Asean offers help to fix up Thai-Cambodian relations

In Asean chairman statement on the border stand-off between the two members, Yeo said the ASEAN Foreign Ministers decided to offer its facilities to be placed at the disposal of Cambodia and Thailand, in the event that they felt the need for further support to find an early resolution to the issue.

The border stand off between the two countries came into attention of the Asean as Cambodia raised the issue during a working dinner here Sunday night, prior to the formal meeting of the group's foreign minister meeting.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers were briefed by both Cambodia and Thailand on the situation in the area around the Temple of Preah Vihear and noted this with concern.

"We urged both sides to exercise utmost restraint and resolve this issue amicably, in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and good neighbourliness. We hope the General Border Commission (GBC) between Thailand and Cambodia which will be meeting Monday, and other bilateral talks, will find a way to defuse the situation," Yeo said.

Beside the Asean, Phnom Penh also informed the United Nations Security Council on the situation, Yeo said.

"Cambodia has informed the UN Security Council of its position because this matter has hit the international headlines. It's for information", the Singapore minister who chaired the meeting told reporters.