Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will travel to Malaysia on Sunday for a mediated ministerial-level discussion about reducing tensions with Cambodia, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says.
Mr Anutin said that while Thailand welcomes Malaysia’s effort to promote peace, the government’s position remains unchanged in adhering strictly to its four-point stance before agreeing to any permanent deals with Phnom Penh.
The four points are: the removal of heavy weapons from the border, cooperation on mine clearance, assistance with the suppression of cross-border crimes and help with the management of sensitive border zones to avoid further conflicts.
Regarding the government’s decision on two Memorandums of Understanding with Cambodia about land and maritime border demarcation (MoU 2000 and MoU 2001), Mr Anutin said the government will wait for the results of a parliamentary study first.
He was responding to questions about why the government is planning to host a public referendum to decide whether to revoke the MoUs instead of using existing parliamentary mechanisms.
Mr Sihasak had told parliament on Thursday the government would review the procedures for a possible referendum.
Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister Adul Bunthamcharoen on Saturday said there is no cause for concern regarding the border situation in Sa Kaeo, following his visit to the province, which borders Cambodia, on Friday.
Lt Gen Adul insisted that the visit was merely to review operational plans and the readiness of military equipment, and not because the security situation had escalated.
He also said the Ministry of Transport is planning to build roads for easier access while the Ministry of Energy plans to install solar panels for medical support.
On the postponed meeting of the Regional Border Committee, he said the decision is due to Cambodia’s refusal to accept Thailand’s conditions.