Cambodian, Thai frontline commanders vow to avoid clashes after ICJ's verdict

Cambodian and Thai commanders at the front line met near Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday to build mutual trust between the two countries' armies after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its decision in the case on the hotly-contested land around the temple.

The meeting was held between Gen. Srey Doek, commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Division 3 in Preah Vihear province and Gen. Tarakorn Thannavinthon, commander of the Royal Thai Army Division 6.

"Both sides pledged to strengthen solidarity and build mutual trust between the two armies to avoid any clashes in the future," Gen. Thul Sovan, deputy commander of Preah Vihear temple frontline region, told Xinhua news agency after the meeting.

The two commanders also agreed to comply with the ICJ's judgment over the disputed land around the temple between the two countries.

Thul Sovan said the situation at Preah Vihear temple area is calm and people visited the temple as usual on Tuesday.

On Monday, the ICJ unanimously ruled that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear and Thailand is under obligation to withdraw its military, police forces or other guards stationed there.

The Hague-based ICJ handed down the verdict in the bitter border row between the two countries over a 4.6 square km disputed land near the 11th century temple after Cambodia filed a request in April 2011 for the interpretation of the court's ruling in 1962.

Preah Vihear, a Hindu temple, is located on the top of a 525-metre cliff in the Dangrek Mountains about 500 km northwest of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

The ICJ awarded Cambodia the temple and its vicinity on June 15, 1962 but Thailand claimed ownership of the disputed land next to the temple in 2008.

Tensions between the two countries have calmed since July 2011 when Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of exiled ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, became the Prime Minister of Thailand.