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With reference to Cambodian Ambassador You Ay's letter ("From Cambodia with clarity," Post bag, Oct 13), the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state for the record a couple of pertinent points as follows:



1. The issue of the temple of Phra Viharn Preah Vihear is a complicated one with a history going back a long time. The situation, however, worsened following its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2008, despite unresolved negotiations on the encroachment of the land boundary in the area adjacent to the temple.



Thailand did not initiate the problem, nor did it try to exploit extreme nationalist sentiment in order to make political gains.



2. As for the allegation that Thai troops caused the destruction of the Cambodian market and the Cambodian side demanded compensation for the affected people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already officially informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia by a diplomatic note dated Aug 10, 2009, clarifying that the said incidents were triggered by Cambodian soldiers' assault on Thai troops, forcing the latter to take defensive action and leading to the exchange of fire between the soldiers of both sides. The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the whole incident took place at the market and Cambodian community in the area adjacent to the temple of Phra Viharn Preah Vihear, which are situated within the territory of Thailand.



I hope this letter will help promote a better understanding of this delicate issue.



THANI THONGPHAKDI



Deputy Director-General, Department of Information,



Ministry of Foreign Affairs