Today at 1500 hrs [ 7 February]., at the Nareesamosorn Building, Government House, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesman, Mr. Chavanand Indrakomalsut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Royal Thai Army Spokesman, jointly held a press briefing on the clashes that occurred along the Thai-Cambodia border, gist as follows: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesman, began the briefing by giving the opportunity for related agencies, which are the Royal Thai Army, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Government to clarify on matters of concern, as follows.
Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Royal Thai Army Spokesman, reported on the situation that the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in the past 2-3 days were between Cambodian forces and the forces from Suranaree Divison. The Suranaree Division was performing its duties in protecting Thailand's sovereignty. The clashes began on 4 February 2011 at around 1515 hrs., when lethal bullets from recoilless rifles from Cambodia fell into the side of Phu Makua area, which was used as the base for Thai forces. The Thai side fired warning shots with 120 ml. explosives to warn that the bullets from Cambodia fell into Thai territory. This started the clashes, and it escalated from small bullets, RPG bullets, and bullets from recoilless rifles to fighting and clashes with canons. However, that day's incident ended at around 1940 hrs, causing injuries to 8 Thai soldiers, and one civilian death. The Thai retaliation to the incident was under international principles. The Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief had reminded the forces that they should limit the clashes with high restriction and retaliate only as appropriate to the situation. This means that we will not be in the offensive, but we must retaliate to protect our sovereignty. At the same time, the response must be enough to stop the Cambodian soldiers from shooting.
The next day, on 5 February 2011, clashes reoccurred. The incident was similar to the one the day before, resulting in casualties with one soldier dead and 4 soldiers injured. In the total of two days, 12 soldiers were injured and one dead. One civilian also died. In the same morning, at around 0930 hrs., the Commander of the 2nd Army Division met with Lt.Gen.Cheamon, Commander of the 4th Army Division of Cambodia and Lt. Gen. Srey Duk, Commander of the 3rd Reserve Forces. The meeting reached four agreements. One important point is the ceasefire agreed. Another point is that forces will not be increased to decrease the risk of clashes. The third point is that commanders of both sides will monitor the operations of forces within limits to decrease the risks of clashes. Fourth, the Thai liaison team with be withdrawn as there were misleading reports that Cambodia had detained them. In the afternoon, the Commander of the 2nd Army Division authorized the opening of 3 border passes, namely Chong An Ma, Chong Jom and Sangam, so that people can travel back and forth. This reflects our intention that Thailand wants the situation to return to normal as soon as possible. At the same time, in checking the status of forces, it was found that some army privates mistakenly entered Cambodian territory. This matter was discussed between the Minister of Defense, Gen Tea Banh, Minister of Defense of Cambodia, the Commander of the 2nd Army Division and area commanders of the Cambodian forces. Both sides understood that it was not intention of the Thai forces to enter into Cambodian territory, and the Cambodian side had agreed to send back the Thai soldiers as soon as possible.
Yesterday, another clash occurred at 1840 hrs., and ended at 2150 hrs. The Royal Thai Army had always affirmed that it adheres to rule sand regulations, and was not the first to start the clash. The Thai response was merely to warn Cambodia to ceasefire. However, the Thai side is still open to negotiatio ns as we were not the first to shoot.
In summary, the total number of Thai military casualties in 2 days : on the first day, 12 injured and on the second day 13 injured, totaling 25 injuries. One soldier died and one civilian died. Currently, the people who evacuated from Sao Tong Chai area have moved to the back of Kantaraluk District which is considered to be a safe area. At the same time, civilian affairs officials have prepared for combat situation, sending liaison officers to coordinate with local officials and community leaders to ensure maximum safety. For the Sao Tong Chai area, there remains only village security units of 15 men each, for 13 villages, who are responsible for safety and protecting the people's property in the area.
Mr. Chavanand Indrakomalsut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, then briefed on the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as follows :
1. On 5 February 2011 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affairs invited foreign ambassadors based in Thailand to be informed of the facts and be clarified on the situation. The Minister confirmed that Thailand did not begin the clashes first and did not encroach on Cambodian sovereignty. But when Thailand's sovereignty was encroached, Thailand had exercised restraint to the fullest. The retaliation was strictly on military targets, not on civilians or the residences of the people.
2. There had been continuous negotiations with the Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs to seek for a solution and to cooperate. Both agreed that a JBC meeting be convened to solve the problem. The meeting would be held at the end of February 2011.
3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council on 5 February 2011, stressing that Thailand adheres to the rules and regulations of the United Nations and will solve the problem through peaceful means. Thailand stresses that Thailand's territorial integrity had been invaded first.
4. A letter to the World Heritage Committee was sent to explain that the registration of Preah Viharn Temple as a world heritage site while certain areas are still in dispute will be a source of conflict and eventually lead to clashes. The registration of Preah Viharn Temple should therefore not be done at this time. Thailand and Cambodia should be allowed to negotiate and agree on the matter first.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sees that there may be certain interests underlying the clashes and elevating it to the international level. Thailand has always reiterated that the bilateral mechanism can solve the problem, and it will use the bilateral means as basis in solving the problem. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Panitan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesman said that on the part of the Government, condolences are conveyed to the families of the casualties and the injured in this unfortunate incident that should not have occurred. He thanked and expressed moral support to all officers protecting the sovereignty and territory of Thailand along the border areas. The Government confirms the support for al those responsible, including volunteers. The Government appreciates the cooperation of all sides in evacuating people from danger areas, while using maximum restraint. In the past days the Minister of Interior, Deputy Minister of Interior, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office (Mr. Ong-art Klampaibool) visited the sites to learn of the problems of the people, while coordinating assistance to the people on the ground.
The first point is that the Government reaffirms the policy in protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of the nation and the people. In the incident that occurred, we were the ones who were attacked and we responded reasonably, in self-protection as our sovereignty was being encroached.
The second point is that the Government had clarified the issue in all levels, both inside and outside the country. In the country, we had assigned various persons to clarify the incident with different groups. Abroad, the Government has assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain the facts to friendly nations to create understanding. This had been done since the first day of the incidents, where the actions were carried out by Cambodia, prompting Thailand to protect itself. Our neighbouring countries were informed of the facts in a balanced manner. We thank the United Nations for receiving our information, as well as our friends who have expressed their kind understanding and listened to our view points, although there had been allegations by Cambodia. We acted according to norms and mechanisms of the United Nations and reserve the right to solve the issue through bilateral means. We are ready to listen to the opinions of the international community, although there are efforts to elevate this issue to the international level. The third point is that the Government has coordinated operations on the ground with the security agencies and the people. The Government is determined to solve the problem as soon as possible.
The Government has set up two news and information coordination centres, one at the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Army Television Station (TV5), with Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd as coordinator for information on movements and clashes, solely from TV5. The second information coordination centre is at the Government House, and the Prime Minister has assigned the National Security Council to set up a working group with Government House offices responsible for news. The Prime Minister has assigned Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Mr. Ong-art Klampaibool to coordinate with the press and television stations. These two centres will serve as the main points for coordination on news and information, since the nature of the news is sensitive.
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