Cambodia safeguards Thai embassy amid temple spat
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia ordered extra police protection for the Thai embassy on Thursday for fear a row over the disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on their joint border might escalate into violence.
Phnom Penh police chief Touch Narath said he had posted the additional security after a request by protesters to rally outside the embassy, which was torched by a nationalist mob in 2003 in a spat over another ancient set of ruins.
"We had a bad experience in the past, so we have to be ready to prevent any ill-willed people burning the Thai embassy again," he told Reuters.
Cambodia is applying for World Heritage status for Preah Vihear, which sits on a craggy escarpment that forms the natural border between the fractious southeast Asian neighbours.
The International Court in the Hague ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, a decision that rankles with most Thais to this day.
Groups trying to oust Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej jumped on Bangkok's backing of the Cambodian World Heritage bid at a U.N. meeting this week in Quebec, whipping up nationalist fervour to claim the government was selling out its heritage.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has warned of consequences for the two countries' relations.
Cambodian politicians, no strangers to nationalism themselves, are in campaign mode for a July 27 election, making the chances of the spat spinnning out of control that much higher.
Military police chief Sao Sokha said he had extra forces on standby if the police struggle to keep order.
"We do not want to see any protest take place as we are busy with the election," he said.
The 2003 sacking of the Thai embassy -- also in the run-up to an election -- was triggered by a false report in a Khmer newspaper quoting a Thai soap opera star as saying Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temples in fact belonged to Thailand.
Phnom Penh police chief Touch Narath said he had posted the additional security after a request by protesters to rally outside the embassy, which was torched by a nationalist mob in 2003 in a spat over another ancient set of ruins.
"We had a bad experience in the past, so we have to be ready to prevent any ill-willed people burning the Thai embassy again," he told Reuters.
Cambodia is applying for World Heritage status for Preah Vihear, which sits on a craggy escarpment that forms the natural border between the fractious southeast Asian neighbours.
The International Court in the Hague ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, a decision that rankles with most Thais to this day.
Groups trying to oust Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej jumped on Bangkok's backing of the Cambodian World Heritage bid at a U.N. meeting this week in Quebec, whipping up nationalist fervour to claim the government was selling out its heritage.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has warned of consequences for the two countries' relations.
Cambodian politicians, no strangers to nationalism themselves, are in campaign mode for a July 27 election, making the chances of the spat spinnning out of control that much higher.
Military police chief Sao Sokha said he had extra forces on standby if the police struggle to keep order.
"We do not want to see any protest take place as we are busy with the election," he said.
The 2003 sacking of the Thai embassy -- also in the run-up to an election -- was triggered by a false report in a Khmer newspaper quoting a Thai soap opera star as saying Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temples in fact belonged to Thailand.
11 comments:
KI, my dear, as a civilized country, it's our obligation to protect foreign embassies in our land.
Dai Thai Mokhang Ong El Khmer, Te Dai Mokhang Teat Teah Kompleang Khmer. What a race of this siem?
We Khmer must be careful with this thief.
No, we (Khmer in Thailand) are not like the greedy French people. We are willing to share the temple in joint development.
Yes, we khmers do too, but not with the thais. Well, if you can creat Khmer-Issan State, we'll share.
That is not fair, 1:25. The Thai is our friend. Without them, we will be ruled by your stupid king, today, who is not even Khmer. He's sort of mixed Italian, French, or something from Europe. Do you think that is as bad as our friend Thai?
Thanksin will be the first president of the new Thai Republic! and Khun Samak will be vice-president!
Well, at least Samak is partially Khmer just like Sihamony is partially Khmer.
I'm so mixed up here, we have the siam, the khmer in siamland, the khmer-issan, Thaksin, Samak...
What kind of animal are you really?
The stench it like a stew of shit!!!
8:14, be patient, my friend. Just give your brain about 2 million years to develop. Everything should clear up by then.
1:34AM...Your thai friend king is also mixed with the English or American. He was born in Boston or near Boston. He is partially Chinese minority as well. So, both kings are similar. However, our king has khmer blood, but thai does not. He does not deserve to have khmer temple. You do, I can say that. But, you have no control or power in thailand. Therefore, it is fair that our king take care of the temple as he does for Angkok wat.
Nope, not our Thai King, he has plenty of Khmer blood; Plus, he's strait, not gay like your infidel king.
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