Thai-Cambodia Border Dispute Update.

PM and Minister of Defence Somchai Wongsawat said that we want to resume the bilateral talk between Thailand and Cambodia on the border dispute row. He said Thailand foreign minister will meet his Cambodian counterpart in New York during UN general assembly to told talk about this issue.

Also, the appointment of General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as a security Deputy Prime Minister gives much hope on the issue since Gen Chavalit has a strong tie with many Cambodian General and high-ranking government officer because Gen Chavalit used to play an important role during the civil war in Cambodia.

And last week, Army chief Anupong Paojinda visits the headquaters of the Suranaree taks force, the primary unit that dealing with this issue, to cheer up his fellow and collect all information on Ta Moan Tom and Ta Kwai temple. He also board the aircraft to see the dispute area. He said he will foward all information to the Government.

Finally, The Phnom Penh Post reports that Royal Cambodia Air Force (RCAF) accuses Thailand sent its spy plane to observe Cambodian Troop near Ta Moan Tom temple. Surely, Thailand denys this. In my opinion, The Cambodians may think that Gen Anupong’s aircraft is the spy plane that violating its airspace because he fly near the border to ‘observe’ the dispute area. 200 meters can misunderstood them.

‘We don’t know about the Indonesia peace talk!’, says Thai Government.

Royal Thai Government and Commander-In-Chief of RTA denys that Thailand has send delegates to Indonesia to meet with Southern militant leader, citing that the former 4th region army privately paticipates the meeting.

Finally, RTN is to patrol the straits of Malacca

Thailand in the past stay quiet on the straits of Malacca patrol request just because US PACOM want to promote Regional Maritime Security Initiative (RMSI) in the region but Malaysia and Indonesia strongly oppose this idea.

But finally, Thailand decides to join its ASEAN member Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to patrol the straits of Malacca, begining next year.

Press Release from The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Thailand protests against Cambodia’s violation of Thailand’s sovereignty in the Temple of Ta Kwai area
September 16, 2008

According to the news report, Cambodian armed units have entered and occupied the Temple of Ta Kwai (Prasat Ta Kwai) in early August and September 2008.

Another Thai-Cambodian Temple Row Embarks

This time is Ta Moan Tom and Ta Kwai. Seem like this set of border dispute is still not come to an end. So far, no fighting occurred and Thailand Foreign Minister will meet Cambodian Foreign Minister in New York during UN general assembly.

Thailand still stict on bilateral talk and want to repeat the same success with Malaysia which Thailand can define all border to Malaysia and end all border dispute with them.

SINGSIAM 15/2008

SINGSIAM 15/2008, a joint exercise between Royal Thai Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy, first begin in 1985 and this is the 15th of this training.

More Tavor and Negev, Welcome Igla, and LPD From Singapore.

Just before the constitutional court order PM Samak to resign on the afternoon.  In the morning the weekly cabinet approves many military procurement project.

Iran satellite gets Thai help

Basicly, as far as I know from news here, this is a join project between Thailand and China (and some country) for 15 years. SMMS is a small low-orbit geographical sattellite.

State of Emergency Decree & Coup Rumor

 Thai army chief General Anupong Paojinda answers questions from the press during a press conference at the Army headquarters in Bangkok on September 2, 2008. Thailand’s powerful army chief vowed the military would try to negotiate a peaceful end to anti-government protests and would not use force against activists besieging the premier’s office.

Riot Police In Thailand Political Crisis 2008

Quote:

A portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit is seen in the background as policemen in riot gear stand guard near the Government House in Bangkok September 4, 2008. Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Thursday he saw no reason for his government to resign in the face of a three-month old street campaign by opposition activists. REUTERS/Kham (THAILAND)