Cambodian troops stationed at Ta Moan temple on 8th August, 2008.
To read Khmer text click here.
By Sav Yuth
11th September, 2008
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
Cambodian military officials in Oddor Meanchey province said that hundreds of Cambodian troops had been sent to the Khmer-Thai border at Ta Krabey temple in Kork Kpous commune, Ampil district to prevent Thai troops from being re-occupied the temple which is located in Cambodian territory.
Commander of Battalion 422 of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Mr. Pol Then, has said on Thursday the 11th that hundreds of Cambodian troops had been transported since Wednesday night to the Ta Krabey temple in between Thmor Daun district which Thai troops had been trying to occupy. And the military confrontation had been very tense.
The same military official said that up until Thursday, Thai and Cambodia troops are still besieging each other in many layers.
Mr. Pol Then said: "Many of my soldiers have been sent there since last night and two more truckloads of troops are being sent to reinforce us. A moment ago the situation has been eased because we agreed to negotiate on the temple building. Now they don't know how to withdraw. Yesterday we were inside the temple and they came to encircle us from behind the temple. So we sent the troops to encircle them as well, but they sent the troops to encircle us in a second layer."
According to Cambodian military sources, up until Thursday afternoon there were about 140 Thai soldiers in the area and that they have already occupied the temple. Cambodian military sources said that at about 8pm Wednesday night about 12 Thai soldiers have forced their way in to occupy the Ta Krabey temple to open the way for other troops to move in.
According to a military official based at O'Smach who spoke on condition of anonymity said that a Cambodian soldier has fired a single shot in the air to stop them from moving in to occupy the temple but the Thai troops were not deterred.
The same military official said: "They moved in at night time and our troops tried to push them back by firing into the air but they still moving in."
Governor of Ampil district, Mr. Chap Phat, said that Ta Krabey temple is located about 6km east of Thmor Daun district and that area is uninhabited.
Mr. Chap Phat said that district officials are trying to go to the areas to assess the situation but were unable to get there because they were unable to cross the many rivers which were flooded due to heavy rains.
Mr. Chap Phat said: "This morning I tried to go there but the floods have cut the roads so we cannot cross the rivers. The area is uninhabited."
At Ta Moan Thom temple which were located nearby, there were reports that the Cambodian side has sent more troops to the area, while Thailand has sent more troops to the area also which their troops have already re-occupied the temple more than a week ago.
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Read Phnom Penh Post report on Thai occupation of Ta Krabey temple.
By Sav Yuth
11th September, 2008
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
Cambodian military officials in Oddor Meanchey province said that hundreds of Cambodian troops had been sent to the Khmer-Thai border at Ta Krabey temple in Kork Kpous commune, Ampil district to prevent Thai troops from being re-occupied the temple which is located in Cambodian territory.
Commander of Battalion 422 of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Mr. Pol Then, has said on Thursday the 11th that hundreds of Cambodian troops had been transported since Wednesday night to the Ta Krabey temple in between Thmor Daun district which Thai troops had been trying to occupy. And the military confrontation had been very tense.
The same military official said that up until Thursday, Thai and Cambodia troops are still besieging each other in many layers.
Mr. Pol Then said: "Many of my soldiers have been sent there since last night and two more truckloads of troops are being sent to reinforce us. A moment ago the situation has been eased because we agreed to negotiate on the temple building. Now they don't know how to withdraw. Yesterday we were inside the temple and they came to encircle us from behind the temple. So we sent the troops to encircle them as well, but they sent the troops to encircle us in a second layer."
According to Cambodian military sources, up until Thursday afternoon there were about 140 Thai soldiers in the area and that they have already occupied the temple. Cambodian military sources said that at about 8pm Wednesday night about 12 Thai soldiers have forced their way in to occupy the Ta Krabey temple to open the way for other troops to move in.
According to a military official based at O'Smach who spoke on condition of anonymity said that a Cambodian soldier has fired a single shot in the air to stop them from moving in to occupy the temple but the Thai troops were not deterred.
The same military official said: "They moved in at night time and our troops tried to push them back by firing into the air but they still moving in."
Governor of Ampil district, Mr. Chap Phat, said that Ta Krabey temple is located about 6km east of Thmor Daun district and that area is uninhabited.
Mr. Chap Phat said that district officials are trying to go to the areas to assess the situation but were unable to get there because they were unable to cross the many rivers which were flooded due to heavy rains.
Mr. Chap Phat said: "This morning I tried to go there but the floods have cut the roads so we cannot cross the rivers. The area is uninhabited."
At Ta Moan Thom temple which were located nearby, there were reports that the Cambodian side has sent more troops to the area, while Thailand has sent more troops to the area also which their troops have already re-occupied the temple more than a week ago.
--------------------------------------------------
Read Phnom Penh Post report on Thai occupation of Ta Krabey temple.
