Aid, access to border casinos to be reviewed

[Admin]

Aid, access to border casinos to be reviewed
By PIYANART SRIVALO
The Nation 2011-04-27

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday ordered a review of relations with Cambodia and the possible stepping up of retaliatory measures in relation to the border conflict.

The military, meanwhile, was given an extra Bt1.2 billion for operations as the clash near Ta Mouan Thom temple in Surin province continued.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told the Cabinet that Cambodia would never be victorious in the conflict and proposed additional measures in response to Phnom Penh's actions, a source at the meeting said.

The government might consider cutting off economic assistance and banning Thai gamblers from Cambodia's border casinos, Kasit was quoted as saying.

The foreign minister also told the Cabinet he would be able to mobilise international pressure to stop Cambodia's military action.

Kasit said he had written to Asean and the United Nations, informing them that Thailand would only settle the conflict through bilateral channels.

At an informal meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa last Thursday, Kasit said he would propose that Cambodia withdraw its troops from the border areas near Preah Vihear and Keo Sikkha Kiri Svara temples.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told yesterday's Cabinet meeting that troops had killed many Cambodian soldiers during the latest clashes, including a senior officer with the rank of deputy commander.

He said the military had successfully defended Thai territory and would soon allow local residents who fled the fighting near Ta Mouan Thom to return to their homes.

The latest clashes began at Ta Mouan Thom and Ta Kwai temple last Friday. Prawit blamed Cambodia for breaching an agreement on military arrangements in the area. The two countries agreed earlier to keep at least 50 metres from the temple, but Cambodia later tried to take over the area, he said.

The clash continued yesterday as Cambodia fired artillery rounds and rockets into Thai military stations and border villages in Surin and Buri Ram provinces. Three soldiers and three civilians were injured in the attacks.

Thailand has lost five soldiers and Cambodia seven troops since the outbreak of fighting last Friday.

A brief exchange of gunfire took place at Phu Ma Kua hill near Preah Vihear yesterday as Cambodia misinterpreted a Thai air force exercise, but there were no reports of casualties, an Army spokesman said.