PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AP) - Buddhist monks and government officials held a peace vigil Friday at an ancient temple near disputed border land, lighting incense and praying in the shadow of armed troops from Cambodia and Thailand.
Mist hovered over the mountaintop Preah Vihear temple as some 1,000 people prayed for an end to the tense standoff that started July 15 and has fueled nationalist passions in both countries.
«We are gathering here to pray to the souls of our ancestors asking for peace,» said Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon, referring to Khmer kings who built the temple from the 9th to 11th centuries. «We also pray for success in our defense of our territory.
Thailand and Cambodia both have long-standing claims to 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of land near the temple. The dispute flared earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage site. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations near the temple.
Both sides have stationed soldiers near the site.
About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand remain at a pagoda near the temple complex, despite a tentative agreement reached by foreign ministers Monday to redeploy them in an effort to ease tension.
«There is no order to redeploy our troops yet,» said Lt. Gen. Chea Saran, a Cambodian deputy commander of the army.
«As long as Thailand is not redeploying its troops, why should we?» he added.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has said his government was ready to go along with a proposed redeployment of Cambodian troops but will not act without Thailand taking the same step. Thailand's government says the matter is being handled by the National Security Council.
Cambodian soldiers stood guard with weapons in their hands during Friday's ceremony, which included 67 Buddhist monks who chanted blessings along the stone path leading to the temple.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia. The decision still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex.
Mist hovered over the mountaintop Preah Vihear temple as some 1,000 people prayed for an end to the tense standoff that started July 15 and has fueled nationalist passions in both countries.
«We are gathering here to pray to the souls of our ancestors asking for peace,» said Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon, referring to Khmer kings who built the temple from the 9th to 11th centuries. «We also pray for success in our defense of our territory.
Thailand and Cambodia both have long-standing claims to 1.8 square miles (4.6 square kilometers) of land near the temple. The dispute flared earlier this month when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage site. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations near the temple.
Both sides have stationed soldiers near the site.
About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand remain at a pagoda near the temple complex, despite a tentative agreement reached by foreign ministers Monday to redeploy them in an effort to ease tension.
«There is no order to redeploy our troops yet,» said Lt. Gen. Chea Saran, a Cambodian deputy commander of the army.
«As long as Thailand is not redeploying its troops, why should we?» he added.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen has said his government was ready to go along with a proposed redeployment of Cambodian troops but will not act without Thailand taking the same step. Thailand's government says the matter is being handled by the National Security Council.
Cambodian soldiers stood guard with weapons in their hands during Friday's ceremony, which included 67 Buddhist monks who chanted blessings along the stone path leading to the temple.
In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia. The decision still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex.
15 comments:
You don't get peace by praying bun rany-bitch-hun-sen. You get peace by preparing for war, so the enemy wouldn't dare to start a war then you have peace. You all have a brain of a peanut size. The stupid Venerable Tep Vong told the crowd to shed tears not blood over this Preah Vihear issue, what a stupid monk this guy is, what's the use of crying when your territories are all gone. If he shuts up it would be much more helpful.
Please be a little civilize to our first LADY.
The celebration is a precursor to war; the Cambodian will receive an impending war with the Thai.
You khmer are stupid. We told already that don't fuck with us.
now you deserve it.
Yeah, have some respect, will you?
it's a plain bullshit. There's no such thing that could end the war. Wake up, khmers! build a strong army then no one dare look you down.
If our military is strong,the aggressors will be kicked out since day one.To have some respect from our neighbors,NUKES are necessary.
Tell your fucking prime minister that we're ready for any time. these khmer soldiers are pathetic.
if your prime minister coughs, he'll lose, yes lose everything he has. don't fuck with the Thai. your prime minister can only bark like a fucking mad dog, but cannot do anything to us Thai.
Khun Thais understand that Strong man /Samdach Decho does not dare to use the Iron Fist with Khun Thais,,,, his Iron fist is only for Cambodians themselves......
Because when samdach Decho use Iron Fist Khun Thais will release all Secret info. he had done... to confront with 192/107/1904.2000/1993(Paris Agreements.... and his close friend Vietnam would not help him.. if helps Vietnam also loses...(Border Agreement-VN-Cam)....
Decho knows very well what his part has done with Khun Thais.. eand especially militry is too weak....morally and physically.....
Wichai Rungrat
Bangkok/Krung Thep Mohanokorn
Ah quack, I know you heard what people are saying about you. I can
't hear you barking now. Why don't try the bark you have always used with your own kind, you fucken piece of shit.
All the ancient temples belong to Khmer and it will always be ours.
Fucking Siams! You must remember my words, your polluted Bang Kok will be destroyed and Muslims will kill you all.
You cannot change the history. Preah Vihear belongs to Khmer since there were no you, Siams exist.
BangKok collapses!!! Long lives Cambodia.
Khmer will lose eventually, when the war comes and its own people curse their prime minister and the first lady. Please cursing our own but stand up to fight with the thais.
Yet another political scheme, which was choreographed and orchestrated and played by Hun Sen's advisors by sending the First Lady to distract attention from all the allegations of electoral fraud.
TEVODA Chhnam CHOUT brings clear conscience and a NATIONAL SPIRIT OF UNION of being "the owner of the land", solidarity between Khmer and Khmer people in this most critical and life threatening to their nation. For them to be able to institute a sovereign peace that will free Khmer people from foreign occupation and allows them to eternally live in the sovereignty, independent, prosperity on their own ancestor's land according to their culture and tradition.
no need to pray....just as usual...give alittle more land to thai it will be ok....ok...a little to yuon...ok....and uuuu keep voting for them...live with it...blame to yourself....even god cannot help you if uuuuu do not help yourself....wake up...may uuu still have a little time left....ok
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