Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Cambodian Official: Thai Troops Cross Border in Temple Dispute

By VOA News
15 July 2008

A Cambodian official says 40 troops from Thailand entered Cambodia Tuesday in the latest flare-up of a territorial dispute over an 11th century Hindu temple.

Hang Soth, the Cambodian official who manages the Preah Vihear temple, said the troops crossed the border hours after three Thai activists were arrested for illegally entering Cambodia to reach the ruins. The activists have since been released to Thai authorities.

Thai military officials deny their troops crossed the border into Cambodia. They say their troops have been deployed to the nearby area.

They also say one Thai soldier lost his leg to a landmine while on patrol near the temple.

Cambodians celebrate the decision made for Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site during a rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 14 Jul 2008 .

The temple sits along the Thai-Cambodian border, and each side has long claimed the site as its own. The International Court of Justice granted sovereignty of the temple to Cambodia in 1962.

Thailand's foreign minister, Noppadon Pattama, resigned last week, following a controversial decision he made to endorse Cambodia's bid to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to designate the temple as a World Heritage Site.

Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled last week that the endorsement should have first been approved by the legislature. The decision also had opposition lawmakers calling for Noppadon's impeachment.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

i don't believe this some siam people still do stupid thing. Have no respect international communities.

Anonymous said...

The Thais are deliberately and intentionally provoking Cambodia. This is not an act of a friendly neighbor but a belligerent agressor.

Hun Sen, now is the time to earn your dirty money. Protect your people instead of assassinating them.

DO YOUR FUCKING JOB YOU SOB!!!!

Anonymous said...

I don't think for the Siam to do this.

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's good for the Siam to do this.

Anonymous said...

how dare thailand disrespect the world heritage site of preah vihear temple!!!! i can't wait for the world community to say something to thailand. sooner or later the world will say something to thailand for their persistent unlawful stealing and incursing into the world heritage site property and cambodia's sovereignty without regards to the international laws that prevent such incursion. i can't wait!!!!

i guess thailand will protest the world at large too? i wouldn't be surprised a bit if that happens!