Thai, Cambodian PMs agree to prevent border clashes

PATTAYA, April 10 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen on Friday agreed to find ways to prevent border clashes between the armed forces of the two countries from reoccurring in future.

Both leaders discussed last Friday's border spat on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits in Thailand's eastern seaside resort town of Pattaya, they expressed regret over the latest clashes near the disputed ancient temple of Preah Vihear in which two Thai and two Cambodian soldiers died and nine Thai soldiers were wounded.

Mr. Abhisit told a press conference after the meeting, the incident happened because of a misunderstanding. He also said the incident would not affect bilateral relations and both countries would use channels of communication if anything similar looked likely to happen again in the future.

The Thai premier said he would also visit Cambodia on April 18 to meet King Norodom Sihamoni, Hun Sen and other senior officials.

Mr. Abhisit meanwhile returned one of seven stolen Cambodian artifacts from the 12th century during the discussion with Hun Sen.

The remaining artifacts will be handed to the Cambodian government during Mr. Abhisit’s official visit.

All seven antiquities were earlier stolen and carried to Thailand, but were seized by customs officials.

Panithan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the Thai prime minister said Mr. Abhisit also stressed to Mr. Hun Sen that trade and investment between the two countries would continue, especially on the construction of the Highway 68 project which will link Thailand’s northeastern province of Surin with Cambodia’s Siem Reap province in that country’s northwest.

Construction costs of the highway estimated at US$43.7 million is expected to become a significant boost to an already burgeoning tourism industry in Siem Reap.