Military

DATE=02/08/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-299382

TITLE=THAILAND / CAMBODIA (L)

BYLINE=RON CORBEN

DATELINE=BANGKOK

INTRO: Thailand re-opened border checkpoints to Cambodians Saturday, a

week after they were closed in response to an outbreak of anti-Thai rioting in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. But as Ron Corben reports, Thais are still prevented from traveling into Cambodia until their security in that country is assured.

TEXT: Thousands of Cambodians rushed across re-opened border checkpoints

Saturday to buy goods and necessities in Thailand, more than a week

after Bangkok closed the border.

A large Cambodian population living near the Thai border relies on

Thailand for basic necessities, and normally crosses the border with no

trouble. Many Thais like to visit Cambodia's legal casinos - mainly

Thai-owned - near the Cambodian town of Poipet, just across the border

from the Thai town of Aranyaprathet.

Reopening the border to Cambodians was one step in the rebuilding of

bilateral ties, which were sent tumbling when anti-Thai rioters burned

the Thai Embassy and several Thai businesses in Phnom Penh. The

physical damage was estimated at more than fifty million dollars, and

Bangkok wants compensation from the Cambodian government.

The Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, told V-O-A

that Phnom Penh's efforts to make amends had led to the decision to

allow Cambodians into Thailand.

/// ACT 1 SIHASAK PHUANGKETKEOW ///

In light of the positive developments on the diplomatic front and

because of humanitarian reasons we decided to allow Cambodians on the

other side of the border to come across to buy and sell consumer

products - so this would help alleviate the hardship that was caused by

the temporary closure of the border after the incident.

/// ENDS ACT 1 ///

But Mr. Sihasak says Thais are still prevented from crossing into

Cambodia until the overall security situation there improves.

The riots were triggered by a rumor that a Thai actress had claimed

Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temples belonged to Thailand. This was

followed by a rumor that Cambodian diplomats had been assaulted in

Bangkok. Both rumors later proved false.

Media outlets on both sides of the border have faced criticism for

failing to dispel the rumors. Dozens of people have been arrested in

Phnom Penh in connection with the riots, including the news editor of a

local radio station that broadcast the rumors. The station has been

taken off the air.

/// REST OPT ///

Mr. Sihasak says there is still more to be done by the Phnom Penh

government.

/// ACT 2 MR SIHASAK ////

On the specific steps we still believe the Cambodian side has to address

the question of the compensation and also on the question of the

investigation as to the cause of the incidents and the arrest of all

those involved.

/// END ACT 2 ///

/// END OPT ///

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has apologized to Bangkok and promised

compensation, although a final settlement is still being negotiated.

On Monday, Thailand is to send a diplomat back to Phnom Penh. He will

stay in temporary quarters until the embassy can be rebuilt. (Signed)

NEB/HK/RC/BK/KBK