Prawit: No more fight [among Thais] over Preah Vihear

Monday, September 21, 2009


21/09/2009
BangkokPost.com

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on has ordered security officials to prevent Thai people from fighting one another over the Thai-Cambodian disputed border around Preah Vihear temple.

Yellow-shirt protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) clashed with Si Sa Ket villagers on Saturday as they were trying to enter the disputed border area. The clash resulted in scores of injuries from both sides.

Second Army Region commander Wiboonsak Neephan will coordinate with the police, provincial governors and other agencies to prevent this type of incident from happening again, Gen Prawit said.

"The government, particularly the security units, will make sure the country will not lose its sovereignty. Everything must be done in line with procedures," said the defence minister.

He said it would not be necessary to deploy more troops at the disputed border near the ancient temple at the moment.

"Cambodia understands the situation in Thailand, and both governments have always been closely working together," he said.

Gen Prawit said he supported the idea of invoking the Internal Security Act during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Hua Hin and Cha-am next month, but it must not affect local people in the areas.

He said he had discussed this with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs.

"I would like the red-shirt protesters not to gather when the summit is being held as it is an international event," he said.

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