(BangkokPost.com) - Thai soldiers will not withdraw from the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple despite an ultimatum from Cambodia to withdraw by midday Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said Tuesday morning.
"We are in our homeland. How can they expect us to leave our home?" he told reporters.
His statement came after a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said Thai soldiers could face being fired upon by Cambodian troops.
"If they cannot withdraw tonight, they must withdraw tomorrow," Hun Sen said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat called an urgent meeting with chiefs of armed forces and Foreign Ministry officials at 2pm Tuesday to assess border row.
He said in the morning that troops of both countries should withdraw from the disputed area.
"We would not have any problems if both countries withdraw their troops to avoid confrontation," Mr Somchai said. "I would like the bi-lateral committee that has been formed to state clearly the distance that the troops should stay away from the disputed land."
He insisted that the Thai government is ready to discuss the problem with Phnom Penh
"We are in our homeland. How can they expect us to leave our home?" he told reporters.
His statement came after a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said Thai soldiers could face being fired upon by Cambodian troops.
"If they cannot withdraw tonight, they must withdraw tomorrow," Hun Sen said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat called an urgent meeting with chiefs of armed forces and Foreign Ministry officials at 2pm Tuesday to assess border row.
He said in the morning that troops of both countries should withdraw from the disputed area.
"We would not have any problems if both countries withdraw their troops to avoid confrontation," Mr Somchai said. "I would like the bi-lateral committee that has been formed to state clearly the distance that the troops should stay away from the disputed land."
He insisted that the Thai government is ready to discuss the problem with Phnom Penh
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