Bangkok--Jul 18--MFA
1. On 15 July 2008, a Thai paramilitary ranger stepped on a landmine, resulting in a loss of his right leg, during an operation along the Thai-Cambodian border near the Preah Vihear Temple on 15 July 2008. The incident has caused concern to the Thai authorities as more landmines could remain in the area, posing danger to both civilians and military personnel. In addition, Thailand also has an obligation under the 1997 Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction to destroy all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control, as soon as possible but not later than 10 years after the entry into force for Thailand, which will be in 2009. In this regard, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters has dispatched a demining team into the area, which is confirmed to be within the Thai territory, to clear remaining landmines.
2. The Royal Thai Armed Forces and its Cambodian counterpart have agreed to convene a special session of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 21 July 2008 in Sa Kaew Province, so that both sides can discuss issues together in a spirit of neighbourliness. The GBC — a bilateral mechanism which is co-chaired by the Thai and Cambodia Ministers of Defence, or their representatives, and meets on a regular basis, was initially scheduled to hold its next session in August 2008.
3. In the meantime, the armed forces of both sides are in close contact.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
1. On 15 July 2008, a Thai paramilitary ranger stepped on a landmine, resulting in a loss of his right leg, during an operation along the Thai-Cambodian border near the Preah Vihear Temple on 15 July 2008. The incident has caused concern to the Thai authorities as more landmines could remain in the area, posing danger to both civilians and military personnel. In addition, Thailand also has an obligation under the 1997 Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction to destroy all anti-personnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control, as soon as possible but not later than 10 years after the entry into force for Thailand, which will be in 2009. In this regard, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters has dispatched a demining team into the area, which is confirmed to be within the Thai territory, to clear remaining landmines.
2. The Royal Thai Armed Forces and its Cambodian counterpart have agreed to convene a special session of the General Border Committee (GBC) on 21 July 2008 in Sa Kaew Province, so that both sides can discuss issues together in a spirit of neighbourliness. The GBC — a bilateral mechanism which is co-chaired by the Thai and Cambodia Ministers of Defence, or their representatives, and meets on a regular basis, was initially scheduled to hold its next session in August 2008.
3. In the meantime, the armed forces of both sides are in close contact.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-