Thai-Cambodian military ties 'intact'

27/10/2009
Bangkok Post

Military ties between Cambodia and Thailand remain tight, army chief Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday.

His statement came as political relations between the two countries soured after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced he would welcome ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to Cambodia and that the Cambodian government would not allow his extradition to Thailand.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva responded by asking Mr Hun Sen to decide between personal relations and bilateral benefits with Thailand.

Gen Anupong would not say whether Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's visit to the neighbouring country would affect the army in any way. He said he did not know whether Gen Chavalit was there to discuss personal matters or not.

But the army chief reiterated that situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains calm, and that soldiers of the two countries are obeying their governments' decision to solve the border conflicts through bilateral talks.

"I can assure you that the situation there will not lead to fighting, and we will not resort to the use of force," Gen Anupong said.