Army geared up on border [more Thai troops sent to border area]

27th June, 2011
Bangkok Post

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha praised Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti's decison to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention and said he has ordered soldiers along the Thai-Cambodian border to be prepared.

Gen Prayuth said on Monday the army is overseeing security, monitoring intelligence activities and observing movements along the border in order to protect the country's sovereignty.

More troops and health personnel had been sent to villages near the border area to inform residents about the situation and avet any panic.

"After withdrawing from the World Heritage Convention, we now have to wait for the decision of the International Court of Justice.

"Thai and Cambodian soldiers have been in contact on a regular basis since the last clashes along the border, but there's not a high degree of trust between them yet," the army chief said.

He said Mr Suwit made a good decision to withdraw Thailand's membership of the World Heritage Convention.

The decision to withdraw from the WHC was made by Mr Suwit, who led the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris on Saturday, June 25.