Preah Vihear has been scene of deadly clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops [EPA]Saturday, September 19, 2009
Al Jazeera
Thai "Yellow Shirt" protesters have clashed with police and villagers at an ancient temple in territory at the centre of a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
At least 15 people were injured in northeastern Sisaket province after members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) tried to march to the gates of the temple near land claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia, demanding the Thai government seize the disputed territory.
Protesters broke through barricades in attempts to reach the 11th century Preah Vihear temple near the border with Cambodia on Saturday.
Thai riot police used their shields to push back protesters armed with sticks who were trying to beat local villagers.
'Splinter group' blamed
Wayne Hay, Al Jazeera's correspondent in the region, said about 4,000 protesters had descended on the disputed border with Cambodia "to try to force some Cambodian villagers out of the area and back into Cambodia proper".
"There is a Thai police blockade that the PAD broke through with a bit of violence and also about four or five hundred villagers came out to try to stop the PAD from progressing," Hay said.
"There are also some skirmishes. We are hearing that there were several injuries as [protesters] went through that police blockade."
The PAD's leaders in Bangkok had distanced themselves from the protest, saying that a "splinter group" was behind it, Hay said.
Tear gas deployed
Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister, said security forces were trying to persuade the protesters to back down, amid fears that their actions could spark further conflict with Cambodia.
"I am asking the police and soldiers to negotiate with the PAD," he told reporters in Bangkok.
The temple, granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008, has been the scene of several deadly battles between Thai and Cambodian troops over the past year.
Cambodia said on Thursday it had deployed riot police with dogs, batons and tear gas at the temple.
Deaths in gunbattle
The Yellow Shirts have demanded that the government push Cambodian forces out of the disputed area around it.
The two countries have been at loggerheads for decades over Preah Vihear.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia.
But Thailand retains rights to enter the ancient Khmer temple, which has crumbling stone staircases and elegant carvings.
A gunbattle in the temple area in April left three people dead while four people died in clashes in 2008.
At least 15 people were injured in northeastern Sisaket province after members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) tried to march to the gates of the temple near land claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia, demanding the Thai government seize the disputed territory.
Protesters broke through barricades in attempts to reach the 11th century Preah Vihear temple near the border with Cambodia on Saturday.
Thai riot police used their shields to push back protesters armed with sticks who were trying to beat local villagers.
'Splinter group' blamed
Wayne Hay, Al Jazeera's correspondent in the region, said about 4,000 protesters had descended on the disputed border with Cambodia "to try to force some Cambodian villagers out of the area and back into Cambodia proper".
"There is a Thai police blockade that the PAD broke through with a bit of violence and also about four or five hundred villagers came out to try to stop the PAD from progressing," Hay said.
"There are also some skirmishes. We are hearing that there were several injuries as [protesters] went through that police blockade."
The PAD's leaders in Bangkok had distanced themselves from the protest, saying that a "splinter group" was behind it, Hay said.
Tear gas deployed
Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister, said security forces were trying to persuade the protesters to back down, amid fears that their actions could spark further conflict with Cambodia.
"I am asking the police and soldiers to negotiate with the PAD," he told reporters in Bangkok.
The temple, granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008, has been the scene of several deadly battles between Thai and Cambodian troops over the past year.
Cambodia said on Thursday it had deployed riot police with dogs, batons and tear gas at the temple.
Deaths in gunbattle
The Yellow Shirts have demanded that the government push Cambodian forces out of the disputed area around it.
The two countries have been at loggerheads for decades over Preah Vihear.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia.
But Thailand retains rights to enter the ancient Khmer temple, which has crumbling stone staircases and elegant carvings.
A gunbattle in the temple area in April left three people dead while four people died in clashes in 2008.
10 comments:
Go to hell A PAD thai.Kill them all A yellow shirt.
This stuff is happening cause the thai don't know their history. If they are so proud people. They should stop using khmer numeric writing on their currency! But obviously, they are ignorant and thickskin.
Phnom penh Government has to prepare for this scenerio:
When Thais Yellow shirt have clear intended to enter the Temple. If they succeed entering Preah Vihear, they intend to stay there. If Cambodian troops to try to push them back there will be bloody clash, then Thai troops will surely enter the Temple in the name of trying to protect their citizens.
The situation, I don't know either Thai military and yellow shirt have planned in advance in this game or not but it does pose real challenge to Cambodia side of conflict.
I don't know what and how Cambodian government is going to do if the situation comes to this point that both Yellow shirt Thai and Thai Military enter the Temple.
Ah Siamese Kingko and Ahi-Shit boy are reusing this TACTIC one more time. They just send the yelow group in it may another useful trick, then the military follow to rescu them. The same trick when the Monk and none came last year.
Becareful dear Khmer soldiers protect your self and use the gun power if you lives in danger.
May god bless Khmer all
cambodia should be ready in self-defense. lay more land mines along this stretch of borders so pad thugs can be maimed for life! may god protect cambodia and khmer people from siem thugs.
Let them come and experience the land mines fatality.
Tic Tac Toe, watch your steps yellow shirts. Your foot or leg may flight without you!
Hey Ah Yellow Fucking Thai, you know you violate the law, you want to invade Cambodia territory you claim Preah Vihear a Khmer temple , it's belong to Khmer, Khmer built the temple. Can you see in your fucking country, temple every where in Thailand belong to Khmer and the land. What the Fuck do you still want? Ah Fuck Thailand!
Khmer loves Khmer
Hun Xen would better be ware of the Thai plot to take over Preah Vihear temple. Abbhisit or PAD they are the same 2 sides of the coin. They are the thieves. Be prepared to use military action or go to UN.
6:21 AM,
Ah Hun Khvang won't do that except a green light from his master HANOI.
Vietnam took more KHmer territories as of today.
Pay attentions people! vietnamese spreading like anaconda snake...
Post a Comment