By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Oddar Meanchey province
30 September 2008
More than ten weeks after the beginning of a military standoff over Preah Vihear temple, Thai soldiers are firmly entrenched at three temples 100 kilometers to the west, though the situation remains quiet.
Cambodian troops patrol the Dangrek Mountains that hover above the temples, but they have no access to or control of any of the three temples.
“Nothing has changed yet,” said Maj. Chhim Yen, of Division 42, stationed at the base of the mountains. “We are still in the same place, and the Thai soldiers have not moved. We are waiting for a settlement from high-ranking [government officials].”
Thai soldiers regularly patrol the areas surrounding the temples, “and they keep a watch on Cambodian soldiers at a post in front of the temples,” he said.
Both sides claim ownership of the temples, but Cambodian soldiers say they had access prior to the July 15 occupation of Preah Vihear temple by Thai soldiers.
Several hundred Cambodian troops are stationed in tents and houses along the road to the border temples, living in stark conditions. However, there are no signs of military tension.
The Cambodian soldiers, armed with rockets and heavy machine guns, are in the process of constructing three houses at the base of the mountains with fresh-cut wood from the jungle.
Travel can take as much as one hour for the last 8 kilometers of travel from the main route to the base of the mountain, on a road run over with rivers and mud.
“We are determined in the face of abuse from the Thais,” Chhim Yen said.
Soldiers eat morning glory soup with small pieces of fish that are caught nearby, along with other wild animals, to supplement government rations.
Despite a lengthy deployment, no signs of illness have appeared, said 1st Lt. Im Pan, an army medic. Some soldiers have caught the flu and fever, he said, and others have contracted malaria.
No malaria fatalities have been reported. Military officials expect road improvements and the construction of a headquarters building to begin after the rainy season, to enable great military control of the area.
Cambodian troops patrol the Dangrek Mountains that hover above the temples, but they have no access to or control of any of the three temples.
“Nothing has changed yet,” said Maj. Chhim Yen, of Division 42, stationed at the base of the mountains. “We are still in the same place, and the Thai soldiers have not moved. We are waiting for a settlement from high-ranking [government officials].”
Thai soldiers regularly patrol the areas surrounding the temples, “and they keep a watch on Cambodian soldiers at a post in front of the temples,” he said.
Both sides claim ownership of the temples, but Cambodian soldiers say they had access prior to the July 15 occupation of Preah Vihear temple by Thai soldiers.
Several hundred Cambodian troops are stationed in tents and houses along the road to the border temples, living in stark conditions. However, there are no signs of military tension.
The Cambodian soldiers, armed with rockets and heavy machine guns, are in the process of constructing three houses at the base of the mountains with fresh-cut wood from the jungle.
Travel can take as much as one hour for the last 8 kilometers of travel from the main route to the base of the mountain, on a road run over with rivers and mud.
“We are determined in the face of abuse from the Thais,” Chhim Yen said.
Soldiers eat morning glory soup with small pieces of fish that are caught nearby, along with other wild animals, to supplement government rations.
Despite a lengthy deployment, no signs of illness have appeared, said 1st Lt. Im Pan, an army medic. Some soldiers have caught the flu and fever, he said, and others have contracted malaria.
No malaria fatalities have been reported. Military officials expect road improvements and the construction of a headquarters building to begin after the rainy season, to enable great military control of the area.
7 comments:
CPP!
Repulse the THAI out of our temples now .Use those 5 stars ,4 stars,3 stars to do the jobs.That what they are for.
This is the result of Hun Sen's neglect of our borders. He doesn't care about our borders, he only cares about his power. All the soldiers like the 3,4,5 star-generals are staying in their villas in Phnom Penh to protect Hun Sen's power and leave the borders unguarded and protected. Traitor!
Power sharing no matter what the consequences will bring about!!!!! Choy Mray ah Choy Mray! Let's curse them since they deserve the curse!
Village chiefs shot dead in restive South
A gunmen using M16 rifle shot dead a village chief in Tambon Kota Baru of Raman district Monday morning, one day after a similar incident took place in Narathiwat's Rangae district.
Rosah Isormusorm, 47, was found lying dead on the side of a backroad in Tambon Ngern-ngam of Raman district. He was heading to a local fresh market on his motorbike at the time of the incident.
The same district on Sunday also witnessed the shooting death of Ahama Lakuning, 33, a former ranger from the area.
The Nation
I wonder why Thai dies like flies in the southern part of the country?
Come on guys there not enough dead assholes this week.
The job of the soldiers,high ranking as well as enlistmen, is to protect the homeland.When homeland was invaded ,those dumbass soldiers are doing nothing.What a shame.Take off your uniform now and donate to the dogs.If you can't defend your country then why wearing all those uniforms for.
Ahhhh ... Shut the fuck up. We'll take action when we are ready.
But first, we have to determined who owns the land, and we are not going to steal any land from anyone.
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