Thai troops flexing their muscle after Hun Xen’s visit

Hun Xen during his visit to Preah Vihear (Photo: Sovannara, RFI)

14 Feb 2010
By Pen Bona
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Five days after PM Hun Xen’s visit to the western border zones, the military situation is still under alert in these areas. Right now, Thailand is also holding a military exercise along the border. This exercise is intended to show Thailand’s muscle to Cambodia after Hun Xen issued strong warnings to Thailand. The Thai action leads to increasing tension along the border.
One day after Hun Xen ended his visit to the border, Thailand held a military exercise along the border. The major and lengthy military exercise is currently taking place in Thailand’s Ubon province which is neighboring with Cambodia’s Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

A military source based at the location indicated that Cambodian troops are under alert, and they are closely following the Thai military exercise. Alert among the Cambodian troops alert stems from the concerns that the Thai military exercise could trespass into Cambodian territories. Last year, several artillery shells were fired into Cambodia during a similar Thai military exercise. However, at that time, Thai troops claimed that they shelled into Cambodia by mistake.

However, this time, Cambodian army officers warned in advance that, should there be any new intrusion, Cambodia will not look away like last time. Furthermore, in the current exercise, Thailand has also increased the number of its troops very significantly and this is a matter of concerns. The addition of Thai troops started since Hun Xen’s visit to the Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda on 06 February. Hun Xen’s arrival led to the kicking out of 10 Thai soldiers stationed there.

Hun Xen’s stern speech and his verbal attack to the invaders created havoc in Bangkok, and it also led to the addition of Thai border troops preparing to take over the 4.6-sq-km of Cambodian territories that they invaded in the past. Nevertheless, Cambodian and Thai troops stationed along the frontline had met to negotiate in order to smooth out the situation.

At a time when diplomatic relation between the two countries is at its lowest point, the mutual display of military muscle is a case of deep concern. The confrontation could easily lead to war.

Thailand, Cambodia deploy more troops at historic temple

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, June 25 (TNA) - Troop reinforcements from both Thailand and Cambodia have been deployed around Preah Vihear temple, following Thailand's opposition to the World Heritage Committee and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted-listing of the historic temple as a World Heritage sie, a senior Thai army officer said Thursday.

Second Region army commander Lt. Gen. Wiboonsak Neeparn said the overall situation at the temple on the Thai-Cambodian border remains calm.

However, he said both Thai and Cambodian troops had been deployed at Preah Vihear and that he had ordered Thai soldiers taking up positions in the area to be on alert and to exercise patience.

UNESCO granted Cambodia’s application for Preah Vihear temple to be designated a World Heritage Site in July 2008. Thailand opposes listing the temple on the basis that it might go against the registration process and was in breach of the principles of world heritage stipulated by the UNESCO.

Meanwhile, Kasemsan Chinnawaso, director-general of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said the Thai national park near Preah Vihear temple had been closed indefinitely due to concerns over tourist safety of tourists in the face of tensions in the area.

Mr. Kasemsan said he was requested by the governor of Si Sa Ket province to open the park to welcome tourists visiting it during Buddhist Lent on July 8, but he had opted to keep it closed for safety reasons.

He said the national park would reopen when the situation at the border returns to normal.

Sabre rattling at Preah Vihear [Update]

25/06/2009
BangkokPost.com

Thai soldiers have been put on full alert along the disputed border with Cambodia and been warned that an armed clash is possible, Second Army Region commander Viboonsak Neepal said on Thursday.

Lt-Gen Viboonsak said the Cambodian army had begun deploying more troops and artillery, including 10 large cannons and six tanks, near Preah Vihear temple.

The new Cambodian troops were dressed in new uniforms and armed with new rifles. They had set up camp about two kilometres across the border from Chong Sa Ngam in Si Sa Ket.

Thai troops stationed along the border now had units on alert around the clock, he said.

"If there are bullets coming from the other side, the Thai army is ready to retaliate by any means necessary.

"I have ordered all troops to show patience but be alert, and reminded them not to underestimate the situation," he said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian villagers continued to buy goods at the Thai market as usual.

Defence Ministry spokesman Chittisak Charoensombat said both countries had dispatched their troops to the border, but they had no intention to clash.

He said each country only wanted to protect its own soveriegnty.

"The Thai army is capable and ready for battle, but we will not invade or be the first to start using force," Maj-Gen Chittisak said.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon will make an official visit to Cambodia on Saturday to discuss the border dispute, he said.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation chief Kasem Jinnawaso announced that the Khao Phra Viharn National Park in Si Sa Ket would remain closed. It was shut to the public on April 3.

Mr Kasem said the department had talked with the Si Sa Ket governor and the Second Army, and they all agreed it should stay closed because they could not guarrantee the safety of visitors to the park.

Thailand, Cambodia spar again over disputed border

2009-06-25
Associated Press

The Thai army put its troops on alert at the disputed border with Cambodia and said Thursday it would deploy more soldiers there, the latest sign that tensions are rising over a 11th century Hindu Khmer temple.

Trouble began in July when the United Nations cultural agency, UNESCO, approved Cambodia's bid to have the ancient Preah Vihear temple named a World Heritage Site, leading some in Thailand to believe their claims to the surrounding land would be undermined.

Several gun battles have killed at least seven Thai and Cambodian soldiers, and both sides have refused to back away from their positions, each saying it has the rightful claim to the land.

Thailand last week asked UNESCO to reconsider its decision to formally list the temple as a world heritage site under the care of Cambodia. That move irritated Cambodia and the two sides have traded angry words ever since.

Lt. Gen. Neepal Viboonsak said Thai troops were put on alert and more would be sent to the area in response to Cambodia's increasing forces and weaponry there.

"We urged that the troops exercise restraint and patience. We will not shoot unless we are shot at first," said Neepal. "But we will have to appropriately increase the number of troops because (the Cambodians) have deployed a lot more troops and heavy artillery there."

He declined to comment on the number of forces on either side, or how many more Thai soldiers would be deployed.

Prime Minister Hun Sen denied that Cambodia had sent more soldiers to the border and warned an encroachment by Thai soldiers will not be welcome.

"If the Thais enter, let's fight," he told reporters. "If Thai forces do not withdraw from the area, I will not order Cambodian forces to pull back either."

Cambodia and Thailand share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border, much of which has never been clearly demarcated because the countries refer to different maps.

The World Court awarded the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, but sovereignty over the surrounding land has never been clearly resolved.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will visit Cambodia on Saturday to discuss the issue with Hun Sen.

Officials open to talks ahead of Thai visit

Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Written by VONG SOKHENG AND THET SAMBATH
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian officials said Tuesday they had yet to receive official notification of a visit this weekend by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, reportedly to hold talks with Hun Sen on the growing dispute over Preah Vihear temple's World Heritage listing, according to Thai media.

"We haven't received an official letter from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs informing us about the visit," Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said, adding that Cambodia welcomed any negotiations on the issue.

The Bangkok Post reported Tuesday that Suthep would arrive Saturday to clarify Thailand's position on the temple, following Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's announcement last week that Bangkok would challenge the temple's World Heritage status at this week's UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Seville, Spain.

Abhisit's announcement prompted Hun Sen to accuse Thailand of "infringing" on Cambodia's sovereignty.

Union leader Rong Chhun, a vocal critic of Thailand's moves on the frontier, said Tuesday that he has no plan to protest against Suthep's proposed visit, but said the machinations of the Thai government showed it has no real intention of resolving the border standoff with Cambodia.

"I think that Thailand's activity has clearly infringed on Cambodia's sovereignty, and the visit of the Thai government is just to lobby and prolong the conflict, in order to bide their time and take our land," he said.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said Tuesday that the 33rd Session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which opened Monday, was yet to address Thai complaints about the inscription of Preah Vihear.

The temple was listed in July 2008, prompting an escalation of tensions between Cambodia and Thailand and a troop buildup along the border. Thailand has long sought the joint listing of the site.

Cambodian border troops remain on alert, reporting that Thailand brought up tanks, artillery and infantry to Phnom Trop, a few kilometres from Preah Vihear.

An RCAF officer stationed at the temple, who declined to be named, said the Thai action had forced Cambodia to bolster its own forces at the front.

"We held a tank exercise [Monday] at the hillside near the temple," he said. "It is just an exercise. We want to show Thailand that we have everything ready for battle. If they dare to come into Cambodian territory, we will resist them."

According to Thai media reports, Thai army chief General Anupong Paojinda made a visit to the Thai-Cambodia border near Preah Vihear temple Tuesday morning, following reports Cambodia had sent re-inforcements of troops, 130mm artillery pieces and T-54 tanks to the border.

Yim Phim, commander of Brigade 8, said he did not meet Anupong, but added that the Cambodians, in pulling up additional armed forces, were only reacting to Thai moves.

Kamrob Palawatwichai, first secretary of the Thai Embassy, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Thai troops crack down on protesters - 13 Apr 09

Running battles have broken out in Bangkok's streets where troops and anti-government protesters have clashed.

Gunfire and explosions have been heard as thousands of so-called "Red Shirt" protesters demand that Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai prime minister, resign.

More than 70 people have been injured and many streets are deserted.

Al Jazeera's Tony Cheng reports from the Din Daeng area of Bangkok.

Thais Adding Troops to Border: Commander

By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
04 August 2008

Thailand has added at least 100 soldiers to border positions near Preah Vihear temple, a Cambodian commander said Monday.

The addition of troops comes as both countries have been unable to solve a tense military standoff of thousands of troops and as Thailand secured military positions at another temple complex.

"The Ministry of National Defense told us [Thursday] that in two days, there would be a withdrawal of troops, and the announcement passed through the Thai infantry to the Thai regional military, but since the announcement, it has been four days already," said Maj. Gen. Srey Doeuk, commander of Military Region 4. "The Thais did not withdraw their troops; contrarily, they deployed more than 100 soldiers west of the temple, and they are digging trenches."

Officials said over the weekend Thailand had occupied and hardened defense lines in a temple complex where Cambodia claims two temples as its own. The Ta Moan temple complex is on the border of Oddar Meanchey province, west of Preah Vihear.

Officials also said Saturday a Thai soldier had died on the border, due to non-combat related injuries, but could not confirm the cause.

Bilateral talks last week led to promises of withdrawal on both sides, but no dates have been given and troops have not moved so far.

No new meetings have been scheduled between the two countries, government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said.

"The case is not in an alert situation," he said. "We are focusing on the preparation of the new government."