Hun Manet orders new army centres

Hun Manet orders new army centres

Hun Manet (Photo: CEN)

4/07/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's son Hun Manet inspected his country's military bases close to the Thai border last week and ordered two military command centres to be constructed, said a source.

The source in the Suranaree Task Force said Maj Gen Hun Manet visited Cambodian soldiers behind Preah Vihear temple in the disputed border area and ordered subordinates to set up the two command units in Oddar Meanchey province - one in Anlong Veng district and one opposite Thailand's Surin province where Ta Muen and Ta Kwai temples are located.

The source said Hun Manet had kept a low profile in recent months and until last week had stayed in Phnom Penh after Cambodian troops engaged in fierce border clashes with Thai troops in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces earlier this year.

The source added that Cambodia had been concerned that the Thai military might create a situation on the border and use this as an excuse to prevent yesterday's election going ahead.

Cambodian soldiers had evacuated their family members from their border camps as part of preparations for this possibility.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday denied that 300 foreign troops were helping Cambodian soldiers along the border.

He said Thailand and Cambodia did not want a war with each other.

Along the border, both Cambodia and Thailand are replacing their troops. A Thai source said Cambodian soldiers often changed their uniforms and scarves to create the perception that reinforcements were being brought in.

Gen Prawit reiterated that Thai soldiers were capable of protecting the people and territory along the border.