Sunday, June 29, 2008

"Thai people also have the right to protest against [the World Heritage status for Preah Vihear] -sic!-": Sou Chamroeun deputy director of Bayon

Cambodia stays cool

Sunday, June 29, 2008
By Prasit Saengrungruang in Aranyaprathet
Bangkok Post

On this issue [of Cambodian settlers in the overlapped zone], Mr Hourt Song Hak, a reporter for the Cambodian daily Koh Santepheap, agreed that the Cambodian settlers must be moved out of the area. [KI-Media question: Is Hourt Song Hak really a Cambodian citizen working for a Cambodian newspaper?]
Despite concerns about a political backlash similar to the ransacking of the Thai Embassy in 2003, the Cambodian public and media are reacting calmly to the raging Thailand controversy over Preah Vihear temple.

"Cambodia has the right to seek a World Heritage status for Preah Vihear temple, and Thai people also have the right to protest against it," said Mr Sou Chamroeun, deputy director of Bayon television station in Phnom Penh .

"The Cambodian government and its people understand the issues raised by Thai politicians and they believe bilateral relations will not be harmed," Mr Sou said in a telephone interview with Perspective last Thursday.

The interview was conducted at the same time as the no-confidence debate in the Thai parliament, where the opposition Democrat party accused Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama of acting beyond his authority by signing a joint communique with Cambodia to have the ancient temple listed as a World Heritage site.

"The World Court has ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia and everyone must respect its ruling," said Mr Sou, who is also a deputy chairman of the Cambodian Writers Association.

He dismissed fears about adverse reactions against the Thai people and businessmen living in Cambodia. "It is unlikely that there will be a repeat of the 2003 events," he said.

In January 2003, a Cambodian newspaper article falsely alleged that a Thai actress claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand. Other Cambodian print and radio media picked up the report and furthered the nationalistic sentiment which resulted in riots in Phnom Penh on January 29. The Thai Embassy was burned and properties of Thai businesses were vandalised.

Mr Sou's views are shared by Mr Khieu Kanharith, the minister of information of Cambodia, who said any problems concerning the temple's boundaries should be settled by the joint Thai-Cambodian committee, which holds regular meetings.

In his opinion, both Thailand and Cambodia will benefit from tourism and related businesses if Preah Vihear temple is listed as a World Heritage Site. In fact, he noted, Thailand would gain more than Cambodia because most of the tourists would have to pass through Thailand in order to visit the ancient temple.

During the censure debate, the Democrats insisted the Thai government's support for Cambodia's unilateral listing of Preah Vihear would remove Thailand's right to have ownership of the temple reviewed. Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Cambodian map that Foreign Minister Noppadon had acknowledged could put Thailand at a disadvantage in talks to settle the borderline with Cambodia .

The Thai media have demanded to know why a number of Cambodians have moved into a disputed area near the temple. If these Cambodians stay there permanently, it might cause Thailand to lose part of the area in dispute.

On this issue, Mr Hourt Song Hak, a reporter for the Cambodian daily Koh Santepheap, agreed that the Cambodian settlers must be moved out of the area. Other than that, it is the Cambodian government's right to seek the listing of Preah Vihear, which belongs to Cambodia, as a World Heritage Site, he told Perspective.

Interestingly, the Cambodian reactions to the controversy are typically in stark contrast to the nationalistic mood of Thai politicians, media and academics.

Thai historian Thepmontri Limpaphayom has suggested that if the Cambodian request is put on the agenda of the World Heritage Committee in Quebec early next month, Thailand's World Heritage Committee should resign to pressure other member states of the World Heritage Committee to postpone considering the issue.

Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Gen Boonsang Niampradit said the Royal Thai Air Force had already put its transport planes on standby in case it was necessary to evacuate Thais from Cambodia if the issue gets out of hand.

During the height of violence in Phnom Penh on Jan 29, 2003 - when rioters attacked the Thai Embassy and the premises of Thai-owned businesses, including Shin Corp, then owned by the family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - the Thai government sent military aircraft to Phnom Penh to evacuate Thai nationals, while angry Thai protesters demonstrated outside the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attributed the government's failure to prevent the attacks to incompetence, and noted that the riots were stirred up by extremists. The then chairman of the National Assembly, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, claimed that opposition leader Sam Rainsy had directed the attacks. Rainsy, instead, said he had tried to prevent the violence.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Everyone win when Khmer on both sides jointly develop the area. Nothing has any value if it just sits there and collect dust for the next century. By then its will probably be rotten away. So let's get things moving, shall we?

Anonymous said...

Khmer on both side ?
Even though a long time ago Khmer people in Thailand are banned from speaking Khmer language? How?

If you care about the both side interests, why do you blame one who speaking Khmer?

Anonymous said...

fuck that shit. Khmer on both side my ass. Quit your lame and shameless excuse to further rob Khmer heritage and sovereignty. How about Khmer on both side to benefit from Phnom Rung, Phimai and other Khmer heritage sites?

Fact is the temple is in Khmerland, so it must be respected by the shameless Thai nationalist to respect the Khmer property.

This has nothing to do with the Khmer Thai. So far we only see the fucken Thai greedy politics and academics that is jumping off their seats. The Khmer Thai benefits from nothing even from their heritage site in Thailand.

If the Khmer Thai come to visit our temple they can visit for free providing they can speak Khmer, just like Angkor! Anybody who is Khmer body and mind speaking the Khmer language can go in for free!


Shut the fuck up and stop using Khmer-Thai as an excuse to rob our heritage! Shameless land pirates!

Anonymous said...

You know? Bangkok Post has blocked my message written on their website regarding Preah Viehar temple. What I wrote was just a simple clarification concerning a Thai MP who said that the ICJ ruled that only the temple belongs to Cambodia, not the soil under or surrounding it. It is very rediculous and I believe that this Thai MP knowingly made false statement to mislead Thai people and in order to oust the current Thai government.

Here is a simple clarification and very easy to understand. In its judgement the court said that the temple of Preah Vihear was situated in the territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. The word "Territory" means land and water belongs to a state. As a consequence, the land under the temple is also Cambodian land.

All Thais must not let themselves misled by false information. They must learn the true history, not the fake one. And We Khmers must be united to do whatever it takes to defend our temple, land, and our country.

Anonymous said...

We all must make a complaint to Kohsantepheap Newspaper regarding its journalist regarding his stupid words. What the hell on earth a Cambodian said that Cambodians must be moved from the Cambodian land? Or he wants to be a traitor? This journalist must be punished. Here is the website: www.kohsantepheapdaily.com.kh.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how accurate BKpost is, in regards to this Cambodin Journalists, they and the nation are very baised if you reed behind the lines. They are nothing compare to Ny Times,and other reputable publications. I wonder if the story was made up so Khmer people would follow suit, just because one person said it does not mean the entire country agree.

Anonymous said...

BK post is 10 times more accurate than KI media and Companies.

Anonymous said...

We don't give a shit about their demand, this is our land we don't just walk away because the Siam just tell us so.

Common ignorant Siam stop convulsing!!!

Anonymous said...

What is this shit now we have reporter deciding for a nation.

Hahahaha....!!!!

If the Bangkok Post rule Siamland good for them.

Anonymous said...

mee sompung from washinton state shows up on Ki. anywhere she goes, in KC, in Camweb, or in ki, she draws lots fights on lines to serve her delusion. she is big time trouble maker!!

Anonymous said...

hahahaah I guess the Bk post is their mouthpeice along with the Nation, LOL LOL. Boy they keep on telling their reporters to report but it been one sided LOL LOL LOL. hahah oh btw Ki Media is a place to post news and insights and gather discussions.

Khmer will not be treated like Vassal State, this is the modern times where Cambodians are spread all over the world. Meaning that never been a point in Cambodian history where they are cambodians are over the world, getting educated not easy to muplitated like in the past. Khmer now a days are very smart and clam about this issue, Guys We won before and we will win again,

I suggest this time we should moon them

All khmer when we win with UNESCO, we should take our pants down and moon the thai across the borders. LOL LOL

Anonymous said...

BK Post is biased and so is KI and Kos Santepheap, etc.,.
If BK Post is not biased, the editors may be shot by King Phumibol's military already.

Anonymous said...

i think it's a mistake to speak for them, the siem criminals. nop, i don't think they have any right to protest and say that preah vihear belong to them. that is called "contempt of court" and could land them an outlaw or fined in the billions or both. so, that's right, ah siem and mee siem ignorant, criminal punks have no right to protest cambodia's internal affairs. enough already, traitors of the khmer empire!

Anonymous said...

oh and don't forget khmer people have the rights to kick their ignorant behinds as well! you knuckle hear, siem thieves! god bless cambodia.

Anonymous said...

I say we should just moon the protestor next time, moon them because there is nothing they can do, nothing. you lost you lost in 1962 that its? you don't hear the patriots complain of losing the superbowl and asking for a recount LOL LOL LOL. what a bunch of sore losers, what a bunch of depress protestors that don't understand that the verdict is final. if that was the case OJ simposon would be re trial . .....

Anonymous said...

AH SOU CHAMROEUN is just a simple director of small television station in Cambodia supported and funded by AH HUN SEN family. And AH HOURT SONG HAK who is simple newspaper reporter working for a pro-AH HUN SEN government newspaper! What do these two fools know? Who gave them the aurthority to speak on behalf of Cambodian government or Cambodian people?

All of sudden AH SOU CHAMROEUN and AH HOURT SONG HAK want to speak for the Thaicong! By the way the Thaicong government never ask AH SOU CHAMROEUN and AH HOURT SONG HAK to speak for them! Listen AH CHAMROEUN AND AH HAK, Cambodian people don't need both of you to add gasoline to the fire okay! You are not a government spokeman for Cambodian government or for Cambodian people.! You don't need to go around saying shit like little children without proof to back it up and allow Cambodian archenemy to quote you mother fuckers like an expert on Cambodian border issue okay! You ain't no expert mother fuckers! Know you fucken boundary when speaking on sensitive topic such as Khmer Phrea Vihear temple next time! As for AH Prince Norodom Ranariddh who currently lives in exile to accuse opposition leader Sam Rainsy for the attacks without proof is not the way to buy passport to stay in Thailame! As far as I am concerned, AH PRINCE OF THIEF will live in exile forever unless he want come back to Cambodia and face jail term for his corruption!

To have these average Cambodian fools with no prior knowledge of the sensitive Cambodian border issue to speak freely as an Cambodian expert is unspeakable and to have the Thaicong quoting them as if they were Cambodian expert to distort the truth, to violate international law and to violate Cambodian sovereignty will only promoting violent!

Anonymous said...

mr. sou chamroeun, if you have nothing good to say for cambodia, please be quiet and don't say anything is better. because you're just encourage the theives and their criminal behaviors. that's all. thank you.

Anonymous said...

Khmer has been divided for so long, and no one has benefited from the Temple. It's time for a change, and it's time to join together to rebuild the area so that we all can be proud it again.

Anonymous said...

To 5:22AM

Hey mother fucker! The only place that I know that can be joined together to rebuild and be proud is your house!

Give me your phone number and I want to use your house to do good for humanity such as use your fucken house for homeless shelter, drug addicts, and prostitutes! How about use your fucken house for animals shelter and that is even better!

Since you have such a kind heart and I will meet you half way and do tell me that you are proud to use your house for the good of humanity!

By the way, no Khmer people should bark behind the Thaicong government to claim what belong to Khmer motherland!

Anonymous said...

7;26 PM. The first post.
10;38 PM called you {mee sompung from washinton state shows up on Ki. anywhere she goes, in KC}.
Are you Simone in washignton State?

What screen name you used in KC or khmer connection)?

Inquiry wants to know

Anonymous said...

It's not your fucking business.

Anonymous said...

Hey, have some respect for the Khmer's motherland (Thailand), will ya? Stop stealing everything from there. The Khmer in the motherland (Thailand) needs their temples. You guys in Cambodia don't need no temple. You got a lot of catholic cathedrals and churches in France already.

Anonymous said...

To 7:54AM

Hey, Thaicong bitch! When did Thailame became Khmer motherland? Since when?

The Khmer Kings were smart enough to build one of the biggest temples in the world called Angkor Wat on Khmer motherland! The reason the Khmer King chose to build a small version copycat of Angkor Wat in Thailame proved that the Khmer King knew of the Thaicong dirty plan to betray Khmer motherland!

Khmer people in Thailame must beware of the Thaicong economic policy which aim to make all Khmer people in Thailame to be poor of the poor! Talking about dirt poor Khmer farmer in Thailame!

Remember! It is so easy for the Thaicong politicians to manipulate dirt poor Khmer farmers than to manipulate the rich Khmer in Thailame! For those Khmer people who bark in favor of the Thaicong aggression on Khmer motherland prove that they are nothing but dirt poor Khmer farmers who have so little education about the history of their motherland!

Talking about the Thaicong government racist policy that ban the teaching of Khmer language to Khmer children in Thailame for over 50 years and now the Thaicong government want to push these same Khmer people who are a victim of the Thaicong racist policy to claim what belong to Khmer motherland? Does that make any sense at all? This is what you called the Thaicong theory and logic that can only work on dirt poor and uneducated people!

No Khmer people should bark for the Thaicong government to claim what belong to Khmer motherland! All Khmer are welcome with open arm to Khmer motherland!

Nice try all you Thaicong mother fucker!

Anonymous said...

You Thai don't need Preah Vihear you have a lot of whores in Bangcock.

Sisaket need tourists so just breed more whore there.

Anonymous said...

Do you know what is protest mean?
I believe to oppose by arguing against what's you believe is righteousness.
I beleive if government and thai people are smart,They are better stop protest against this kind matter.
All of you not wrong to protest that you think is right,But you protest that is not belong to you a serious offense against the national law.(IS WRONG)You are guilty.

Anonymous said...

HOURT SONG HAK???? sound like chinese to me,or maybe you are a thai-chinese who work in cambodian media for the interest of the thai people?oh maybe what you want to say is that khmer should move out of the dispute area for their safety reason???and if this is what you meant to use as an excuse for your puplication then it's useless mr hourt song hak.We all khmer accept no excuse from your low educated traitor,you should leave cambodia quikly and go to work for BK post in thailand.ALL KHMER SETTLERS ARE SETTLING ON KHMER TERRITORY,NOT THAI TERRITORYit is just because the thai claimed that the area is the disputed area it doesn't mean that khmer have to leave their own land,by the way in 2003 the thai actress made a comment over angkor wat was belong to thai,should you??hourt song hak??asked all khmers to move out of siem reap??????
WE ALL KHMER RECOMMEND THAT HOURT SONG HAK SHOULD RESIGN FROM HIS JOB FOR HIS STUPIDITY.
From khmer pride

Anonymous said...

Yep! HOURT SONG HAK needs to resign from his job for being incompetent!

It is laughable to call this guy a reporter!