BANKOK: Thailand was scheduled to reopen an Ubon Ratchathani border crossing after talks with Cambodia regarding a border dispute over road construction near the disputed Preah Vihear temple, Cambodian media reported.
Serm Chainarong, governor of Ubon Ratchathani province, talks Dec 30 with army officials near the Nam Yuen border crossing, which was slated to reopen today following talks over a border dispute with Cambodia.
Cambodian Maj Gen Phat Sophen told the Phnom Penh Post that the session was a “fruitful” one that allows merchants on both sides of the border to do business again.
The border crossing in Nam Yuen district was closed last week after Cambodian authorities brought in heavy machinery to dig a new road in the area considered a watershed line. Thailand claims the area is neutral territory, but Cambodia claims it as its own.
In response, the army sent about 200 troops to the area, with the Cambodian sides reporting incursions by Thai troops. There were unconfirmed reports of injuries on the Cambodian side from shooting incidents.
Cambodia has stopped construction of the road, but refused to refill land already excavated, Cambodian media previously reported.
“Thailand said that in the future, if we want to pave the road on our side, we need to send a message to Thailand first,” deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ Division 4, as saying after the meeting. He said Cambodia agreed to the proposal.
