Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat, meanwhile, called another urgent meeting with armed force commanders and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assess the situation after Cambodia told Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed border area before noon Tuesday.
On Monday, the Cambodian authority said a "large-scale" armed conflict may happen, if Thai troops fail to be withdrawn from the border area near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear immediately.
In the meantime at Khao Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear) National Park, many Cambodian soldiers with full arms were dispatched near the temple and most of them were former troops of Khmer Rouge who were very familiar with the border surroundings and environment.
Thai armed forces consequently had tightened security around the national park.
However, the Commander of the Second Army Region, Lt-Gen Wiboonsak Neeparn, on Tuesday morning claimed that the situation at Preah Vihear had returned to normal, as troops from both sides engaged in more talks and shared a better understanding.
The Thai soldiers will do their best to protect the country’s sovereignty, Lt-Gen Wiboonsak added.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornvivat affirmed that Thai soldiers were patrolling with the Thai border and did not trespassed into Cambodia's territory.
He said Thai troops will not abandon the border area despite the neighbouring country's threat to launch an offensive attack.
"We are in our homeland. How can they expect us to leave our home," Mr Sompong told the reporter.
The minister believed the border dispute can be alleviated through dialogues between Prime Minister Somchai and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
source bangkok post
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