Thai-Cambodian Talks on Temporary Border Markers

SA KAEO, Nov 18 (TNA) - Thailand and Cambodia held discussions today in Sa Kaeo province to determine a temporary border demarcation line, a meeting rescheduled from yesterday.

A ten-member Cambodian delegation arrived from Poipet to attend the talks at the 1201st Ranger Company base.

The Thai team is led by Colonel Kriangkrai Boonterm and Colonel Yuttapol Sucharit, military and survey chiefs, while Cambodia’s delegation includes, head of the Cambodian operations group Mr. Sruoy Bora.

The goal is to agree on data verification before installing 838 temporary markers between border posts 42 and 47 (Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaew). Markers will be placed 25-50 meters apart along two claimed lines to define each side's assertion, with policy officials set to determine final territorial holdings later.

If a consensus is reached, the installation of the temporary markers is expected to begin tomorrow. An Interim Observer Team (IOT) will monitor the survey at Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaew villages.

Residents in Aranyaprathet expressed frustration over the slow pace of the resolution. A retired police officer called for the stalemate to end quickly, noting that the biggest current impact is economic, with the cost of goods reportedly doubling. Many locals want a border fence completed to clearly define territory before fully reopening checkpoints. -819 (TNA)