Writer: BangkokPost.comPublished: 21/09/2009
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has ordered the military to coordinate with police and local officials and prevent any further fighting between Thais over the disputed border with Cambodia around Preah Vihear temple.
Yellow-shirt protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) clashed with Si Sa Ket villagers on Saturday as they tried to enter the disputed border area. Many injuries were reported on both sides.
Second Army Region commander Lt-Gen Wiboonsak Neephan will coordinate with the police, provincial governors and other agencies to prevent this sort of incident happening again, Gen Prawit said.
"The government, particularly the security units, will make sure the country does not lose sovereignty. But everything must be done in line with procedure," said the defence minister.
It would not be necessary to deploy more troops at the disputed border near the ancient temple at the moment.
"Cambodia understands the situation in Thailand, and the two governments have been closely working together," he said.
Gen Prawit said he was in favour of invoking the Internal Security Act during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Hua Hin and Cha-am next month, but it must not affect local people in the area.
He had discussed this with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs.
"I would be preferable if the red-shirt protesters do not gather when the summit is being held, as it is an international event," he said.
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