Conflict looms as troops deploy

Cambodian soldiers patrol near Preah Vihear temple yesterday. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered Thai troops to withdraw from the area or risk ‘‘full-scale conflict’’. AFP

Thailand yesterday shrugged off Phnom Penh’s ultimatum for its soldiers to leave disputed areas near the Preah Vihear temple and accused Cambodia of laying new landmines on the border.
 
The decision to maintain troop levels in readiness for a confrontation to defend the country was reached in talks between supreme commander Gen Songkitti Jakkabat, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, navy commander Adm Kamthon Phumhiran and air force chief ACM Ithaporn Supawong.

They met after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum on Monday for Thailand to withdraw its troops by yesterday or risk a ‘‘large-scale armed conflict’’.

Prior to the meeting, the military leaders also held talks with Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat, both stressing the importance of using dialogue to solve the problem.

Security sources said Gen Anupong approved two military operation plans, Chakkri Phuwadol and 512, under which troops from the 6th Infantry Division would be used as the main force.

The navy has dispatched its ships to patrol Thai waters off Trat province while the air force has put jet fighters and C-130 aircraft on stand-by.

‘‘The military leaders insist the armed forces are prepared in terms of troop deployment in the areas, back-up forces and weapons capabilities to protect our sovereignty,’’ army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Second Army commander Lt-Gen Wibulsak Neepal has been assigned to take charge of the border situation and cooperate with Suranaree Task Force chief Maj-Gen Kanok Netrakhavesana.

Col Sansern said the military was ready to evacuate Thai nationals in Cambodia, but any such decision would be made by the government.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday urged Thai travellers to Cambodia to closely monitor the situation and advised Thai nationals already there to contact the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh for advisory and situation updates.

loom – (of something unpleasant) – seeming likely to happen  (สิ่งที่ไม่ดี) ส่อเค้าว่าจะเกิดขึ้น
troops – soldiers, especially in large numbers กองทหาร
deploy – (of soldiers, police, equipment, etc.) to put in place ready to use เข้าประจำการพร้อมรบ
(land)mines – bombs that are hidden under the group or water and which explode when someone or something touches them ระเบิดที่วางกับดักไว้
patrol – to move regularly around a place to prevent trouble or crime เดินลาดตระเวน
withdraw – to leave ถอนกำลัง
shrug off – to show that something doesn’t worry or upset you ไม่สนใจ เพิกเฉย
maintain – to make sure something stays at the same level or rate ทำต่อไปเช่นเคย
confrontation – a situation in which people or groups are arguing angrily or are fighting การเผชิญหน้า หมายถึงการประจันบาน การสู้รบกัน
stress – to emphasise something, such as an idea, fact or detail กล่าวย้ำ
dialogue – a process in which two people or groups have discussions in order to solve problems การสนทนา
dispatched – sent ส่งออกไป
on stand-by – ready to be used if necessary เตรียมพร้อม
insist – to say very firmly that something must happen or must be done ยืนกราน
back-up forces – support troops; reinforcements ส่งกำลังเสริมเข้าไป
sovereignty – the right to rule a country or area อำนาจอธิปไตย อำนาจเด็จขาดเหนือพื้นที่
evacuate – to leave a place because it is not safe อพยพออกจากพื้นที่
urge – to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take วิงวอน ย้ำเตือน
monitor – to regularly check something or watch someone in order to find out what is happening ตรวจสอบอย่างเข้่มงวด
advisory updates – the latest advice on what you should do รายงานความคืบหน้า