Surin: The Region 2 Army Commander has called on Cambodian leaders to issue an apology to a Thai soldier who was pushed over during a recent altercation at Prasat Ta Muen Thom. Following the incident, orders have been given to the Suranaree Task Force to manage tourists visiting the site to prevent any future occurrences.
According to Thai News Agency, Lt. Gen. Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the 2nd Army, has mandated the organization of tourism at Prasat Ta Muen Thom to avoid a repetition of the previous day's disturbances, where a Cambodian woman verbally abused Thai soldiers within Thai territory. Lt. Col. Boonserm Boonbamrung, Deputy Commander of the Suranaree Task Force, met with Maj. Gen. Nia Wong, Commander of the 42nd Infantry Regiment, to discuss measures to handle such incidents.
The discussions led to three key resolutions: First, if issues arise with tourists, each side is responsible for managing their nationals by notifying the counterpart to remove problematic individuals. Second, a designated problem-solving team of seven individuals will handle any disputes without involving additional teams to deter confrontations. Third, both nations agreed on pre-screening tourists prior to their visit to Prasat Ta Muen Thom.
Lt. Gen. Boonsin emphasized that the coordination teams from both Thailand and Cambodia will be responsible for managing tourism at the site, ensuring that reserve soldiers are not deployed to the area. He highlighted the need to remove instigating tourists to prevent escalation, referencing the previous day's incident where military units from both sides clashed. He also pointed out that legal actions have been taken against a former ranger who punched a Cambodian soldier, with the perpetrator acknowledging the charges.
Lt. Gen. Boonsin urged Cambodian leaders to apologize and take disciplinary action against the Cambodian tourist who instigated the disturbance by cursing at Thai soldiers, as well as against the Cambodian soldier who pushed a Thai soldier. This call for accountability underscores the importance of maintaining peaceful relations at the historical site.