Cambodia refuses to remove pagoda or flag

This photo by AP clearly shows a Cambodian flag flying over Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak on 18 July 2008, shortly after the Thai troops invasion, yet Thailand never complained about this flag, so why is it doing that now? (Photo: AP)

February 2, 2011
By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

Phnom Penh claims structure, flag are legal; erected before 2000 MoU

The war of words between Thailand and Cambodia continued yesterday as Phnom Penh issued another statement and insisted it would not remove a contentious pagoda on the border, as demanded by Bangkok.

However, an outbreak of fighting in the area near the historic Preah Vihear temple seems unlikely despite troops being boosted on both sides.

The Cambodian foreign ministry statement said it was well acknowledged in Thailand that Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda was built by Cambodian people from 1998, with their national flag flying since then.

"The question is why has Thailand only now demanded the Cambodian flag be removed."

The pagoda was situated in Cambodian territory "and by no means will Cambodia relocate this pagoda elsewhere and Cambodia will continue to fly its flag there," it said.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said Bangkok's demand for the pagoda was in accordance with the memo of understanding (MoU) signed by the two countries in 2000. Article 5 of the MoU said both sides should not carry out any work resulting in changes to the environment of the frontier zone, he said.

"Therefore, the Thai foreign ministry insists there should be no building in the area where the joint boundary committee needs to negotiate for demarcation," Thani said.

However, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the foreign ministry may have misunderstood the MoU and the pagoda.

"Anything built before the 2000 MoU should be left as it was but anything after 2000 should be removed," he said.

"I think the MoU makes clear about that and we live together by this practice," Prawit said.

Thailand has objected to construction in disputed areas from time to time. The Foreign Ministry reiterated its stance over the pagoda this week after the nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and Thai Patriots Network (TPN) rallied and demanded that the Thai government act. They accused Abhisit Vejjajiva's government of losing territory adjacent to Preah Vihear to Cambodia.

The PAD protest has put pressure on the government to act to show strength and that it would not bow to Cambodia. Abhisit managed to get two stone tablets at the pagoda taken down, and wanted the Cambodians to remove their flag also.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said things were normal on the Cambodian border and that the dispute could be solved via joint boundary committee talks. Military action would be a last resort, he said.

"Both sides are ready to protect their respective territory but we don't invade the other's territory," he said.

"We are moving forces within our territory and they are doing their own. It is a normal adjustment of troops and such military exercises are our routine job," he said.

Local residents in Si Sa Ket province who live near Preah Vihear told The Nation they had Thai troops moving to the area near the Hindu temple over recent nights. The military had moved men, heavy weapons and equipment into the area, they said - and they feared fighting would erupt.

But Veerayut Duangkaew, chief of Sao Thong Chai sub-district, near the historic temple, said he did not expect clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops.

"I phoned a Cambodian soldier whom I know and got the impression that Cambodian troops won't wage a war with Thailand since it would cause damage on both sides," he said. "I'm sure there will be no war."

The boundary committee should sit together and talk to solve the dispute now, he said. "I see no point to launch a war of words without solving any problem."