BANGKOK: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday (Aug 16) led a delegation of 36 envoys and representatives from 33 countries to Si Sa Ket province to inspect areas damaged by recent border clashes and to survey locations where Cambodian anti-personnel mines have been laid.
At 7.30am, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, accompanied by Vice Minister Ras Chaleechan, departed with the delegation from the Royal Thai Air Force’s Wing 6 terminal at Don Mueang, Bangkok.
The group included ambassadors from Asean member states, state parties to the Ottawa Convention, representatives of international organisations, civil society groups specialising in demining, as well as Thai and foreign media.
Before departure, the Foreign Ministry provided a briefing on the visit.
Addressing the delegation, Maris thanked participants for joining the mission and expressed hope that they would gain first-hand insight into the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.
The first stop for the envoys was Phum Srol Witthaya School in Sao Thong Chai subdistrict, Kantharalak district, where they received a briefing from the Royal Thai Army, the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry.
The delegation was then taken to Phu Makua and nearby operational bases to observe the terrain and visit humanitarian mine clearance units working in the area. - The Nation/ANN
