Gen. Jiradaj Kotcharat, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, who is during a visit to the disputed area on Thursday, said the number of soldiers is not a main issue since both sides have already promised not to use force to solve the border dispute during Monday's special meeting of the Thai- Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC), though the meeting failed to reach any breakthrough except for the oral no-force promises. Therefore, both the countries have to maintain the force along the border, waiting for future assignments.

The dispute over Preah Vihear flared up again earlier this month after Cambodia applied the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for listing the temple compound, without the disputed 4.6 square kilometers around it, as a World Heritage Site. The application was approved on July 7, despite Thai opposition.

Thailand has suggested Cambodia apply for listing the temple and some surrounding establishments as a World Heritage Site under the names of both countries, but Cambodia was awarded the honor on its own as the UNESCO based its judgment on the ruling of the International Court.

Shortly after that, three Thais, including a Buddhist monk, were briefly detained by Cambodian soldiers after surrepticiously crossing into the disputed border area on July 15. The trio were released the same day but refused to leave the disputed area adjoining the temple complex.

During Monday's border meeting, both countries cited legislation and legal technicalities as main obstacles in reaching any agreement on the issue. But local analysts said they need more time as both the governments are now at a sensitive time as Cambodia is having a general election on Sunday, and Thailand's coalition government is preparing a reshuffle if not an step-down under pressure.

After the newly-fixed governments of both sides are born, more talks are expected to be held between them. Then, the military stand-off could be eased.

But another possibility is that the Cambodia government could pass the issue to the International Court again as it did 46 years ago. As to it, Thailand's Supreme Commander Boonsang Niampradit on Wednesday called on Thai leaders to consider that scenario carefully.

He said the Thai leaders should be extra careful about this as there were lessons learned in the past. But he hinted that Thailand has the right to decide whether to go to the court.

Moreover, Thai ambassador to the UN Don Pramudwinai said earlier that the government would wait and make its new plan to solve the issue after the decision of the 15-member-meeting of Security Council on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2008)