April border clash site is on Thai territory : Thai FM spokesman

Wed, May 13, 2009

By The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/

Cambodia could not ask for compensation from Thailand for border clash in April because the clash site is on the Thai territory, Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesman Tharit Jarungwat said.

The clash site is on Thai territory which was illegally occupied by Cambodian civilians, he said, adding the Thai authorities are lenient enough to allow them to do business there for the sake of good relations between the two countries and for humanitarian reasons.

Tharit was referring to Cambodia's demand for the Thai side to pay Bt69 million in compensation for damage allegedly caused by heavy weapons from the Thai army used during the border clash on April 3 near Preah Vihear Temple.

Cambodian Foreign Ministry Monday sent a diplomatic note to Thailand, asking for the compensation. It said the gunfire destroyed 264 stands at a market in front of the temple, affecting 319 Cambodian households.

The Thai foreign ministry will send a letter to Cambodia to reaffirm its stance on the issue, the spokesman said, noting that Thailand had earlier clearly asserted that the area in question belongs to Thailand.

Asked if Thailand would seek compensation from Cambodia for damage on the Thai side, the spokesman said the ministry's Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs is looking into the matters.