Indonesian survey team taken to [Thai-Cambodian] border

Indonesian survey team taken to [Thai-Cambodian] border

6/07/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

A survey team from Indonesia was quietly led to the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district on Wednesday morning by foreign affairs officials to examine the area ahead of thee arrival of an Indonesian Observers Team (IOT) expected to follow soon, an army source.

The source said the army was puzzled and surprised by the move, which was taken before the new government is in place.

The team, with an unknown number of members, were led by officials from the Foreign Ministry to examine areas where cross-border clashes occurred between Thai and Cambodian soldiers from February to April in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province and Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province.

They did not enter the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area around Preah Vihear temple, the source said.

The source said the Foreign Ministry had earlier asked the army and the Suranaree Task Force to prepare for the arrival of the Indonesian observers (IOT), who are expected soon.

The IOT will have 15 members. Most of them Indonesian soldiers, but they will be wearing civilian clothes.

The IOT will stay at Wang Chompoo Resort in Kantharalak district, about 40 kilometres from the Preah Vihear temple, for six months.

The source said the army was stunned by the unexpected message from the Foreign Ministry advising that the survey team from Indonesia would be led to the border area on July 6.

The army had expected preparations for the arrival of the IOT would be made after the new government is formed.

The ministry asked the Suranaree Task Force in the area to facilitate the trip by the survey team.

The source noted that the army had made it clear that it would not receive the IOT if Cambodian troops had not been pulled out of the disputed area.

But, without informing the army in advance, the Foreign Ministry suddenly notified the army that it was taking the Indonesia survey team to the border. The ministry also told the army to be prepared to receive the IOT, but did not say when.

It was believed IOT would come after a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, co-chaired by the defence ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, has been held, the source said.

An army officer posted at the border said Cambodian soldiers he had worked with expressed delight upon learning that the Pheu Thai Party will lead the new government.

They believed that from now Thailand and Cambodia would be able to settle their disputes and Thai and Cambodian soldiers would not have to fight each other anymore.

"The atmosphere at the border has relaxed. No stress. Yet, we remain vigilant," the officer said.

The officer said on the afternoon of July 3 afternoon, when voting ended and the exit polls results were announced, Cambodian soldiers watching Thai television on the border clapped and cheered loudly.

"Cambodian soldiers do not want to fight. Many of them have lost their lives. Thai soldiers don't want to fight either.

"However, the new government should be careful not to be left at a disadvantage in talks with Cambodia," the officer said.