Monday, February 15, 2010

Thai PM says government wants to ease tension with Cambodia

Sun, 14 Feb 2010
DPA

Bangkok - Thailand's prime minister on Sunday said his government is taking diplomatic measures to ensure tension with neighbouring Cambodia does not worsen. Thailand does not want to confront Cambodia and is doing what it can to prevent harm coming to people living on both sides of the border, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said, adding that both countries need to take upmost caution.

Tension has centered on the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, which the International Court of Justice awarded the to Cambodia in 1962. But it did not rule on the surrounding land, which both countries claim.

The relationship between the two nations has been tense for more than a year with sporadic clashes between troops near the disputed area surrounding the temple. Much of the border between the two countries has yet to be demarcated.

Over the past 18 months, Thai nationalists have used the Preah Vihear issue to stoke tensions, which last erupted in late January when troops from the two countries fired on each other in the disputed area. Neither country reported casualties.

Then early this month Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited Preah Vihear in a politically charged trip.

At the time Abhisit played down Hun Sen's visit, and on Sunday continued to state that diplomacy was the best way to approach the issue.

The relationship between Cambodia and Thailand worsened markedly last October when Cambodia appointed Thailand's fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to be a government adviser.

Cambodia appointed Thaksin, who has a two-year jail sentence still to serve in Thailand for abuse of power, as an economic adviser to the government and to Hun Sen.

Bangkok considers the appointment of Thaksin, the de facto opposition leader, as interference in its internal politics.

Thaksin was prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006 before being toppled in a bloodless coup. He fled the country and has live in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai, since August 2008.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

There will be no tension along the border, if Thai would review the International Court of Justic results in 1962 and the agreement made based on the 1902-1908 agree upon map by both countries and by the international court. All thai has to do is pulling back it's troop to where they belongs prior to 2008 built up. Then land surrounding PR should be develop into a national park that can be utilize by tourists, which will be manage by the Cambodian government jointly with the UNESCO fund. A clear demarcation of border must proceed based on the original agreement which is on the original map that have been agreed by the international court. Thai must understand that 4.6 km sq that they are disputing is not livable by the Cambodian either, if it turns to a national park by the Cambodia side. Properity must have some forgiveness and willingness to compromise for peace with your neighbors, not because you are strong militarity and flex your muscles whenever you felt like. Thai is a buddishm nation and budda teach you to forgive not bring upon war on thy neighbors.

Anonymous said...

More increasing talks about easing the border tension every time Hun Sen says he will take matter to International Court.

The only reason why I see CPP won`t take this matter to International Court is because Hun Sen is trying to get leverage with Thailand. In the end, Hun Sen is all bark and no bite. Blah Blah

Anonymous said...

the way they want to be delay and captured khmer land .

Anonymous said...

Give Thai Preh Vihear all will be at peace! Next, give Thai Angkor Wat, all will be at peace!

Peace!

Anonymous said...

Thailand playing soft and meek at Cambodia gain? Thais never ran out their dirty tricks toward Cambodia, they always come up with new tricks everytime...i hope the stupid Cambodian Gov'ts don't get fool by Thais again and again...?


Khmers are stubborn too..

Anonymous said...

To me, i think Thais scared to fight Khmer army, because after the last couple fight with Khmer army, Khmer army kick their azz so bad, Thais bastard lost alot of people... many death+wounded! Thais are just bluffing with those troops build up, but they don't dare to fight or encroach again...if they do, Khmers soldier will fuck them up real bad this time, because too many good, modern weapons are ready in places...