Riot police block demonstrators from then Confederation of Unions protesting against Thailand's deployment of troops at the disputed Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples located at then-Thai border, in Phnom Penh August 17, 2008.n and Thai troops started to pull their troops back from the disputed border area on Saturday,n army officers said, after a month-long stand-off centring on the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. REUTERS/StringerMonday, 18 August 2008
Touch Yuthea
The Mekong Times
“We gathered at our head office. [They] tore down the banners at the head office. This reflects the police’s weaknesses. Cambodians are demonstrating to demand that Thai troops pull out of Cambodian territory, but authorities cracked down [on us] instead. Police should have cooperated with workers and teachers” - Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers Association (CITA)Phnom Penh authorities yesterday deployed riot police armed with batons, shields, and tear gas to crackdown on hundreds of people who had gathered for a trade union-led march against alleged Thai incursions near Preah Vihear temple.
The crackdown came as Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers are to meet today in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin in a bid to find a lasting solution to the lingering border dispute, which brought the two neighbors close to an armed clash, AP reported yesterday.
The new meeting follows two inconclusive rounds of talks.
On July 28, the two nations’ foreign ministers agreed on a plan to withdraw their troops from the disputed area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple to reduce tensions.
Both countries completed moving most of their troops from the nearby Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda Saturday, said Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, a government agency managing the historic site, according to AP.
“The tension has eased considerably. There is no more confrontation,” Hang Soth told AP Sunday, calling the troop withdrawals a “good process giving us hope” about the new talks.
Information Minister Khieu Kanharith confirmed yesterday that there were only 20 soldiers – 10 Cambodian and 10 Thai – in the grounds of the pagoda.
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Anupong Paojinda, will visit Thai military officials stationed near Preah Vihear temple this morning, according to the Bangkok Post’s website.
General Anupong is expected to oversee the Thai soldiers’ operations along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Yesterday’s abortive protest in Phnom Penh, held at the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTU) headquarters, was held in protest against the presence of Thai soldiers on what Cambodia claims is its sovereign territory.
Phnom Penh authorities said the demonstrators did not receive official permission and, fearing anti-Thai riots similar to the 2003 troubles that saw the Thai embassy razed to the ground, officers moved in.
Demonstrators and human rights groups called the authorities’ actions a violation of human rights. Some protestors were injured though no concrete figures were available.
Many have cited today’s bilateral talks as another reason for the police crackdown.
Phnom Penh Police Chief Touch Naroth said no demonstration could force Thai forces to withdraw. “This riot, or demonstration, could cause disorder and bigger problems because in the past, illegal demonstrators burned down the Thai embassy, making the government pay tens of millions of dollars back to Thailand … They should travel to encourage soldiers at Preah Vihear temple. It is better. They should not demonstrate in the city center.”
But for some, the force had been applied in the wrong place.
“The crackdown by Phnom Penh authorities is very bad,” said Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA). “We gathered at our head office. [They] tore down the banners at the head office. This reflects the police’s weaknesses. Cambodians are demonstrating to demand that Thai troops pull out of Cambodian territory, but authorities cracked down [on us] instead. Police should have cooperated with workers and teachers.”
FTU President Chea Mony said if the authorities’ harsh response had been leveled at Thai troops, Thai soldiers will not encroach upon Cambodian territory. “I think the suppression showed the weakness of the authorities. For this dispute, we do not need to negotiate with Thailand because Thailand invaded Cambodia. We must file a complaint with the UN Security Council and UNESCO,” he said.
26 comments:
No comments as this is the way to close mouth of people. It's another shame for Khmer people to express their voice to their own land and country.
If some thing wrong with our land and country, who dare to be responsible. We do not believe that Khmer leader would do this honor. For instance, Khmer Rouge case, no one brave to recognize their gaulty, even ex highest ranking KR officials.
even the millitary police are thugs that have no shame in using violence and guns against their own people they evict yet bloody cowards when they come face to face with Thai army with guns that can shoot back.
You both are right. It does not make sense at all that any demonstration is banned in Cambodia. What kind of democracy is this? If asking for permission, it would never be granted. There is no big public park for city people to go exercise because the government fears that people might use it for demonstration, strike, Riot etc so better sell the land. Phnom Penh has no zoo or bird sanctuary because the leaders have never thought of these as important as money covers their faces. Only ask people to donate for Preah Vihear issue, how about money from selling park, public property?
Khmer leaders are taking shits for brain. No wonder their country's still an impoverished state despite pouring in millions of dollars of donation. Shame to all khmers.
why those policemen do not dare to stop thais while invaded Tamuan, Preah Vihan ???
Stupid A Kem Sokha,
You usd Rong Choun to be your dog. all related matter you sent to SRP for instance. Rong Chhu is stupid teacher?
SRP is not stupid.
4;13PM. I think you are CPP's supporter. It is the way the CPP infiltrate into SRP and cause trouble between SRP and Kem Sokha's party.
I hope Rainsy and Kem Sokha unite.
Which one is the most Dangerous game/act... Demonstration OR INVASION ????
A very good lesson to learn.
We have known that our leaders are strong enough to crack down their own compatriots rather than fighting against foreign aggressors.
Kong Moeung
Ah chhkae na ko khuor kbal chhkae dae, kmean kit ey krav pi amnach, luy ning ampeu puk roluoy ponnos. Ah chhkuot teang pouch.
Pi anh
Thailand let their people protest against Khmer government, but instead Ah Hun Sen government bars Cambodian people protesting and claimed they might burn down the Thai embassy. But, who burned down the Thai embassy last time? Not Khmer people, Ah Hun Sen burned it down and tried to portrait he didn't do it to blame on Khmer people. He did that to get his popularity up. Now before the election he created the taff talk with Thailand. After the election he cooled off for his vote.
Khmer are always stupid and asshole. They know only hurting their own people and scare to death with the foreigners. They work for their own interest and corrupt themselves with money.
Double standard policy is culture of Hun sen Government. Exemple:
1) When Thai invade Khmer territory, Government dare to say nothing excepting confusion of map, no first shooting from Cambodian side, peacefully neighbordood,it's lucky for Cambodia that has soft leader like Hun sen,...etc. It's too much soft. But when Khmer people demonstrate to express their right against Thai aggressor, they were supressed wildly by armed police and PM . Where are the soft words peacefull, brother and sister, utmost restraints...etc from the lib of the leaders?
2) When some one propose amending constitution to benefits the country, the head of Government warned to supress with tank and prison, but when he amended it for own power is OK ( Packing vote for Assemley and Government together).
3) several thousands more and more exemples of double standard culture of Khmer policy. How ashame is Khmer !!!
Double standard policy is culture of Hun sen Government. Exemple:
1) When Thai invade Khmer territory, Government dare to say nothing excepting confusion of map, no first shooting from Cambodian side, peacefully neighbordood,it's lucky for Cambodia that has soft leader like Hun sen,...etc. It's too much soft. But when Khmer people demonstrate to express their right against Thai aggressor, they were supressed wildly by armed police and PM . Where are the soft words peacefull, brother and sister, utmost restraints...etc from the lib of the leaders?
2) When some one propose amending constitution to benefits the country, the head of Government warned to supress with tank and prison, but when he amended it for own power is OK ( Packing vote for Assemley and Government together).
3) several thousands more and more exemples of double standard culture of Khmer policy. How ashame is Khmer !!!
the characteristics of the Cambodia nation is among the leaders behaviour. The Sihanouk, Lon Nol, Pol pot, Heng samren, Hun Sun and Sihamoni. what we see is this ...
Too much pride, it spat all over souht east asia, even china.
showing off, Jelousy, and differences are the result of being racist and aggressive. Being racist because we cannot accept defeats. and Being aggressive is the start of WAR.
This message is clear and simple : Do not repeat mistake, let us focus on our selve, do not poke the neighbors and accept as is.
Please, accept defeats and let us live. This is how we should become stronger, and better of small country like us.
Let us live at our own will, forget about patriotic. forget about natioanalistic. forget about us small people and poorest. LIFE IS GOOD!
REMEMBER: "KHMER POUCH NAK CHAM BANG" CHBANG YOU TOV OSS DEY TOV OSS CHIVIT TOV. TER CHHNEASS NAK NAH?
eh....i tolh uuuuu ....preah vihea is mine....but.....take sometingelse ok...no one know...all they know is $$$$$ and power....later will be thai and yuon...keep voting for yuon...that what uuuuget....
eh....i tolh uuuuu ....preah vihea is mine....but.....take sometingelse ok...no one know...all they know is $$$$$ and power....later will be thai and yuon...keep voting for yuon...that what uuuuget....
Man the guy on the right on hand side is quite fat!!!
I wander if he is efficient at all on the job.
Thai occupied khmer's land, ah HUN SEN kept muting but WHEN khmer people protesting against the occupation ah HUN SEN go against them. What kind of P.M does KHMER have ? ,and why khmer didn't do anything about that, or khmer as a whole just a bunch of LOOSERS.
Thai and yuon !it's time for both of you to divide CAMBODIA now.We are an expert in fighting among ourselve but with both of you , we are a true coward.
win-win Policy=50% siam, 50% Khmer(100%= Preah Vihan, Tamorn thom,toch, thai occupied Border dispute area, sea territory... koh Kong??, Oil, gas...)
Help you to remain in Power for life.../Life power
Cheyyo win win
Cheyyo win win
Achar Knoy (Phd. from Prahok Chamroeun Avichea Univ. PPenh)
Some said why Rainsy refused to unite with Kem Sokha. Here are reasons: Kem Sokha was sent to study in Russia and Tchechoslovakia during Youn inavasion. How can Kem Sokha got all scholarship to study in Communist countries with out Youn agreed to let him go?
His daughter is in the US, and how can she do that if her father didn't have connections with the CPP?
I don't trust Kem Sokha. He can be a tool of the CPP to take votes away from Rainsy.
Hun Sen allowed so many parties to run the election because his main goal is to divide votes and take votes from Rainsy.
Some asked "How come Hun Sen put Kem Sokha in jail?"
It was just communist's strategy.
Could Kem Sokha a former Viet Minh or KR like Hun Sen?
Can anyone trust Kem Sokha? Who is Kem Sokha? Garduated from Rouge schools.
The reason is not education in Western or Eatern Countries.... the real thing is Mind... most education systems in the world are similar...
We have seen many so-called western educated men who are now in the CCP servants... from US, France... Australia... West Europe... now are spoiled by Srey Sra Dollars.... You may count their names from A-Z... Fron Run Rot to Toa Seng Hour.. to...Arun Rasmey.. uncountable...
And Eastern Educated people become better....because they understand better the real situation not just Reading News..(SAY+DO)
Achar Knoy(Phd. from Prahok Chamroeurn Avichea Univ. PPenh)
1:59
Yes he is,...... only against his own people.
USE PEOPLE POWER
Why is it that AH HUN XEN thugs always feel threatens when Cambodian people conducted peaceful demonstration to protect Cambodian national interest?
Don't AH HUN XEN thugs have anything better to do such as protecting Cambodian border from the Thaicong mother fucker? It is such a shame to see AH Hun Xen thugs dressing all up in better military uniform than the Cambodian soldiers who are stationing at Khmer Phrea Vihear temple to protect Cambodian sovereignty from the Thaicong mother fucker!
Believe it or not! Hun Xen always reserve the best military uniform and modern weapon to his thugs to kill Cambodian people than to those Cambodian soldiers who are staying at the frontline to protect Cambodia from the Thaicong mother fucker!
AH HUN XEN can't hide the fucken truth from Cambodian people any longer!
Achar Knoy. You didn't read my post properly. Kem Sokha was sent to study during Youn invasion. How can he be sent without Youn supported?
Sorry 9:28pm,
May I say just(not any one name Kim Sokha or Other) but pls note that most education western or eastern are not so different... and in that time(1979-90s) however VN had great influence in Cambodia.. But Technical/Scientific Education did not influence much in human mind(Doctrine-West or east, Communist or Capitalisme..), I understand most (50%-70%) of eastern educated people have no communist ideology in mind Bielieve me my dear compatriot... I myself had experirnces in both eastern and Western for years.....
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