Cambodia and Thailand clash on border

Thursday, February 17, 2011
By Claire Wardlaw
The Guilfordian (Guilford College)

The ancient, sacred Preah Vihear Temple of the Hindu people has recently become a casualty of — and is even considered one of the catalysts for — a bloody clash between countries that has thus far cost at least eleven lives. Located on the border of Cambodia right next to Thailand, the temple has been the site of a vicious battle since February 4

"There is a history of violence there," Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Eric Mortensen said of the Cambodian-Thailand region, where the two countries have feuded over territorial and political issues for decades. "It's a terribly ghost-ridden place."

Ever since the battle started a little over a week ago, blood has been shed and holes have been shot through the beloved temple's façade.

Peace prevails during Hun Sen visit

Hun Xen talking with Thai officials (Photo: DAP)

Sun, Feb 07, 2010
The Nation

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's tour yesterday morning of Preah Vihear Temple - the subject of conflicting territorial claims with Thailand - went off without any incidents, but doubts remained as to his intentions in making the visit.

Arriving at 10am in fatigues, Hun Sen was met by Second Army Area chief Lt-General Veerawit Kajornrith and Si Sa Ket Governor Rapee Pongbupakit. Thai Ambassador to Cambodia Prasart Prasartvinichai was also present.

Earlier at 9am, there were some tense moments at Kaewsikhakirisawaria Temple in the disputed area, but no gunfire was exchanged.

A group of Thais led by rural activist Veeraphon Sopha said they would defend the sovereignity of the four border provinces of Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Sa Kaew.

They vowed to start up villages along the border to prevent Cambodians from occupying Thai soil.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said if the Cambodian premier enters Thai territory, then there will be people ready to receive him.

The situation remained normal, but Hun Sen has been making comments about Thai politics as former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra makes political moves, he said.

Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister and Thaksin's legal aide, criticised the Democrat Party and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for spreading a "lie" about Thaksin obtaining Cambodian citizenship.

Thaksin travels on Montenegro and Nicaraguan passports but is not a citizen of the two countries, he said.

Cambodia's Rasmi Kampuchia reported on Friday that Thailand is entering a state of anarchy with the red shirts - Thaksin sympathisers - ready to overthrow the government. The paper blamed the PAD for distracting public attention with the border dispute.

Recruitment for Thaksin's People's Army ended in Bangkok but more enlistment opportunities will be held upcountry, said Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol.

The formation of the controversial armed offshoot of the red shirt movement was aimed at ensuring protection for demonstrators during the upcoming bid to topple the government, he said.

The reports of General Panlop Pinmanee resigning from the red-shirt movement were unfounded, he said.

"It was a misunderstanding on the part of red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan. But I have discussed the matter with [red-shirt leaders] Veera Musigapong and Natthawut Saikua and the misunderstanding will be cleared."

Jatuporn said he would call both Khattiya and Panlop tomorrow to arrange a meeting to sort out the differences.

He said he alone couldn't approve the idea of a people's army as the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) is an organisation with a committee making decisions.

"We must discuss the matter because we do not want to lose before engaging in a battle," he said.

Panlop should have discussed the matter with DAAD before leaking it to the media, he said.

Abhisit said he has no problem with Panlop leaving the red-shirt movement or the setting up of a people's army as long as it's not illegal.

Phay Siphan likened Thailand to Hitler "fascist" regime which "take military occupation according to the unilateral maps they draw"

Divergent Maps Hinder Standoff Solution

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
23 July 2008

Cambodia has called on Thailand to accept the use of an international map drawn in 1904 and 1907 to settle an ongoing dispute at the border near Preah Vihear temple.

Thailand was using a "unilateral" map in its negotiating position over a continued military standoff at the border, said Phay Siphan, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers.

He compared Thailand to "fascist" regimes like Germany under Adolph Hitler, which "take military occupation according to the unilateral maps they draw."

At least 4,000 troops are amassed on the Thai border near Preah Vihear temple, and negotiations aimed as diffusing the situation broke down on Monday because the two sides could not agree on a map.

Thailand's chief negotiator, Gen. Boonsrang Niumpradit, has been quoted on Thai TV and news reports blaming Cambodia's adherence to its map for the breakdown.

"The problem was that we and Cambodia are using two different maps," he said recently on Thai TV. "Cambodia is using the French version while we used a US-drawn map, thus it's hard for us to reach agreement."