situation Cambodia and thai

Situation along the Thai-Cambodian Border in the Area

Immediately Adjacent to the Temple of Preah Vihear
July 18, 2008

On 18 July 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited H.E. Mr. Ung Sean, Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand to hand over the letter from H.E. Mr. Samak Sundaravej, Prime Minister of Thailand, to H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, in reply to the latter’s Note of 17 July 2008.

1. On 15 July 2008, a Thai paramilitary ranger stepped on a landmine, resulting in a loss of his right leg, during an operation along the Thai-Cambodian border near the Preah Vihear Temple on 15 July 2008. The incident has caused concern to the Thai authorities as more landmines could remain in the area, posing danger to both civilians and military personnel.

Demining team kicked off 16-7-08

Demining team kicked off 16-7-08

In addition, Thailand also has
an obligation under the 1997 Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production a

nd Transfer ofAnti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction to destroy all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control, as soon as p

ossible but not later than 10 years after the entry into force for Thailand, which will be in 2009. In this regard, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters has dispatched a demining team into the area, which is confirmed to be within the Thai territory, to clear remaining landmines.

2. The Royal Thai Armed Forces and its Cambodian counterpart have agreed to convene a special session of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 21 July 2008 in Sa Kaew Province, so that both sides can discuss issues together in a spirit of