New Thai army chief satisfied with visit to Cambodia

BANGKOK, December 20 (TNA) - Newly-appointed Thai Army Chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart has expressed his satisfaction with his two-day official visit to Cambodia, his first foreign trip to introduce himself. General Chalermchai told journalists that his just-concluded visit to neighbouring Cambodia, scheduled for December 19-20, was fruitful, as the two sides discussed various bilateral issues, including those related to their joint border management. General Chalermchai said he also met Cambodian armed forces and army chief General Pol Saroeun to discuss three main issues, including the border situation, two sides’ army operations and border patrol. Besides, the establishment of new border checkpoints, upgrade of temporary checkpoints to permanent ones and cross-border crimes, such as illegal drug and human trafficking, were consulted. The new Thai army chief revealed that both Phnom Penh and Bangkok also planned to extend cooperation in forestation projects. According to the Thai army chief, he thanked Cambodia for joining ASEAN military medical drills and proposed a small-scale joint military drill against terrorism and disaster relief between Cambodia and Thailand, while also raising an idea on organizing a joint military parachute training. The Thai army chief also met Cambodian Defense Minister General Tea Banh and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who suggested that any border dispute could occur sometimes but the armies of both countries should resolve the problem through peaceful means for the sake of public interest of both countries. (TNA)