Bangkok [Thailand], August 2: The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh ( Cambodia ), but will now take place in Malaysia from August 4-7.
Thailand's Deputy Minister of Defense , General Nattaphon Narkphanit, who is also the Director of the Special Operations Center for the Cambodia-Thailand Border Situation, confirmed the relocation of the negotiation venue, according to the Bangkok Post on August 2.
General Nattaphon said the decision was partly to ensure the safety of the Thai delegation and prevent conflicts from arising.
The Cambodian side accepted the change of venue following diplomatic consultations with the Thai military attache in Phnom Penh.
Gen. Nattaphon noted that the working schedule in Malaysia will last three days instead of one day as before to accommodate the expanded agenda. He also did not rule out the possibility of extending the time or postponing it if the negotiation process encounters obstacles, in order to protect Thailand's national interests.
Although refusing to reveal the specific objectives of the upcoming meeting, General Nattaphon said the content of this negotiation is to prevent the risk of escalating tensions on the civilian side.
Gen Nattaphon also did not confirm whether the disputed area around the Ta Kwai/Prasat Ta Krabey temple was on the agenda.
The general also said that there was no need for neutral observers to be present at the meeting, as this was a bilateral event and not a ceasefire negotiation as before, which required the presence of a mediator.
However, Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesman General Maly Socheata said that Defense Minister Tea Seiha had proposed inviting Malaysia, the United States and China to attend the meeting as observers. These were the parties present at the July 28 ceasefire talks.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
