BANGKOK: (Bernama) The Thai and Cambodian armies agreed on Thursday (May 29) to withdraw troops from a disputed area along the Thai-Cambodia border, where a brief clash had occurred a day earlier.
In a statement, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) stated that the two countries had agreed to the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC), a government-level mechanism, to expedite the resolution of the issue.
"The JBC meeting is expected to reach a conclusion within two weeks. Meanwhile, troops from both sides involved in the recent clashes have withdrawn from the contested area, easing tensions,” RTA said.
On Wednesday, Thai and Cambodian troops engaged in a brief gunfight in Thailand’s north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia’s northern Preah Vihear province. One Cambodian soldier was killed.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the RTA, General Phana Klaewplatthuk, and his delegation, met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Cambodian Army, General Mao Sophan, and the Cambodian delegation, on Thursday at the Chong Chom permanent border checkpoint in Surin Province to discuss the border situation.
Meanwhile, the RTA stated that both parties also agreed to utilise the Regional Border Committee (RBC) to address unresolved concerns and further enhance the efficiency of the JBC mechanism.
The RTA said it would continue to monitor the border situation closely and maintain readiness to ensure order and stability along the border.
Meanwhile, media reported that Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spoke with her Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, on steps to de-escalate tensions at the border. - Bernama
