Thai, Cambodian defence ministers meet at Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, February 26 (TNA) - Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat on Tuesday met his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, at the Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodian border to discuss operations of Thai and Cambodian security officers along the common border. Before his departure to the meeting point, Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol told journalists in Bangkok on Tuesday morning that he would first stop at the Khao Phra Wihan checkpoint in Si Sa Ket province in the Thai Northeast to boost morale of Thai security officers stationed at the checkpoint and would then travel to meet his Cambodian counterpart. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said, during his talks with his Cambodian counterpart, he would seek a common understanding, covering cooperation on no use of violent forces along the border, acknowledging that the meeting represented a working lunch of the Thai and the Cambodian defence ministers and their high-ranking subordinates. During the trip, the Thai defence minister was accompanied by senior Thai security authorities, including Permanent Secretary for Defence General Thanongsak Apirakyothin, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence General Nipat Thonglek, Deputy Supreme Commander General Worapong Sa-nganet and Army Chief-of-Staff General Udomdet Seetaboot. (TNA)