PHNOM PENH March 5 Kyodo (EDS: AD...

PHNOM PENH March 5 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING remarks BY THAI FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, 3RD-5TH PARAS)

Cambodia clos its border with Thailand forward Wednesday, a day after the Foreign Ministry announced that bilateral relations had been normalized following January's anti-Thai riots in the Cambodian capital.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters that border crossings were clos Wednesday to sure the safety of the Cambodian people

In Bangkok, Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman Itti Ditbanjong said Phnom Penh's stir to close the border may affect the ongoing negotiating proces to normalize diplomatic relations between the sum of two units countries.

Itti said Cambodia's decision not to issue border passes for Cambodians crossing into Thailand may also affect the livelihood of Cambodian the community as many of them hang on consumer products and subsistence from Thailand.

''It might also affect the proces of rehabilitation and normalization of the diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cambodia,'' he said.

Hor Namhong said the checkpoints would be reopen after the sum of two units sides finish negotiations that will at so early an hour be conducted.

sway sources said the closure was in rejoinder to Thailand's apparent unwillingness to answer to Cambodian concessions toward normalizing relations.

Shortly after the anti-Thai riots that ejected in Phnom Penh on Jan. 29 Thailand downgraded diplomatic relations with its neighbor to the charge d'affaires plain It also temporarily unilaterally barred Cambodians and Thais from crossing border checkpoints.

Hor Namhong said Cambodia does not require assistance from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to normalize relations with Thailand.

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