Thailand Asked to Delay the GBC in Pataya

CAMBODIA, PHNOM PENH, AUGUST 11, 2010-Thai side has tried to make the international communities and publics to confuse about the General Border committee which plans to schedule on 27-28 August in Pataya, with citing that Cambodian side asked to postpone it and one this point is not true like that, “Cambodian defense ministry’s spokesman Gen.Chum Socheat said on Wednesday.

That is Thai side that asked us to delay the meeting, not Cambodia side because Thailand did not prepare the document properly,” Chum said.

Thai side asked to delay indefinitely about the 7th meeting, Chum said, adding that actually we all booked all air tickets already and wait to go but Thai side asked us to prolong it.

Thai side is tricky with us, “he noted. Chum also appealed to Thai defense ministry’s spokesman to ask their boss before commenting with Thai media about GBC. Thai side has always said trickily, Chum added.

Thailand’s Defense ministry spokesman Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng was quoted as saying on Wednesday by The Bangkok Post that Cambodia replied that documents to be signed at the meeting had not yet been properly prepared.

Col Thanathip said the postponement was agreed on after Thailand, as the host, asked Cambodia whether it was ready for the meeting. The spokesman said Defence Minster Prawit Wongsuwon and his Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Banh had agreed to the delay.

The GBC meeting was originally intended for the two sides to sign agreements on border security cooperation over landmine disposals, suppression of drug smuggling and human trafficking, marine security and joint operations by police and soldiers along the border.

Col Thanathip said the GBC would not discuss border demarcation, since that is the responsibility of the Joint Boundary Committee of the foreign ministries of the two countries.

The security issues will relate to border demarcation and military has committed to meeting regularly. Last development of border issues between two countries, Thailand always has opposed the management plan of Khmer Preah Vihear temple to world heritage center.

Thai government led by Thai PM Abhisit expressed his feeling about opposition Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple. Thailand used own map that drawn in 1976 to take Cambodia soil of 4.6 km square with claiming it as buffer zone or disputed areas.

Cambodia always told Thailand that we do not have buffer zone at the area. Actually Thailand is using area near Khmer Preah Vihear temple as hostage to gain the political benefits in Bangkok and Thai troops sent to area since July 15, 2008 through own map. Preah Vihear is Khmer properties that the world court awarded in 1962.

In July 7, 2008 Cambodia listed successfully the temple with world heritage committee as world heritage site. Thai troops invaded Cambodia through a trick of sending three people including a monk, layman and a nun. Thailand is afraid of Cambodian side when Cambodia wants to summit the border issues to world communities. Thailand always asked to deal through bilateral talks. Thai side asked to use MoU 2000. Cambodia said anytime, anywhere, any mechanisms, it will go with Thailand. Cambodia and Thailand has border treaty in 1904-1907 but Thailand always does not want to say about it. Thailand will lose her face with the treaty. Thailand always created enemy with Cambodia and used trickily all times.

DAP News