The Standard (Hong Kong)
Cambodia and Thailand escalated their troop buildup in disputed territory near a historic border temple despite their agreement to hold talks next week to defuse tensions.
The buildup came yesterday as the prime ministers of both countries entered the fray. Cambodian Brigadier General Chea Keo said Thailand has more than 400 troops near the Preah Vihear temple and Cambodia has 800.
Phnom Penh claims the Thai troops crossed the border into Cambodian territory in renewed tensions over land near the temple. Thailand maintains it is protecting its sovereignty and ensuring that any protests by Thais near the temple remain orderly.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said the row is worsening and urged the immediate withdrawal of Thai troops.
In a letter to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Hun Sen said the standoff is bad for relations, but he still hopes to "resolve the problem through negotiations."
Samak said he blames three Thai protesters who illegally crossed a Cambodian borderpoint for the military standoff.
"Those crazy three people who crossed the border sparked the problem. They nearly achieved their aim by causing the military on each side to face one another," Samak said.
The three - a man, a woman and a Buddhist monk - tried to reach the temple on July 15, vowing to reclaim it for Thailand.
Thais living just across the border sought to calm the situation yesterday when they blocked a group of Thai anti- government protesters from marching to Preah Vihear. Some shouted at the protesters to "go home" and stop fomenting trouble, as police stood by a roadblock.
The two countries' defense ministers will meet on Monday and try to ease tensions.
Separately, a group professing to lead the separatist insurgency in Thailand's south announced a cease-fire yesterday, but a soldier was shot and wounded just hours later.
Three men from a group calling themselves Tai Ruam Pak Tai Khong Prathet Thai (Thailand's United Southern Underground group) appeared on television claiming to have agreed to a cease-fire.
Ex-army chief and former defense minister Chetta Thanacharo appeared in a separate broadcast to announce he had brokered a deal with the group.
But the head of the Thai army, General Anupong Paojinda, said he had no forewarning of the announcement, and just hours later, militants shot at a group of soldiers on duty in Yala province, injuring one soldier.
The buildup came yesterday as the prime ministers of both countries entered the fray. Cambodian Brigadier General Chea Keo said Thailand has more than 400 troops near the Preah Vihear temple and Cambodia has 800.
Phnom Penh claims the Thai troops crossed the border into Cambodian territory in renewed tensions over land near the temple. Thailand maintains it is protecting its sovereignty and ensuring that any protests by Thais near the temple remain orderly.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said the row is worsening and urged the immediate withdrawal of Thai troops.
In a letter to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Hun Sen said the standoff is bad for relations, but he still hopes to "resolve the problem through negotiations."
Samak said he blames three Thai protesters who illegally crossed a Cambodian borderpoint for the military standoff.
"Those crazy three people who crossed the border sparked the problem. They nearly achieved their aim by causing the military on each side to face one another," Samak said.
The three - a man, a woman and a Buddhist monk - tried to reach the temple on July 15, vowing to reclaim it for Thailand.
Thais living just across the border sought to calm the situation yesterday when they blocked a group of Thai anti- government protesters from marching to Preah Vihear. Some shouted at the protesters to "go home" and stop fomenting trouble, as police stood by a roadblock.
The two countries' defense ministers will meet on Monday and try to ease tensions.
Separately, a group professing to lead the separatist insurgency in Thailand's south announced a cease-fire yesterday, but a soldier was shot and wounded just hours later.
Three men from a group calling themselves Tai Ruam Pak Tai Khong Prathet Thai (Thailand's United Southern Underground group) appeared on television claiming to have agreed to a cease-fire.
Ex-army chief and former defense minister Chetta Thanacharo appeared in a separate broadcast to announce he had brokered a deal with the group.
But the head of the Thai army, General Anupong Paojinda, said he had no forewarning of the announcement, and just hours later, militants shot at a group of soldiers on duty in Yala province, injuring one soldier.
3 comments:
The thais love conflict from some reason. They always want war. Are they itching for war because they never really had war in their country?
Pol Pot knew that he couldn't defeat the Vietcong and so he open Cambodia to Vietcong military force so the Vietcong can claim their victory! But what the Vietcong didn't know that Pol Pot military force make the Vietcong spent $1 million dollar a day just to maintain their troop in Cambodia and with the Russian help they manage to stay in Cambodia for 10 years! Now the Vietcong claimed that back then they were young, inexperience, and arrogant because they were intoxicated by all their military success against the French, the Jap, and the American and the Chinese. They think that they can conquer Cambodia easily and now they know realize their military capability and just want to be good neighbor! Ahahhahah
It is time to open Cambodia to the Thaicong military occupation so that the Thaicong can realize their military capability! Ahahhah
I never thought that the Thaicong can be so stupid!
Mr. prime minister, please invoke your executive order.
On behalf of our troops
(Cambodia), we're awaiting for your order. Please do not delay your action.
Moreover, you know what the Thai are doing to you and our people even as I'm writing.
Again, please do not delay your action. These brave and couragious soldiers are waiting for your command. The time is now!
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