By Nopporn Wong-Anan
Reuters
KANTARALAK, Thailand: Thailand and Cambodia sent troops and heavy guns on Saturday to their disputed border, where hundreds of soldiers faced off for a fifth day over an ancient Hindu temple.
Despite the military build-up, both sides said they were ready to negotiate an end to the stand-off.
The dispute has raised investor fears of a major confrontation. Thailand's main stock index has fallen more than 23 percent since anti-government street protests in Bangkok began in late May, and could drop further if border tensions get worse, analysts said.
The Preah Vihear temple, perched on a jungle-clad escarpment that forms a natural boundary, has been a source of tension since the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 it belonged to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles Thais.
The listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site this month triggered a political uproar in Thailand, stoked by groups opposed to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej whom they accuse of being a proxy of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
The diplomatic sparring between Bangkok and Phnom Penh has intensified ahead of high-level talks on Monday involving the two countries' defence ministers.
Thailand summoned Cambodia's ambassador on Friday to respond to Prime Minister Hun Sen's charge that Thai troops had "encroached" on Cambodian territory" and that the situation was "worsening".
In a letter to Hun Sen, Samak said Cambodian troops and buildings on the disputed 4.6 sq km (1.8 sq mile) area were a "violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity".
He added his government was "resolved to seek a just and peaceful solution to the situation".
Cambodia has asked the United Nations' Security Council to discuss the border dispute with Thailand, Thai Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat told Reuters.
"We have been informed by our ambassador to the U.N. that Cambodia has filed a complaint over the dispute to the U.N.," Wichianchot said.
NATIONALIST FERVOUR
In Cambodia, Preah Vihear has become a key issue in the run-up to next Sunday's election as Hun Sen's ruling party and the opposition vie for votes by stoking nationalist fervour.
"They should focus on issues like fighting poverty and corruption instead of using Preah Vihear for their political interests," said Kek Galabru, head of the LICAHDO rights group.
Lieutenant General Sujit Sitthiprapha, commander of Thailand's Second Army, said more troops were sent to the border after Cambodia reinforced its forces at the temple.
A Reuters witness saw a convoy of eight Thai army trucks ferry several hundred soldiers to the border. In another convoy, trucks towed heavy artillery.
"If things escalate, we can use those troops right away," Sujit said, although he added the soldiers at the temple "were still talking to each other".
Thailand estimates it is facing 1,200 Cambodian troops in and around the temple, although Phnom Penh disputes that figure.
Chea Mon, Cambodia's military commander at Preah Vihear, said the situation was calm at the temple where his men faced about 400 Thai soldiers.
"We are protecting our borders. We will leave it to government leaders to solve this issue," he said by telephone.
(Additional reporting by Ek Madra in Phnom Penh; Writing by Darren Schuettler; Editing by Matthew Jones)
Despite the military build-up, both sides said they were ready to negotiate an end to the stand-off.
The dispute has raised investor fears of a major confrontation. Thailand's main stock index has fallen more than 23 percent since anti-government street protests in Bangkok began in late May, and could drop further if border tensions get worse, analysts said.
The Preah Vihear temple, perched on a jungle-clad escarpment that forms a natural boundary, has been a source of tension since the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 it belonged to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles Thais.
The listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site this month triggered a political uproar in Thailand, stoked by groups opposed to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej whom they accuse of being a proxy of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
The diplomatic sparring between Bangkok and Phnom Penh has intensified ahead of high-level talks on Monday involving the two countries' defence ministers.
Thailand summoned Cambodia's ambassador on Friday to respond to Prime Minister Hun Sen's charge that Thai troops had "encroached" on Cambodian territory" and that the situation was "worsening".
In a letter to Hun Sen, Samak said Cambodian troops and buildings on the disputed 4.6 sq km (1.8 sq mile) area were a "violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity".
He added his government was "resolved to seek a just and peaceful solution to the situation".
Cambodia has asked the United Nations' Security Council to discuss the border dispute with Thailand, Thai Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat told Reuters.
"We have been informed by our ambassador to the U.N. that Cambodia has filed a complaint over the dispute to the U.N.," Wichianchot said.
NATIONALIST FERVOUR
In Cambodia, Preah Vihear has become a key issue in the run-up to next Sunday's election as Hun Sen's ruling party and the opposition vie for votes by stoking nationalist fervour.
"They should focus on issues like fighting poverty and corruption instead of using Preah Vihear for their political interests," said Kek Galabru, head of the LICAHDO rights group.
Lieutenant General Sujit Sitthiprapha, commander of Thailand's Second Army, said more troops were sent to the border after Cambodia reinforced its forces at the temple.
A Reuters witness saw a convoy of eight Thai army trucks ferry several hundred soldiers to the border. In another convoy, trucks towed heavy artillery.
"If things escalate, we can use those troops right away," Sujit said, although he added the soldiers at the temple "were still talking to each other".
Thailand estimates it is facing 1,200 Cambodian troops in and around the temple, although Phnom Penh disputes that figure.
Chea Mon, Cambodia's military commander at Preah Vihear, said the situation was calm at the temple where his men faced about 400 Thai soldiers.
"We are protecting our borders. We will leave it to government leaders to solve this issue," he said by telephone.
(Additional reporting by Ek Madra in Phnom Penh; Writing by Darren Schuettler; Editing by Matthew Jones)
9 comments:
I think it is a smart move on the part of the Cambodian government to take the matter to the UN security council for assistance.
Let's the whole world see the greedy attitudes and aggressive characters of the Thais.
Let's hope every Cambodian of whatever political tendency stands behind each other and the current government on this issue. As a nation facing two bigger and quite ambitious and greedy neighbours, Cambodia and her people cannot afford disunity. Let's stand behind our government on this issue wholeheartedly and solve our internal problems later.
A Concerned Khmer
Tell me what so Supreme about AH Boonsang Niempradit? Can this motherfucker walk on water? Can this motherfucker fly in the air? Can this motherfucker take the bullet in the head? Of course not!
Khmer leaders need to stay put because there is nothing to negotiate with the Thaicong on Khmer sovereignty! If these fucken Thaicong can get their fucken arse onto Khmer land and they can certainly move their fucken arse out of Khmer land! It is simple as that!
Tell AH Boonsang Niempradit that he is looking at the wrong map and tell him to get his wanted to be hero Thaicong soldiers to get the fuck out! Otherwise Cambodia will have to open a new border conflict like the North Korean way(Not the Burmese way)!
Fear no Thaicong!
And where was the UNSC when the Khmer Rouge Massacred millions of its people, 1:19?
Can somebody answer this idiot's question?
I thought the answer was obvious but the this Siam boy didn't figure it out yet.
6:31 AM
Ok my friend.
Let enlighten your light bulb.
During the KR regime Cambodia is closed to the outside world so whatever happen inside Cambodia is not known to the world (of course the Vetminh, and the Thaicong know).
So the question why guys didn't not say anything?
You don't have to answer the question, we know the answer.
If the UN knows it can condemn the KR atrocity. It can intervene if the member country decide to offer their troops.
At some point it did give assistance to Cambodia and right now they are prosecuting KR leader (KR tribunal in Cambodia).
The more powerful the member country is (Like the US, China, Russia, France...) the better, they have a bigger say in the UN (obviously).
In the case of the Thai troops in Cambodia territory, if the Thai is a super power (I am sure you are) Cambodia will be defenseless against you, the UN can say what he want but you don't really care.
So the Thai government can continue to send the same message to the UN that you don't give a damn about the UN authority, no problem.
If the biggest members of the UN say that well we cannot let this happen (for example the Invasion of Kowait by Iraq) then whatever action the UN action will take is up to them (the permanent member of the UN).
I hope this will help.
True, that is why Cambodia and Thailand should ask China to be a mediator to resolve this dispute. China has the biggest say of all.
The UN will do just fine for the UN is the ICJ watchdog.
The UN and ICJ should be on trial for corruption.
Post a Comment