Thais on the border reject Phnom Penh's latest claims to temples in disputed territory, as Preah Vihear struggle spreads to new areas
Monday August 18, 2008
Onnucha Hutasingh in Surin
Bangkok Post
For Thai children at the border with Cambodia, like Pailin Bandorn and her friends, the Ta Moan Thom temple belongs indisputably to Thailand.
The temple in Phnom Dong Rek district in this northeastern province has come to public attention as the rift between the two countries concerning neighbouring Preah Vihear temple in Kantharalak district spills over into other areas.
Following the listing of the 11th century Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site by the World Heritage Committee, the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia soured.
Since Preah Vihear was listed, Cambodia has stepped up claims of ownership over more ancient temples along the Thai-Cambodian border, including Ta Moan Thom temple.
The temple is about 100 metres away from the borderline.
The original Ta Moan Thom was built during the 12th century, while the current relics were part of the temple reconstruction on its original site during the 15th century.
Ta Moan Thom is the only ancient Hindu temple in Thailand with a linga in the main worshipping hall that was made of a natural linga-shaped stone.
The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as a national heritage item in 1935. It restored and maintained the temple until 2000, when Cambodia began claiming sovereignty over a disputed area which includes the temple. Since then, the temple has been left unattended.
Phnom Penh claimed Ta Moan Thom was on Cambodian soil and complained to Thailand after its troops were denied a visit on Aug 2 by Thai soldiers.
The complaint bewildered Thais living around the temple.
"If they thought it was theirs, they should show evidence to prove it.
"Thailand has evidence that we've long taken care of the temple and no single Cambodian has ever contributed to the effort," said 14-year-old Pailin, who is a young volunteer guide at Ta Moan Thom.
Pailin and her friends at Ban Nor Khanna School in tambon Ta Miang spend their weekends as volunteer guides, leading tourists through the ancient temple and telling them the temple's history.
"I was born here and grew up here. I've been roaming around the temple for 14 years. My parents and grandparents told me the temple is on Thai soil.
"I believe this temple belongs to Thailand," said Pailin.
Phnom Penh has also claimed the Sdok Kok Thom temple in tambon Khok Sung in Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district.
Sdok Kok Thom was built during the 15th century. The Fine Arts Department registered it as a heritage item in 1935.
The department is in the middle of renovating the temple. The renovation work is expected to be completed in the next two to three years.
Wichian Bun-udom, chairman of the tambon Khok Sung culture council, said Khok Sung residents hold a religious ceremony at the temple every year, and he has never seen any Cambodian visiting the temple.
The dispute between the countries would be settled if Thailand and Cambodia complete demarcation of their land border. That duty rests with the Joint Boundary Commission which will resume talks today in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi. The area which the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers want clarity over the most is the overlapping zone near Preah Vihear.
Monday August 18, 2008
Onnucha Hutasingh in Surin
Bangkok Post
For Thai children at the border with Cambodia, like Pailin Bandorn and her friends, the Ta Moan Thom temple belongs indisputably to Thailand.
The temple in Phnom Dong Rek district in this northeastern province has come to public attention as the rift between the two countries concerning neighbouring Preah Vihear temple in Kantharalak district spills over into other areas.
Following the listing of the 11th century Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site by the World Heritage Committee, the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia soured.
Since Preah Vihear was listed, Cambodia has stepped up claims of ownership over more ancient temples along the Thai-Cambodian border, including Ta Moan Thom temple.
The temple is about 100 metres away from the borderline.
The original Ta Moan Thom was built during the 12th century, while the current relics were part of the temple reconstruction on its original site during the 15th century.
Ta Moan Thom is the only ancient Hindu temple in Thailand with a linga in the main worshipping hall that was made of a natural linga-shaped stone.
The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as a national heritage item in 1935. It restored and maintained the temple until 2000, when Cambodia began claiming sovereignty over a disputed area which includes the temple. Since then, the temple has been left unattended.
Phnom Penh claimed Ta Moan Thom was on Cambodian soil and complained to Thailand after its troops were denied a visit on Aug 2 by Thai soldiers.
The complaint bewildered Thais living around the temple.
"If they thought it was theirs, they should show evidence to prove it.
"Thailand has evidence that we've long taken care of the temple and no single Cambodian has ever contributed to the effort," said 14-year-old Pailin, who is a young volunteer guide at Ta Moan Thom.
Pailin and her friends at Ban Nor Khanna School in tambon Ta Miang spend their weekends as volunteer guides, leading tourists through the ancient temple and telling them the temple's history.
"I was born here and grew up here. I've been roaming around the temple for 14 years. My parents and grandparents told me the temple is on Thai soil.
"I believe this temple belongs to Thailand," said Pailin.
Phnom Penh has also claimed the Sdok Kok Thom temple in tambon Khok Sung in Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district.
Sdok Kok Thom was built during the 15th century. The Fine Arts Department registered it as a heritage item in 1935.
The department is in the middle of renovating the temple. The renovation work is expected to be completed in the next two to three years.
Wichian Bun-udom, chairman of the tambon Khok Sung culture council, said Khok Sung residents hold a religious ceremony at the temple every year, and he has never seen any Cambodian visiting the temple.
The dispute between the countries would be settled if Thailand and Cambodia complete demarcation of their land border. That duty rests with the Joint Boundary Commission which will resume talks today in Cha-am district in Phetchaburi. The area which the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers want clarity over the most is the overlapping zone near Preah Vihear.
6 comments:
As I predicted before,
every thing will be soon quiet as of the past Cam-VN Border issue.
Cambodians have no rights to protect their own territory...
In thailand and other countries the situation is different
Khan Tey Nhom
win-win policy= 50% siam, 50% khmer(100%=Prah Vohear, Tamoan Thom-Toch, Disputed Sea territory etc..)
Excellency General Bandit Oknha Achar Knoy(Phd. Bandit from Prahok Chamroeurn Avichea PPenh)
Hey come on boy, what kind of education made you claim your sovereignty? I learn you are only a 14-year-old boy, right? Well, now I can give you evidence, or it's just a stupid response from me to your stupid claim. Now if I stay at your house and do some cleaning works for some time, do I have rights to say that it's my house coz I've been staying and taking care of. If so, you should have studied more.
Only greedy and shameless people do like this. And historically I've learned more about your people, Siams. I hope the world know you beasts !
Surely Thailand have claimed that those western provinces of Cambodia belong to them including Pursat. Let's think - those provinces once belonged to the Khmer and some of those Thais along the border are also of Cambodian origins who speak Khmer. Small guide like Pailin got fake historical scripts from the Thai government while Cambodians never go or live there as there is nothing to eat. First Thailand accuses Cambodia of stealing its land but none of the temples deep into Thailand territory possess any Thai styles or scripts. Was there any Thai Empire ever heard in the past? If so, how can the Khmer took all the ancient scripts as her alphabet and the Thai turned to use alternative alphabets or writing style? Thailand is the real thief. Thai had taken a lot documents from us in the past but if they want evidences, then they should show what original documents they have? In what writing those scripts were?
Thais Claims, or Boder disputes are not different from Cambodia Land disputes/land grabbing...in the country...
In Cambodia Some powerful men can claim for the ownersdhip of house while he just cleaned that house for a while.... and successful claim if he is stronger /more powerful than the house's Owner......
Bapkam
Dear Little Thai Student,
When you were saying "Thailand has evidence that we've long taken care of the temple and no single Cambodian has ever contributed to the effort" - Thank your generosity of taking care the temple, but your claim is groundless because this is the reuslt of encroahment of your Country who has taken advantage to do so while our country were on the long civil war. Please wake up and learn more my little.
Cambodians have no rights to protect their territory( by peaceful mean nor any other means..); the decision is made by only their top leader.....
Now You can collect money as contribution to the border front line.. but in the near future, you may not.... if the leader will not allow you ..
Sooner or later... it becomnes quiet and you will forget it as of the past Cam-VN border issues.............
and Cambodians will not call Thai as " Siams" again, they will call siams as "Big Brother THAIS" as of Youn and Vietnam.............
Excellency Achar Knoy(Phd.Bandit from Prahok Chamroeun Avichesa Univ. PPenh)
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