Thai embassy advises on Cambodian evacuation strategy

Asia-Pacific News

Jul 24, 2008, 11:29 GMT

Phnom Penh - The Thai embassy in Cambodia called Thai nationals for a meeting Thursday to advise on options in case they require evacuation after upcoming national elections, a Thai business representative and Cambodian officials said. A representative from the Thai Business Association of Cambodia who declined to be named said the Thai embassy had called a meeting Thursday in Phnom Penh to discuss emergency options for Thai citizens in case of problems after national elections scheduled for Sunday. However, she said most Thai businesses were so far not affected by cross-border tensions and continued business as usual. Cambodian government officials said they were aware of the meeting and stressed it was routine consular protocol. 'The embassy just told us what time until after the vote finishes for Cambodians that we had time to call the embassy if we want to leave,' the Thai Business Association spokeswoman said. 'But no problem. Right now for Thai businesses in Cambodia everything is still happy - no problem. We did not have a problem,' she said. Thailand and Cambodia began a troop build-up along their border shortly after UNESCO declared the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, 300 kilometres north of Phnom Penh, a World Heritage site earlier this month, citing disputed surrounding territory. Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith again urged calm Thursday and said what Thailand felt was in the best interests of its citizens was up to the Thais, but added that Cambodia has no intentions of aggression. 'If Thailand wants to stop business, that is their loss,' he said. Cambodia has asked the UN for intervention. Despite tensions and some voluntary evacuations of some locals on the disputed border, business continues as usual in the capital and most provinces, government officials and business people said. However, security is tight, with national elections due Sunday and the memories of an angry Cambodian mob in 2003 torching the Thai embassy and a number of Thai businesses over rumours a Thai actress had claimed Cambodia's other World Heritage site, Angkor Wat, was Thai. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh could not be contacted Thursday.

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Thai embassy advises on Cambodian evacuation strategy

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