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BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Friday he was optimistic that a border dispute with Cambodia would be resolved in high-level talks between the two nations next week.
Speaking to reporters as Thailand launched its 18-month chair of regional bloc ASEAN, Samak admitted the border dispute had severely tested his premiership.
"My hardest lesson so far has been the Preah Vihear problem but I think we can defuse it somehow," Samak told reporters.
Thousands of Thai and Cambodian troops remain stationed on the border close to the 11th century Preah Vihear temple and talks held last Monday failed to resolve the dispute.
Further talks between the two countries' foreign ministers have been agreed for Monday in Cambodia's Siem Reap, but Samak is yet to appoint a new foreign minister since Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign earlier this month.
"We have to wait and see the outcome of July 28 talks but I think it will be good news and the situation will be eased and not violent," he added.
Samak declined to say who he would send to meet Cambodian foreign minister Hor Nam Hong.
"The appointment of the new minister will be in time so please listen to the radio -- it may come out tonight," he said.
Samak said despite the dispute, Thailand would not be distracted from its duty as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the next 18 months.
"We will walk hand-in-hand with other members and whatever happens we will consult them, we will not make ourselves stand apart," he said.
- AFP /ls
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