Thailand agree to bilateral talks with Cambodia

In an official statement released by the Thai government on 24 July 2008, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej agreed to bilateral talks with Cambodia on 28 July regarding the recent tensions over the disputed Preah Vihear temple and the surrounding land. Samak claimed that he received assurances that Cambodia will withdraw the petition it filed against Thailand at the U.N. Security Council as a sign of goodwill ahead of the meeting. The meeting will take place in Siem Reap.