Joint Thai-Cambodian border patrols rejected by Phnom Penh

SI SA KET, Oct 17 (TNA) – The Thai-Cambodian joint border patrol agreement reached during Thursday's meeting of the two sides' army commanders failed to be put in action however villagers along the border feel relieved a little on the current situation.

One day after the working level meeting of Thai and Cambodian commanders, joint border patrol operation between soldiers of the two countries, believed to be a solution to a temporary cease-fire, failed to begin Friday.

Thai and Cambodian soldiers remained stationed at their bases and the situation is has returned more or less to normal, but the Cambodian service of Radio Free Asia aired in Phnom Penh Thursday morning quoted an official Cambodian source as saying that the Cambodian government did not agree with the joint border patrol concept, despite the idea being agreed by both sides' soldiers.

Meanwhile, demining operations continued in the area, but not on Phumakhua hill itself, one of three locations that skirmishes occurred on Wednesday. It is believed that there are more new landmines elsewhere on Phumakhua, after two Thai soldiers stepped on mines there on October 6.

Meanwhile, local residents in Si Sa Ket hoped the next round of negotiations at the policy level of the two countries on Tuesday would produce progress, enabling them to harvest crops around the Preah Vihear temple for selling. Some local residents started to unpack, believing the situation in the next phase would not be so serious that they had to evacuate.

While residents and media are still not allowed to go in the ancient temple, only soldiers are permitted to rotate their force in the premises. There was, nonetheless, no reinforcement of deployment in the area.

Despite a seemingly relieved situation, a community head still warned Kantharalak residents to remain on alert for possible evacuation.

Meanwhile, Cambodians living along the border of Thailand's Chanthaburi province feared possible robberies and banditry might occur after the firefight thus have already evacuated to Cambodia's Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Siem Reap provinces. (TNA)