Tensions High as Cambodia Claims Thailand Has Violated Territory in Temple Dispute

July 20, 2008: A Cambodian Buddhist monk talks at entrance gate in the border between Cambodia and Thailand near Preah Vihear temple, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia.

Sunday , July 20, 2008
FOXNews.com

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia — Cambodia complained to the U.N. Security Council that Thai forces have violated its territory near a World Heritage Site temple, as more than 4,000 troops from the two sides were deployed in the border region Sunday.

The two countries were to hold talks Monday in Thailand aimed at resolving the dispute, but a Cambodian general said he had little hope they would succeed.

Cambodia's mission at the United Nations submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to "draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border," Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Sunday.

"Cambodia is not asking for U.N. intervention. We still stick to Prime Minister Hun Sen's instructions to try to solve the problem peacefully between the two sides," the minister said.

The conflict over territory surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear Hindu temple escalated when UNESCO recently approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai activists say the new status will undermine Thailand's claim to nearby land.

The tension, which began Tuesday, is centered on the compound of a Buddhist temple near the Preah Vihear temple complex. Cambodia and Thailand both claim the compound.

In his letter Friday to the Security Council, Cambodian U.N. Ambassador Sea Kosal said the action by Thai troops was aimed at creating "a de facto overlapping area that legally does not exist on Cambodian soil." A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press on Sunday.

Based on estimates by commanders and AP reporters on both sides of the border, more than 4,000 troops have been deployed around the temple and in the immediate border region.

Reporters saw at least nine Thai military trucks hauling small artillery pieces and soldiers toward the disputed area Sunday, but the atmosphere appeared relaxed despite the close proximity of the two forces.

Opposing commanders and their troops have tried to defuse tensions, sometimes even sharing meals, snapping photographs and sleeping within easy sight of each other.

"Some of these soldiers [the Cambodians and the Thais] have known one another a long time and they have good relationships. The soldiers on both sides understand each other," Thai field commander Col. Chayan Huaysoongnern told reporters.

A Cambodian general, however, said he had little hope that the talks Monday between his government and Thailand would resolve the matter.

Cambodian Brig. Gen. Chea Keo said Thai troops have deployed artillery about half a mile northeast of Preah Vihear temple.

"Regarding the talks tomorrow, we have little hope about the outcome," Chea Keo said.

He said the reason for his pessimism stems from a recent counterclaim by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that the area around the Buddhist temple belongs to Thailand.

While urging both sides to exercise restraint, Samak's letter said a settlement of Cambodians in that area constitutes "a continued violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Maj. Gen. Weewalit Jornsamrit, a senior Thai commander at the border, said an estimated 1,300 Cambodian troops were deployed in and around Preah Vihear.

Weewalit declined to give Thai troop numbers but a senior Thai officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive situation, said about 2,600 soldiers were in the Thai district opposite the border. About 400 were seen in the disputed area.

"We continue to be on alert at all times. And at the same time, we keep instructing our soldiers to be patient and avoid being blamed for starting a war," Chea Keo said Sunday.

The dispute has taken a toll on tourism in the area, with the Thai side closed to visitors. It also is starting to hurt economic relations between the two neighbors.

Cambodia-Thai Tensions Rise Ahead Of Peaceful Talks

July 20, 2008
Mayur Pahilajani
AHN News Writer

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (AHN) - Cambodia has reported Thailand's incursions into its territory near an ancient border temple to the United Nations Security Council.

Cambodia's permanent mission in New York submitted a letter informing the U.N. that Thai forces violated its territory near World Heritage Site the Preah Vihear Temple.

"On July 15, 2008, about 50 Thai soldiers crossed into the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda located in Cambodia's territory at about 300 meters from the Temple of Preah Vihear," the letter said, according to Xinhua news.

"By July 16 to 17, 2008,the number of Thai soldiers in the pagoda ground increased to 480," it added.

The temple, which is on a disputed land of 1.8 square mile, was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962.

The temple was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations earlier this month after Cambodia sent an application.

Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said the country is not looking for U.N. intervention; instead Cambodia wants to draw attention to its continuing standoff from the last six days.

Tensions between the countries increased after Cambodia reportedly detained three Thais on Tuesday who entered into the territory, which forced Thailand to increase its number of troops in the region to bring back the hostages.

The neighboring countries have decided to meet on Monday to resolve the tensions related to the disputed region peacefully but the local reports indicated that Thailand and Cambodia are increase the number of soldiers on the border.

Samak thinks talks can solve 'no man's land' dispute ... but keeps adding troops: Can Thailand be trusted?

Samak thinks talks can solve 'no man's land' dispute

Sunday, July 20, 2008
Bangkok Post

Pipop Thongchai, one of three PAD core leaders, said the time is opportune for Thailand to inform the international community that if the border demarcation between Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia is based upon the natural watershed, the contested area is definitely in Thai territory.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Sunday said the disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia is in "no-man's land" and that talks between officials of both countries are needed to iron out the dispute.

The Thai premier made the remarks after the Cambodian representative to the UN informed the UN Security Council on Thursday of alleged Thai incursion into its territory.

Speaking in his weekly television address, Mr. Samak said he preferred not to talk about the issue as the matter had already reached the United Nations and the Thai foreign ministry would take care of it.

Cambodia's permanent mission in New York submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to "draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border,'' Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said.

"Cambodia is not asking for UN intervention. We still stick to Prime Minister Hun Sen's instructions to try to solve the problem peacefully between the two sides,'' the Associated Press quoted the minister as saying in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.

The disputed area claimed by both countries is the 4.6 square kilometres adjacent to the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Troops of both countries have been reinforced in the area recently as Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen. Tea Banh are preparing to confer on Monday in Sa Kaeo province opposite Cambodia's Poi Pet on issues related to the ancient temple.

Officials of both countries have already inspected the hotel's meeting venue to ensure the safety of delegates attending the meeting which is scheduled to start at 10 am local time.

Meanwhile, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a group which coalesced thousands of people rallying for months to pressure the premier to step down, on Sunday urged the Thai government to inform the United Nations that the disputed zone adjacent to Preah Vihear temple belongs to Thailand.

Pipop Thongchai, one of three PAD core leaders, said the time is opportune for Thailand to inform the international community that if the border demarcation between Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia is based upon the natural watershed, the contested area is definitely in Thai territory.

He said past misunderstandings happened due to the Cambodian government use of a map drawn during the French occupation of Cambodia which determined the 11th century temple as well as the adjacent area to be in Cambodian territory.

Cambodia reports Thai incursions to U.N.

Story Highlights

• Cambodia: Letter to Security Council meant to 'draw attention to crisis'
• The two countries agreed to meet Monday to defuse tensions
• Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to 11th century Preah Vihear temple
• The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (CNN) -- Cambodia has sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council to call attention to its continuing standoff with Thailand over an ancient border temple on disputed land.

The country is not asking for U.N. intervention, said Information Minister Kheu Kanharith. Rather, the letter that Cambodia's permanent mission in New York submitted to the chairmen of the Security Council and the General Assembly is meant to draw attention to a crisis that entered its sixth day Sunday.

The two countries agreed to meet Monday to defuse tensions -- even as each side continued to amass more troops to the site of the Preah Vihear temple

Both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim to the 11th century temple, which sits atop a cliff on Cambodian soil but has its most accessible entrance on the Thai side.

The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Thailand claims, however, that the 1.8 square mile (4.6 sq. km) area around it was never fully demarcated.

Thailand further says that the dispute arose from the fact that the Cambodian government used a map drawn during the French occupation of Cambodia that places both the temple and the surrounding area in that country's territory.

Earlier this month, the United Nations approved Cambodia's application to have the temple listed as a World Heritage Site -- places the U.N. says have outstanding universal value.

The decision re-ignited tensions, with some in Thailand fearing it will make it difficult for their country to lay claim to disputed land around the temple.

Opposition parties in Thailand used the issue to attack the government, which initially backed the heritage listing.

A Thai court overturned the pact, prompting the resignation of Thailand's foreign minister, Noppadon Pattama. He had endorsed the application.

Cambodia, meanwhile, is preparing for general elections on July 27. And Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since the mid-1980s, has portrayed the U.N. recognition as a national triumph.

The current flare-up began Tuesday, when Cambodian guards briefly detained three Thais who crossed into the area. Once they were let go, the three refused to leave the territory.

Cambodia claims Thailand sent troops to retrieve the trio and gradually built up their numbers.

Thailand denies the charge, saying its troops are deployed in Thai territory. Each side has asked its troops to withhold fire unless they are fired upon.

So far, the only casualty has been a Thai soldier who was injured Tuesday by a landmine -- possibly left over from the time the Khmer Rouge occupied the area.

The Khmer Rouge, a radical communist movement that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, won power through a guerrilla war. It is remembered for the deaths of as many as 1.5 million Cambodians.

-- Journalist Soeum Yin contributed to this report

Fully uniformed Vietnamese military attaché visited Preah Vihear

Cambodia denies requesting UN intervention over temple dispute

Jul 20, 2008
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia denied allegations Sunday that it had asked for UN intervention in a border dispute with Thailand, and said it still hoped to settle the matter bilaterally through diplomatic channels.

'Thailand's claims we have asked for United Nations intervention over Preah Vihear are wrong. Our mission in New York has sent a letter (to the UN) advising on the situation, but Prime Minister Hun Sen wants to settle the matter directly with Thailand,' government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said.

The two sides are gearing up for talks in Thailand Monday in the dispute over 4.6 kilometres of land surrounding the 11th-century border temple of Preah Vihear that was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site this month.

Thailand objected to the listing, and tensions boiled over Tuesday and have continued to escalate.

Cambodia says Thai troops have entered its territory, but Thailand maintains that hundreds of its soldiers are in undefined territory that does not legally belong to Cambodia.

'We are optimistic that Monday's talks may solve some issues - let's wait and see,' Kanharith said.

He declined comment on reports the border standoff between more than 1,000 troops from both sides was worsening, or that Thailand had begun moving in heavy artillery on the eve of the talks.

'Let's just focus on the talks,' he said.

Cambodian state television station TVK aired extensive footage Saturday night of an international delegation's visit to the temple, including the Chinese and Vietnamese military attaches to Cambodia.

The Vietnamese wore full military uniform.

Cambodia informs UN Security Council of Thai incursion into its territory

PHNOM PENH, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has complained to the UN Security Council that Thai forces violated its territory near World Heritage Site the Preah Vihear Temple, where hundreds of troops continued to face off Sunday, said a government press release.

Cambodia's permanent mission in New York has submitted an account of facts, including a letter and maps, for the Security Council in relation to Thai violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia, according to the release.

"On July 15, 2008, about 50 Thai soldiers crossed into the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda located in Cambodia's territory at about 300 meters from the Temple of Preah Vihear. By July 16 to 17, 2008,the number of Thai soldiers in the pagoda ground increased to 480," said the letter signed by Cambodian Ambassador to UN Sea Kosal for chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith told reporters that the letter aimed to draw UN's attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border.

Cambodia is not asking for UN intervention, he said, adding that the government still stick to Prime Minister Hun Sen's instructions to try to solve the problem peacefully between the two sides.

Saturday, under the arrangement of the Cambodian government, representatives from Chinese, U.S., French and Vietnamese embassies flew to Preah Vihear province by helicopter to study the Cambodian-Thai military standoff over their land dispute.

Friday, the government invited a group of domestic and foreign journalists to the region to watch the situation.

Earlier Tuesday, three Thai protesters were arrested for jumping an immigration checkpoint to reach the Preah Vihear Temple. Thai troops then came to fetch them, triggering face off with Cambodian troops there. Military build-up occurred day by day.

The protesters trespassed the border with intention to reclaim the 11-century classic Khmer-style temple, which the International Court of Justice awarded, together with the land it occupies, to Cambodia in 1962. The decision has rankled the Thais ever since.

The temple straddles the Thai-Cambodian border atop the Dangrek Mountain and was listed as a World Heritage Site on July 7 by the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

Thailand calls for talks, but Cambodia not optimistic

A Cambodian soldier on guard near a pagoda at the Thai-Cambodia border
Buddhist monks pass Cambodian soldiers near the Thai-Cambodia border

"The only choice for Cambodia is no negotiation unless Thais withdraw their military," SRP lawmaker Son Chhay

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AFP) — Thailand said Sunday that a military standoff with Phnom Penh over disputed land should be resolved through negotiations, but a top Cambodian general said he had little faith in talks.

More than 500 Thai troops and well over 1,000 Cambodian soldiers are stationed around a small Buddhist pagoda on the slope of a mountain leading to the ruins of the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.

Top defence officials plan to meet Monday in a bid to resolve the crisis, which comes amid political tensions in both countries, and only weeks after the temple was granted World Heritage status by the UN cultural agency UNESCO.

In his weekly television address, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said it would take time to resolve the dispute, but the commander of Cambodian forces in the disputed area said ongoing talks were fruitless.

"We have very little hope about the negotiations," Brigadier Chea Keo said on day six of the confrontation.

"We have only a little hope because the new Thai government has written a letter to our prime minister saying that the land they are stationed on belongs to them," he told reporters.

"We're on high alert," he added.

The dispute began after three Thai protesters were arrested on Tuesday for jumping a fence to reach the temple.

The standoff nearly erupted into violence late Thursday, when witnesses said troops pointed their guns at each other at the pagoda after 50 Cambodian troops entered the compound to protect food supplies for dozens of monks.

Samak said that it would take time and effort to defuse the standoff.

"The situation at no man's land needs negotiation," Samak said Sunday in his weekly address. "It has to be step-by-step ... They claim the area belongs to them. We claim it belongs to us."

Cambodia has sent letters about the standoff to the United Nations, government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP.

"Cambodia's permanent mission at the United Nations has sent two letters -- one to the Security Council and another one to the chief of the UN General Assembly in order to draw attention about the situation," he said.

"After the Monday negotiations, we will decide what is the next step."

Cambodia's opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) on Sunday called for the government to withdraw its ambassador from Thailand and refuse to negotiate with their neighbours "as long as the Thai army remains on Cambodian territory".

"The only choice for Cambodia is no negotiation unless Thais withdraw their military," SRP lawmaker Son Chhay told reporters.

The renewed tensions on the border between Thailand and Cambodia come amid heightened political situations in both countries.

Cambodia is preparing for general elections on July 27, during which Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to extend his decades-long grip on power.

He has portrayed the UN recognition of the ruins as a national triumph, organising huge public celebrations.

In Thailand, critics of Samak -- already the target of street protests against his months-old government -- have stoked the temple controversy to fire up nationalist sentiment.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. But the most accessible entrance to the Khmer ruins lies in Thailand and 4.6 square kilometres (1.8 square miles) of the surrounding land remains in dispute.

Tensions rise ahead of crisis talks

Cambodian and Thai soldiers rest on the road to Preah Vihear as a military standoff over territory surrounding the temple enters its sixth day (Photo: Vandy Rattana)

Sunday, 20 July 2008
Written by Thet Sambath and Brendan Brady
The Phnom Penh Post

Tensions remain high at Preah Vihear as Cambodian and Thai troops continue to mass along the border ahead of crisis talks Monday that are hoped to defuse the standoff over territory around the 11th century temple.

More than 1,500 soldiers have now been deployed to Preah Vihear, where Cambodia maintains that Thai troops crossed into its territory last week and continue to occupy land near the temple.

"Thai soldiers have violated Cambodian territory ... I am sorry that they will not leave," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told reporters over the weekend after making a trip to the area.

"Preah Vihear is internationally recognized as Cambodia's. So when Thais protest about this, they are protesting against the international community."

Cambodia has written a letter to the UN Security Council informing it of the standoff, officials said over the weekend.

Military officials and diplomatic personnel from China, Vietnam, France and the United States have also traveled to Preah Vihear to review the situation.

Bangkok insists that its soldiers are on Thai territory, and has refused to withdraw them despite Thai military commanders saying Friday that they would leave.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, Samak Sundaravej, have each written letters to other claiming the territory and urging the removal of troops ahead of talks to be held in Thailand on Monday. Hun Sen said last week that the worsening situation was "very bad for relations" between the two countries.

"These [Thai] soldiers have encroached on our territory ... and have since increased in number rather than withdrawing," Hun Sen wrote, according to government spokesman Khieu Kanharith.

An area of 4.8 square kilometers around the temple remains in dispute after the World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. The temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 7 after years of resistance from Bangkok to the inscription, further inflaming Thai nationalism.

Cambodian military police commander Sao Sokha, however, said it is unlikely the dispute will erupt in violence, despite the concentration of men and weapons. "Why would we shoot each other? Let our leaders solve this problem ... we are all Buddhists here," he said, urging the Thais to stop sending troops to the area. A senior Cambodian military commander who did not want to be named also said the Thais were massing troops across the border from Anlong Veng in northern Cambodia. "We have also sent our troops to Anlong Veng. We are matching them at all points along the border," he told the Post on Saturday. The crisis began last Tuesday when Cambodia says Thai soldiers crossed the border and took up positions in Cambodian territory following the arrest of three Thais who jumped an international checkpoint to try and protest Preah Vihear's ownership.

The temple has been closed to Thais since last month, when a group of angry demonstrators massed on the Thai side of the border crossing to rally against Cambodia's claim to the temple.

The dispute has caused political turmoil in Thailand, as opposition parties seized on the issue to put pressure on Samak's government.

On July 10, Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama stepped down after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had acted illegally in signing an agreement supporting Cambodia’s bid to have Preah Vihear temple listed as a World Heritage Site without the permission of parliament.

Thai PM says Thai-Cambodia border dispute talks will take time

20 July 2008
AFP

BANGKOK - Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Sunday that intense negotiations were needed to defuse a border standoff with Cambodia over a disputed Khmer temple.

More than 500 Thai troops are facing off with at least 1,000 Cambodian soldiers around a small Buddhist pagoda on disputed land near the ruins of the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, which belongs to Cambodia.

"The situation at no man's land needs negotiation," Samak said, adding that it will take time and effort to reach any agreement.

"It has to be step-by-step," he said on his weekly television address.

"They claim the area belongs to them. We claim it belongs to us."

Officials from both countries plan to meet on Monday to try and defuse the nearly week-long crisis, but a Cambodian army commander has said they have little hope that the talks will produce results.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP on Sunday that his country had sent letters to the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly informing them of the situation, a move that appeared to irk Samak.

"They (Cambodia) are trying to solve it by going to United Nations," Samak said.

"I will say no more -- the complaint has reached the UN, the Thai foreign ministry will take care of the matter."

The confrontation began Tuesday after three Thai protesters tried to jump a fence to reach Preah Vihear and the situation almost erupted into violence Thursday when witnesses said troops twice pointed their guns at each other.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but the most accessible entrance lies in Thailand and 4.6 square kilometres (1.8 square miles) of the surrounding land remains in dispute.

Cambodian-Thai border dispute deadlocked: commander

Sunday, July 20, 2008

PREAH VIHEAR (AFP) — Upcoming talks between Cambodia and Thailand are unlikely to resolve the military standoff at their disputed border near an ancient temple, a Cambodian commander said on Sunday.

More than 500 Thai troops and well over 1,000 Cambodian soldiers are stationed around a small Buddhist pagoda on the slope of a mountain leading to the ruins of 11th century Preah Vihear temple. Officials from both countries plan to meet Monday to try and resolve the standoff.

"We have very little hope about the negotiations," said Brigadier Chea Keo, commander of Cambodian forces in the area, on day six of the confrontation.

"We have only a little hope because the new Thai government has written a letter to our prime minister saying that the land they are stationed on belongs to them," he told reporters.

"We're on high alert," he added.

Cambodia has also sent letters about the standoff to the United Nations, government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP.

"Cambodia's permanent mission at the United Nations has sent two letters. One to the Security Council and another one to the chief of the UN General Assembly in order to draw the attention about the situation that is happening in Cambodia," Khieu Kanharith said.

"After the Monday negotiations we will decide what is the next step," he added.

The mood among Cambodians was tense Friday evening after word spread of a letter from Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen saying the addition of Cambodian troops had caused the situation to "deteriorate".

The standoff nearly erupted into violence late Thursday, when witnesses said troops twice pointed their guns at each other during 10 tense minutes at the pagoda after 50 Cambodian troops entered the compound to protect food supplies for dozens of monks.

The confrontation began after three Thai protesters were arrested for jumping a fence to reach the temple on Tuesday.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. But the most accessible entrance to the Khmer ruins lies in Thailand and 4.6 square kilometres (1.8 square miles) of the surrounding land remains in dispute.

Cambodia informs UN on alleged incrusion

Sunday, July 20, 2008

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia has sent a note to the U.N. Security Council alleging that Thai forces intruded into its territory near an ancient temple.

Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Sunday that Cambodia's mission in New York submitted a letter to the chairman of the Security Council and the chairman of the General Assembly to "draw their attention to the current situation on the Cambodian-Thai border."

He said that Cambodia was not asking for United Nations intervention and hoped to solve the territorial dispute peacefully.

Hundreds of troops from the two countries are facing off on disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple for which Cambodia was granted World Heritage Site status earlier this month.

The two countries are to hold peace talks Monday.

Samak says Cambodia lodges complaint with UN over border dispute

July 20, 2008
The Nation

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Sunday that he would no longer comment on the issue of border dispute with Cambodia after the neighbouring country lodged a complaint with the United Nations.

Samak said the issue would now be a matter under responsibility of the Foreign Ministry.

He complained that he earlier warned the government's opponents not to play up the issue but they did not listen to him, causing the situation to escalate until Cambodia lodged the complaint with the UN.