Thais eye next GBC talks

Transnational crime, landmines on agenda

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

Thailand is set to table proposals on landmine clearance and combating transnational crime at the forthcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, which is expected to take place within the next month, according to Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after the GBC meeting held in Malaysia on Thursday, Gen Nattaphon also revealed that he had met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his visit. He said that both sides reaffirmed a shared commitment that Malaysia and Asean would refrain from intervening in bilateral matters between Thailand and Cambodia, instead taking the role of observers.

“We have made it clear that the United States and China should also allow Asean to manage regional situations independently, without interference,” he added, noting that Malaysia had given assurances in support of this approach.