand does have a relatively strong advantage, he said, adding if relations are restored Thailand would be more lenient on reopening border crossings and hopefully the two countries will resend ambassadors who had been recalled at the height of the conflict.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Thai and Cambodian flags. Photo: Amarin TV
Insert: Thai and Cambodian delegations and observers from Malaysia, the US and China after yesterday’s extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Malaysia. Photo: Thai Rath
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