Thailand, Cambodia agree to joint border patrols

SI SA KET, Oct 16 (TNA) -- Senior army officers of Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia on Thursday agreed to joint patrols in their disputed border areas along their border following bloody clashes between soldiers of the two countries, Thai Second Army chief Lt. Gen. Wibulsak Neepal said.

Lt-Gen. Wibulsak, who oversees security affairs in northeastern Thailand, said the agreement was made by ranking army officers of the two countries at a meeting which lasted more than four hours in Si Sa Ket province bordering Cambodia. The meeting was held following Wednesday's clashes between soldiers of both countries near the ancient Preah Vihear temple which left two Cambodian soldiers killed and five Thai soldiers wounded.

Gen. Wibulsak said although there was not clear agreement and progress to end border disputes, both sides agreed to introduce joint patrols to avoid armed confrontation.

A policy level meeting between the two countries is scheduled for October 21.

The deputy governor of Si Sa Ket province, meanwhile, met urgently with the heads of three villages adjoining the Cambodian border to map out an evacuation plan in case clashes between soldiers of the two countries erupt anew.

The overall atmosphere in the two countries' border towns was very quiet Thursday. Many Cambodians living in Poi Pet were seen packing their personal valuables and heading for their hometowns deep inside the country. (TNA)