Siam PM says to peacefully solve border dispute

BANGKOK, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) — The Saim government will use peaceful ways to settle the continuing border dispute between Siam and Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Saturday.

During an interview with foreign media in Davos, Abhisit said both Siam and Cambodia are parts of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and therefore, solving of any conflict between the two countries should be in a peaceful manner.

Asked about the three demands by the nationalistic “yellow- shirt” People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the prime minister said PAD has the constitutional right to make such demands or to rally against the government.

“On my part, I will do only for the best of the country”, Bangkok Post online quoted Abhisit as saying.

The PAD is now rallying in front of the Government House, demanding the government to scrap the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Siam and Cambodia in 2000 as the framework for settling the two countries’ disputed border areas.

They also want the government to move out Cambodians who are occupying the disputed areas, and the government to pull out as a party to the World Heritage Convention.