Thursday, 7 August 2008

Thai Troops Withdrawn from Ta Moan Thom Temple

AKP Phnom Penh, August 6, 2008

Thailand withdrew Tuesday its troops from Ta Moan Thom Temple, located in the Cambodian province of Oddar Meanchey, about 470 km to the northwest of the capital city of Phnom Penh.

This withdrawal was made following a meeting between Oddar Meanchey Deputy Governor San Wanna, and Kanok Netrakawesana, commander of Thailand's Suranaree Task Force in the Thai province of Surin.

About 70 Thai soldiers were deployed to the 13th-century Ta Moan Thom Temple since July 27.

According to Chinese News Agency Xinhua, Thai Cabinet agreed in principle on August 5 to reduce its total number of soldiers at the disputed zone near Preah Vihear Temple to ease the tension between the two neighbouring kingdoms.

The officials of the two countries are expected to meet in the third week of this month in the Thai province of Hua Hin.

On July 28, in a meeting at the Cambodian province of Siem Reap, both sides agreed to consider the withdrawal of their troops from the disputed zone. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has recently declared that there was no problem for Cambodia and the country was waiting for Thailand’s decision over the troops’ withdrawal from the area, adjacent to the Preah Vihear Temple.

--AKP
(By Ms SOKMOM Nimul)

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