It's neither Ta Kwai nor Ta Wai, but Cambodia's Ta Krabey Temple!

The temple has long been known to locals as Ta Wai Krabey. NOPPARAT KINGKAEW

Well, that's just the Wai it is

14/05/2010
Nopparat Kingkaew
Bangkok Post

SURIN : A Hindu temple located in the disputed area along the Cambodian border near Surin, commonly referred to as Ta Kwai, should be called the Ta Wai temple, a local scholar says.

Boonrueang Khachama, an expert on Cambodian history at Surin Rajabhat University, said Ta Wai temple was named after the man who first discovered the sanctuary.

Mr Boonrueang said the temple has long been known to locals as Ta Wai, and a misunderstanding may have led to it being called Ta Kwai (water buffalo eyes).

During Wednesday's Lower House meeting, Maliwan Thanyasakulkit, the Puea Pandin Party MP for Surin, called on members of the media to refer to the temple correctly as Ta Wai out of respect for the man who discovered it.

She said she had discussed the matter with the Fine Arts Department after receiving complaints from locals about people referring to the temple by the wrong name.

Mrs Maliwan said the Cambodian media have begun referring to the temple as Ta Krabey in Khmer, the equivalent of the incorrect Thai name Ta Kwai.

Krabey translates as krabue or kwai in Thai, which means water buffalo in English, said Mr Boonrueng.

He said most names of ancient temples in Thailand and Cambodia were not the same as those given when they were built.

The temples were usually renamed after the people who discovered them, the name of the nearest village or a geographical landmark, he said.

The Ta Muean, Ta Muean Thom and Ta Muean Tod temples on the Dangrek mountain range, for example, were discovered by a man named Ta Miang. The temple names are believed to be distortions of Ta Miang.

The Ban Plaung temple, he said, was an example of a temple named after its surroundings. Plaung is the Khmer word for water chestnut and the temple is situated in an area full of water chestnut plants.

Khmer and Thai troops shoving each other at Ta Krabey temple

29 April 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A source from RCAF unit 42 stationed at the border with Thailand at Ta Krabey temple, Thmor Daun village, Kauk Mon commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, told Rasmei Kampuchea on 28 April 2010 that, at 10AM on 27 April, Thai black-clad soldiers from unit 2606 who are stationed in Dongrak village, Surin province in Thailand, attempted to enter Cambodia’s Ta Krabey temple while being armed. At that time, Cambodian troops from unit 42 stationed at Kon Phnom and around the temple tried to stop them. Furthermore, only 3 to 4 Thai soldiers allowed to enter for 1 to 2 hours only. The two sides tried not to resort to their weapons and instead they shoved each other with their hand and bodies. On the afternoon of that same day, Cambodian and Thai commanders met to negotiate at the Ta Krabey temple to improve the situation.

Thai plane patrolled and surveyed the area

A military source told Rasmei Kampuchea that, at the time when about 20 Thai black-clad soldiers came to threaten [Cambodian troops] at border post no. 22A, a Thai plane patrolled and surveyed the area at the Thmor Daun, Chub Koki and Ta Krabey temple several times.

Thai troops built a spirit house to encroach on the border

The Cambodian provincial army deputy officer said that Thai soldiers crossed the border at post no. 22A at 8PM on 26 April 2010. They built military huts to defend the area for building a spirit house, and concrete trenches.

Thai black-clad soldiers clear lands to build a road and a wooden bridge to Chub Angkunh border and Ta Krabey temple

Wednesday, August 27, 2009
Rasmei Kampuchea
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Thai black-clad soldiers from Battalion No. 2606, based on Dongrak, Surin province, have cleared lands for a road and completed the building of a wooden bridge that reaches the dividing road at the Chub Angkunh border. They are also clearing forests to advance the road construction of Ta Krabey temple. Cambodian border troops claimed that their commanders ordered them to stop the Thai troops from continuing the road construction because this is considered a sensitive border region, and it is also a zone where no clear border demarcation has been done yet.

Cambodian cops and troops stationed along the Thmor Don border told Rasmei Kampuchea that Thai black-clad troops from Battalion 2606, who are stationed at the Chhork Kang pass, in Phnom Dongrak pass, Surin province, completed the construction of a wooden bridge by hand on 24 August 2009. They use machinery equipments to clear the road from Bos Sa’ang, Bakdai commune, Dongrak district, Surin province (near the Thai black-clad soldier base) to the dividing road at the Chub Angkunh pass, Thmor Don village, Kauk Mon commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, during 21-22 August 2009.

The Chub Angkunh border is a sensitive border area and Cambodian and Thai troops used to confront each other in that area when Thai troops camped there. The Thai troops prevented Cambodian border troops to cross over to the area as they used to do for their usual foot patrol. The Chub Angkunh point is located 3.4 km east of Thmor Don village and about 0.4 km west of Ta Krabey temple, along the Dangrek mountain chain.

The source above indicated that the road clearing and the building of the wooden bridge, as well as the forest clearing by Thai troops were conducted in secret and the Cambodian force was not informed of these construction. It could be also that these constructions took place in between Cambodian border troop patrols.

The newly built road by Thai troops is located nearby their base and it extends 423 meters to the Chub Angkunh border zone, an area that is not clearly delimited yet. The forest clearing from Chub Angkunh to Ta Krabey temple measures about 1.3 km. The width of the new road is about 4-meters but it is not paved with dirt or gravel yet.

At the location of the newly-built bridge, Cambodian troops have built a bridge there in the past, but Thai soldiers sneaked and burnt it down, but now, it is the Thai troops turn to rebuild this bridge. However, Cambodian soldiers have not destroyed it yet. However a low-ranking army commander from Oddar Meanchey province told Rasmei Kampuchea that: “The higher ups issued their order already: Thai troops are not allowed to continue because this border area is not clearly delimited yet, and in the past, it was a disputed area also.”

According to the claim made by border troops, the Chub Angkunh dividing road is located in the geographical area UA22882-87405. The wooden bridge is located at UA23306-87405, and the newly cleared forest to continue the road construction to Ta Krabey temple is located at UA23441-87550.

Thailand says sorry for mortar shell landing in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thailand on Friday sent a letter to Cambodia to apologize for the wrong shooting of mortar shell into Cambodian land on Feb. 17, according to a press release from the Cambodian foreign ministry.

"I am writing to express to you my sincerest apology for the unfortunate incident that took place on Feb. 17, 2009," said Anupong Paojinda, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, in the letter.

"The mortar shell that landed in the Kingdom of Cambodia was a result of the miscalculation during one of our training exercises. We have since launched a full investigation into the incident," he said.

"Please be assured that the Royal Thai Army has been strictly following the Kingdom of Thailand's policy to maintain peaceful and cordial relationship with all our neighbors. I would like to reassure you that we will use all means to prevent such an incident from happening again in the future," he added.

According to the press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the letter was addressed to Meas Sophea, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).

Also on Friday, English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post quoted a RCAF military commander based in the border region as saying that in this week's incident the shells landed two kilometers inside the Cambodian territory.

The 81mm and 106mm shells came down near the Ta Krabey temple and the Bos Thom village, 6 shells exploded in the forest, another2 failed to go off, no one was injured, and no property was damaged, the commander said in condition of anonymity.

Tension between Thailand and Cambodia ratcheted higher in 2008 when troops from both countries clashed at the Preah Vihear temple and soldiers on both sides died in fighting in October, before an uneasy peace was restored.

Cambodia says Thai delegation to apologize for artillery fire

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Thai delegation was to visit Phnom Penh to discuss an incident earlier this week in which Thai soldiers fired at least eight artillery shells into Cambodian territory, national media reported Friday, citing a Foreign Ministry official.

The shells landed near the ancient Ta Krabey temple in Oddar Meanchey province on Tuesday, an RCAF commander said, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

Koy Kuong, a spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Post Thursday that the local Thai military had apologized to their Cambodian counterparts immediately after the strike and promised to avoid any similar incidents in future.

"Now the delegation will come to Phnom Penh to apologize to the Cambodian government," Koy Kuong said.

"Thailand has agreed to take responsibility for the mistake, so we now consider this matter closed," he said.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said officials from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), the Council of Ministers and the Foreign Ministry had launched an investigation into the incident.

"We will collect all the evidence including the direction of fire to evaluate whether this was accidental or intentional," Siphan said.

"We want to reduce the chances of conflict along the border, but we also need to protect our sovereignty," he said.

Tension between Thailand and Cambodia ratcheted higher in 2008 when troops from both countries clashed at the Preah Vihear Temple and soldiers on both sides died in fighting in October before an uneasy peace was restored.

An RCAF military commander based in the border region told the Post Wednesday that in this week's incident the shells had landed two kilometers inside Cambodian territory.

He said the 81 mm and 106 mm shells had come down near Ta Krabey Temple and Bos Thom village.

The commander, who requested anonymity, said six shells had exploded in the forest and another two had failed to go off. No one was injured, and no property was damaged.

Thais To Apologize for Rockets Fired

By VOA Khmer, Reporters
Original reporst from Washington and Phnom Penh
19 February 2009

A Thai military delegation is expected to arrive on Friday to make a formal apology following the firing of several rockets over the border near an ancient northern temple, officials said.

The visit follows the reported firing of six to eight shoulder-fired rockets near Ta Krabey temple in Banteay Ampil district, Odar Meanchey province, and amid a prolonged military standoff between both countries.

No one was injured, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Koung said Thursday debris from the rockets had been found and were being kept by Cambodia as evidence.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces commander Gen. Pol Sareoun said the Thai army had informed officials of a military exercise across the border, but it was unclear if the rocket-firing was a part of it.

Var Kim Hong, head of Cambodia’s border committee, said the incident was a “violation” of Cambodian sovereignty.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan condemned the Thai military for the abuse of Cambodian territory.

Shelling at the Khmer-Thai border

18 Feb 2009
By Pen Bona
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

A dozen of rockets, shelled from Thailand, exploded inside Cambodian territories in the morning of 17 Feb, near Ta Krabey temple, in the province of Oddar Meanchey.

Military sources indicated that Thai soldiers were training on their territory when they shelled the rockets in the direction of Cambodian border. The explosions scared the villagers who had to find refuge under trees or behind rocks. According the same sources, this is the second Thai training organized near the border zone since January.

The operations – which look more like intimidation maneuvers – were aimed at pressuring negotiators in charge of resolving the Preah Vihear conflict. Nevertheless, Cambodian troops did not reply back. From Phnom Penh, Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information and spokesman for the government, told the press that the government is waiting for investigation results still underway before reacting through diplomatic channel.

Thai soldiers shelled Khmer territories near Ta Krabey temple

Khmer soldiers on patrol near Phnom Trop.

Radio Free Asia
By Sav Yuth
17th Feb, 2009
Reported in English by Khmerization

Khmer villagers living along the borders in Boss Thom village of Kork Kposs commune in Banteay Ampil district, Ouddor Meanchey province claimed that Thai soldiers based on top of Phnom Thmor Roy (Mount Hundred Rocks) about 2 kilometres east of Ta Krabey temple have shot many artillery rounds into Khmer territories near Ta Krabey temple on the morning of 17th February, 2009.

The villagers said that they heard many rounds of artillery shot by Thai troops based on top of Phnom Thmor Roy at 11 o'clock in the morning.

The villagers said that one shell landed inside Khmer territories about 3 kilometres from their village causing panic among the villagers. One village said: "The Thai soldiers based on top of Phnom Thmor Roy fired the artillery... The villagers here all heard the sounds..... they are the sounds of artillery fires. Some shells landed on the mountain and about 10 shells landed on the foot of the mountain causing the people to gather their children in a safe place."

The Thai soldiers cannot be contacted for any comments regarding the allegations.

Khmer military officers from Battalion 42 said that at around 12 midday on Tuesday (17th) they heard many rounds of artillery shelling but they don't know of the reasons why the Thai side shelled the Khmer territories. Now, the Cambodian border troops have been sent to investigate. The same officer said: "Yes, there are shelling..artillery shelling. I cannot tell you in details because I don't know yet. My troops have been sent to investigate the matters."

Brig-Gen. Pov Heng, Deputy Commander of the Northern Region, said through telephone that there were shelling but he did not know of the reasons. He said: "We are sending our troops to investigate the matters."

Until 2 o'clock in the afternoon there is no news of the reasons for the Thai shellings but no one was injured by the shelling.

News from the Preah Vihear frontline said that about 30 Thai soldiers have entered Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda and stayed there many hours. They came to forbid the Cambodian monks residing in the temple not to build a new bathroom and extend the dining hall.

The news said that from 1 pm the same day, all Cambodian soldiers in the areas were ordered to remain in their positions on high alert, after news that the Thai shelled the Cambodian territories.

Borders calm despite Thailand’s military drills in the areas

Ta Krabey temple, photo taken on 24th Sept., 2008.

Reaksmey Kampuchea newspaper
25th December, 2008
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization

The Khmer-Thai borders in Oddor Meanchey province remained calm despite the Thai military staging military drills across the borders in Buriram and Surin provinces. Cambodian military officials said that the Thai never abandon their tricks, but said that Cambodia will have to be vigilant.

Col. Hour Bunthy, commander of Border Protection Unit 402 has told Reaksmey Kampuchea on 24th December that there are 300 Thai troops who are staging military drills about 1 kilometre from the Cambodian borders and 8 kilometres east of Ta Krabey temple. Many rounds of small gunfires can be heard repeatedly and on 26th December the Thai military told the Cambodian border troops that they will explode many explosives and fire many artillery cannons. The situations along the borders from Thmor Daun village to Ta Krabey temple in Kauk Morn commune remained normal.

At the same time, the Thai military has not increased their troop numbers along the disputed borders, but at times they have replaced old troops with new troops.

Col. Hour Bunthy said that because the Thai military informed us in advance, our Cambodian people and troops didn’t panic. But, he said, the Cambodian military are watching the situations very closely.

Col. Neak Vong, deputy commander of battalion 42 based at Ta Moan Thom temple said that since Thailand has a new government the military drills along the borders did not cause panic and the situations at Ta Moan Thom temple remained as good as before. The military and people from both sides of the borders still make cordial contacts with each other and the trips to Ta Moan Thom is now easier than before.

Col. Ouch Sarik, deputy border commander based in Oddor Meanchey province near Chup Koki said that the Thai military has informed Cambodian troops of their intentions to stage military drills in the border areas, but up to the 24th of December, the Cambodian side has not heard any sounds of gunfires yet. But he said that the Cambodian military will monitor the situations very closely and will strictly follow the orders to protect Cambodian borders like in the past.

Despite all the calm, the Cambodian military said that “the Thai will never abandon their tricks. Whether they have old or new government they will still cause border problems with Cambodia which we have never neglected, even one minute.”

The security situations in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey and Thailand’s Sakeo and Buriram provinces have reportedly been calm, but both the Cambodian and Thai military are still on high alert.

[Thai FM] Sompong to visit Siem Reap for border talks

November 3, 2008
The Nation

Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat will join his Cambodia counterpart Hor Namhong in Siem Reap on November 12 for another round of talks on resolving the Preah Vihear border dispute.

It would be the third such meeting following the two in July and August between former foreign minister Tej Bunnag and Hor Namhong.

Sompong, who succeeded Tej more than a month ago, would discuss the areas with overlapping claims near the Khmer sanctuaries of Ta Muen Thom and Ta Muen Kwai Krabey.

The agenda was set at the second ministerial meeting in Thailand's resort beach town of Cha-Am in August, ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said Monday.

Frontline Cambodian soldiers left their guns to look for fish [-Frontline soldiers not well fed by Hun Sen's regime?]

28 Oct 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

RCAF officials indicated that border situation seems to be less tense, and frontline Cambodian soldiers positioned at Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples can now start looking for fish again during their off time. Ho Bunthy, deputy commander of border defense unit No. 402, told The Phnom Penh Post on Monday that since the situation along the border has improved, Cambodian troops now have time to go catch fish along water streams in Phnom Dangrek mountain chain. He said that these soldiers continue to be vigilant but they no longer need to take along their guns with them as they did earlier. Neak Vong, deputy commander of army unit 42 stationed in Ta Moan temple, said that the main problem faced by his soldiers is the constant daily rain during the past two weeks. However, he said that the rains created water streams where Cambodian soldiers can use to catch fish to eat also. He added: “My soldiers left their guns to look for fish to cook. In some areas, because of there is more rain than before, there are more fish for them to catch also.”

Khmer and Thai troops pull out from Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Cambodian and Thai troops pulled out of Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples in order to preserve calm in the border region where an earlier tension between the two armies took place. Ho Sothy, Cambodian commander of Brigade 402, told The Phnom Penh Post that, at this time, the soldiers are posted at a distance of 800 meters from Ta Krabey temple, and 200 meters away from the Ta Moan Thom temple. He added that the situation has improved at the Ta Krabey temple because Thai troops have pulled out 800 meters away, likewise, Cambodian troops have also move away the same distance. At the Ta Moan Thom temple, troops have pulled away 50 to 200 meter away. He said that the discussion with Thailand was conducted with mutual understanding between the two troops and this led to an improvement on the earlier tension. He added that Cambodian and Thai troops are now communicating with each other. Furthermore, now, Thai troops no longer trespass into Cambodian territories as they did prior to the clash in Preah Vihear temple. Ho Sothy added also: “We kept constant contact, once every two to three days about work and border security. The situation in improving and is becoming normal. We want to have this type of situation, and we want it to be maintained like this.”

Patrols Vie Over Temple’s Beauty, Isolation

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Oddar Meanchey province
01 October 2008

Click here to listen to the Khmer audio program

Ta Krabey temple, the smallest and most isolated of the Ta Moan temple complex, is a favorite stopping point for patrols on both sides of a continued military border build-up.

Set high on a mountain the Dangrek range in Oddar Meanchey province, the temple was built around the same time as Angkor Wat, in similar stone, with an open style reminiscent of Phnom Penh’s Independence Monument.

Both Thai and Cambodia claim the temple, which is part of a three-temple complex, and on routine daily patrols, soldiers from each side briefly occupy Ta Krabey, which perches at the end of a steep jungle path.

Neither side has claimed tension over the temple, and the rotations are routine, but Cambodian soldiers report frequent helicopter overflights by the Thai military.

Somchai to visit Cambodia, seeks end to row

BORDER DISPUTES

PM to visit Cambodia, seeks end to row

Wednesday October 01, 2008
TANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkok Post

The disputes over Ta Muen Tom Moan Thom and Ta Kwai Krabey temples will be high on the agenda of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat when he visits Cambodia on Oct 13.

Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said a Cambodian foreign affairs official had told foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that ''Thailand is occupying these two areas''.

Cambodia wanted to discuss the issue during the visit to Phnom Penh by the prime minister, he added.

Thailand is confident the two temples are in Phanom Dong Rak district in Surin. Ta Kwai temple is called Ta Krabey by Cambodians.

Mr Sompong reaffirmed the next Joint Boundary Commission meeting would be held after Parliament gives it the go-ahead. The Foreign Ministry wants Parliament's approval for the meeting to avoid any violation of the constitution.

Asean foreign ministers were satisfied Thailand and Cambodia would be able to handle the problems through the bilateral talks, he said.

UN Secretary-General Bun Ki Moon agreed it was unnecessary for the two countries to bring the issues to the UN Security Council, Mr Sompong said.

Asean ministers held talks on Monday in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Cambodia wants to discuss temple dispute at next meeting: Thai FM

BANGKOK, Sept 30 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat on Tuesday revealed that Cambodia wants to raise a border demarcation dispute over Ta Muen Moan Thom and Ta Kwai Krabey temple ruins for discussion with Thailand at the next Foreign Ministers' meeting.

Interviewed on the telephone after chairing the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New York, Mr. Sompong said that he had reported to the Meeting the results of the two rounds of talks between the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers on resolving the border tension between the two neighbouring countries.

Participants were informed that progress was made in the talks as both countries have agreed to reduce their respective military forces stationed in the disputed areas to 30 each and are working towards a further cut in forces.

He said Cambodian officials informed the meeting of their desire to raise the border dispute over Ta Muen Moan Thom and Ta Kwai Krabey temples for discussion with Thailand.

It is expected the issue would be brought up for discussion when Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat visits Cambodia on October 13 at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Somdej Hun Sen.

"ASEAN members were satisfied when we told them that both countries understood each other and saw a need to adhere to the bilateral talks to solve the border dispute.

"The United Nations Secretary-General told the ASEAN Meeting that he had been informed of the progress in the Thai-Cambodian talks on the dispute.

"The UN chief also expressed a desire to see both countries attempt to settle the dispute through bilateral talks, not the UN Security Council," he said.

Mr. Sompong said no ASEAN members questioned Thailand's readiness to serve as ASEAN chair.

The Minister said he decided to join the meeting in New York to assure ASEAN colleagues of Thailand's readiness to organise the ASEAN Summit in December.

He added that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had agreed to visit Thailand on December 18 to attend the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok.

On Muddy Temple Roads, Signs of Neglect [-How can Cambodia send troops to defend Khmer temples in Oddar Meanchey?]

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Oddar Meanchey province
29 September 2008

If one wants to visit two of the oldest Khmer temples in Cambodia, Ta Krabey and Ta Moan, in Bantey Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, one will not find it easy, especially in the rainy season.

The temples stand in the Dangrek Mountains, and one look at the road between them tells the story of recent neglect, prior to their emergence as a second point of contention in an ongoing territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.

Access difficulties to Ta Moan and Ta Krabey have left them abandoned by local tourists and, until recently, troops.

The temples, surrounded by thick, natural jungle, have been occupied by Thai troops and are a potential flashpoint in the military standoff that started at Preah Vihear temple, more than 100 kilometers to the east, in July.

From Anlong Veng, one must travel at least five hours by motorcycle over 130 kilometers of muddy road, to a crossroad that separates Ta Moan and Ta Krabey. The road is cut off by muddy streams in at least five places. To overcome these obstacles, entrepreneurs with four-wheeled tractors or hand-held walking tractors assist travelers, for a fee.

In one submerged stretch of road, a giant boulder protrudes. The engine driver takes 50 baht, or $1.25, to be a ferryman, and the tractors, which pull vehicles by chain, cost 100 baht, or $2.50.

“As long as it floods, we’ll earn more,” said Rean Reup, who operates a walking tractor. “But a few days ago, two walking tractors fell into very deep water, and each [driver] spent 3,000 baht to have them repaired.”

Until the town of Oddar Meanchey, villagers have constructed many wooden bridges, asking a toll of 1,000 riel, or $0.25, per moto, or 5,000 riel per car.

Teuk Pov, a taxi driver from Bantey Meanchey province, on a recent day last week had an engine problem. He stopped on the side of the road to repair it.

“I must pay at least 400 baht for a long route from Bantey Meanchey to Oddar Meanchey,” he said. “Because many roads have been cut off by water. And then I change the road that I’m used to, from Thmor Puok, Bantey Meanchey, by using the road from Kralanh district, in Siem Reap province.”

At least four places have been flooded from Kralanh to Samrong district, Oddar Meanchey, he said. Another four places are flooded from Samrong to Anlong Veng.

Twenty minutes from the crossroads toward Oddar Meanchey town, the road was completed flooded. Here, motorcycles had to be carried by four men, who wore only pants and waded into the stream above their waists—for 10,000 riel. Passengers are obliged to wade through the stream themselves.

Oddar Meanchey Governor Pich Sokhen recognized the difficulties for reaching the temples, saying that infrastructure work was planned for the dry season.

“The situation is not too crucial,” he said. “After the reconstruction of the roads, hopefully local tourists will try to visit there.”

Cambodia Protests Further Thai Incursions

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
24 September 2008

Click here to listen to the Khmer audio program

The Cambodia government sent a request to Thailand’s foreign ministry Monday officially requesting it halt incursions into the Ta Krabey temple in Oddar Meanchey province.

In a letter sent from the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok, officials said the Cambodian government “strongly urges the Thai side to stop sending Thai soldiers into [Ta Krabey], pending demarcation work of the Joint Boundary Commission on Demarcation of Land Boundary.”

Maj. Seng Sophal, deputy chief of the Thmar Doun district police post, near Ta Krabey, said Wednesday around 10 armed Thai soldiers were guarding the temple, and a Thai helicopter had circled the temple five times on Monday.

The Ta Krabey temple is part of the Ta Moan temple complex, which has become a second point of contention in an ongoing military standoff that started with Preah Vihear temple in July.

“Although we heard that the Thai side is sending its soldiers into the temple, the Cambodian government’s stance is that this needs to be negotiated by bilateral talks,” Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said.

A Thai Embassy official in Phnom Penh declined to comment on the letter, saying he had not seen the request. The Thai government has gone through two foreign ministers since the standoff began.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Sin Bunthoeun said Wednesday Cambodia and Thailand will plan bilateral talks on the disputed areas after the formation of Cambodia’s government.

Cambodian lawmakers swore in to the new government in a ceremony Wednesday.

Thailand, Cambodia leaders agree to border dispute talks

September 22, 2008
ABC Radio Australia

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen are reported to have agreed to resolve the border dispute around Ta Kwai Krabey temple.

The Bangkok Post says they have decided to discuss the matter at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in New York, on September the 29th.

It quotes a foreign ministry official in Bangkok saying the premiers from the two countries held a telephone conversation recently and both agreed that the Thai-Cambodian border row can be solved through bilateral means.

The new development comes after Cambodia's prime minister accused Thailand of border intrusion into Ta Kwai Krabey last week.

Thailand Should Practice What It Had Preached To Cambodia

Opinion by Khmerization
20th September, 2008
To the Editor of The Nation newspaper
letters@nationgroup.com
Originally posted at http://khmerization.blogspot.com

“The Nation had also advocated that the disputes of temples should not be settled by military means. May I suggest that the Thai military occupations of the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples were proof that Thailand, due to its military superiority, has dangerously employed standover tactics and military means rather than negotiations as the solutions to the border disputes. Thailand, and for that matter, the Nation, should practise what it had preached to Cambodia, that border disputes should not be settled by military means.”

The editorial titled “No need to inflame border dispute”, published in The Nation on 18th September, 2008 once again proved the Nation’s journalistic true colours and therefore it deserved my attention and warrant my strong response.

This editorial, like “When Cambodia Cries Wolf”, which published in The Nation on the 1st of August, was a brilliant journalistic spin which has cunningly portrayed a victim (Cambodia) as a predator and a perpetrator and turning a real predator and perpetrator (Thailand) into some sort of a hapless victim. In short, The Nation’s editorial styles proved that the Nation is indeed a cunning spin doctor.

The Nation’s accusations that Cambodia had exploited the political crisis in Thailand by opportunistically invading the Ta Krabey temple is based on the Nation’s Thai nationalistic fervour more than the need for an objectivity in its reportage. In fact, it was Thailand, and not Cambodia, who exploited the opportunities. In 1998, Thailand seized an opportunity to send Thai troops to occupy Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Toch and Ta Krabey temples when the Khmer Rouge movement, who guarded those temples for years, had disintegrated and the temples were left guard-less.

Thailand had cunningly concocted its version of event regarding the military confrontation at Ta Krabey temple. It accused Cambodian troops of violating Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity. The sheer fact of the event was that more than 140 Thai soldiers forced their way into the temple in the middle of the night and terrorised a small group of Cambodian soldiers who guarded the temple for years. (Read here: Cambodia sent hundreds of troops to Ta Krabey temple).

The Nation had feared that Cambodia’s actions, or reactions, at Ta Krabey temple could jeopardise the already fragile relations between the two countries. The Nation forgot that Thailand’s invasions of Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples had already jeopardised the Khmer-Thai relations. It was Cambodia who showed restraints which had prevented the armed clashes when Thai soldiers forced their ways into these two temples.

The recent Thai forced occupation of the Ta Krabey, not Ta Kwai, because the word is a translation of the Khmer word, was an opportunistic military venture, dangerously ordered and employed by Thai military leaders who wanted to exploit the political chaos in Thailand, when Thailand was leaderless and the protesters and the military were in charge.

The Nation had also voiced its concerns over the lack of solutions to the disputes over Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples. The fact of the matter is the reasons that the two countries have not yet resolved the previous disputes over Preah Vihear and Ta Moan temples were because Thailand, due to its lack of sincerity, has intransigently refused to withdraw its troops from those Cambodian territories, even though Cambodia had negotiated in good faith. Thailand only agreed to negotiate as a mean to appease Cambodia not to complain to the UN or the World Court. Thailand’s insincerity was clearly evident in the fact that, after four negotiations, Thai troops are still occupying the Khmer territories that they have invaded.

The Nation had also advocated that the disputes of temples should not be settled by military means. May I suggest that the Thai military occupations of the Preah Vihear, Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples were proof that Thailand, due to its military superiority, has dangerously employed standover tactics and military means rather than negotiations as the solutions to the border disputes. Thailand, and for that matter, the Nation, should practise what it had preached to Cambodia, that border disputes should not be settled by military means.

The Thai military incursion at Ta Krabey temple was a sheer violation of Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity. And the summon of the Cambodian ambassador by Thailand’s Foreign Ministry was an insult to injury. Ta Krabey temple was located inside Khmer territories and was guarded by Cambodian troops for years. By sending the troops in to occupy the temple and twisted the story around by accusing Cambodia of invading its territories, Thailand was cunningly compiling a record and building up a case against Cambodia, should the latter bring the matter to the UN or the International Court of Justice. Very cunning indeed.
----------------
1. Read Kok Sap's response to The Nation newspaper: The Nation: No need to inflame border dispute.

Thai, Cambodian troops to end Ta Kwai Krabey row

Sunday, September 21, 2008

(BangkokPost.com) - Thai and Cambodian regional army commanders planned to negotiate and end the border dispute around Ta Kwai Krabey temple, also known as Ta Krabey in Cambodia, at the end of September, according to Thailand’s Suranaree Task Force commander, Maj-Gen Kanok Netrakhawesana.

Maj-Gen Kanok said both sides agreed to reduce the number of soldiers to an equal amount, and they will be stationed at least 300 metres away from the site.

Previously, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai army officials of intruding the Khmer sanctuary of Ta Kwai Krabey as well as Ta Moan Thom.

Ta Kwai Krabey temple is situated in the northeastern province of Surin, approximately 13 kilometres to the east of Ta Moan Thom temple and 150 kilometres to the west of Preah Vihear temple.