SI SA KET, June 18 – Thai Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said on Wednesday he hoped that the situation would improve after Thailand and Cambodia withdrew their troops from a disputed border area to comply with a ruling by the International Court of Justice.

The minister expressed optimism at the handover ceremony in Thailand’s northeastern province of Si Sa Ket as Thai border police officers replaced soldiers in the disputed area surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodian border.

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