The prime minister has ordered troop levels be maintained at the ancient temple of Prasat Ta Muan Thom, where his Cambodian counterpart is scheduled to visit.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement rejecting Cambodia's claim to the disputed area.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said soldiers will remain on guard along the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin province at the ancient Prasat Ta Muan Thom temple, where Cambodian leader Hun Sen, along with his entourage, plans to visit.
The premier refuted Hun Sen's claims about Thailand's encroachment onto Cambodian territory- adjacent to the disputed Preah Vihear Temple, and reserved comment regarding whether the Cambodian leader's current move could be linked to convicted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
According to Abhisit, Cambodia will continue with its application for World Heritage status for the Preah Vihear Temple, and Thailand will observe the process and give opinions as it sees fit.
He shrugged off reports that the ancient temple will be listed as World Heritage site on February 15, saying that a meeting of UNESCO's World Heritage committee is held at the middle of each year.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the Democrat Party, Buranutch Samutarak called on the Cambodian prime minister to take back his remark, in which he suggested that Thai people could turn on and kill each other, saying that his statement could endanger diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Secretary-General of New Politics Party Suriyasai Katasila commented that Hun Sen is seeking to gain from his temple visit ahead of the review for World Heritage status of the Preah Vihear Temple.
In another development, Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying that Thailand will welcome the Cambodian leader's visit to the Thai territory given formal notice and that such a visit, will by no means, threaten Thai sovereignty over the controversial border area.
From: TAN Network
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