Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said Monday Thailand has clear evidence and is ready to clarify all issues relating to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute on any stage.
Tharit believed the international community would be able to read Cambodia's intent after it accused Thai soldiers of physically damaging Preah Vihear temple.
Referring to the evidence gathered by the Thai authority, Tharit insisted the landmine planted near Preah Vihear that amputated two Thai soldiers on Oct. 16 was definitely new.
Commenting on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's stance at the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing who said both sides must be tolerant to prevent clashes and engage in bilateral talks, the spokesman said such stance has always been shown by Thailand.
Meanwhile, Thailand's national world heritage committee chairman Pongpol Adireksarn said it could be possible that Cambodia may want the UN to help work out the Thai-Cambodian border row after the country reportedly filed a complaint to the UN.
Pongpol believed Cambodia could be trying to use the Preah Vihear case as a political agenda, as the temple is more than a thousand years old and its condition is dilapidating. Thus, it could accuse Thailand of damaging the site to show its patriotism and gain political benefits, he added.
(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2008)
