ASEAN chief calls for Thai-Cambodian border restraint

Bangkok (VNA) - Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has called for “maximum restraint” in the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, local media reported.

ASEAN chief Surin was quoted as saying before the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Singapore that the ministers may wish to address the issue, trying to encourage early resolution and maximum restraint, in order to avoid any repercussion on the image of the organisation.

The Thai News Agency reported that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to temporarily suspend all armed forces movements along the Thai-Cambodian border at Si Sa Ket province which is adjacent to Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province.

The two countries were scheduled for a meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) in Sa Kaeo province on July 21 with the participation of Thailand’s Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen. Tea Banh, according to the TNA.-