Border ‘win’ as mop-up starts

JOINT BORDER PATROLS AGREED AS ARMY CLAIMS CONTROL IN CHONG ARN MA

- POST REPORTERS

»The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has declared success in reclaiming control over the disputed Chong Arn Ma border area in Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district, specifically near the Ta Om Monument, following five days of armed clashes with Cambodian forces.

Prior to the confrontation that began on July 28, Thai military personnel had been unable to gain access to the monument zone, which had been occupied by Cambodian troops in what Thai officials described as a violation of Thai sovereignty.

The confrontation marked a turning point in the standoff over the Chong Am Ma area along the Thai-Cambodian border, said RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree yesterday.

Cambodian troops had previously maintained a presence near the Ta Om Monument, denying Thai forces access to the disputed zone, he said.

“Following the armed clashes and subsequent ceasefire, Thai troops have reentered and now maintain a presence in an area under mutually agreed conditions,’ he said.

As observed on July 30 when the Cambodian army led a delegation of 13 international diplomats to visit the disputed area, both Thai and Cambodian sides have agreed to a set of joint guidelines aimed at easing tensions and avoiding further confrontations, he said.