Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Thailand, Cambodia On Brink Of War

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Thailand and Cambodia are on the brink of war after soldiers from both sides exchanged fire at the disputed area near the ancient Hindu temple, Preah Vihear Temple, in Si Sa Ket province.

Thai Army spokesman Sansern Kaeowkamnerd told a news conference that one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais were injured in the incident which happened at about 2.45pm.

He said the Cambodian troops started firing first during two clashes along the border.

The Thai Foreign Ministry, which gave a briefing on the border dispute to Bangkok-based Asean diplomats this morning, has summoned Cambodian Ambassador Uk Sophon.

The shootout happened a day after Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat refused to withdraw Thai soldiers from the disputed border area despite the ultimatum from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who had threatened to go to war with its neighbour.

Earlier this month, soldiers from both countries exchanged fire at the disputed area, injuring several of them, while two Thai para-military rangers lost their legs after stepping on landmines there.

Preah Vihear Temple, known as Phra Viharn in Thailand, was named a World Heritage Site at a Unesco meeting in Quebec, Canada this year despite Thai opposition to the listing.

The ancient Hindu temple, perched on a 525-metre-high cliff on the Dangrek Mountain range that defines the Thai-Cambodian border, has been the source of a sovereignty dispute for decades.

Thai Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda had told his troops to be on high alert and to retaliate if provoked while the kingdom's jet fighters were put on high alert.

Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat Wednesday asked Thai citizens in Cambodia to leave the country, adding that evacuation plans were in place.

The foreign ministers of both countries had met on several occasions to defuse tension over the border, but many analysts believed the entire conflict was due to domestic politics in both Cambodia and Thailand.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cambodian soldiers violated the OTTAWA agreement by planting new land mines around the borders.

I hope International Communities will investigate and punish Cambodian government over this.

Anonymous said...

Your stupid mofosob siem always has a twisted brain. Denied everything of your stupid yellow coward act.

Let go to ICJ or UN your Kateuy. That's is all you can build is seim men made holes.

There's journalist from border saw your stupid siem fired first.

Anonymous said...

Thai invaded Khmer land, and shoot our soldiers on the back, and turned around accused Khmer openned fire first. We will never forgive Thai, our hatrate are deeper that can not be imagine. Generation after generation we will remember. The two brave Khmer soldiers gave their life for Khmer and will not forgotten. Blood for blood.

Anonymous said...

10:18 PM

So how do you want the 10 Thai prisoners back:

a) decapitated
b) shot
c) with all leg blown up

You can make multiple choices.

Anonymous said...

Fuck anupong chinda fuck you. your head will hit by my sniper bullet.im not going to leave you alone fucking siam people. you all will go to hell.

Anonymous said...

We Khmer plant landmines to keep you out from our land. If you want to step on them, help yourselves. Khmer are not afraid to start war. What we are afraid of is that we cannot stop once we start. We will inflict pain and destruction. It's our nature. LET'S GO TO WAR! We need some entertainment.

Anonymous said...

So Proud of my Khmer Brothers!!!!

Two of our soldiers died, but I am sure their souls already went to the heaven! or they even come back to protect our land!!!! As they were good great Cambodians, they loved their land so much... they sacrificed their lives for the sack of their land!! Wow,,, this shows that the spirits of our great ancestors are staying with our brothers at the border!!

They'ld better died instead of surrendering like Siam soldiers!!

I will take leave and go back to Cambodia to join the fights!!

Koun Khmer

Anonymous said...

You mean Viet brother pretend to be Khmer.

Anonymous said...

Siems (thais) were not ashamed to admit their mistake, coz they are animals. Siem does not have brain. Lolz.