via CAAI News Media
BANGKOK, Feb. 7 (AP) - (Kyodo)—The Thai Foreign Ministry said Sunday that Thailand will maintain its territorial claim to a disputed border area with Cambodia, a day after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen made a visit to a border temple through territory claimed by Thailand.
"The visit would not have any effect in any way on the legal claims made by Thailand over the Thai territory," the ministry said in a statement amid rising tension over the border dispute.
Hun Sen visited the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on Saturday, passing through a 4.6-kilometer border area also claimed by Thailand.
Thailand insists that Cambodia must notify it if Hun Sen enters the disputed border area.
Hun Sen plans to visit Ta Muen Thom, another ancient temple located in an area claimed by Thailand as part of Surin Province, on Monday. The temple, which is claimed by both sides, is now under the control of Thai armed forces.
Thailand reportedly wants any security detail accompanying Hun Sen during the visit to leave weapons behind.
Cambodia's relations with the Thai government, already tense due to the border dispute, which flared up in July 2008, deteriorated further in November last year with the appointment of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as a personal adviser to Hun Sen as well as economic adviser to the Cambodian government.
Thailand subsequently recalled its ambassador from Phnom Penh in protest and has since been reviewing agreements and commitments signed by the two countries.
Thaksin, who Hun Sen regards as a good friend, was deposed in 2006 in a bloodless coup while he was out of the country.
He fled Thailand in August last year shortly before a court sentenced him to two years in jail for breaking a conflict of interest law while he was in power.
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