Thai-Cambodian border meeting postponed indefinitely as the border dispute between the two states flares up; Thai navy to send two ships for anti-piracy mission in Somalia
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    • The General Border Committee (GBC) scheduled to be held between Thailand and Cambodia on August 27-28, 2010, has been postponed indefinitely in the wake of their recent row over the border issue.1 The dispute flared up following the recent ‘yellow shirt’ movement over the border issue in Thailand. While warning that it might result in violence, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for international assistance to resolve the issue. He has also alleged that Thailand was violating UN rules by threatening to use military force against Cambodia.2

    However, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has alleged that although Thailand is committed to resolve the border dispute peacefully under the 2000 MoU, Cambodia violated it by encroaching on the Thai territory first. In a letter to the UN, Thai government has also explained that Thailand did not threaten to use military against Cambodia.3 The bilateral border dispute has recently taken a new twist with the Thai government’s direction to its foreign as well as defence ministries to ensure withdrawal of those Cambodians who had encroached Thai territory at the Thai-Cambodia border.4

    In other developments, the Thai navy is all set to send two of its ships to join the international anti-piracy mission in Somalia. Though, this mission is yet to get cabinet approval. The navy is reportedly keen to undertake this mission to gain experience in an international peace-keeping role. The first ship (consisting of 397) and second ship (consisting of 400 soldiers) will leave for Sudan on October 25 and November 23 respectively.5

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