Opinion by Khmerization
17th October 2008
The fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple on Wednesday the 15th of October has taught Thailand one lesson, that Cambodia’s patience has its limits and that Thailand’s bullying and standover tactic can result in deadly consequences.
The fighting, which surely provoked by Thailand’s continued encroachments on Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity, have left 3 Cambodian soldiers dead and two wounded and, if the Cambodian claims are to be believed, at least between 5 to 12 Thai soldiers were killed, 5 wounded and 13 captured.
In any wars, it is the fighters on the ground who will bear the greatest brunt and their bereaved families who will be scarred for years to come. Their deaths are always regrettable but, in this case, they died as heroes because they were fighting to defend their nation against foreign aggressors.
Coming back to the fighting, although I regretted that it has happened, I also applaud the actions of the Cambodian fighters who have put their life on the lines to defend the Cambodian nation. They have sacrificed their life protecting their country against foreign invaders. The Thai need to be taught a good lesson. Without any kinds of reactions, actions or resistance, the Thai would just step on our heads. Thai troops have encroached on Cambodian territories in many areas since July. If these sorts of actions were taken by the Cambodian leadership and the military in July, the Thai would not have occupied the Preah Vihear until today. And one would wonder why, after the area has been re-occupied by Cambodian troops after the Wednesday fighting, that the Thai are allowed to re-occupied it again is beyond comprehension. Is it because the Cambodian leaders have been intimidated by the superiority of Thai military and therefore are terrified of them?
After those clashes on Wednesday I bet that the Thai would not dare to mess around with Cambodia any longer as they have done in the past. They have looked down on the Cambodian troops, they have psychologically, and even physically, intimidated them. There is a saying that a dog, when cornered, will bite back. This was the case with the Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday. They have been provoked, intimidated with artilleries and aircrafts reconnaissance and even with troops numbers. And because of their military superiority, the Thai have provoked a fight by crossing the borderlines into Cambodian territories. The Cambodian soldiers have been provoked, cornered and so they were left with no choice but to fight back.
I am not an advocate of wars in order to resolve conflict. I am for peaceful resolution. But I would advocate that in the future, if Thai troops continue to cross into Cambodian territories, these sorts of encroachments must be vehemently met with armed resistance. Defending one’s own nation is a noble cause and therefore using armed resistance to deter foreign invasion is acceptable. And the Thai must be taught a good lesson for their bad boy and bullish behaviours.
The clashes on Wednesday was a victory for Cambodia. Even though the clashes might be considered as a Pyrrhic victory for Cambodia due to three deaths, but Cambodia has achieved its aim, and that is to deter future Thai encroachments. Mission accomplished!//
17th October 2008
“The Thai need to be taught a good lesson. Without any kinds of reactions, actions or resistance, the Thai would just step on our heads. Thai troops have encroached on Cambodian territories in many areas since July. If these sorts of actions were taken by the Cambodian leadership and the military in July, the Thai would not have occupied the Preah Vihear until today.”
The fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops in the vicinity of Preah Vihear temple on Wednesday the 15th of October has taught Thailand one lesson, that Cambodia’s patience has its limits and that Thailand’s bullying and standover tactic can result in deadly consequences.
The fighting, which surely provoked by Thailand’s continued encroachments on Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity, have left 3 Cambodian soldiers dead and two wounded and, if the Cambodian claims are to be believed, at least between 5 to 12 Thai soldiers were killed, 5 wounded and 13 captured.
In any wars, it is the fighters on the ground who will bear the greatest brunt and their bereaved families who will be scarred for years to come. Their deaths are always regrettable but, in this case, they died as heroes because they were fighting to defend their nation against foreign aggressors.
Coming back to the fighting, although I regretted that it has happened, I also applaud the actions of the Cambodian fighters who have put their life on the lines to defend the Cambodian nation. They have sacrificed their life protecting their country against foreign invaders. The Thai need to be taught a good lesson. Without any kinds of reactions, actions or resistance, the Thai would just step on our heads. Thai troops have encroached on Cambodian territories in many areas since July. If these sorts of actions were taken by the Cambodian leadership and the military in July, the Thai would not have occupied the Preah Vihear until today. And one would wonder why, after the area has been re-occupied by Cambodian troops after the Wednesday fighting, that the Thai are allowed to re-occupied it again is beyond comprehension. Is it because the Cambodian leaders have been intimidated by the superiority of Thai military and therefore are terrified of them?
After those clashes on Wednesday I bet that the Thai would not dare to mess around with Cambodia any longer as they have done in the past. They have looked down on the Cambodian troops, they have psychologically, and even physically, intimidated them. There is a saying that a dog, when cornered, will bite back. This was the case with the Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday. They have been provoked, intimidated with artilleries and aircrafts reconnaissance and even with troops numbers. And because of their military superiority, the Thai have provoked a fight by crossing the borderlines into Cambodian territories. The Cambodian soldiers have been provoked, cornered and so they were left with no choice but to fight back.
I am not an advocate of wars in order to resolve conflict. I am for peaceful resolution. But I would advocate that in the future, if Thai troops continue to cross into Cambodian territories, these sorts of encroachments must be vehemently met with armed resistance. Defending one’s own nation is a noble cause and therefore using armed resistance to deter foreign invasion is acceptable. And the Thai must be taught a good lesson for their bad boy and bullish behaviours.
The clashes on Wednesday was a victory for Cambodia. Even though the clashes might be considered as a Pyrrhic victory for Cambodia due to three deaths, but Cambodia has achieved its aim, and that is to deter future Thai encroachments. Mission accomplished!//
33 comments:
I agree with your idea, so cambodia must united for defende our nation.
Very well, put and I agreed with your idea. We must stand firm and response to the aggressor. Foreign invasion will not be tolerated. Cambodian will fight at all cost to defend our nation.
i agreed with this editorial. we must be united against the thai aggressors. we must defend our nation. we sacrificed three of our soldiers, but according to many sources 5, 6 or even 12 thai soldiers were killed. khmer radio free asia service reported that 6 thai soldiers were killed. invasion or territorial violations must not be tolerated.
To be Khmer is to be a fighter! The 30 years of war in Cambodia is a testament to the Khmer character!
Cambodia will not be a trophy for Thailand!
Thank you Khmerization! Well said. I agree. The media (Bankok Post, The Nation, TNA.) twisted the truth. They absolultely nothing about Thai casualties.
Vanak.
Without the Kingdom of Cambodia Thai people do not have place to call home.Is this the way to show your kindness to my people and my Country? Please think again,May God Bless and protect the Kingdom of Cambodia.Thank you!!!
Without the Kingdom of Cambodia Thai people do not have place to call home.Is this the way to show your kindness to my people and my Country? Please think again,May God Bless and protect the Kingdom of Cambodia.Thank you!!!
Khmerization, most of your comments or opinions are rational to me. Honestly saying, I will vote for you if you are the candidate in the election.
Thank you!But I just want to be a simple Khmer person.
I am not sure who teaches whom a lesson. Three Cambodian soldiers died while Thai soldiers were only injured in the coflict. What happens to all those generals? Are they reporting to fight the Thais or just looking for a place to hide. When there is fighting in the front line, only the poor farmer Khmers fight and die in the battlefield while the rich and powerful people take the advantage to make money and suck from the poor.
To 9:34AM
Do you want to live under the Thai invaders? Do you want to live with fear that your beautiful daughter can rape by the Thai army any time of the day? At least Cambodian people have a nation to call home! Now you know why the Jewish people create the state of Israel!
the dead soldiers and their family must not be forgotten. they were the heroes in cambodia. their families should be compensated for the brave soldiers.
Well said. I agreed with you 110%! So many years, Siems have been looking down at us; this is because our leader let them do it.
Nevertheless, we must united in this issue regardless of political affiliation. We are small nation but Siem must remembers when small piece of metal got into your (Siem) eyes, it will be hurted. Khmer must united in dealing with any invassion by foriegners aggresssion.
Australia
yesterdday thieve stole our chicken and we kept quiet, today they steal our cow, then we are still quiet. tomorrow they still will steal our daughter. it is normal because we encourage them to come again.
Is it a win win war?
1-Khmer troupes killed several Thai soldiers and wounded many more as what Cambodian believe
2-Thai troupes killed 2 Khmer solders and wounded 2, and the third one found dead the next day. While no one of their soldiers was death or captured. (as what Thai believe)
but, the temple is under constant threat now... and more lives are under danger because no one can assure the peace while each side enforces their position everyday.
To all compatriots,
Thanks to all your ideas in this KI media. The more people, the more ideas and anyways united we will win.
So far I am still amazed that our government is lack of willingness to bring this case to the UN and ICJ. Or we will lose Thai when we go to the court???? Or the UN/ICJ does not accept our case??? Or they are not fair mediator? Though I have little knowledge but I know that we are wasting our national budget and the lives of our people when the fighting happens and by prolonging this situation. We can understand Thai difficulty by not bringing this case to the court but they should respect us too and keep their words but if they are arrogant like this we have no choice. Negotiation with Thai is not profitable to Cambodia at all. But why our government chose this way??? Can any body make me clear about all these points??
Thanks and long live Khmer people!!!
From a Khmer adult, live and educated locally.
Good thought sir.
The Khmerization op-ed is overly boastful about the ability of the Khmer.
Thailand can kick the Khmer collective asses anytime, anywhere and any places.
You do not believe me?? Look at the the Thail GNP, military planes...etce...
I don't see anything boastful in Khmerization's editorial. The fact remain the fact, that Thailand is stronger than Cambodia militarily and economically. This is the root cause of the present Khmer-Thai conflict. Thailand is so arrogant about its military superiority that's why it goes around bullying and intimidating Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and even Burma. If the Thai do not respect its neighbours, they will not respect Thailand as well and will fight back when cornered and when their patience is running out, even at a higher cost. This is what I think the point Khmerization is trying to make. Cambodia is weaker than Thailand and if Cambodia does not fight back then Thailand will walk all over their heads and encroach on Cambodian territories wherever it likes.
I'm thinking that the Hun Sen government just wants to prove all Khmer people and the world that he is way too strong to take the case to the UN and the International Court of Justice.
I think he should cool down his name status a little more to the level of an ordinary country, and think like an wise old man with very little physical strength but with lots of calm, emotional, and peaceful strength to be the man who he claims he is the Almighty General of the kingdom, and take the case the UN Security Council and let them deal with it in a very meaningful way so that ordinary people, business people, and intellectuals continue on with their lives as usual and/or in a progressive way.
These countries are neighbours forever. So please let the bully act out their way, and we Khmer act our way, which is the way to resolve a solution peacefully with open discussions, dialogues, and conversations with mediators.
At the moment, PAD and Thailand in general is using our Cambodia as their main scapegoat to avoid solving their continual, downward spiral crisis towards a state of chaos,anarchy,fear, violence, and mixed emotions.
We Khmer should have our own agenda which is to have a prosperous, countinous prosperity and harmony without such interferences from a country such as this country Thailand with their museums of modern weaponry, artillery, naval and air capability.
Historians and intellectuals know how Thailand has evolved to its present day by manipulating situations from wrong to right, and from right to wrong. For example, they liked to join the winning side no matter who they are. Before the World War I and II, they joined with the Allies. During World War II, they joined with the Japanese while the Japanese were gaining great momentum in the Asian sphere of influence including the Maritime South East Asia. After the defeat of the Japanese, Thailand switched back to the Allies. So basically, Thailand never had a real stance. They always used their radar to wherever the wind was flowing to and from.
In the end until these present days, the country is in a state of fluactions in the political realm just like tides in the oceans bouncing back and forth. What they need to do is to cooperate with its neighbours such as Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. One day, it's one government, another day is another government. Who has the real power in Thailand: the PAD who is not the majority but only those few in Bangkok excluding others such as farmers in the countryside, the military with backing up of the monarchy, or the democratically elected government?
Well, basically, Thailand is paradoxical country in terms of democracy as a whole. For example, the People Alliance for Democray claim they are running for the meaning of democracy, but in reality or in practice, they have been fighting on the streets to overthrow elected governments repeatedly from time to time: the Thaksin Shinawatra government, the Samak Sundaravej government, now the recent elected Somchai Wongsawat government. When is this chess game gonna end. It is just a simile to our Khmer dance type called Rorm Vong, where people are dancing in a cirlcel on and on without end in sight.
So recently, we Cambodians have had a better affectionate composure towards progress in terms the stability of the country in order to advance to a higher stage of learning, persevering, and commiting to a better country where one could achieve what one wishes to accomplish; for example, we try to gain a higher export productivity, increasing our tourism sector, financing infrastructure, improving our health care, higher learning, advancing our state technology with loans from South Korea, Japan, China, and the U.S.
Thailand should leave us alone so that we could achieve what we've always dreamt of. So this is our right and privilege to achieve our goals without invaders trying manipulate their internal unrests and use Cambodia as their scapegoats of failures such as a failure subdue the South, their failure to harmonize between neighbouring countries, their failure to help other nations achieve their dreams, their failure to cooperate and have mutual understandings and benefits.
So, please Thailand rethink your motive towards the world, and especially those who live around you. You are not the only country who exists on this planet Earth. When you have trouble you don't blame others exept yourself, meaning you the PAD, the military, the farmers, the government, and the monarchy.
To some western reporters not those of BBC, but those who don't really understand about the situation between the two countries, please do some more research such history files, documents, encyclopedias, credible and reliable data sources and research relating the evolution of Southeast Asia and then write about the ongoing situations.
I find BBC reporters have a better and greater understanding about what's going on in that region. They seem to have more facts such as this quote, "Thais are often surprisingly ignorant of the role they have played in wounding Cambodia's national pride." (www.bbc.com cited from http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2008/10/modern-conflict-near-ancient-ruins.html). This quote is a great example of how Thailand has never achieved anything for the common good of humanity except for taking in advantage as much as possible as they could militarily or diplomatically. In terms of military, we have seen it now on October 15, 2008 for a recent example. In terms of diplomacy, Thailand has always joined the winning side, the Allies or the Japanese in the Asian sphere of influence.
Lastly, I'd like give to out my condolences and my greatest honour for those who have sacrificed their lives for the common good of the nation Cambodia. Please rest in peace. Please the nation help the families of the brave fallen soldiers.
Khmer Thinker
Kampong Chheuteal High School: Before and After
Kampong Chheuteal High School: Before and After
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn granted the financial support for the construction of the buildings for Kampong Chheuteal High School. The Committee of Buildings and Grounds took the responsibilities for the construction of the buildings in the Cambodian architectural style. The Cambodian government was responsible for providing the site for the school, assisting, supporting and coordinating for the constructional techniques. In October, 2000, the Cambodian Government decided on the construction of the school on the compound of 60,000 square meters (200 meters wide, 300 meters deep). Then on February 12, 2001, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport issued a memoir indicating the decision to expand the land of the site to 200 meters wide and 400 meters deep or 45 rais (7.2 hectares).
According to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Aide-de-Camp Department, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, the Kingdom of Cambodia on the Project Agreement on the Cooperation in the Establishment and Development of Kampong Chheuteal High School, the Committee of Buildings and Grounds rendered full support for the development of the ground and the construction of 11 buildings. The construction in the first phase inaugurated on September 20, 2001 and lasted till May 19, 2002 or altogether 240 days.
The Buildings and Grounds are as follows:
1. Administration Building
2. Six one-storey buildings (6 classrooms in each building)
3. A library
4. Educational Technology Building (a computer room and a sound laboratory)
5. A teachers housing (8 rooms)
6. A girls dormitory
7. Bathrooms and toilets (11 buildings)
8. One sport field (a football field, a basketball field and a volleyball field)
9. One chicken pen
By the extension of the cooperation in the project till August 13, 2005 according to the Protocol to Modify the Project Agreement of the MOU 2202, the construction of more buildings was carried out both on the school compound and in its community by the request of the local military and police, the landscape development as well as the infrastructure development. The school land was extended to 72 rais or 12 hectares more (405 meters x 590 meters) to be 117 rais.
The construction in Phase 2 was started by the Committee of Buildings and Grounds from May 1, 2002 till July 31, 2004 or 711 days. However, there was a period of suspension of 82 days.
The construction includes 34 buildings as follows:
1. Vocational Education Buildings with toilets (4 buildings)
2. One boys dormitory
3. One teachers housing
4. A training hall
5. Fences and the school main entrance
6. Two sport fields with theater seats for spectators
7. The 2-storey Multipurpose Building for meetings and diverse activities
8. A sign to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
9. A garage for 6 cars
10. Seven residence buildings for agriculture students
11. Livestock enclosures
Besides, some buildings outside the fence of the school territory were constructed as follows:
12. The Local Military Police Headquarters and Residence
13. The Local Inspection of Police and Residence
14. The Local Headquarters of Military and Residence
15. The Local Office of Education, Youth and Sport
The construction in Phase 3 was executed by the Engineer Department, the Royal Thai Army, between July 19, 2004 - April 25, 2005 or 281 days. The construction includes 8 buildings-Reception House, Sahapatibahkarn Building and the teachers housings.
Among the 42 buildings of the construction in Phase 2 and 3, three of them are 2-storey reinforced concrete buildings - Multipurpose Building, Reception House and Sahapatibatkarn Building.
No more for help Khmer.
I strongly all khmer are loving and caring about each other and the country. But khmer are always having the leaders who are traitor, devider and murderer like pol pot and hun sen.
Bastard siam dog, don't try to bark of your committment for being nice and staring at the land of Cambodia. Sonovabitch siam dog, your guy provoked many neighborhood around yours and within your greedy, excessibly stealing land from other countries since your were siam and manipulate to thai for the world blank of your shit committment.
mung tong kit va puok mung pen siam, may chhay thai lok.
poor country
The Khmer people had been through this old path of war before! And what the Thai aggressor had done is to remind the Khmer people that war will always be part of them as long as Khmer people continue to exist on this planet Earth!
Once again, the Khmer people are forced to choose war over bilateral talk! And they are forced to take up arm over the hand of love one! They are forced to make enemy instead of friendship!
This is a general curse for the Khmer people and that is why the Khmer people choose to go to war so that they can have peace! May God bless the Khmer people and her Kingdom and with power of conviction and the shear determination of the Khmer people and the enemy will crumble!
This is just like the German and Poland in Europe back in 100 years ago. Or just like Russia and Ukrain 50 years ago.
And now all these countries very good of fighting back if the invaded by these mighty nation.
Khmer will not be scare of Thai anymore.
Regardless the Thai how mighty they are, Khmer will not let them do whatever to the Khmer.
Khmer is very brave to fight the aggressors.
Unted Khmer,
The problem is also with current Khmer leader who want to show off against historical aggressor. The incident would not have happened if the government requested the UN for intervention in July. It's not too late to request for their help in order to avoid bloodshed. Either side is Khmer. Only Khmer surins are in frontline. That's reason why Khmer didn't kill those captured soldiers. My concern is that many young Cambodians quited their school to enlist for military service. We need them to build a strong Cambodia if peace can be achieved. Hun Sen should wake up and go for UN or EU's help. You can still go for golfing, digging wells for the poor, and let the UN do the job. Only international police can stop thieves.
khmerization writing is nothing but kiddy talk that is boastful, illogical, and inciteful...calling upon khmer for nonsense, false sense of proudness. please stop this nonsense and please use our common sense and use our artful strategy and diplomacy instead. don't rush to haste and do stupid things because of stupid boastful proudness and false sense belief.
i'm so ashame to be khmer because of such people as khmerization and stupid khmer who comment here. you are all a bunch of lopsided, uneducated, idiots...including khmerization too. why you all have to put your foot in your mouth when you talk? don't you people think and use brain?
The comments here are not stupit,They are just the idea and some good and some bad.
People's comments are ways to communicate and share their ideas with other people. You don't have to agree with those commentators if your ideas differ from theirs. I think Khmerization just would like to speak his mind and share his thought. You don't have to agree with him. But I think that Khmerization has done more than some people in term of sharing his ideas. the comments such as from 6:38 Am and 6:42 Am are counter-productive, divisive and useless. If they think that other people's comments here are "stupid", "illogical" or "kiddy", they should present their counter-arguments instead of condemning and denouncing them in a vitriolic and senseless comment like this. What do you think? Let the Thai walk over your heads repeatedly? I think everyone's patience has its limits. I hope you get the point.
The limited patience has always caused violent disput. Some people have better internal locus of control, but some do not.
Try to look at the issue from other views, don't be regid from the current view, then you will find out more. Look at the issue from the views of Khmer eldly who are strictly practicing Budhhism, from the view of Westerners, from the view of Thai people, from the view VN, That will bring you more hope of peace. Everyone claims to love Khmer to protect Khmer, but the Khmer culture of Budhhist spirit has never been appropriatly practiced.
I believe the PAD got their foot full of shit and put it in their mouth that why they got wrong smell of their elected prime ministers.
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