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Troops withdraw over hostage fears; Joint patrols to calm Preah Vihear tensions

8/08/2009
Writer: WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post

The army has cancelled overnight stays by troops with their Cambodian counterparts at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara for fear of them being held hostage.

Ten troops were stationed at the temple day and night in the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area.

They were recently ordered to leave the temple after finishing their daytime tasks and to return again the next morning, said a source with the Suranaree Task Force.

Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara is at the foot of the mountain where the disputed Preah Vihear temple is located.

Since July 15 last year, 10 soldiers have been deployed at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara. Another 20 Thai troops are stationed around the temple.

"In the event of rising border tensions, those Thai troops [living at the temple] could have been in danger," the source said.

The Cambodian troops have occupied the temple for several years and tended to think the temple was theirs, the source said.

Despite a previous agreement between Thai and Cambodian troops that the temple is an unarmed zone, the Cambodian troops had yet to drop their weapons, but demanded the Thai troops strictly follow the agreement.

"Since it's a policy, we have to follow," said the source, conceding the withdrawal of the Thai troops from the temple could be perceived by the Cambodian side as a victory.

Another agreement adopted by both sides is joint border patrolling in the Phu Makhuea area where Thai and Cambodian troops have clashed repeatedly due to misunderstandings, said the source.

The joint patrol unit consists of 18 soldiers from each side. Thailand and Cambodia keep about 3,000 troops each in the disputed area.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda said yesterday the army stood firm in wanting to resolve border disputes with Cambodia through peaceful negotiations.

"We live next to each other and can never move away. Should Thailand get the Preah Vihear temple back if we fight? The answer is no.

"So we have to work with Cambodia to develop the temple and make use of it," he said.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob yesterday met visiting Cambodian National Assembly President Heng Samrin and discussed the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

Mr Chai asked his Cambodian counterpart to speed up negotiations regarding settlement of the disputed area.