Thailand, Cambodia to boost border security cooperation

BANGKOK, May 17 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation on border security covering jointly and effectively suppressing crime, especially drug trafficking and illegal logging, and disposing landmines along their common border. The agreed cooperation resulted from the 9th Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting, held on Friday at the Wangjuntr Golf Park in Thailand's eastern Rayong province. Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat told journalists that both sides also agreed to maintain peace along their common border, which will enhance relations between their security authorities and armed forces. Besides, both sides agreed to promote marine safety and to disseminate factual and constructive news reports, as they are good neighbors. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Tea Banh, meanwhile, said that Thailand and Cambodia have always had good relations, confirming agreed cooperation that there will not be any clash between border soldiers of both countries pending a verdict of the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the ownership of an unsettled area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple, expected later this year. General Tea Banh also insisted that reinforcements and redeployments along the common border will happen appropriately and Cambodia will clearly inform Thailand of its military exercises near the common border and intentions of the exercises. (TNA)