AFP
BANGKOK — Thai authorities allowed "Yellow Shirt" protesters to gather near a disputed temple on the Cambodian border Sunday, a day after clashes with police and villagers left dozens injured.
Around 30 members of the movement which blockaded Bangkok's airports last year were granted access to the entrance of ancient Preah Vihear temple and read a statement urging the government to ensure Thai sovereignty in the area.
"The government and army should do everything under the law to regain the area around the temple for Thailand," protest leader Veera Somkwamkid said, reading from the statement in footage shown on local television.
Veera also attacked Cambodia for allowing its residents and soldiers to stay on the disputed five square kilometres (two square miles) around the 11th-century temple.
Around 5,000 Yellow Shirts fought with Thai residents and police on Saturday after trying to reach the temple.
The ruins were granted to Cambodia by the World Court in 1962 but tensions resumed when they gained UN world heritage status last year. At least seven people have died in skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian forces since then.
Saturday's violence took place as 26,000 rival "Red Shirts" rallied peacefully in Bangkok on the third anniversary of the coup that toppled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The royalist Yellow Shirts led street campaigns that helped oust Thaksin in 2006 and also pushed out a government of his allies in December last year, but have now grown angry with the current government.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who came to power on the back of the airport blockade, apologised for the temple incident.
"I am sorry that there was a clash and injuries to people," Abhisit said in his weekly television programme.
"The government is not ignoring this problem, we are working on it. What we are doing is not causing the country to lose territory or sovereignty."
Cambodian foreign affairs ministry spokesman Kuoy Kong said police from his country had been deployed at the temple.
"But we're not worried at all because the Thai government said they would handle it and prevent the protesters from entering the temple," Kuoy Kong said.
Around 30 members of the movement which blockaded Bangkok's airports last year were granted access to the entrance of ancient Preah Vihear temple and read a statement urging the government to ensure Thai sovereignty in the area.
"The government and army should do everything under the law to regain the area around the temple for Thailand," protest leader Veera Somkwamkid said, reading from the statement in footage shown on local television.
Veera also attacked Cambodia for allowing its residents and soldiers to stay on the disputed five square kilometres (two square miles) around the 11th-century temple.
Around 5,000 Yellow Shirts fought with Thai residents and police on Saturday after trying to reach the temple.
The ruins were granted to Cambodia by the World Court in 1962 but tensions resumed when they gained UN world heritage status last year. At least seven people have died in skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian forces since then.
Saturday's violence took place as 26,000 rival "Red Shirts" rallied peacefully in Bangkok on the third anniversary of the coup that toppled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The royalist Yellow Shirts led street campaigns that helped oust Thaksin in 2006 and also pushed out a government of his allies in December last year, but have now grown angry with the current government.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who came to power on the back of the airport blockade, apologised for the temple incident.
"I am sorry that there was a clash and injuries to people," Abhisit said in his weekly television programme.
"The government is not ignoring this problem, we are working on it. What we are doing is not causing the country to lose territory or sovereignty."
Cambodian foreign affairs ministry spokesman Kuoy Kong said police from his country had been deployed at the temple.
"But we're not worried at all because the Thai government said they would handle it and prevent the protesters from entering the temple," Kuoy Kong said.
9 comments:
The oppositiom party of Cambodian why so quiet so are you Khmer or are you Siemes people and don't say it for govenment job.You have to say too to Siemes people.
If they enter Preah vihear illegally, cambodian soldiers have every right to shoot at them.
they do. but they won't. Because they're not barbaric salvages to shoot civilians and pour gasoline on little kids.
Hun Sen personal body guard on the other hand, wouldn't want to mess with. But if HS guards go to front line, who would guard him ?
Cambodia Town
Long Beach, Ca
The SRP were a traitors, they were even sold their soul to Siams Bandits such as alway lease restaurant from Siams owned land lord, during their political speech here severals days ago. Did you see that 8:41 PM.
New Phally
In the name of Thai, please let me say sorry and do apologies to Khmer, because we, Thai has nothing from China.
Our ancestors robbed Khmer properties...We are thief!
We, Thai should bow down and pay respect to our gratitude Khmer.
PLEASE ALL THAIS STOP OUR DIRTY AMBITION WITHOUT SHAMELESSNESS.
Please, Khmer, apology to me, Siam.
A Thai Representative.
khmer people, please demand siem thugs give back all of old khmer provinces, and tell them all to go back to nanchoa province of china already!
A Thai detainee (left) kisses his child as a relative looks on following a gathering in the yard of Narathiwat jail. There are several hundred suspects imprisoned in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, says rights group the Cross Cultural Foundation, and their jail terms often have a devastating effect on their families with many remaining out of contact for long periods of time. (AFP/File/Madaree Tohlala)
A Thai detainee (left) is hugged by his wife following a gathering in the yard of the Narathiwat jail. There are several hundred suspects imprisoned in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, says rights group the Cross Cultural Foundation, where they face security-related charges. (AFP/File/Madaree Tohlala)
A Thai detainee (left) eats lunch with members of his family during a gathering in the yard of Narathiwat jail. There are several hundred suspects imprisoned in Thailand's troubled southern provinces, says rights group the Cross Cultural Foundation, with many remaining out of contact with their families for long periods of time. (AFP/File/Madaree Tohlala)
A soldier stands guard as students leave their school for home in Thailand's Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok September 2, 2009. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom
Rescue workers carry the body of an injured policeman after a car bomb attack, to a hospital in Thailand's Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok. A bomb in a pick-up truck exploded in Thailand's southern Yala province on Friday, killing a policeman and wounding 10 villagers, police said, the latest deadly blast in a region plagued by insurgent violence. The bomb, hidden in a truck parked near an intersection, exploded as a police officer drove past in his car, a police spokesman said. "His body was trapped and burned," he said. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom
A view of the scene of a car bomb attack in Thailand's Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok . A bomb in a pick-up truck exploded in Thailand's southern Yala province on Friday, killing a policeman and wounding 10 villagers, police said, the latest deadly blast in a region plagued by insurgent violence. The bomb, hidden in a truck parked near an intersection, exploded as a police officer drove past in his car, a police spokesman said. "His body was trapped and burned," he said. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom
Policemen inspect the site of a car bomb attack in Thailand's Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok . A bomb in a pick-up truck exploded in Thailand's southern Yala province on Friday, killing a policeman and wounding 10 villagers, police said, the latest deadly blast in a region plagued by insurgent violence. The bomb, hidden in a truck parked near an intersection, exploded as a police officer drove past in his car, a police spokesman said. "His body was trapped and burned," he said. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom
Firefighters extinguish a fire on a pick-up truck after a bomb attack in Thailand's Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok . A bomb in a pick-up truck exploded in Thailand's southern Yala province on Friday, killing a policeman and wounding 10 villagers, police said, the latest deadly blast in a region plagued by insurgent violence. The bomb, hidden in a truck parked near an intersection, exploded as a police officer drove past in his car, a police spokesman said. "His body was trapped and burned," he said. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom
2:42 AM,
How about your boss, Hun Sen Khvang Ma Khack with Norodom Sihanouk who allowed over 5 Millions Viet Illegal Immigrants Roaming ftreely in all provinces of Cambodia.
Viet dog New Phally
8:41 PM,
If Thai commit crime against Khmers we soon know it; however, if Viets did the same thing to Khmers no one will know about it. Hun Sen only wants us to know what he wants us to know. Just in case you don't know, all news media is controlled by Hun Sen.
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