Chong Sa-Ngam Checkpoint On Thai-Cambodia Border Re-Opens

BANGKOK, May 5 (Bernama) -- The Chong Sa-ngam border pass in Thailand's northeastern Si Sa Ket Province along the Thai-Cambodian frontier has now re-opened for normal exchanges of trade and tourists, according to Thai News Agency on Thursday.

The local authorities reopened the Chong Sa-ngam permanent checkpoint in Phu Singh District on Thursday following its 12-day temporary closure, one day after the Chong Jom-Osamed permanent checkpoint in Surin was reopened.

The tension along the common border in nearby Surin Province eases with the observation of a ceasefire from troops on both sides.

Thai-Cambodian border crossing reopened Wednesday

Tawatchai Samutsakon and Chea Mon at O'Smach (Photo: CEN)

BANGKOK, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Chong Chom/O'Smach immigration checkpoint on the Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand's northeastern Surin province was reopened on Wednesday morning after military leaders of both sides held another round of ceasefire talks.

Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, Thailand's Army Region 2 commander, went across the border to meet Lt-Gen Chea Mon, commander of Cambodia's 4th Army Region, at the O'Smach Resort Hotel where the two military commanders discussed strict implementation of a ceasefire, the Bangkok Post online reported.

They agreed that if a clash took place, the unit commanders of the two sides must immediately contact each other to stop it and prevent it from recurring.

Surin border crossing reopened

4/05/2011
Bangkok Post

The Chong Jom - O-Smach immigration checkpoint on the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin's Kap Choeng district was reopened on Wednesday morning after local military leaders of the two countries held another round of ceasefire talks.

Field reports said Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, the 2nd Army commander, went across the border to meet Lt-Gen Chea Mon, commander of Cambodia's 4th Army Region, at the O-Smach Resort Hotel not far from the crossing.

The two military commanders discussed strict implementation of a ceasefire. They agreed that if there is a clash then the unit commanders of the two sides must immediately contact each other to stop it and prevent it from recurring.

[Thai] PM warns temple a matter for govt

3/12/2010
Bangkok Post

A decision on whether to withdraw troops from the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple rests with the government and the government alone, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

Mr Abhisit said yesterday he had notified the military and local authorities of the government's policy that no agreement on the Preah Vihear temple could be made at the local level.

All activities must proceed under the same guidelines and all sides must coordinate their efforts and consult the government. "There must be policy unity," he said.

The prime minister made clear his position following reports local military authorities from Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to withdraw their troops around the ancient temple.

The 2nd Army will report the border situation soon to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

Mr Abhisit denied any knowledge of reports that Cambodia had decided to postpone the reopening of Preah Vihear gate, which is accessible from Kantharalak district in Thailand's Si Sa Ket.

The Phnom Penh Post website reported the planned reopening of the border gate at the Hindu temple had been postponed for another month because of a disagreement between the two countries.

Abhisit denies troops will be pulled from temple area

Cambodia puts opening of border gate on hold

2/12/2010
Bangkok Post

Thai troops will remain in place in the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple until the border problems with Cambodia are resolved, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

Mr Abhisit yesterday denied a report that Thai troops were being withdrawn from the disputed area in Si Sa Ket province.

Cambodia responded to the announcement by saying it would postpone the opening of a border gate with Thailand near the temple.

Mr Abhisit said he had clearly stated that no soldiers would be pulled back as long as there was no resolution to the dispute.

Cambodia is accused by Thailand of encroaching on Thai soil by building a temple, a community and a market in the area.

Mr Abhisit insisted the soldiers would stay at their posts until the bilateral memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 was respected.

The memo requires the two countries to keep out of the disputed area while the demarcation negotiations continue.

Mr Abhisit demanded that Cambodia stop development in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear for the sake of peace until the talks were finalised.

He welcomed a report that Cambodia was dismantling its community and market in the disputed area.

The latest development proved that bilateral negotiations were making progress and the use of force was unnecessary in dealing with border issues, the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh told the Bangkok Post that Thai and Cambodian authorities did not enter into any agreement to withdraw their troops from the disputed area. However, they were being redeployed at some border stations to avoid any confrontation.

He also confirmed Cambodia's plan to reopen the Preah Vihear temple although he did not say if this would take place before the New Year.

"We have yet to discuss the details of the joint use of the area by Thailand and Cambodia, and still have many other issues to thrash out," Gen Tea Banh said.

Hang Soth, director-general of the Cambodian government-run agency managing the Preah Vihear temple, said Phnom Penh had postponed opening a border gate with Thailand near the temple. "We have delayed it indefinitely," he said.

Cambodia earlier this week said redeployment of troops by the two countries away from the border had eased the way for the gate to be opened for the first time in over two years.

The gate, which gives access to the 11th-century site to visitors from Thailand, has been closed since July 2008 after Thai protesters rallied near the ruins.

Hang Soth said the decision to delay opening the gate was taken because neither side could agree on details like whether a ticket booth could be installed on the Thai side.

Thailand also wanted Thai vendors to be allowed to sell their wares in a Cambodian market near the temple, he said.

"We disagreed because it is our territory," said Hang Soth.

Cambodia, Thai border gate opening delays for another month [-Why would Cambodia share revenue with Thailand?]

December 01, 2010
Xinhua

The plan to open Preah Vihear temple border gate with neighboring Thailand will be delayed for another one month, said a top official at the Cambodian Preah Vihear National Authority on Wednesday.

"After the bilateral meeting on Tuesday between Cambodia and Thai officials, the Thai side has asked us to delay the opening of the border gate for another month instead of opening the gate on December 5," Hang Soth, director general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

He said the delay suggestion from the Thai side was made as both sides could not reach agreement on the issues of sharing entry ticket fees and letting Thai vendors to sell in Cambodian market nearby the temple.

The border gate has been closed since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage site that triggered a military build-up along the border and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers.

Since then, tourists have been allowed to enter the hilltop temple only from the Cambodia side, preventing a large influx of visitors from Thailand.

The tension between the two countries were eased after four meetings between leaders of the two countries and subsequent meetings between commanders of both sides' armed forces.

Preah Vihear temple border gate with Thailand likely to open on weekend

November 30, 2010 
Xinhua

Ten Thai soldiers stationed in Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda at Preah Vihear temple have already withdrawn and the Preah Vihear temple border gate with Thailand is likely to open on Sunday, said a top official at the Preah Vihear National Authority.

"Since Monday's evening, both sides have pulled out each side of the 10 soldiers stationed in Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak pagoda and Thai side asked to keep five of them dressed uniforms and equipped with radio transmitters, but no weapons to station at the Police station 795 nearby the Cambodian market nearby the temple," Hang Soth, General Director of the Preah Vihear National Authority told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Both sides have also been re-filled bunkers since on Monday, he added.

"We, both sides, agreed in general to open the border gate at Preah Vihear temple on December 5 upon the request by a Thai army commander," he added. "However, we are not yet to agree with the Thai request to allow her vendors to sell in our market nearby the temple."

Chea Dara, deputy commander-in-chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, who is in charge of the army at Preah Vihear temple, said Tuesday that tension between the two countries have been eased since four times of meetings between the two countries' leaders and subsequent meetings between commanders of both sides' armed forces.

The border gate has been closed since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as a World Heritage site, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

Since then, tourists have been allowed to enter the hilltop temple from only Cambodia side, preventing a larger influx of visitors from Thailand.

Hun Sen big words but little action: If Thailand closes the border gate one more time, it will be closed forever

Hun Sen: If Thailand closes the border gate one more time, it will be closed forever

Monday, July 30, 2007
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The plan to end the dependence on Thailand at the Preah Vihear Temple area was decided by a recommendation made by prime minister Hun Sen during a council of minister meeting held at the end of last week. Hun Sen ordered the ministry of public works and transportation to immediately study a plan to build two important roads: National Road 10 from Battambang province to Pailin city, and the road from Kompong Thom province to the area of the Preah Vihear temple.

This revelation of this information caused Cambodian people who live in the Preah Vihear Temple to rejoice, it is also good news for all Cambodian people regarding the possibility of a good road in the future so they can easily visit the temple on top on Dangrek Mountain, and it will also facilitate the transport of goods to this region.

Currently, this region always faces hardship each time the border gate is repeatedly ordered closed by a unilateral decision, because food and even water must be bought from Thailand. Hun Sen discussed about the Thai side which closed the border gate at the Preah Vihear Temple, by warning that if the gate is closed one more time, it will closed forever.

Regarding Preah Vihear Temple, on 24 July, a high-ranking delegation of government officials traveled by helicopter to the temple to visit and perform of a review the temple. The delegation included Ti Yav of the OBSES commission, Var Kim Hong, a high-ranking official in charge of Cambodian border affairs, as well as high-ranking officials from various ministries concerned.

What is noticeable was the presence of a number of embassy officials based in Cambodia, such as the US embassy, Canada, Japan, as well as 30 persons who were officials from various embassies and archeologists. The delegation was protected by border guards under the direction of Long Sovann, the deputy provincial governor.

At the fourth temple, the Cambodian delegation as well as the embassy officials and other visitors, organized a ceremony to pray the spirit of Ta Dy (Grandpa Dy) and Yeay Mao (Grandma Mao) to ask for protection and peace. During the visit, embassy officials and archeologists paid great attention to all temples and stone inscriptions. Next, the delegation traveled down from the temple to visit the border gate to Thailand, located next to the first temple. They held discussions at the border gate office for about half an hour before concluding the visit.

UNESCO will officially announce the listing of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site next year. Earlier, the Thai side demanded also that the portion of the temple located in Thailand be included as well, and they also demanded that border disputes be resolved. Nevertheless, Hor Namhong, minister of foreign affairs, told UNESCO members that the request to list Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site is not involved with the border problems, and that this request was made only under the sovereignty of Cambodia on the temples which constitute Cambodian heritage. The request to include Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site was supported by the US ambassador in Cambodia.