Thai border patrol police to replace troops near Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA) - Thai border patrol police are now prepared to stand guard in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple, set to start from July 18, in compliance with last year's International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s demilitarized zone order to prevent any confrontation between Thai and Cambodian forces in the unsettled border area. July 18 is also the first anniversary of the provisional order of the Hague-based World Court for Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia to reciprocally withdraw their soldiers from the area around the Preah Vihear Temple. Police Major General Chote Chaiying, Commander of Thailand's Border Patrol Police Region 2, on Tuesday visited the border patrol police who will replace soldiers at the 224 Border Patrol Police Company in the northeastern Si Sa Ket Province's Kantharalak District, where the Thai border patrol police officers, from four border patrol police commands, also had another joint exercise to prepare themselves for the new mission. Meanwhile, the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border near the Preah Vihear Temple remains normal and international tourists can visit the Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Si Sa Ket as usual although local villagers are following up updates closely. (TNA)