Military withdrawal depends on new gov't: Thai army

BANGKOK, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Second Army Region commander Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakorn said on Tuesday that the decision to pull Thai troops from the frontier now depends on the decision of the incoming government.

Now the troops from the 2nd Region Army which oversees northeastern region still remain at the Thai-Cambodian border, according to the commander.

Lt-Gen Tawatchai insisted that both Thai and Cambodian army will continue to coexist peacefully and avoid confrontation in order that some 100,000 residents along the border would not be affected.

Following the Cambodia's application in late April for reinterpretation of the World Court's 1962 ruling and provisional measure, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 18 ordered both countries to remove their troops from the disputed area.

Tensions ease around border temple

ENLIGHTENMENT: A monk gets a panoramic view of the 4.6-squarekilometre disputed border area claimed by Thailand and Cambodia atop the Pha Mor I Dang cliff in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district, which has reopened to tourists.

RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ALLOWED TO RETURN TO DISPUTED THAI-CAMBODIAN AREA

24/07/2011

Wassana Nanuam

Bangkok Post

The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border has returned to normal and it is now safe to visit tourist spots in the border areas, says Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon.

Lt Gen Thawatchai said the 2nd Army has allowed residents and tourists to re-enter the disputed area around Preah Vihear, including the Pha Mor I Dang cliff in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, as well as Ta Muen and Ta Kwai temples in Phanom Dong Rak district of neighbouring Surin province.

Traders from Phum Srol village in Kantharalak district, the epicentre of the Thai-Cambodian clashes earlier this year, have also been allowed to re-open souvenir and goods shops.

He said border tensions have eased since the July 3 general election because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is expecting to resume talks with the incoming government led by the Pheu Thai Party.

Thai-Cambodia border quiet as temple battle in international court

May 31, 2001
DPA

Bangkok - The Thai-Cambodia border region around a disputed 11th-century Hindu temple was quiet Tuesday as the two countries prepared for day two in court at The Hague to settle the contentious border issue, officials said.

Thai soldiers remain in the border region guarding Thai territory, Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanatip Hwangsaeng said Tuesday, adding that the area was peaceful and relations with the Cambodian military were good.

In April, Cambodia asked the International Court of Justice in The Hague to revisit its 1962 ruling that awarded Preah Vihear temple to Phnom Penh.

The court case started Monday with Thailand saying again that it honours that 1962 ruling, and that the temple itself is in Cambodia.

Thai troops continue to throw grenades in front of Cambodian troops

14 Feb 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Thai troops threw grenades in front of trenches occupied by Cambodian troops for several days consecutively, starting since 07 February, in order incite Cambodian soldiers to fire at them so that they may stage a major attack back on Cambodia. At 11:30PM last night, a report indicated that Thai troops threw 15 grenades in the direction of trenches occupied by Cambodian soldiers in Phnom Trop, but there was no injury. Thailand aims at inciting clashes between the two troops in order to undermine the UN Security Council meeting which will take place on Monday.

33 grenades thrown by Thai troops

General Srey Doek, commander of intervention troop unit no. 3, indicated that, last night, starting from 11:30PM to the morning hour, Thai troops threw 33 grenades in front of trenches occupied by Cambodian soldiers. This is the largest amount of grenades thrown in any one night, starting from 07 Feb.

Worries loom as [Thai] locals go home

FRIENDS IN HARD TIMES: A boy grabs his puppy as he prepares for the trip home to Ban Phum Srol in Si Sa Ket.

13/02/2011
Wassana Nanuam & Nopparat Kingkaeo
Bangkok Post

More than 21,000 villagers evacuated to shelters along the border with Cambodia last week are returning home despite the risk that violence may recur.

The Si Sa Ket villagers, who took shelter at 55 migration centres after the most recent Thai-Cambodian fighting erupted on Feb 4, started returning home yesterday, but with mixed emotions.

Some residents will go back to homes damaged in the fighting by gun and missile fire. Many are worried that fighting will erupt again.

"I don't know whether I can sleep because I don't know whether Cambodia will open fire again," said Supin Kaewloy, 41, a resident of Ban Phum Srol in Kantharalak district, which was hit by heavy weapons fire from over the border.

Quiet day on Thai-Cambodian border

BEIJING, Feb.9 (Xinhuanet) -- Along the Thailand-Cambodia border, the situation was still tense on Tuesday, but there was no new violence. Troops from both sides were still on high alert as Thai commanders said they were not confident of long term stability.

A new day and 24 hours without fighting the first time in five days.

The Thai military have now locked down their side of the border inside the nine hundred year old temple, off limits too all.

Although there is no formal ceasefire, a tense peace is holding.

Later in the morning a press conference with the local governor and military commanders.

Pause in Fighting Over Temple Between Thailand and Cambodia

February 8, 2011
By SETH MYDANS
The New York Times

PREAH VIHEAR, CAMBODIA — Thai and Cambodian soldiers watched each other across a narrow, forested ravine Tuesday during a pause in some of the fiercest fighting in years in a lingering border dispute.

On one side stood the ancient cliff-top temple that is the focus of their dispute, where a few nicks and chips from artillery fire added new blemishes to some of its collapsing walls and pillars.

The Cambodian soldiers who occupy the 11th-century temple stand almost within shouting distance of a lookout post flying a Thai flag at the highest point across the ravine.

From Friday through Monday morning, the two sides exchanged artillery and rifle fire that by various reports took at least seven lives and left dozens of soldiers and civilians wounded.

Suthep: Border situation normal

31/01/2011
Bangkok Post

The situation at the Thai-Cambodian border is not worrying and Thai authorities are working hard to get Cambodia to quickly remove its national flag flying over the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday.

"There are people making up stories about the border situation, but I assure you that the situation is not tense," Mr Suthep said.

As for Cambodia's refusal to remove its national flag hoisted near Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple in the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area, Mr Suthep said the Foreign Ministry and the army are dealing with the issue as a matter of urgency.

Tense between Cambodia and Thai Troops Eased

2011-01-26
Xinhua

A brief tense between Cambodia and Thai troops near Preah Vihear Temple was finally eased and returned to normal, military sources at the border said Wednesday.

The sources said over telephone that some 30 Thai soldiers in black uniform came close to Keo Sikhakiri Svarak Pagoda near Preah Vihear Temple on Wednesday morning at which they were asked to return to their previous position by Cambodian troops.

According to the sources, the Thai troops were demanding a stone sign that says "Here Is Cambodia" to be removed from a site near the Pagoda where 20 Thai soldiers used to stay during the tense border conflict after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site in July 2008.

The stone sign, however, was removed and the Thai soldiers also returned to their previous line after lunch time on Wednesday.

Since 2008, Cambodia and Thai troops have exchanged several rounds of military clashes that resulted in several dead and injured.

Thai-Cambodian Border Normal as UNESCO Talks Postponed

August 01, 2010
Pattaya Daily News

The situation at the Thai-Cambodian border remains normal despite the ongoing dispute surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple, according to Thai military sources on Friday.

Bangkok, the 31st of July 2010: The UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) postponed management plans put forth by Phnom Penh and resultant discussions over the controversial Preah Vihear Temple until 2011 last week.

Following the announcement, Thailand significantly increased their military presence on the eastern approach to the temple over fears of a Cambodian encroachment into Thai territory. However, despite fears and the WHC ruling to postpone talks, the situation remains stable in the region, according to military sources.

Disputes about the ownership of the temple and the land demarcation that surrounds it have been ongoing for more than 60 years. In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) made a majority ruling (9-3) that the temple was part of Cambodian territory. This judgement is still in place today, although Thailand continues to dispute the findings and the resultant World Heritage Listing for fear of losing adjacent land in the area.

The temple site has history dating back as early as the 9th century although the majority of constructions as it stands today were done during the reigns of the Khmer kings Suryavarman I (1002 -1050) and Suryavarman II (1113 -1150). Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the site was later converted to Buddhism following the collapse of Hinduism in the region.

With both countries being at a standstill over the management and ownership of the Preah Vihear Temple and the land that surrounds it, the immediate concern is regarding the true naming of the site. Thailand refers to the temple as Phra Viharn whilst the Cambodians use Preah Vihear. Preah Vihear is the internationally recognised name due to the 1962 ICJ ruling mentioned above.

The increased military presence merely 5km from the temple on the eastern side are said to be guarding the disputed region to ensure that Cambodian soldiers do not encroach upon Thai territory, a must in order to gain access to the site.

Following Friday’s decision to postpone discussions regarding a management plan for the temple, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Kasit Piromyat praised the Thai delegation for successfully explaining the nation’s perspective on the impasse to the UNESCO-WHC.

He further stated that all party’s should now come together in an attempt to resolve the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border demarcation dispute and submit it to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Thailand’s major dispute is that the land surrounding Preah Vihear is part of Thai territory according to the 2000 land boundary demarcation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Thailand will not allow for the loss of any land in the ongoing dispute and insist that negotiations be done in a peaceful manner to facilitate the two neighbouring countries good relations.

Thai-Cambodia border 'normal' but Thai military on high alert

BANGKOK, July 31 (MCOT online news) -- The Thai-Cambodian border situation remains normal but Thailand's military is on high guard after a United Nations agency agreed to postpone discussions on the disputed management plan around the Preah Vihear temple proposed by the Phnom Penh government to 2011.

Thai troops are now posted some five kilometres from the historic temple on its eastern approach.

They are guarding the disputed area contested by the two neighbouring countries round-the-clock to ensure that Cambodian soldiers do not encroach the Thai territory.

In an attempt to boost morale of Thai soldiers guarding the border, Col Nirut Ketsiri, commander of 16th Infantry Battalion, visited them.

Thailand's foreign minister said Friday that the country is not disadvantaged after UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC) on Thursday postponed its scheduled discussions on the management plan to next year's meeting in Bahrain.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromyat praised the Thai delegation at the meeting, led by Suwit Khunkitti, minister of natural resources and environment, for voicing and explaining the Thai perspective on the impasse to heritage committee members until they decided to postpone discussion of the issue.

He said that Thailand should now find a way to resolve the Thai-Cambodian border demarcation problem and submit it to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The immediate challenge, Mr Kasit said, is that Thailand wants to refer to the temple as Phra Viharn, while Cambodia calls it Phreah Vihear. If it is agreed by Phnom Penh then both countries could move jointly to resolve their territorial disputes.

The Thai government wants to resolve the problem according to the 2000 land boundary demarcation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia agreeing not to change any environment in the frontier zone, pending the survey and demarcation of the common land boundary.

Thailand will not allow its territory to be lost and the disputed, overlapping boundary must be settled by negotiation, he said, adding that the next round of talks should be done in a friendly atmosphere as the two countries are close neighbours.

Situation Along Thai-Cambodia Border Back To Normal After Clashes

1/25/2010

(RTTNews) - The situation along the Thai-Cambodia border has returned to normal after a brief exchange of fire between security forces of the two countries near a disputed border temple a day earlier, Thai News Agency quoted Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paochinda as saying on Monday.

Gen. Paochinda said that the tense situation along the border with Cambodia returned to normal after military officers from both countries held a meeting to discuss the incident near the site of Sunday's clashes. He added that the military officers who took part in the talks agreed that the brief exchange of fire was caused by a misunderstanding.

The Thai News Agency report indicated that Col. Thanet Wongchaum, chief of staff of the commander for the Suranaree Task Force, and Col. Thawatchai Changprachak, commander of a special unit from Thailand's Ranger Forces Regiment 23, took part in the talks from the Thai side, while Maj-Ben Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia's 3rd Reinforcement Division, represented his country in the discussions.

Earlier, security forces from the two countries exchanged fire briefly on Sunday along an un-demarcated area close to Thailand's northeastern province of Srisaged near the disputed ancient Preah Vihear border temple.

Currently, the relations between Thailand and Cambodia are strained over a disputed ancient temple on their border. Both countries claim ownership of the temple, which is located inside Cambodian territory. However, the main approach to the temple is from Thailand.

Situation On Thai-Cambodian Border Normal: Thai Army Chief

BANGKOK, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The Thai-Cambodian border's situation is now back to normal, after the brief exchange of gunfire on early Sunday morning, Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paochinda said on Monday.

Everything is now fine after senior military officials from the two countries discussed following the clash, Thai News Agency quoted General Anupong as saying.

The border clash between military patrols of the two countries occurred on an undemarcated area next to Thailand's northeastern province of Srisaged near ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries.

After the clash, Col. Thanet Wongchaum, Chief of Staff of the Commander for the Suranaree Task Force and Col. Thawatchai Changprachak, Commander of a Special Unit from Thailand's Ranger Forces Regiment 23, met with Maj-Ben Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia's 3rd Reinforcement Division at an operation base in Kantharalak district of Srisaged.

It was discovered during an hour of the meeting between the senior officials from the two countries that the clash was caused by misunderstanding.

Both countries have historically laid claim to the temple, which now sits on Cambodian soil following the action of the International Court of Justice which awarded the ancient temple to Cambodia in 1962.

However, the temple can practicably only be accessed from Thailand.

Thailand starts to flex its muscle again along the border

(Photo: AP)

19 January 2010
By Meas Mony
Free Press Magazine online
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Military tension between Cambodia and Thailand is flaring up again when black-clad Thai soldiers were sent to station along the Preah Vihear province border, and in Anglong Veng in Oddar Meanchey province.

At the end of last week, a source from among soldiers posted in Preah Vihear temple zone indicated that several hundreds of Thai black-clad soldiers were sent to the border area in Phnom Trop. The source indicated that these Thai soldiers showed peculiar attitudes towards Cambodian soldiers, such as demanding that Cambodian soldiers filled back the trenches they built to protect themselves since long ago. In Anlong Veng, a report indicated that Thai patrolling border troops set up about 10 tents in the last four days. Currently, there are 100 Thai soldiers stationing in these tents located in front of Kbal Ansorm villager, Trapaing Prey commune, Anlong Veng district.

Nhim Chhoeun, a RCAF colonel, called the Thai troops’ action as being “unusual”. According to Colonel Nhim Chhoeun, last week, Cambodian troops stationed in Preah Vihear temple received additional supply of ammunitions and shoulder rocket ammunitions, and they also dug trenches in preparation for a fight.

Cambodia and Thailand clashed with each other 3 times already in 2008 and 2009, but the armed tension defused. However, a diplomatic war ensued when Hun Xen nominated Thaksin as his economic advisor. The current muscle flexing by Thailand is starting anew at a time when the border issue between the two countries is at a standstill.

Cambodia reinforces Thailand border amid simmering tensions

Cambodian soldiers stand guard near the Preah Vihear temple in Preah Vihear province. Cambodia says it plans to reinforce the border.

Friday, January 15, 2010
Liam Cochrane, Alex Khun
Australia Network News

Cambodia is reinforcing its border with Thailand, establishing new villages full of soldiers, building roads and buying new equipment.

The strengthened military presence is part of an ongoing dispute over land surrounding the Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The 12th century temple has been the site of numerous violent clashes between the two countries in recent years.

Cambodia's Ministry of Defence made the announcement and said the program was necessary for national protection.

It says the military bulwark is part of a five-year plan, with work already underway on five new villages that will be populated with soldiers.

Preah Vihear program officer for the Wildlife Conservation Society, Tan Setha has witnessed the flurry of new construction activity.

"At the moment I can see the government establish some new village for the army family along the border."

It's believed a total of 14 new villages will eventually be established at a cost of hundreds of millions of US dollars.

A multi-ministerial committee, headed by former Phnom Penh governor and long-time Preah Vihear supporter, Chea Sophara, is driving the development.

Development

Cambodia is clearing land along the heavily-mined border so new infrastructures can be built to sustain the permanent relocation of soldiers and their families.

Heng Ratana, from the Cambodian Center for Mine Action says more than 300 de-miners are clearing land for the first five new villages being built for soldiers and their families.

"In Preah Vihear province, we've deploy more than 300 de-miners there to support demining activity which [has] tasks prioritised by local community and provincial community there."

"Our team is clearing a number of areas for supporting their development activity there, such as building new schools, new roads, irrigation system and so on."

The plan comes amid ongoing tension between Cambodia and Thailand over who owns 4.6 square kilometres of land surrounding the ruins of Preah Vihear.

Since July 2008 there have been several deadly clashes on the border and troops from both sides are prepared for a long standoff.

The paved road that leads from the Thai side to the foot of the temple, gives Thailand a distinct military advantage over Cambodia where dirt roads are full of pot holes, making the movement of troops and equipment difficult.

But that looks set to change, with this major investment to boost the number of Cambodian troops in the area and enhance their capacity to respond to any future incidents.

The troubled relationship between the two countries have been recently inflamed by Cambodia appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor.

It's understood Mr Thaksin will make his next visit to Cambodia later this month.

Thailand moves fresh troops to Preah Vihear border

Thursday, January 14, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Regarding the Preah Vihear temple border situation, in the afternoon of 13 January, the RCAF border commander indicated that fresh Thai troops were added to the Choam Ter-Ta Thav pass, located east of Preah Vihear temple. General Yim Pim, the RCAF commander of battalion 8, told The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that the situation in front of the temple itself is quiet, but near Ta Sim-O’Chak Chreng pass, west of Preah Vihear temple, fresh Thai troops moved into a location where they have never seen before. Yim Pim added that even if fresh Thai troops were moved in, Cambodian soldiers have no fear to see Thailand flexing its muscle. Cambodia just does not want to see Thailand invading Cambodian territories. The addition of fresh Thai troops take place right after Kasit Piromya, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs minister, reiterated again that Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda was built by Cambodia inside Thai territories.

Cambodia, Thai troops play volleyball at border

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to build confidence and ease down the situation along the Cambodia-Thai border, 20 Cambodian and Thai troops played volleyball on Tuesday afternoon at the border area, local newspaper the Cambodia Daily reported Wednesday.

The paper quoted Gen. Srey Dek, commander of armed forces' Division 3 based at Preah Vihear Temple as saying that 10 Cambodian soldiers and 10 Thai soldiers joined a "friendly volleyball game" on Tuesday.

He said the move will strengthen the cooperation between the two armies.

At the game, Srey Dek said, the two sides did not keep score, but for fun.

He, meanwhile, said both sides of military wish not to have a repeated armed clash.

Armed forces from the two countries had exchanged two times of gun fires and left several people dead and more than a dozen others injured since their border conflict began in July last year.

Thailand sends tanks to the foothill of Phnom Trop

Thursday, October 15, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

An informed RCAF source based in Preah Vihear temple told The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that in the afternoon of 14 October, 2 Thai tanks quietly moved to position at the foothill of Phnom Trop. The source indicated that these 2 tanks are equipped with modern weapons as if they are prepared to take some kind of action. On the other hand, fresh Thai troops are also deployed behind these tanks, they are composed of black-clad troops and paratroopers. General Chea Dara, the RCAF commander, told The Kampuchea Thmei that Cambodian troops are also prepared to shoot them down if they move into Cambodian territories. Chea Dara said that if these tanks remain inside Thailand and they do not move around unusually, there will be no problem, but if they trespass into Cambodia, Cambodia has the automatic rights to protect itself. There is no indication as to why these new tanks were sent in here. The Cambodian commander in Phnom Trop said that the 2 Thai tanks were sent in at 1:30PM on 14 October. Furthermore, Thai troops tried to camouflage them with tree leaves, they are stationed about 80-meter from the Cambodian army line.

Thai Army chief says no tension at Thai-Cambodian border near PreahVihear

October 2, 2009
The Nation

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said Friday that there is no tension along the Thai-Cambodian border near the disputed 4.6 square kilometre plot near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

He said he had reported the latest situation to Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wonsuwan.

He said the dispute has yet to be discussed in a joint border demarcation committee.

Cambodia observing the PAD situation in Thailand: Thai commander

Yellow shirts protest near Hindu Khmer temple

2009-09-21
CCTV.com (China)

Dozens of Thai activists have marched to a lookout point close to a disputed area near an ancient Hindu Khmer temple on the Cambodian border. This in a bid to urge the Cambodian military to leave the region.

The representatives of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, also known as the "yellow shirts", climbed up a hill on the Thai side of the border with a military escort to make their appeal.

Cambodia has not responded, but a Thai commander said Cambodia was observing the situation and is in contact with them.

Tensions over temple ownership heated up in July last year when UNESCO approved Cambodia's bid to have the Preah Vihear temple named as a World Heritage Site.