Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will hold a news conference Friday afternoon before he departs Bangkok for the regional summit in Indonesia amid speculation that he will announce the dissolution of the House of Representatives during the news conference.

Mr Abhisit said that he has not yet submitted the royal decree of the House dissolution to the king, but said everything is going as planned.

Quiet falls on the front

Guns have fallen silent at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, as yet another ceasefire was signed yesterday and returning villagers vowed to dig trenches and take up arms to protect themselves from future clashes.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday morning, at the inauguration of a pagoda in Phnom Penh, that a lull in fighting following clashes on Tuesday heralded the first night of peace since hostilities broke out between Thailand and Cambodia on April 22. 

Abhisit rules out talks with Hun Sen at Asean

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated yesterday he had no intention of holding talks on the border clashes with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Asean Summit in Indonesia.

"Don't forget that I met Hun Sen four times late last year, and then in February clashes erupted," Mr Abhisit said.

"And I insist that each clash is not an accident. It is an intention to internationalise the issue."

The clashes are part of Cambodia's strategy in dealing with territorial disputes, according to the premier.

He also doubted Cambodia's claim that the fighting continued because in part it could not control its troops.

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Mr Abhisit said Thailand was making preparations to face Cambodia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has asked Thailand and Cambodia to give statements on May 30-31.

Prayuth insists troops must vacate border

The Army chief yesterday reiterated the precondition set out by the army and government that Cambodia withdraw all of its troops from the 4.6 sq km disputed border area before Indonesian observers can be deployed.

"If they [Cambodia] do not agree, the battle will have to continue. We can keep fighting each other or we can end the battle with dialogue," army commander in chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya earlier met with Indonesia's foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, who is the current chairman of Asean, to discuss the terms of reference (ToR) for the deployment of 30 Indonesian observers along the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple.

Thailand not a terror target, but on alert

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has calmed fears of terrorist reprisals in Thailand following the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, saying the kingdom is not among the confirmed targets of Islamic militants.

However, while Thailand itself may not be a target, there are a number of US interests here, as well as those of US allies, and some Middle Eastern interests and communities. Security will be ramped up in these areas.

Mr Suthep has told security forces to be vigilant at border crossings to ensure no al-Qaeda members enter the country.

Several embassies, consulates and residences of prominent diplomats are considered prime targets requiring special protection.

Suthep: Hard to talk with Cambodia

Negotiations could ease the continuing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia but holding immediate talks with Cambodia is not easy, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday.

Speaking after a Thai soldier was killed, and three wounded, in a clash with Cambodian troops at the border overnight, Mr Suthep said it would be difficult to arrange ceasefire talks at this time.

Last joint sitting of parliament ahead of the polls

The House of Representatives and the Senate held their last joint sitting on Tuesday.

The joint sitting was ordered closed after approving the cabinet's request to withdraw eight documents drawn up with foreign countries and earlier forwarded to parliament for approval under Section 190 of the constitution.