Cambodia recruits militias at Thai border

Written by Writer on Friday, October 24th, 2008

Cambodia recruits militias at Thai border

Phnom Penh - Cambodian provincial and military officials say they are recruiting militias along the border with Thailand to protect frontier villages if hostilities erupt again, national media reported Thursday.

Some 2,400 Cambodians have already volunteered to serve in the paramilitary units in Oddar Meanchey province alone, Deputy Governor Loun An was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

Oddar Meanchey is across from the Thai provinces of Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket, the latter of which is the site of the Preah Vihear temple and disputed territory.

“We are in the process of recruiting people for militias to protect homes and ensure security for people if there is a war with Thai soldiers,” Loun An said.

“Militia members receive no salary and do not register with the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), although they will get some sponsorship money,” he added.

The Cambodian government has called for calm following last week’s border clash that has resulted in the deaths of three Cambodian and one Thai soldiers.

The violence has only encouraged more Cambodians to “come to their nation’s defence,” Chuong Praseuth of the Banteay Meanchey provincial administration told the Post. (Compiled by BangkokPost.com from Agency reports)

Bangkok Post
Friday October 24, 2008