Kuala Lumpur, Feb 12 (PTI) As tension continues to simmer on the Thailand and Cambodia border over a 11th century Hindu Shiva temple, a concerned Asean grouping has asked all its foreign ministers to meet for an urgent conclave to discuss the Preah Vihar shrine dispute.
The invitations to the foreign ministers have been sent by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, the current Asean chair and the meeting is set to be held on February 22.
While Cambodia has sought an urgent Security Council meeting calling for a UN buffer force to be put in place, Thailand has said the dispute should be resolved bilaterally.
Meanwhile, Thailand has said that more than 20,000 soldiers will be deployed on the Thai-Cambodian border as part of a national defence plan and an incident action plan approved by the army commander, ''Bangkok Post'' quoted army sources as saying today.
The plan is to remain in effect till March 30.
The main entrance of the Shiva temple known as Preah Vihar is officially on the Cambodian side but most of the other parts of the temple spill over to the Thai side.
Officially the foreign ministers have been invited to discuss "regional and international issues," but the purpose of the meeting is clear, senior Asean officials told the Bangkok Post.
The Indonesian foreign minister has met both Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers so far.
He has said that Asean''s role is one that supports bilateral efforts to resolve the conflict.
Recent reports after the border clash a couple of weeks back had said that parts of the temple had been damaged in the recent skirmishes between the two neighbours after Cambodian troops used the shrine as a military base to fire on the Thai soldiers.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has sent a letter to the UN Security Council saying Thailand''s action during the clashes last week with Cambodia was appropriate and is in line with international principles.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both the countries to come up with mechanisms to solve their disputes and end armed confrontation as soon as possible.
US has also called for Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint.
The construction of the first temple at the site began in the early 9th century and continued in the following centuries dedicated to Shiva in his manifestations as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara, online reports said.
The earliest surviving parts of the temple dates from early 10th century, when the empire''s capital was at the city of that name.
In the wake of the decline of Hinduism in the region the site was converted to use by Buddhists.
In 1954, Thai forces occupied the temple following the withdrawal of French troops from Cambodia.
Cambodia protested and turned to the International Court of Justice which later ruled in 1962 that the shrine belonged to Cambodia.
6 comments:
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Khmers/Thai in Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buriram, Ubon, ayuthia,.... ,
WE are Khmers. We are the owner of the Provinces. Our great grand parents, grand parents, parents, children grand children and we have born here. We stay her from generation to generation. We speak Khmer. We have same culture and same blood as Khmers around the world and Khmers in Srok Khmer. Our leader built Ankor Wat, Preah Vihea and may more temples Siem are not the owner of our land and our culture.
Siem is thief We must protect our right and land and culture and language.
Tell Thai soldiers to return to their camp. Let us live in peace.
Yellow Shirt and Abhisit group are the trouble maker and the warmonger and the traitor of Thai people.
Abhisit was installed as a puppet. He is a Hilter of Asia. He will be killed by his own people.
"Kon Jai Kod Kabot Chat" that best choice and best word for 11.58 pm. comment.
Hun Sen military in Preah Vihear used misile fire bomb to give gift for Dol Awo and Phum Srol villagers. That is also mother land of Khmer people in their mother land. Do you think he alway love you and your Khmer blood line in South Isan?
If you join with many news from Ki-
media and anathers Khmer news website. Easily compare freedom condition to action somethings (v ery boring about stupid red and yellow and many shirt Lakorn dramatic in Thai) between Thailand and Cambodia.
For me Red shirt and Yellow shirt is political dramatic. Not things profit and useless for root people. Look like some drunking people enjoy to cheer their own fighting boxing to use more strong sensitively feeling. We can compare with case confict between Siem and Khmer. Long history for both work together picture of Lavo military march second group behind Siem Kok in Soriyavarman military. Present Thailand and Present Cambodia not 100% to compare great Khmer empire.
The Preah Vihear Temple had been one
of sacred shrine that all Khmer
empire kings came to
get power from Hindu
Gods.
When kings went up
to the top of the
Dongrek mountain,one
of them could see his large empire as
far as he could.He
was so proud of him
self.The kingdom was
spread to half Burma
,the whole Thailand
through Malaysia,the
North at old China border,the Champa
under Khmer control
and Khmer Krom.
Thai,enough is enough. Stop where
you are.Don't be
greedy.Khmer wants
peace,not war.
The world UN peace-
keepers must let Khmer live in peace.
11:50 PM
A stupid jerk baeking at the Moon.
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