via CAAI
Published: 21/12/2010
Cambodia announced it will open its side of the border near Preah Vihear after the New Year on Tuesday, as three Thai villagers released under a royal pardon after being jailed in Cambodia were returned home to Surin.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told visiting Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha in Phom Penh that he Preah Vihear ruins on the border will be reopened after the New Year.
He said Thailand should also reopen its side of the border so people can visit the ancient temple.
Gen Prayuth returned to Thailand late today after a two-day visit.
Hun Sen also said demarcation of the common border should be carried out as soon as possible, Bangkok Post
"Since we are neighbours and cannot move away from each other, we should cooperate and stay together in peace.
"Thailand and Cambodia are like a tongue and teeth which must be in contact. It is not right that the teeth must be removed if the tongue is bitten," the Cambodian prime minister said to Gen Prayuth. military correspondent Wassana Nanuam reported.
National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha
Hun Sen said since the Thai-Cambodian border is over 800km long, the two countries should not let Preah Vihear temple to be the problem of the entire border.
Demarcation talks should be held as soon as possible, he said, adding he expected the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) to hold a meeting after the New Year.
Concerning the deployment of troops in the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area, Hun Sen said he wanted soldiers of the two countries to be positioned far apart to prevent confrontation.
During the New Year, both Thai and Cambodian military leaders would visit their soldiers to show that their troops are still in the disputed area, but without confrontation, he said.
Hun Sen also said both Thai and Cambodian soldiers have withdrawn from Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara.
A source said the Phnom Peng government handed over three Thai villagers, who were jailed for spying after wandering over the border while hunting and then released under a royal pardon on Monday, to Gen Prayuth.
"Cambodia is pleased by Gen Prayuth's visit and an overnight stay. Hun Sen was on hand to welcome Gen Prayuth by himself," the source said.
Gen Prayuth said in an interview on his return from Cambodia that the relations between the two countries have been strengthened.
The two countries have agreed to cooperate in many fields. More Cambodian troops will be sent to Thailand to study more on the Thai military, he said.
Gen Prayuth said after being handed over the three Thais, he passed them over to the Thai embassy.
The three Thai villagers who were released have returned home in Surin's Sangkha province.
They were taken by Cambodian authorities to Chong Sa-ngam checkpoint in Phu Sing district of Si Sa Ket province and handed over to governor Channa Iamsaeng, Suranaree Task Force deputy commander Col Wuthi Saengchak,and Phu Sing district chief Krirkchai Pongpaew on Tuesday.
On hand to welcome them at the border checkpoint were their relatives from Sangkha district of Surin.
Sanong Wongcharoen, 37, Lim Puangphet, 35, and Laen Sapdee, 55, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Aug 18 after straying across the border while hunting and foraging for food in the forest. They were sentenced last week to 18 months in jail for spying.
They were freed on Tuesday from a Siam Reap prison on receiving a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni to mark the 60th anniversary of the Thai-Cambodian diplomatic relations.
The three said they had been treated well while detained at the Siem Reap prison and their relatives were allowed to visit them.
They thanked Hun Sen and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for their freedom.
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