Leaders’ talks should solve Thai-Cambodian spat

BANGKOK, 28 January 2011 (NNT) – The opposition Pheu Thai Party has called on the government to urgently solve the Thai-Cambodian conflict through negotiations at the leaders’ level.

Commenting on the shaky relationship between Thailand and Cambodia, Mr Torpong Chaiyasan, Pheu Thai MP for Udon Thani and Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated that the opposition party wants to see the heads of the governments of both countries engaged in a bilateral talk in order to iron out their border feud and other issues at haste. He objected to the Foreign Ministry’s planned issuance of a white paper on the matter as it would exacerbate the situation.

Mr Torpong claimed that the Thai-Cambodian relations had been on a rocky road since the Democrat-led government took office two years ago. Advice was then directed to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to show more sincerity to Cambodia and to uphold diplomatic means.

Moreover, the Pheu Thai MP recommended sending Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Ongart Klampaiboon, instead of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, as one of the negotiators, reasoning that the former had been more successful in dealing with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Regarding Cambodia’s posting of its national flag at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara located on the Thai side of the border, Mr Torpong deemed it inappropriate.