Thailand and Cambodia, on Wednesday, began to withdraw their troops from the vicinity of Preah Vihear Temple, complying with a directive issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). An official from Thailand’s Defense Ministry said that Defense Minister Sukumpol and General Prayuth co-chaired the country’s withdrawal ceremony. The Thai soldiers in the Preah Vihear region will initially be replaced by a company of 200 border police, rising to a total of 800. Cambodia’s Defense Minister Tea Banh also chaired his country’s withdrawal ceremony. The 485 Cambodian soldiers stationed there will now be replaced by 250 police officers and 100 security guards.

Cambodian troops at the temple