PUBLISHED: 3 Does 2025 at 06: 16
After both governments agreed to withdraw their troops from Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an old Khmer temple, in Surin state, military officers from Thailand and Cambodia held conversations on Friday to ease tensions.
The page was reopened at the beginning of March after it was partially closed by a group of Cambodians who were spotted that on February 13 singing a nationalist song, which is forbidden.
Following a General Border Committee ( GBC ) meeting in Bangkok on Thursday, deputy prime minister and defense minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the discussion was about lowering the tensions on the border near the destroyed temple. Drink Seiha, the Thai minister of national defense, also attended the meeting.
Mr. Phumtham confirmed that both parties had agreed to retrace their army and use caution. The exchange took place at a government-to-government levels. He claimed that the two sides had a discussion about the matter with army leaders on both sides. He noted that this was only a de-escalation of stress and that there was no evidence that Thailand’s claim to the site was apparently shaky.
Conversations with Vietnamese military officers were held on Friday, according to a cause from the 2nd Army Region, to stop clashes in border areas, including those near the ancient church in Surin and Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani state.
Prior to this contested areas, both sides agreed to maintain a five-kilometer buffer area through a diplomatic contract.
However, both army after set up bases to defend the regions. According to the cause, talks led to both parties agreeing to end their initial positions in accordance with the results of the GBC meeting on Thursday.
The 2nd Army Region is prepared to heed the defense minister’s directives, the supply added, and it is now negotiating with Cambodia to ensure a coordinated application. It will be reported to their individual bosses if either side doesn’t agree.
In Surin state, King Jayavarman VII built the Ta Muen Thom Temple in the 13th century, but it is still Thai place, and Thai soldiers continue to perform their tasks as usual, according to the cause.
Nantiwat Samart, a former deputy director of the National Intelligence Agency and past secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry, later questioned the justification for the troop withdrawal. He claimed that Thai troops were only guarding the nation’s resources and country.
According to Mr. Nantiwat, the retreat may be seen as Thailand giving up its stake in the church, according to Mr. Nantiwat on social media.
A number of activist groups gathered outside the GBC meeting, including the National Student and People’s Party for Reform of Thailand ( NSPRT), the Dharma Army, and the People’s Centre to Protect the Monarchy. They wrote to Gen Songwit Noonpakdee, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in a letter urging the military to vigorously defend Thai independence led by NSPRT chief Phichit Chaimongkol.
Mr. Phichit claimed that any undesirable results of the conversations led by Mr. Phumtham would not be tolerated and that the Paetongtarn state is very focused on what you get, even at the risk of losing national independence.
The conference also addressed broader problems, such as drug trafficking, international crime, call-center schemes, and cross-border economic growth, according to a member of Gen Songwit who received the letter.
Due to technical issues involved, he said, further discussions will need to be held during the Joint Boundary Committee meeting.