Prayuth: Troop cuts must be mutual

“Why do we both remain in the disputed areas?" he said.

"The answer is because one side has broken the rules and the other was left with no choice but to deploy troops to fight to protect its territorial sovereignty,’’ he said.

“If Cambodia does not withdraw its troops, we won’t either. This is the rule and our superiors have also instructed us to do it this way,’’ said Gen Prayuth.

Gen Prayuth said he had a meeting with his visiting Malaysian counterpart General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin in Bangkok on Tuesday, but the Malaysian army chief said little about the border dispute.

Gen Zulkifeli said only that he would respect whatever decision was eventually made by Thailand and Cambodia, because it was an internal issue between the two countries and Asean was not able to intervene, said Gen Prayuth.

It was a problem between Thailand and Cambodia and the two nations should try to resolve it through dialogue, Gen Zulkifeli said, according to Gen Prayuth.

Defence spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon will meet his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh to discuss border problems during the 5th Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Jakarta.

Col Thanathip said Gen Prawit would be accompanied by Gen Kittipong Ketkowit, the permanent secretary for defence, and a number of military officers in the trip to Indonesia.

The meeting is for the defence ministers of the 10 Asean member countries to exchange opinions concerning security and military affairs in the region.

Asean's role in solving international problems such as suppression of piracy in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia will also be discussed.

The defence ministers attending the meeting will consider the 3-year operational plan under an ADMM framework for the years 2011-2013 and sign a document on the establishment of the Asean Peace-keeping Networks Centre, a document on an initiative on cooperation on defence industries, and a joint declaration on promotion of cooperation for the defence of Asean against new forms of threats.

Gen Prawit will also hold a bilateral meeting with the defence ministers of five countries - Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore - regarding military relations and cooperation, border security, strengthening of confidence in the region, military exchange programmes, and joint military training and exercises.

Col Thanathip said Gen Prawit and Gen Tea Banh of Cambodia will meet to discuss border problems on this occasion.

On the last day of the meeting the defence minister will pay a courtesy call on Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Bangkok Post