Cambodian and Thai army commanders based near the Preah Vihear Temple have agreed to jointly patrol a number of disputed areas from Ta Sim pass all the way to the Chak Chreng hill along the border.

Gen. Ek Dara, Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), said Thailand requested joint patrols during a recent meeting between the commander of Cambodia ’s division No. 4 and his Thai counterpart from regiment No. 6.

Cambodia accepted the request but under one condition: the joint patrol will not cross into Thai territory, nor will it cross into Cambodian territory, and it can only take place in the mid-zone, said Gen. Ek Dara, adding that, as of yet, no definite areas of joint patrol have been set yet.
Gen. Ek Dara said Cambodia is waiting for word on the boundaries of the area to be patrolled, where it will be based, and what its route will be, but have not yet received a reply.

In another move, the Cambodia-Thailand border committee plans to hold a talk in Bangkok on July 21, with the attendance of the Cambodia Defence Minister, Tea Banh, and his Thai counterpart, Prawit Wongsowon.

A spokesman for the Cambodian Defence Ministry said the meeting aims to ease tension in the common border area. However, it is unlikely to bring good results immediately, but will help to build mutual trust between the two nations./.