Cambodia border stays open for now

Hun Manet to ask for ICJ intervention

- BANGKOK POST AND AFP

The Thai government has specifically asked the military not to close crossings with Cambodia in order to send a message to its counterpart over the border that it's business as usual, in response to vows that a complaint would soon be filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over disputed areas.

The Thai army had recently notified the government about Cambodian troops trespassing and requested permission to temporarily shut down the Thai-Cambodian border in response, said a source familiar with the matter.

The army reasoned that if no action was taken to deter Cambodian forces, that would be tantamount to acceptance of the tactic, said the source.

The army, however, was simply told to put closure on hold, said the source.

The government cited possible negative impacts of the shutdown on Thailand's already battered economy to support its stance, said the source.

It also asked the army to wait until the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) has finished discussing ways to resolve a new wave of border disputes, sparked by the latest clash between Thai and Cambodian troops near the Chong Bok border area last Wednesday.