ANALYSIS: All eyes are on the Cambodian prime minister as he visits border regions.
5/02/2010
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia is jangling a few nerves with a planned visit to the disputed border region near the Preah Vihear temple this weekend.
Some government insiders regard the visit as ill-timed and designed to advance a political agenda, security sources say.
Hun Sen will visit his troops on the border, near a 4.6 square kilometre area overlapping the border whose ownership is disputed by the two countries.
The government is concerned about the conditions Phnom Penh is imposing for the visit, the insiders yet.
The army had received a letter from Phnom Penh saying Hun Sen would visit Cambodian soldiers along the border from Preah Vihear temple to Ta Moan Thom temple from tomorrow to Monday.
Phnom Penh asked that Thai troops remain in their bases during the visit.
"Cambodia has a hidden agenda. It intends to provoke a situation and make it look like Thailand cannot control the situation," one source said.
The army has replied that the Cambodian prime minister could not bring armed troops into the disputed area or areas under the supervision of the Thai armed forces, the source said.
"Ta Moan is under the supervision of the Thai army. He can make a visit but he cannot bring troops," he said.
Sources say the timing of the visit and the conditions indicate the Cambodian leader's visit could be in pursuit of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's interests.
The Cambodian government appointed the fugitive prime minister as an economic adviser, upsetting Thailand.
The visit comes as pro-Thaksin elements are stepping up pressure ahead of a verdict in Thaksin's asset seizure trial on Feb 26.
Sources said security forces were ready to give Hun Sen a warm welcome, but they would not bow to his conditions.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was briefed on the issue, which would be raised at today's meeting of the National Security Council.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has played down speculation about the visit.
Deputy spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said the government had learnt about Hun Sen's schedule from the Cambodian government.
"Thailand has not opposed the visit by Prime Minister Hun Sen to the border area and the Foreign Ministry will send a high-level official to welcome him," he said.
Mr Thani said the presence of Hun Sen would not affect Thai sovereignty. Instead, it should provide an opportunity to tackle border problems.
"We see the visit as normal practice. The visit will be a good thing as Prime Minister Hun Sen will get an opportunity to learn about problems in the area and speed up border negotiations."
A ministry source said Thai representatives would welcome Hun Sen at all points around the Preah Vihear temple as confirmation that the area around the temple belongs to Thailand.
The visit was similar to a trip to the border made by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya last August.
Hun Sen sent a high-level official to receive him and Thai representatives.
Meanwhile, key members of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are outraged by the visit.
ML Walwipa Charoonroj, an historian from Thammasat University, said it could worsen the diplomatic row between the countries following Thaksin's appointment as Cambodia's economic adviser.
It was also bad for Thailand, which opposed Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
Ownership of the 4.6 square kilometre area surrounding the ancient Hindu temple remains a point of dispute between the countries.
5/02/2010
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia is jangling a few nerves with a planned visit to the disputed border region near the Preah Vihear temple this weekend.
Some government insiders regard the visit as ill-timed and designed to advance a political agenda, security sources say.
Hun Sen will visit his troops on the border, near a 4.6 square kilometre area overlapping the border whose ownership is disputed by the two countries.
The government is concerned about the conditions Phnom Penh is imposing for the visit, the insiders yet.
The army had received a letter from Phnom Penh saying Hun Sen would visit Cambodian soldiers along the border from Preah Vihear temple to Ta Moan Thom temple from tomorrow to Monday.
Phnom Penh asked that Thai troops remain in their bases during the visit.
"Cambodia has a hidden agenda. It intends to provoke a situation and make it look like Thailand cannot control the situation," one source said.
The army has replied that the Cambodian prime minister could not bring armed troops into the disputed area or areas under the supervision of the Thai armed forces, the source said.
"Ta Moan is under the supervision of the Thai army. He can make a visit but he cannot bring troops," he said.
Sources say the timing of the visit and the conditions indicate the Cambodian leader's visit could be in pursuit of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's interests.
The Cambodian government appointed the fugitive prime minister as an economic adviser, upsetting Thailand.
The visit comes as pro-Thaksin elements are stepping up pressure ahead of a verdict in Thaksin's asset seizure trial on Feb 26.
Sources said security forces were ready to give Hun Sen a warm welcome, but they would not bow to his conditions.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was briefed on the issue, which would be raised at today's meeting of the National Security Council.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has played down speculation about the visit.
Deputy spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said the government had learnt about Hun Sen's schedule from the Cambodian government.
"Thailand has not opposed the visit by Prime Minister Hun Sen to the border area and the Foreign Ministry will send a high-level official to welcome him," he said.
Mr Thani said the presence of Hun Sen would not affect Thai sovereignty. Instead, it should provide an opportunity to tackle border problems.
"We see the visit as normal practice. The visit will be a good thing as Prime Minister Hun Sen will get an opportunity to learn about problems in the area and speed up border negotiations."
A ministry source said Thai representatives would welcome Hun Sen at all points around the Preah Vihear temple as confirmation that the area around the temple belongs to Thailand.
The visit was similar to a trip to the border made by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya last August.
Hun Sen sent a high-level official to receive him and Thai representatives.
Meanwhile, key members of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are outraged by the visit.
ML Walwipa Charoonroj, an historian from Thammasat University, said it could worsen the diplomatic row between the countries following Thaksin's appointment as Cambodia's economic adviser.
It was also bad for Thailand, which opposed Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
Ownership of the 4.6 square kilometre area surrounding the ancient Hindu temple remains a point of dispute between the countries.
33 comments:
it's a good time and pretext for the thais to get rid of hun sen if they wish, then say it's misunderstanding and accident......the ball is in your court thais army. Have the gut to execute your anger toward Sen.
It is good idea for Mr. Hun Sen to visit the disputed areas along Thai-Cambodian border. It shows moral support for the troops who protect our national sovereignty. And after this trip, he should visit Vietnam-Cambodian border in Chantrea District too. Because people there are suffered from losing their land from Vietnam encroachment, and they need help from our government immediately.
Hun Sen should visit Surin, Sisaket, Korat etc. too...they are former Khmer provinces! Afterward, he should swing to Svay Rieng and the Mekong delta...
I hope he comes and visit me too.
I'll have nice flowers ready for my
master to appreciate and love; this way he may learn, "that as for man his days are as the flower of the field, it flourishes and then fads away by the sun and the place thereof shall know it no more."
I don't need to worry about our Indochina States. We are all in one.
From Hun Sen
4.6 dkm is using as an excuse to causing trouble for Cambodia. Thailand also thinks Preah Vihear is theirs... do the world think so?
Thailand is the trouble maker in the neighborhood. They try to undermine Cambodia in all aspects present and past. I wish this message would be heard around the world.
The Khmer Prime Minister will bring ten thousand die hard fighters with him to test the Thai's psychological effect. Will there be a good fight tomorrow? I think so. Bravo the die hard Prime Minister Sun Sen.
It's really good time for our party President Sam Rainsy sends his assassin likes Sok Yin did (in Siem Reap province in 1997) to welcome Hun Sen near Preach Vihear temple this weekend.
Sam Rainsy Party (Candle Light)
PM just visit our soldiers within our territory, got nothing to do with Thai. We never declare the war with Thailand
It's great opportunity for the Cambodian PM to visit the disputed borders/areas as well as great encouragment to the Cambodian army who have been posted along the borders since 15 July 2008. The PM's visit can create a better atmosphere on the Cambodia's sovereignty and unity.
COME ON MR HUN SEN IS A GOOD MAN. SAMRAINSY IS JUST A UGLY STUPID DOG! SAMRAINSY NEED TO COME BACK TO PHNOMPENH TO GO TO JAIL STUPID SON OF BITCH!
I have seen a few comments criticizing Hun Sen's visit. Don't you reckon at least he is strongly protecting the west borders?
It would be good if his trip promote peace and cooperation between the two countries. We need peace. But we need our temple too.
Really! He's the man this time. A Rom Go Go.
hun sen is copying usa bush,clinton and obama visited troops at the front line. he is going to get himself kill perhap. the thai pm alreardy said no matter what, the land surounding the temple is their. nothing is going change. the dispute around the temple would never solve because phnom penh have such a weak govt. thais will not back out of that area. all of the sudend he want to visit the dispute area some thing is fishy going on.
Oh! I am glad to hear this. That is what have been waiting for almost 2 years.
And it is going be great if he will tour to the East border side. That is what I am hungry to see.
Hope ah Hun Sen steps on a landmine out there.
This Sam Rainsy border expose seem to boost Hun Xen a lot in many aspect. Now, to show off his political popularity and boost it, Hun Xen will attempt to trivialized and cover up the eastern border by his hard-one face-to-face confrontation tough guy stance against Thailand.
Surely as he gets the Khmer all excited again, he has also another agenda and that is to get Khmer to forget about the eastern border.
Hun Xen has done enough. His western border is just a show, a shame for the Khmer people. We know Thai have been staying on Khmer territory and surrounding temple a long time. And they even shoot to kill Khmer citizen regularly who allegedly crossed their borders. Hun Xen has never publicly condemn or make demand for justice of those Khmer lives.
There is no difference in how Hun Xen protect the east or the western border when it comes to actual policy, the difference is only on the theater.
It's stupid claim. I've been there, and only Thai losers were at Keo Sekha Siri Kvara pagoda without arms because they would be all killed if they carry arms.
There claim is baseless, and Hun Sen is there as a real commander. Fighting erupts or not won't bother Hun Sen.
Naga bless Khmers all!
Surya
10:42
I am hoping for the same, but I think he should bring his entire family and all CPP officials! T
may the spirit of khmer angkor protect cambodia forever and obliterate both siem and youn to ashes sooner or later!
10:48
You said it very well, I agree with you completely. It's sad, how people are actually falling for his theatrical debut! If he was a competent leader, he could of ended this fight a long time ago, by taking this issue to the United Nation and basing our claims according to the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling, which awarded the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia.
Hun Sen doesn't need to walk on Thai soil to become popular. What Hun Sen is doing is to confirm to the world that the soil he walks on is truly Cambodian territories from Ta Moan to Phrea Vihear temple!
So much for Siem superior complex for undermining Cambodian sovereignty! Siem naked aggression will not be rewarded!
shame on siem for stealing khmer people's ancient temple and make it theirs! what the thieves. maybe they should change the name of their kingdoom to thiefland!
cambodia could not afford to keep our northern provinces and eastern provinces, etc, isolated any longer. build good highway system that will connect all of our provinces once and for all, you know. and develop all of our provinces. isolation and ignorance are the enemies of cambodia. wake up please
Asshole Hun Sen supporters:
Mr. Sam Rainsy is not a coward like Ah Hun Sen. Ah Hun Kwak is not dared to go the East border because he is afraid Ah Youn Vietcong cut his head to plan as Ter Ong.
Ah Kwak is only acting to pretend he loves Cambodia, but internally he works for Youn Hanoi. Ah Hun Youn Kon Torb is the stupid man on earth. He is worst than Sihanouk. All Khmer leaders from Sihanouk are so stupid; except, Mr. Rainsy and Lon Nol. They work for Youn interest. Ah Hun Kwak never visit Khmer Krom even Ah Sihanouk.
I hope Ah Siem killed all Ah Kwak and his body guards. It is a good time that external force eliminate Ah Khmer stupid asshole leaders.
Oh God! This is Siem map and it is not even international map! The Siem want to claim Khmer land by drawing their own map? ahhahahhahah
What belong to Cambodia will belong to Cambodia and what belong to the Siem will be long to Siem!!!
8:42 AM, 12:09 PM,
Must be on drug, Please go to see PET CHHKUOT right now!
Just say know to Siem map and say yes to Cambodian international map!
It is good for Mr. Hun Sen to see the place to install and create military base to support Thanksin fight against Abasit.........Now in Thailand they create people power forces. and they can have back site near Preah Vihear temple.
correction: sudend >>> sudden
correction: hungry to see >>> eager to see
Hun Sen try to show his new 5 stars to the border troop.
If the Thai government tells its people to stop using Khmer numerals and words in their language, they will be in trouble and become mute...may resort to sign language! 55555 ;-)
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