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| Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard) |
Negotiations could ease the continuing border
conflict between Thailand and Cambodia but holding immediate talks with
Cambodia is not easy, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security
affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday.
Speaking after a Thai soldier was killed, and three wounded, in a
clash with Cambodian troops at the border overnight, Mr Suthep said it
would be difficult to arrange ceasefire talks at this time.
The government must be cautious and monitor the border situation continuously, he said.
The government must be cautious and monitor the border situation continuously, he said.
Authorities would allow villagers at evacuation centres to return
home when there is no gunfire at the border. The people were worried
about their homes and possessions and they hope the situation would
improve soon, he said.
"At the Asean Summit to be held in Indonesia from May 6 to 8, I think the Cambodian leader [Hun Sen] will meet and talk with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and it should produce positive results," Mr Suthep said.
Individual small arms, mortars and hand grenades were used by both sides in the cross-border firefight that began about 8pm on Monday around the area of Ta Kwai temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district. No heavy weapons were used in the clash.
The Thai soldier killled was Pvt Tawatchai Boonmang and the wounded are Sgt Sariwit Wisetchart, Pvt Ampol Yatpluem and ranger Santi Chanthakhe.
Casualties on the Cambodian side were not reported.
The clash brought the number of deaths on the Thai side to eight and the wounded to more than 120.
Villagers who had just returned to their homes ran for their lives to shelter in bunkers.
Sporadic exchanges of fire continued until about 3am on Tuesday.
The clash occurred despite a ceasefire agreement reached between senior military commanders of both sides on Sunday.
"At the Asean Summit to be held in Indonesia from May 6 to 8, I think the Cambodian leader [Hun Sen] will meet and talk with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and it should produce positive results," Mr Suthep said.
Individual small arms, mortars and hand grenades were used by both sides in the cross-border firefight that began about 8pm on Monday around the area of Ta Kwai temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district. No heavy weapons were used in the clash.
The Thai soldier killled was Pvt Tawatchai Boonmang and the wounded are Sgt Sariwit Wisetchart, Pvt Ampol Yatpluem and ranger Santi Chanthakhe.
Casualties on the Cambodian side were not reported.
The clash brought the number of deaths on the Thai side to eight and the wounded to more than 120.
Villagers who had just returned to their homes ran for their lives to shelter in bunkers.
Sporadic exchanges of fire continued until about 3am on Tuesday.
The clash occurred despite a ceasefire agreement reached between senior military commanders of both sides on Sunday.
Bangkok Post
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