Mediation offer in Thai-Cambodia dispute

Source: Financial Times

International mediators could be forced to step in after Thailand and Cambodia on Monday failed to solve a spat over an ancient Hindu temple that has inflamed nationalist sentiment in both countries and sparked a military stand-off.

The impasse in talks in Thailand between defence officials from the two countries coincided with a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations in Singapore. The 10-nation Asean urged both countries to show “utmost caution and restraint” and offered to help resolve the dispute. Still, in a sign that the regional group is in no hurry to test its abilities as a regional peace broker, Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general, told the Financial Times on Monday night that the two countries “should find their own solution and I think that they are determined to find one”.

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Cambodia has accused Thailand of violating its territory by allowing soldiers to cross the border, but Thailand has rejected the accusations, saying its military had been trying to contain Thai protesters threatening to storm the temple.

Last week, Cambodia also approached the UN, accusing Thailand of violating its “sovereignty and territorial integrity.” But Cambodian officials have since insisted they were not seeking UN intervention at this stage.



Read more: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/057f0aa6-573f-11dd-916c-000077b07658.html

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In another article, it states that the atmosphere around the temple has relaxed, and that Thai and Cambodian troops are posing for photographs together and chatting in a friendly fashion.

Let's hope their governments can work things out without bloodshed!