Bangkok: Rangsiman halted Cambodia’s participation in the AIPA meeting after it proposed an urgent agenda item on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, citing concerns about the potential for political and sensitive issues. He pointed out that there are already existing IOT and GBC processes in place.

According to Thai News Agency, Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP from the People’s Party and representative of the Thai parliament at the AIPA Executive Committee meeting, addressed Cambodia’s proposal at the AIPA forum, calling it a last-minute proposal, allowing member countries to submit urgent proposals. Therefore, upon learning of Cambodia’s demands, the Thai team, led by Mr. Chalat Khamchuang, began preparing for the matter. Originally, they had made two demands: 1. A resolution to the conflict, in which Cambodian soldiers were detained during the clashes, and 2. The reopening of the border checkpoint. However, Cambodia ultimately only demanded the reopening of the border checkpoint at the AIPA forum. He expressed surprise at the issue, stating that the process of the Temporary Observer Team (IOT) had proceeded relatively smoothly.

Re-arranging this issue for discussion, instead of bilaterally resolving the issue between Thailand and Cambodia, should be smooth sailing through the GBC. Re-arranging it for discussion at the AIPA forum, a multilateral forum, would only create political issues and make border resolution more difficult.

Mr. Rangsiman also said that the Thai parliamentary delegation emphasized to the AIPA meeting that if Cambodia wants to open its border crossings, it must proceed in three areas to improve the atmosphere: removing heavy weapons from border areas, mine management, and management of call center gangs. Therefore, Thailand cannot accept Cambodia’s proposal to consider this matter.