Governors to Meet Thursday to Reduce Border Tension

The Preah Vihear provincial governor is scheduled to meet with the governor of Thailand’s adjacent Ubon Ratchathani province on Thursday to discuss reopening the An Ses border checkpoint, which was closed when 200 Thai troops reinforced the area late last month.

Sok Hay, spokesman for the Preah Vihear provincial government, said Wednesday that provincial governor Oum Mara would meet with Ubon Ratchathani governor Serm Chainarong, as well as representatives of the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry and army, at 9 a.m.

“The meeting…will focus on the recent closing of the border checkpoint and other border-related issues,” Mr. Hay said.

Chea Kimseng, the governor of Preah Vihear’s Choam Ksan district, where the An Ses checkpoint is located, said last month that Thailand closed their side of the border after Thai soldiers entered Cambodia and ordered construction crews to cease work on a road they claimed was in disputed territory.

Thailand then moved in heavy weapons and 200 soldiers on December 28, he said.

“Thai border soldiers are still deployed at the An Ses border and the gate is still closed,” Mr. Kimseng said Wednesday, adding that Cambodian soldiers have reported seeing further reinforcements in recent days.

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