Cambodia Issues Ultimatum to Thailand over Border Dispute
There has been an increase in tension between Cambodia and Thailand with the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warning that if Thai forces did not withdraw from a disputed border area they would be met with an armed response. Thailand insists there has been no encroachment on Cambodian territory and Thai army chiefs and politicians have been meeting today to discuss the situation. The Cambodian ultimatum was apparently a response to a small deployment of Thai troops who were de-mining part of the disputed area near the temple at Preah Vihear. Thailand has said they want to establish if these mines have been laid recently or whether they remain from the Khmer Rouge occupation of the temple in the 1970’s. Two Thai soldiers have been seriously injured by land mines in the area in recent weeks.
Both Thailand and Cambodia have a military presence in the sensitive border area. Cambodia has been pressing for regional or international arbitration whilst Thailand says the border dispute should be resolved by the two countries themselves. Historically, the neighbours haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, but they are both part of ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) with Thailand hosting the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in mid-December this year. Thailand has said her forces will not instigate any clashes with Cambodia, but they will protect Thai sovereignty and will respond if Cambodia attacks Thailand.
Latest reports indicate that the Cambodian military are satisfied that the Thai troops in question have now withdrawn from the disputed area.
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