Thai military station at border

BANGKOK, 4 May 2011 (NNT) – Army Chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha has confirmed that Thai troops will be deployed along the Thai-Cambodian border while all related evidences regarding the clashes are being collated for references in the future.

General Prayut reported that there were still skirmishes along the border despite the ceasefire agreement; therefore, military officers have been ordered to exercise maximum caution in their operation and retaliate against the Cambodian side only if necessary.

The army chief disclosed that the Cambodian side will seek a negotiation in regional commander level again in one or two days. The Thai army will reassess the situation based on whether there are further clashes after the talks; if so; further talks will no longer be needed.

General Prayut also expressed his sorrow for the deaths and injuries of Thai officers in the border battles. He said he did not want to see the clashes spread to other areas, adding that it was easy to win the war, but more difficult to solve its negative impact after the fighting.

The army chief added that the Thai military has prepared data gathered from each skirmish to be used as evidence if the issue is taken to the international level; in order to verify that the Thai side has never opened fire first.