Reuters
KANTARALAK, Thailand: Thai police and angry villagers blocked nationalist protesters yesterday from rallying at an ancient temple at the centre of a diplomatic row with neighbouring Cambodia.
A political uproar in Thailand over Cambodia’s listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site has been stoked by anti-government groups seeking to oust Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s shaky ruling coalition.
The issue has also raised fears the spat could escalate, five years after a dispute over another Cambodian temple, Angkor Wat, saw a nationalist mob torch the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
“Go home, go home, you troublemakers!,” one woman shouted at members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is leading a nearly 2-month old street campaign against Samak, whom they accuse of being a proxy for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted in a 2006 coup.
The 900-year-old temple has been a source of tension for decades since the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, a ruling that still rankles Thais.
The latest flare-up – which has seen a buildup of troops on both sides of the border – was sparked by Bangkok’s support for the Unesco listing, which the PAD said was tantamount to selling out Thailand’s heritage.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama quit last week after a Thai court ruled the joint communique he signed backing Preah Vihear’s listing was illegal because it was an international treaty that required parliament’s approval.
The case has left Thai diplomacy in limbo, with Samak saying this week his cabinet ministers were afraid to sign any statements after a bilateral meeting.
The PAD seized on the court ruling, vowing to go after the rest of Samak’s cabinet and step up a street campaign that has worried investors. The main stock index has dropped 23% since the protests began on May 25.
“Political temperatures will rise inexorably, and Thailand will become increasingly ungovernable, in the interim,” Chulaongkorn University professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak wrote.
Hundreds of riot police and villagers blocked the PAD convoy 11km from the temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment that forms a natural boundary between the two nations.
“These people have been mobilised by local businessmen who have interests in Cambodia,” PAD leader Veera Somkwamkit said.
Prasert Aramsrivorapong, chief of the Kantaralak district where the villagers live, said the PAD had no right to stir up trouble on the border.
“Soldiers are dealing with the problem at the temple. We don’t want these people to cause any trouble,” Prasert said.
Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of border violations and sent more troops since the stand-off began on Tuesday when three Thai activists were briefly detained on the Cambodian side for trying to plant a Thai flag there.
Despite the aggressive rhetoric from both sides, diplomatic efforts appear to be underway to end the stand-off.
A political uproar in Thailand over Cambodia’s listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site has been stoked by anti-government groups seeking to oust Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s shaky ruling coalition.
The issue has also raised fears the spat could escalate, five years after a dispute over another Cambodian temple, Angkor Wat, saw a nationalist mob torch the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
“Go home, go home, you troublemakers!,” one woman shouted at members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is leading a nearly 2-month old street campaign against Samak, whom they accuse of being a proxy for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted in a 2006 coup.
The 900-year-old temple has been a source of tension for decades since the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, a ruling that still rankles Thais.
The latest flare-up – which has seen a buildup of troops on both sides of the border – was sparked by Bangkok’s support for the Unesco listing, which the PAD said was tantamount to selling out Thailand’s heritage.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama quit last week after a Thai court ruled the joint communique he signed backing Preah Vihear’s listing was illegal because it was an international treaty that required parliament’s approval.
The case has left Thai diplomacy in limbo, with Samak saying this week his cabinet ministers were afraid to sign any statements after a bilateral meeting.
The PAD seized on the court ruling, vowing to go after the rest of Samak’s cabinet and step up a street campaign that has worried investors. The main stock index has dropped 23% since the protests began on May 25.
“Political temperatures will rise inexorably, and Thailand will become increasingly ungovernable, in the interim,” Chulaongkorn University professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak wrote.
Hundreds of riot police and villagers blocked the PAD convoy 11km from the temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment that forms a natural boundary between the two nations.
“These people have been mobilised by local businessmen who have interests in Cambodia,” PAD leader Veera Somkwamkit said.
Prasert Aramsrivorapong, chief of the Kantaralak district where the villagers live, said the PAD had no right to stir up trouble on the border.
“Soldiers are dealing with the problem at the temple. We don’t want these people to cause any trouble,” Prasert said.
Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of border violations and sent more troops since the stand-off began on Tuesday when three Thai activists were briefly detained on the Cambodian side for trying to plant a Thai flag there.
Despite the aggressive rhetoric from both sides, diplomatic efforts appear to be underway to end the stand-off.
6 comments:
Theft still theft can not become good man, every cambodian people now i want to teach siam people (thai) how to steal something! you should think in advance. 1/this thing have owner or not? 2/this thing have person protect if or not? 3/Prasat Preah Vihear have someone protect, law or not? and did you(siam) know International Court of Justice 15 June 1962. Ok next time teach your people, student, nationalism which one is own thing and which one is another....
Get out of the way, you illegal immigrant!
9:37 AM
It's wrong to cause more trouble to your country Siam boy.
Do a favor to your country, just keep your big mouth shut.
Hun sen will not repel the Thai aggressors from our land at preah vihear unless they reach his home in Takhmao.Now khmer people knew how coward he is.He's so good at oppressing the khmer krom monks or his political opponents .Our country has been invade and he's still doesn't know what to do .Step down coward if you are not capable of defending our country.Oh!well what do you expect when an idiot kid from kompong cham become a prime minister with yuon's help.?.
So who will repelled the Thai aggressors, Ah Scam Rainxy (Lon Nol 2) again?
Thief Seime, your people are not smart, you are greedy people on earth. Your people are boned with a Capital Geeedy!!!!You can't claim something that is not your. Your king knows anything about history at all? Or He is just stupid as you all? Or He doesn't want to about the historical fact, because It so shameful to know. Let me tell you now. The land that you people are living not even your, It is belong to the Khmer Empire Cambodian have every right to claim back more than ten provinces in Thai Land. Your grand parent stole from us. Now shut up and pull the troop out before God punish you. provinces in Thai Land, Now Shut Up and pull troop out.
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