Cambodia tells troops to stay on 'alert', cuts Thai TV shows in border spat
The disputed region has seen sporadic violence since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Cambodia tells troops to stay on 'alert', cuts Thai TV shows in border spat
Phnom Penh - Cambodia ordered its troops to stay on 'full alert' on June 13 in its ongoing border spat with Thailand, as it ordered television stations and cinemas to stop showing Thai dramas.
On the eve of a meeting between the two sides aimed at defusing tensions following deadly clashes in May, Cambodia shut off internet connections routed through Thailand, leaving some users complaining of slow speeds.
Violence flared on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet, with one Cambodian soldier killed.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on June 12 night that Cambodia was disconnecting all internet bandwidth from Thailand.
The ministries of information and cultures also ordered television stations and cinemas to stop airing Thai TV series.
Influential former leader Hun Sen – Hun Manet's father – on June 13 morning urged the government to halt 'imports of Thai goods into the Cambodian market' in the event that Thailand refused to lift restrictions imposed on border checkpoints in recent days, and told troops to be on alert.
'All armed forces must remain on full alert 24 hours a day, ready to respond and defend in the event of aggression,' Mr Hun Sen said in a Facebook post.
He also told authorities in provinces near the border be prepared to evacuate residents to safer areas.
Cambodian and Thai officials will meet in Phnom Penh on June 14 to discuss the border dispute.
The disputed region has seen sporadic violence since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths.
The row dates back to the drawing of the 800km frontier, largely done during the French occupation of Indochina.
Mr Hun Manet announced earlier in June that Cambodia would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over four disputed border areas, including the site of the latest clash.
The ICJ ruled in 2013 that a disputed area next to Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand says it does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction.
On June 8, armies from both countries agreed to reposition their soldiers in the site of the latest clash to avoid confrontations.
Thailand has closed some border crossings and tightened border controls with Cambodia in recent days. AFP
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