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| Hun Sen's Border Visit Not to Include Thaksin |
| UPDATE : 5 February 2010 |
The Region 2 Army chief will discuss security measures with relevant Cambodian authorities for the planned visit to the overlapping territorial area by the Cambodian prime minister this weekend.
He said he has received no confirmation if former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would join the visit.
Region 2 Army Commander Lieutenant General Weewalit Jornsamrit disclosed that he has been informed that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will visit the disputed land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear Temple between February 6 and 9.
He insisted that he has no confirmation on whether fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would accompany Hun Sen.
Thaksin has said via his twitter page that he will not be joining the visit as he is currently in Dubai.
Lieutenant General Weewalit, meanwhile, said he is preparing to hold a meeting with Cambodian Deputy Armed Forces Commander Lieutenant General Chea Dara to discuss security measures for Hun Sen.
It is reported that Hun Sen will chair the opening ceremony for a village located close to Baan Ko Mui of Cambodia and visit Cambodian troops at the border.
The village is reportedly built in the disputed 4.6-square kilometer area in the vicinity of Preah Vihear Temple.
Soldiers have set up security checkpoints at the gate of the Khao Phra Viharn National Park in Si Sa Ket's Kantaralak district while the public were barred from entering the area.
Security along the Thai-Cambodian border has been beefed up as well.
Soldiers from the Suranaree Task Force who took vacation were ordered to return to duty and remain stationed at their military bases along the disputed border area to keep order and prevent possible unrest.
Meanwhile, news reports said Hun Sen and his daughter will travel to Cambodian territory adjacent to Surin province to preside over the opening ceremony for a13-kilometer road heading to Ta Muen Thom temple on Thai territory.
About 400 houses of Cambodian nationals were built only 100 meters away from the Ta Muen Thom temple with Cambodian soldiers patrolling the area all the time.
A lot of Cambodian tourists were seen crossing the Thai-Cambodian boder to visit the temple everyday.
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