Do people really want to be prisoners of the past? Whipping up this issue could easily result in chaos if not handled carefully and properly.
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Wednesday, July 09, 2008
By Piyaporn Wongruang
Bangkok Post
Even though Preah Vihear has joined the ranks of places listed as World Heritage sites, former Cambodian soldier Wan, 60, may not play his fiddle in exchange for money from tourists at the temple.
Due to fears of a Thai-mobilised rally against Cambodia's inscription of the temple on the World Heritage List, the border around the temple has been closed. No tourists are allowed until further notice. It is not difficult to imagine how tough the life of the ex-soldier could become. He only has one leg, his musical talents and Preah Vihear to rely on after the war in Cambodia some 30 years ago.
Uncle Wan is but one among the potential losers from this conflict at the moment. Many more are likely to follow his path as resentment among people in both countries has heightened to the point that some academics believe no side can afford to be seen as losing, now that the 11th-century Hindu temple has been listed as a new World Heritage site.
Since the Cambodian government first lodged its application for World Heritage status in 1991, people of the two countries have been drawn into a conflict they did not directly cause. Amid the increasingly politicised dispute, a boundary line which has never been clearly seen on the site has emerged as the crux of the problem caused by the past, unsettled border demarcation.
Historian Srisakra Vallibhotama believes that the site at the temple of Preah Vihear conformed to the ancient concept of using landmarks associated with spiritual belief as boundary marks. Considering the landscape, the promontory of Dangrek Range where Preah Vihear is located, clearly separates the Cambodian plain from the Korat plateau stretching down towards the Thai side.
Historical evidence suggests that the area had long been used as a sacred site before Preah Vihear was built on top of it around the early 11th century.
The ancient concept of organic boundary started shifting toward one that is more fixed - a line on a map - when Western imperialists arrived in the region and took over some parts of it, according to Surachart Bamrungsuk.
The political scientist and military expert at Chulalongkorn University added that the concept of a modern state and clear demarcation lines was a crucial tool for the Western powers to differentiate between states that came under their protection.
"What happened was that those imperial countries tended to have more power over other states in the region. The imbalance led to a forced acceptance of some disadvantages in demarcation, and Thailand, or Siam back then, was no different," said Dr Surachart.
The Preah Vihear case reflects the larger demarcation problem left over from the past. It is a common problem in several areas around the world, Dr Surachart said.
Even though some people keep referring to the fact that Thailand had reserved the right to revive the case regarding ownership of Preah Vihear temple (which it lost to Cambodia in 1962) should new evidence emerge, Dr Surachart cautioned that it is virtually impossible to try to claim lost territory back.
The country functions as a modern state at present. It is bound by international legal and diplomatic mores which it has to respect, or face the consequences.
These "consequences" can take the shape of sanctions, or even war. A war between neighbouring countries could be very painful as the conflict and suffering will be passed on from one generation to another. Such a rift cannot be healed in a short space of time, Dr Surachart said.
The academic views the court case concerning Preah Vihear as being over, especially after Thailand itself drew another boundary line in compliance with the watershed line which excludes the temple, following the 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice.
Instead of letting emotions run high and clouding the issue, Dr Surachart called on both Thai and Cambodian people to exercise reason and find the wisdom required to get out of the conflict.
Whipping up this issue could easily result in chaos if not handled carefully and properly.
He reminded society that there are established diplomatic channels for countries with overlapping boundaries to explore to settle their disputes. The process can result in a re-drawing of the boundary line. In cases where a dispute cannot be settled, options are available for different ways of joint management. One of the concepts can be applied to the case of Preah Vihear, the surrounding area of which remains disputed as it is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
"I have to emphasise here that the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site will not affect any country's boundary as the World Heritage Convention clearly sets such a condition to prevent conflicts between concerned countries," said Dr Surachart.
In fact, the two countries have 15 more overlapping locations which need to be settled, and they need to move on with the work, he said.
"The question we have to ask ourselves really hard is whether we really want a war, and whether a war would really bring us back territory perceived as being lost," said Dr Surachart. "Do we still want to be 'a prisoner of the past'? Or do we want to help one another break the 'barrier' imposed by the past?"
---------
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
By Piyaporn Wongruang
Bangkok Post
Even though Preah Vihear has joined the ranks of places listed as World Heritage sites, former Cambodian soldier Wan, 60, may not play his fiddle in exchange for money from tourists at the temple.
Due to fears of a Thai-mobilised rally against Cambodia's inscription of the temple on the World Heritage List, the border around the temple has been closed. No tourists are allowed until further notice. It is not difficult to imagine how tough the life of the ex-soldier could become. He only has one leg, his musical talents and Preah Vihear to rely on after the war in Cambodia some 30 years ago.
Uncle Wan is but one among the potential losers from this conflict at the moment. Many more are likely to follow his path as resentment among people in both countries has heightened to the point that some academics believe no side can afford to be seen as losing, now that the 11th-century Hindu temple has been listed as a new World Heritage site.
Since the Cambodian government first lodged its application for World Heritage status in 1991, people of the two countries have been drawn into a conflict they did not directly cause. Amid the increasingly politicised dispute, a boundary line which has never been clearly seen on the site has emerged as the crux of the problem caused by the past, unsettled border demarcation.
Historian Srisakra Vallibhotama believes that the site at the temple of Preah Vihear conformed to the ancient concept of using landmarks associated with spiritual belief as boundary marks. Considering the landscape, the promontory of Dangrek Range where Preah Vihear is located, clearly separates the Cambodian plain from the Korat plateau stretching down towards the Thai side.
Historical evidence suggests that the area had long been used as a sacred site before Preah Vihear was built on top of it around the early 11th century.
The ancient concept of organic boundary started shifting toward one that is more fixed - a line on a map - when Western imperialists arrived in the region and took over some parts of it, according to Surachart Bamrungsuk.
The political scientist and military expert at Chulalongkorn University added that the concept of a modern state and clear demarcation lines was a crucial tool for the Western powers to differentiate between states that came under their protection.
"What happened was that those imperial countries tended to have more power over other states in the region. The imbalance led to a forced acceptance of some disadvantages in demarcation, and Thailand, or Siam back then, was no different," said Dr Surachart.
The Preah Vihear case reflects the larger demarcation problem left over from the past. It is a common problem in several areas around the world, Dr Surachart said.
Even though some people keep referring to the fact that Thailand had reserved the right to revive the case regarding ownership of Preah Vihear temple (which it lost to Cambodia in 1962) should new evidence emerge, Dr Surachart cautioned that it is virtually impossible to try to claim lost territory back.
The country functions as a modern state at present. It is bound by international legal and diplomatic mores which it has to respect, or face the consequences.
These "consequences" can take the shape of sanctions, or even war. A war between neighbouring countries could be very painful as the conflict and suffering will be passed on from one generation to another. Such a rift cannot be healed in a short space of time, Dr Surachart said.
The academic views the court case concerning Preah Vihear as being over, especially after Thailand itself drew another boundary line in compliance with the watershed line which excludes the temple, following the 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice.
Instead of letting emotions run high and clouding the issue, Dr Surachart called on both Thai and Cambodian people to exercise reason and find the wisdom required to get out of the conflict.
Whipping up this issue could easily result in chaos if not handled carefully and properly.
He reminded society that there are established diplomatic channels for countries with overlapping boundaries to explore to settle their disputes. The process can result in a re-drawing of the boundary line. In cases where a dispute cannot be settled, options are available for different ways of joint management. One of the concepts can be applied to the case of Preah Vihear, the surrounding area of which remains disputed as it is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
"I have to emphasise here that the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site will not affect any country's boundary as the World Heritage Convention clearly sets such a condition to prevent conflicts between concerned countries," said Dr Surachart.
In fact, the two countries have 15 more overlapping locations which need to be settled, and they need to move on with the work, he said.
"The question we have to ask ourselves really hard is whether we really want a war, and whether a war would really bring us back territory perceived as being lost," said Dr Surachart. "Do we still want to be 'a prisoner of the past'? Or do we want to help one another break the 'barrier' imposed by the past?"
12 comments:
can any how , we Khmer a broad can help those poor peopless ?.
"Dr Surachart cautioned that it is virtually impossible to try to claim lost territory back."
Thais have too much shit in their head or what?!!!!!
WHAT MEANS TO CLAIM LOST TERRITORY BACK.
Let's clarify with these stupid thais and journalists of shiting Bangkok Post:
1. Preah Vihear has never been Thais territory.
2. Province of Battambang, Sisophon, Siem Reap and Preah Vihear was under Thais influence because the khmer governors under the khmer government suck thais dick on the pre-protectorate from France. They administered these province under khmer government so under khmer territories, but it is just that they liked to suck thais, while the Phnom Penh government (yes even on that period...) suck Vietnamese dick.
It was due to stupidity and ill governance of the fucking khmer king.
BE REMINDED that France did not give back the western province to Cambodia from the thais, but rather prevent the Thais thieves to colonize it!!!!! THe argument was: you want the western provinces of Cambodia? Well here our weapons and soldiers.... Then as thieves, thais just ran away.
Please note that when Cambodia sternghen its power in Battambang provinc, the khmer governor who behave as a king in the province fled to Thailand and his descent was the one who write thai constitution. So there is a khmer who write the thai constitution!
The matter of thais nationalism and to claim Angkor Wat and Preah Vihear was to create virtual patritism among that nation of thiefs against an external ennemy. It simple as tactict: to unit your soldiers, you mount a case against a black sheep where you put in it all the hatred so that everybody will recognize your leadership.
3. YES IMPOSSIBLE TO CLAIM LOST TERRITORY:
a. DO KHMER PEOPLE CLAIM THE SOUTH AND ESTERN REGION OF THAILAND THAT USED TO BELONG TO KHMER TERRITORIES?!!!!!!!!
b. DO MALAYSIA FEDERATION CLAIM THE SOUTH OF THAILAND THAT USED TO BE MALAYS TERRITORIES?
And the actual thai king and royal, why he does not say anything?!!!!!!!
Finally, other there and here locally, royalty is very useless...
It is because of such attitude that the two country get problem of misunderstanding. The two people are very similar, but because of personal interest and sefl power consideration, they make their people suffering and fight each other.
Thai nation of thieves, you must recognise and acknowledge the region history. Stop eating shit. And stop acting like shit. For the moment, the whole world is just laughing at you.
By the meanwhile, long live Hun Sen and his government and end to monarchy!!!
Don't forget to vote CPP in July!!
Don't worry Mr. Piyaporn Wongruang ,
On Saturday, We will bring foods and other neccessary materials for them. Even though we closed border but tourists can access from Cambodia rout. We will soon have investor to invest this rout.
Don't seriousely worry about Khmer site, care your crazy Siam who know fake history and educate your politicians not to interfer to othe nation as we are in ASEAN because it is violate to ASEAN constitution.
The bloody Siameses Piyaporn Wongruang and Surachart had been busy eating shits, thus they did not know where they were from...you all Siameses, so called Thais, were the slaves of Chineses, though you always ropped. Chineses were not happy and chased you Siamese out of China. You thiefs stole the terrritory from the Khmer Empire.....you must accept this reality ah-thief Siameses.
Bravo Samdach Hun Sen
Reaj
Thanks to His Majesty Soryavarman II who built Preah Vihear.
Thanks to His Majesty Sihanouk who won Preah Viheah.
Thanks to His majesty Sihamoni for visiting and embracing his people at Preah Vihea to show Siam tha Khmer Kings are all caring for Temples of ours.
Thanks to Mr. Sok An and the Royal Government for making the histiory Preah Vihea now rises up high for the world to see.
May the Kampuchea's curse be gone.
Now is Thailand's curse who look down on Cambodia and Khmers for so long. May they take Kampuchea's suffering place, and let us Khmers free from it
10:26,
You got me going for a minute..... up until when you said "Don't forget to vote CPP in July!!
I say "let's not!"
Instead "let's vote SRP!"
11:03,
FYI, your dumb ass AH Som-ite Hun Sen didn't say a fucking word up until the UNESCO decisions was announced.
Open your fucking eyes unless you're blind like your Som-ite. He don't deserved any fucking credit what so ever! You should be thanking the ICJ and UNESCO.
Ah.....hahaha!
You Khmers......showing your tails, the nature of bitting each others.
The Thaicong news media need to stop spitting out all the garbage how they can still retain the ownership of Khmer Phrea Vihear temple!
There is no room for Thaicong speculation and interpretation on the issue of Khmer Phrea Vihear temple any longer!
The Thaicong news media need to shut the fuck up from now on otherwise the discussion of Khmer Phrea Vihear temple will go on indefinitely!
The Thaicong news media need to shut the fuck up from now on!
ki, can you post the story titled: preah vihear mountain, the undeniable fact. anyway, this article found in the phnom penh post newspaper brought tears to my eyes. everyone should read it. it told the refugees' accounts of how the thai cruel, evil soldiers mistreated and abused the khmer refugees during the aftermath of the 1979 KR ousting when thousands of khmer refugees escaped to thailand for refuge from the civil war going on in cambodia. anyway, the thai soldiers were so mean to the khmer, how could khmer people forget what had happened to them like that. please post that article here for all to see. thailand should be ashame of themselves for wanting to steal preah vihear from cambodia, especially given what they did to the helpless khmer refugees in 1979 and the early 1980s. it will be in the history of cambodia what they did to cambodian people. i wish god will punish thailand for that cruel, heartless, inhumane, evil, blood-sucking soldiers of theirs who really are trained to hate their neighbors not to help in the name of humanitarian assistant or whatever they want to call it. please read the article in the phnom penh post titled: preah vihear mountain of undeniable fact. thank you and may god bless cambodia and all our beautiful khmer people.
the thai military should be brought to court for their despecable and inhumane act on the helpless khmer refugees of that time. and i'm wonder they call themselves soldiers? how unprofessional they were and are still are. god will look to that for the sin the thai soldiers committed against khmer helpless refugees then. god bless cambodia.
3:59
Who ask for your opinion?
Go fuck yourself bitch!!!
The Temple must be returned to Khmer people in Issan.
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