Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Khmer House

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Troops from friendly countries should also monitor Cambodia’s border with Vietnam

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy

21 July 2001

TROOPS FROM FRIENDLY COUNTRIES SHOULD ALSO MONITOR CAMBODIA’S BORDER WITH VIETNAM

In a 20 July 2011 call-in program broadcast live on Phnom Penh-based Beehive Radio FM 105 MHz, opposition leader Sam Rainsy – who is currently in Tunisia – answered from Paris questions from listeners from all parts of Cambodia related to the 18 July 2011 decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the border conflict with Thailand.

Sam Rainsy elaborated on four main points:

1. The ICJ decision is unfair because it puts the victim (Cambodia) and the aggressor (Thailand) on the same footing. “Both a legitimate house owner and a thieve illegally occupying the house are asked by the Court to simultaneously vacate the house.”
2. The Hun Sen government is incompetent in the defense of Cambodia’s territorial integrity: What it obtained in 2011 from the ICJ is a serious setback compared to what then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk government obtained in 1962 from the same ICJ on the same Preah Vihear temple issue.
3. The Hun Sen government refuses to call for the implementation of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements on Cambodia, as suggested by the Sam Rainsy Party, because any effective means to legally and peacefully force Thailand to vacate any illegally occupied portion of Cambodia’s territory, would also force Vietnam to do the same. As a matter of fact, Hanoi – to which Hun Sen’s CPP is subservient – has stolen more land from Cambodia than Bangkok.
4. Troops from friendly countries, such as units from the Indonesian army, should be asked to also monitor Cambodia’s border with Vietnam. Thousands of Cambodian farmers, who are losing their farmland in the ongoing secretive border demarcation process, are crying for help in the face of Vietnam’s aggression in the form of displacement of border posts, as evidenced by recent incidents in Svay Rieng, Takeo and Kampong Cham provinces.

Please listen to Sam Rainsy’s explanations in Khmer at:

http://tinyurl.com/3g4f8ay

SRP Cabinet

Baan muang columnist Chalarm Khiew [-Thai opinion on the ICJ order of a demilitarized zone]

21/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Like many other Thais, I am upset by the International Court of Justice's decision to order both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops from the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple.

I was furious when I read Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong's interview on this matter. He said the world court's decision and the setting up of a demilitarised zone around the ancient Hindu temple ''would result in the cessation of Thai aggression against Cambodia''.

I find the quoted statement very offensive since it portrays Thailand as the aggressor.

This is a sensitive matter for Thailand, and outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva must move carefully on the issue of troop withdrawal. Local politics must also be taken into consideration.

Hun Xen's reply to SRP MPs' letter on Paris Agreement Implementation

http://www.box.net/shared/zdlzx1rztvg18g471uur

Abhisit punished for his aggression - Op-Ed by Ven. Hok Savann

Statement of Cambodia's National Committee for the World Heritage

Thai-Cambodia clashes continue into fifth day [-Thai gov't discussing about war with Cambodia: Prayuth]

26 April 2011

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday ordered a review of bilateral relations with Cambodia as border clashes continue to spread in the neighboring countries for the fifth consecutive day.

Both countries have confirmed clashes near the Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday, which is around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of the Ta Krabey temple, where fighting has continued, but no reports of casualties have been released in the latest clashes.

At least 12 soldiers from both countries have been killed during the the recent clashes, which continues to worsen. On Monday, clashes erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand's eastern Surin province, causing about 25,000 residents to evacuate the area.

Previously, Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had suggested the government to review its relation with Cambodia at the weekly Cabinet meeting, while Thailand's National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha had stated that the government was currently discussing whether or not to go to war with Cambodia over the disputed border.

SRP condemns Thai invasion on Cambodia's sovereignty

[Thai] PM video conference on border [-Abhisit stressed Thailand's stance of not being aggressive ... what a JOKE!!!]

24/04/2011
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will on Sunday afternoon hold a video conference with the 2nd Army commander, the governor of Surin, and PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon to follow up the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Mr Abhisit said this in his "Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit" television programme this morning.

The ministers of defence and foreign affairs will also take part in the video conference which will be broadcast live on Channels 5 and 11, starting 2pm.

In his television programme, Mr Abhisit stressed Thailand's stance of not being aggressive against any other country.

If the Thai army did the right thing, why does Abishit has to back it?

[Thai] PM vows to back [Thai] Army to defend Thai territory


Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared Sunday that the government will launch full support to the Army to defend Thai territory in the border dispute with Cambodia.

"As the prime minister, I hereby affirm that the government is ready to support the Army to defend our territory," Abhisit said during his weekly Sunday program broadcast live on NBT channel.

While the Thai military is ready to defend its territory, the government is also ready to take part in the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission and Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee.

He said the Foreign Ministry was instructed to tell Thai ambassadors in all countries to explain the issue to the International Community.

Cambodia condemns Thailand's "repeated deliberate acts of aggression"

PHNOM PENH, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Saturday strongly condemned Thailand's "repeated deliberate acts of aggression against Cambodia."

In the statement released by the Ministry of National Defense on Saturday, it said that "Thai side used DK 75 and 105 mm heavy guns loaded with poisonous gas in today's (April 23, 2011) assault, " adding that "Thai military aircraft, including reconnaissance planes flew deep into Cambodia's airspace."

"Heavy weapons, including 130 mm, 105 mm and 155 mm artilleries have also been used during this latest military onslaught," the statement said.

The Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia "condemns in the strongest term these repeated deliberate acts of aggression by Thailand."

Cambodian-Americans wishes for Cambodia: Democracy, Good leaders, No more land-grabbing, No more foreign encroachments

Click the control below to listen to the RFA program in Khmer:

Click here to listen to the audio program in MP3

Protest against Thai Aggression at Canadian Parliament Hill and Thai Embassy in Ottawa

Dear All:

For your information, attached please find some pictures of the subject protest which took place in Ottawa/Canada yesterday. It was a privilege for me to be at the protest with our compatriots. More pictures and live TV are available at the following URLs:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=168649669849400&id=162242600490107&aid=33735


http://www.khmerlive.tv/archive/20110218_Demonstration_in_Ottawa_Against_Agression_from_Thai_Army.php

Regards,
Davan Long
------------------
Chers Amis,

Veuillez trouver ci-joints les photos de la manifestation au colline parlementaire Canadien et à l'ambassade Thaïlandaise à Ottawa hier. C’était un moment de fierté pour moi d’être la parmi nos compatriotes. Pour plus de détails, veuillez visiter les liens ci-dessous :

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=168649669849400&id=162242600490107&aid=33735


http://www.khmerlive.tv/archive/20110218_Demonstration_in_Ottawa_Against_Agression_from_Thai_Army.php

Cordialement,
Davan Long

Support Letter for Protest Against Thai Invasion by Cambodian Community in Ottawa, Canada

Dear Team,

On behalf of Cambodian-American Communities in State of Washington, I have sent a Support Letter to Khmer Community in Ottawa, Canada for their protest which will be held on February 18, 2011 against Thai Invasion into Cambodian sovereignty.

Please see the attached file for detail.

Please help spread your words and send them your strong support.

Bravo! Khmer Community in Ottawa, Canada.

We are so proud of you! We strongly support you!

Best regards,

--

Hang, Sokmakara

Email: hangsokmakara@gmail.com

Demonstration in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, against the Thai army's aggression

Manifestat​ion à Ottawa au Canada contre l'agressio​n de l'armée thaïlandai​se

Chers (ères) compatriotes,

Suite aux récentes agressions de l'armée thaïlandaise dans la région aux environs de Preah Vihear, nous, la communauté cambodgienne du Canada, fera une manifestation pacifique devant la Colline du Parlement Canadienne et devant l'Ambassade de la Thaïlande à Ottawa, au Canada.

Date: vendredi le 18 février 2011

Point de rencontre: Colline du Parlement à 11h

Pour les gens de Montréal, rencontre au Centre d’achat PLACE VERTU, en face de ZELLER, à 8:30 am. Transport par Autobus gratuite.

-------

Following the recent aggressions by Thai army, we, Cambodian community across Canada, will demonstrate in the front of Parliament Hill and Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.

When: Friday, February 18th, 2011

Where: Parliament Hill at 11AM (Meeting Point)

For people in Montreal, please meet at Shopping Center PLACE VERTU , in front of ZELLER, at 8:30am. Free shuttle bus.

Pour toutes informations, veuillez contacter / For further informations, please contact :


BUNKORN YUN : 514-825-8180
LYAUN HAY : 514-983-9838
PONG MUY LEN : 514-256-1837
SUN SINTHO : 514-376-3741
SOPHORN CHEA : 514-898-4737
SUY SAROUN : 514-374-4092
SAMNANG OUM ; 514-995-3619
SEANG HO KIN : 514-909-9090

Khmer must unite to confront the Thai invaders - Op-Ed by Ven. Hok Savann

Click on the article in Khmer to zoom in

Washington Cambodian-​American Protest against Thai Invasion!!​!

Dear All:

Following the recent clashes near the Thai-Khmer border, The Cambodian-American Communities in the State of Washington is calling for your strong support to participate in the Peaceful Protest against Thailand for its invasion into Cambodian territory over the Preah Vihear Temple and border dispute.

We ask the American Government to use their power to stop the war!!!

We ask the United Nations and the International Community to intervene in this dispute!!!

Date: Saturday February 12th, 2011

Time: 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM

Where: White Center Business Area, Seattle

Meeting: 09:00 – 10:00 AM

DSHS White Center – Parking Lot

9650 15th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98106

Contacts:

206-658-7221/ 425-322-6480/ 206-850-7565/ 206-779-2193

206-713-2083/ 425-750-8226/ 253-592-1601

Flyer is attached!!!

Please feel free to forward and spread the words out to the Khmer Community.

Best Regards,

Khmer Unity for Cambodia (KUC)
Email: Khmerforumwa@gmail.com

Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) StatemenClick o

Click on the statement in Khmer to zoom in

Thai-Cambodia border fighting 'damages' temple [-Abishit dismissed ASEAN intervention, is Abishit that scared?]

February 7, 2011
Suy Se
AFP

Cambodia accused Thailand of damaging an 11th-century temple in fresh clashes on Sunday and appealed to the United Nations to halt the "aggression" in the third day of cross-border fighting.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent meeting "so as to stop Thailand's aggression" which has "gravely threatened peace and stability in the region".

But Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn rejected the accusation that his country was the aggressor, saying: "Thailand has clear policy that we will not invade any country."

Thai army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said Sunday's unrest was "more serious" than the previous two days of violence. He said about ten soldiers were injured, but that there were no reports of new deaths.

The ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is surrounded by disputed territory, was damaged by Thai artillery fire, according to Cambodia, which said one wing of the building had "collapsed" as a result.

Thailand plans to restore Ta Moan Thom temple, will Cambodia agree to this plan?

KI-Media note: As can be seen on the third photo below, the Bangkok Post reporter noted that a portion of the temple was damaged during Cambodia Civil War. For this situation to occur, it simply means that the temple was under Cambodian control during all this time and the current occupation of the temple by Thai troops is merely an aggression on Cambodian territories, is it not?

Small yet elegant Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district. Both Thailand and Cambodia have claimed ownership over the 13th century temple, which is on the overlapping border. An ownership dispute caused the Thai Fine Arts Department to abandon the site in 2001. PHOTO: SANITSUDA EKACHAI
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE
✦ Ta Muen Tot chapel, built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, on the Ta Muen complex. Also known as ‘arokhayasala’, the structure once served as a hospital.
✦ A ‘soam sutra’ drain, which siphoned sacred water during a Hindu ceremony from one of Ta Muen Thom chapels.
✦ Ta Muen chapel is a rest house for travellers. Like Ta Muen Tot, restoration on the Bayon-styled structure, is completed.
✦ This file photo shows a Thai military ranger standing guard at Ta Muen Thom temple. The site is open to visitors from both sides except when the border dispute heats up.
Traces of damage left behind from the Cambodian Civil War on Ta Muen Thom’s delicately carved sandstones.
Deputy Director-General of the Fine Arts Department Bovornvate Rungrujee hopes there is a chance to resume restoration work at the ancient site.

Thai-Cambodia impasse hinders restoration work

Archaeologists and historians hope an agreement over the long-standing border and ownership dispute can be reached so restoration work at Ta Muen Thom sanctuary can resume

16/09/2010
Bangkok Post

For some, Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district is a testament of a shared heritage between Thailand and Cambodia. For others, however, it is an attestation of long-standing antagonism of the two rivalry neighbours.

Whatever it is, the monumental Khmer-styled sanctuary opposite Oddar Meanchey province in Cambodia has become one of the first casualties of territorial disputes between the two neighbouring countries, which each have aggressively claimed ownership over the ancient site located in the so-called Ta Muen complex, incorporating two other nearby ruins, Ta Muen Tot - also an overlapping site - and Ta Muen chapel.

The Thai Fine Arts Department registered the whole complex as a national archaeological site in 1935 and later began restoration work on the three ruins, which had sustained a great deal of damage from shells during the Cambodian Civil War. Ta Muen, which was an ancient rest house for travellers during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, and Ta Muen Tot, an arokhayasala (hospital) built in the same era, both received proper restoration. However, territory tensions forced the Thai Fine Arts Department to abandon the Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in 2001, leaving the restoration work incomplete, as advised by the security agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Ministry, in response to protests by Phnom Penh that argued the site was on Cambodian soil.

Both sides since then have deployed several units of armed rangers just a stone's throw away from the site, while the surrounding areas are known to be heavily landmine-infested.

Regretfully, the Preah Vihear dispute has aggravated border tensions, particularly at this ancient site, given the overlapping claims between both sides.

Yet the Ta Muen site _ about an hour's drive south of Surin town _ remains a tourist attraction for both Thais and Cambodians who are allowed access into the region to get a glimpse of the ancient beauty; the access would be closed to visitors only if tensions hit the red alert level. Tensions hit a peak earlier this year when a planned visit to the ancient temple by Cambodian strongman Hun Sen during his high-profile border tour, which almost resulted in a confrontation between the two sides.

The Fine Arts Department, meanwhile, is looking for the possibility to resume and complete the restoration work at Ta Muen Thom. This time, it hopes to invite Cambodia to join the restoration effort, if it is to truly happen.

Deputy Director-General of the Fine Arts Department Bovornvate Rungrujee, who led a group of judges and justice personnel on a visit to the ancient site earlier this month, said the half-restored sanctuary has evidently deteriorated, with a number of sandstone blocks crumbling to the ground.

The idea of resuming reconstruction work was proposed during the trip. It was agreed that Thailand and Cambodia should work together for the sake of heritage conservation, putting aside the border conflict and ownership dispute _ at the least temporarily.

Bovornvate said the Fine Arts Department, through the Ministry of Culture, will raise the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the security agencies to find ways to continue the unfinished repair work.

Bovornvate, who was responsible for the Ta Muen Thom excavation in the 1980s, said that Ta Muen Thom is a unique sanctuary, regarding the location of the structure, which lies exactly on a rock-cutting site.

The Ta Muen complex stands on the Angkor-Phimai royal road. Along the route, there were several arokhayasala, cited in an ancient Khmer inscription, as well as rest houses (or dharmasala, also known previously as agnisala, meaning a house with lit-up fire.

Bovornvate noted that Ta Muen Tot is the most complete arokhayasala ever found in Thailand. There are nearly 20 such ancient hospitals _ all built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII _ in the lower part of the Northeast. An ancient inscription found at this particular chapel cited the name of Phaisatchaya Kuruwaituya, a Bhodhisattva who blesses its worshippers with good health.

"The Fine Arts Department has used this arokhayasala as a prototype for restoration of similar chapels in other areas," he said.

It is well realised that the idea of having Cambodia in the renewed restoration plan will not be easy. Immediate question involve with the legitimate right over the overlapping site, if any party is to do _ or continue _ the restoration work.

Historian Charnvit Kasetsiri doubts if Cambodia would consider the "invitation", given the bitterness of both sides.

"Ideally, joint work [on the sanctuary] is good," he said. But personally he does not believe that Cambodia will ever take an interest.

"Such cooperation can be made when two sides truly trust each other. And that is, unfortunately, not the case between Thailand and Cambodia," said Charnvit, who notes that the Ta Muen conflict is but a small part of the Preah Vihear problem, which has worsened due to ultra-nationalism and racial nationalist sentiments that surged after Cambodia's successful bid to have the site registered on the Unesco World Heritage list.

"The Preah Vihear problem will haunt us again and again as long as we are trapped in old history, shrouded by racial nationalism," he said.

The historian also said it is necessary that Thais are better educated about treaties and conventions concerning the obligations and commitment the country has with its neighbours, as well as the international community, otherwise border conflicts, in particular, the Preah Vihear problem, will erupt again and again.

And if that were the case, the historian said that he sees no end to the Ta Muen tension.

"For some issues like border disputes, we'd be better to leave it as it is if we can't fix it. And just wait until we are ready," said Charnvit.