Thailand moves fresh troops to Preah Vihear border

Thursday, January 14, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Regarding the Preah Vihear temple border situation, in the afternoon of 13 January, the RCAF border commander indicated that fresh Thai troops were added to the Choam Ter-Ta Thav pass, located east of Preah Vihear temple. General Yim Pim, the RCAF commander of battalion 8, told The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that the situation in front of the temple itself is quiet, but near Ta Sim-O’Chak Chreng pass, west of Preah Vihear temple, fresh Thai troops moved into a location where they have never seen before. Yim Pim added that even if fresh Thai troops were moved in, Cambodian soldiers have no fear to see Thailand flexing its muscle. Cambodia just does not want to see Thailand invading Cambodian territories. The addition of fresh Thai troops take place right after Kasit Piromya, Thailand’s Foreign Affairs minister, reiterated again that Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda was built by Cambodia inside Thai territories.

Thailand add more troops along the border … AGAIN

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Kampuchea Thmei newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The border situation near Preah Vihear temple does not seem to be too good once again in the afternoon of 15 June because Thai troops were trucked in and they were spread out inside their territories.

One RCAF officer stationed in Phnom Trop told Kampuchea Thmei that about 20 truckloads of Thai soldiers and heavy artillery were brought in and spread in front of Phnom Trop. The sending of fresh Thai troops was done without prior warning. However, these Thai soldiers arrived in front of Phnom trop at noon time on 15 June.

The RCAF officer said that Thai soldiers who can speak Khmer told frontline Cambodian soldiers that these new Thai troops were sent in to protect Thai region 2 army commander who will be inspecting the border.

The same officer indicated also that the 20 trucks used to bring in these soldiers are US-made trucks, and each one of them carried 12 soldiers. These soldiers were spread out in four areas: O’Chak Chreng, Ta Sim Pass, Phnom Trop and Veal Entry Field.

General Srey Doek told Kampuchea Thmei that, indeed, Thailand spread troops as reported, but these Thai soldiers informed their Cambodian counterpart that they came to protect their region 2 army commander who will be inspecting troops along the border. Srey Doek said: “We are following to see if these new troops, which claim to protect their commander will be pulled back or not.” However, report from the frontline indicated that the Thai chairman of region 2 had already left, but the soldiers who escorted their commander did not pull back yet.

Srey Doek indicated that even though fresh Thai troops were sent in and spread in front of Cambodian soldiers, they are not seen moving into Cambodian territories yet. He said that if these soldiers are stationed inside Thai territories, this is not an issue, but if these soldiers move into Cambodian territories, it is a different issue altogether.

General Yim Pim said that Thai troops who were recently spread out did create a surprise. However, Cambodia did not react strongly about this issue since these Thai soldiers are still stationed inside their territories.

Srey Doek said: “We did not yet make any accusation that these new troops were sent over with the intention of leading an aggression or anything else, but we are on alert in the protection of our lands only.”