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Thais Threaten to Close Cambodian Borders
By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
06 November 2009
Thailand’s deputy prime minister on Friday warned the country could close
its borders to Cambodia, after each withdrew their ambassadors in a
worsening row over ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Both sides have troops amassed on the border following skirmishes over
Preah Vihear temple last year, but military officials said Friday the
situation remained calm.
The two countries share seven international checkpoints, as well as 12
others, along 800 kilometers of border.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban was quoted Friday saying
worsening relations could lead to closed checkpoints, following Cambodia’s
announcement it had made Thaksin an economic adviser to Prime Minister Hun
Sen.
Thaksin is in self-imposed exile and faces a two-year jail sentence for
corruption charges if he returns to Thailand. Hun Sen has said he would
welcome the former premier, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in 2006, in
spite
of an extradition treaty with Thailand.
“If Cambodia still adopts a hard line and uncompromising attitude, then we
must continue to downgrade relations and maybe seal off all border
checkpoints,” Suthep was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said he wasn’t surprised by the
warning, but he added that Thailand would suffer more from a border closure
than
Cambodia.
The deepening diplomatic crisis had no bearing on a military standoff
along the northern border, officials said Friday.
Defense Minister Tea Banh told VOA Khmer the border situation was “quiet”
and “normal,” despite the withdrawal of ambassadors from Bangkok and
Phnom Penh.
Chea Mon, commander of Division 4, said Cambodian soldiers were
maintaining their positions on the border, which was quiet.
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