Military Attaches to Inspect Sites of Border Clashes

The stone remains of Preah Vihear, built nearly 1,000 years ago, are supposed to be a protected U.N. World Heritage site. Instead they are at the heart of a dangerous tug-of-war between Cambodia and Thailand.

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer

Phnom Penh Wednesday, 02 March 2011

“I think a visit to Preah Vihear temple at this time will be very productive.”

A delegation of foreign military attaches is scheduled to visit Preah Vihear temple Thursday, military officials said.

Cambodia says the 11th-Century temple was damaged by Thai artillery in border clashes in February and has asked Unesco to assess the damage. Thai officials maintain Cambodia has troops close to the temple, putting it at risk to future damage.

The military delegation will include 19 representatives of foreign countries including the US, China and Japan and will last for two days, said Chhum Socheath, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

Border tension flares up again [-Thailand has too much crimes to hide?]

Plan for foreign military attache visit stirs Thai ire

3/03/2011
Wassana Nanuam & Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

Border tensions have risen again following Thailand's opposition to Cambodia's plan to take 10 international assistant military attaches into the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area.

Cambodia plans to take the 10 assistant military attaches from Phnom Penh to visit the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda and surrounding areas which are in disputed territory, said a Thai army source. Cambodia hoped to show the international community that those areas belonged to Cambodia.

"When Thailand led 14 military attaches on a border visit in February we went only as far as Pha Mor I Dang and Ban Phum Srol. We never set foot in the disputed area," the source said.

Although Cambodia had changed the border visit day from yesterday to today, the military would continue to object to the visit and has ordered troop reinforcements as a precautionary measure, said the source.

Cambodian move raises border tension [-Why only Bangkok can bring in foreign military attaches?]

2/03/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Meanwhile, reports reaching the Thai military said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had ordered a change to the border forces, replacing the current soldiers with those of the Khmer Rouge. The source said Khmer Rouge soldiers were viewed as intended more for combat than for promoting a good relationship.

A Cambodian bid to take a group of foreign military attaches into part of the disputed 4.6 square kilometres around Preah Vihear temple has raised tension, again, on the border in Si Sa Ket provinced, a military source said on Wednesday.

The source said that Thai troops were put on a continuing alert in the 4.6 sq-km area, especially around the Preah Vihear temple, as a precaution, from Tuesday night.

The tension flared after Cambodia informed the Thai soldiers that it planned to bring the military attaches of 10 countries from Phnom Penh into the disputed area on Wednesday. The Thai side denied them permission.

Cambodia wanted the attaches to see important spots, including the damage to Wat Kaeo Sikha Kiri Savara and the area around it, which is in Thai terrority, the source said.

Thai soldiers have no respect for Buddhism: Damage report for Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda from Thai shellings

Click on the report in Khmer to zoom in

Map Legend:

Pink: Monk dining hall damaged by shells
Red: Temple damaged by shells
Magenta: Monk housing and houses damages by shells

Cambodia not to remove its flag on pagoda: Cambodian PM

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday morning said at a university in Phnom Penh that his country will not remove the Kingdom's flag flying over the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, because it is in Cambodia's territory.

Hun Sen, at the same time, stressed that Cambodia will seek to resolve the conflict between the two countries through diplomatic or military means.

"It is a large-scale armed conflict or can also call a small- scale border war," the premier said, adding that "the aim of the Thai side is very clear that is to occupy the 4.6 sq km of scrub land next to the Preah Vihear temple which they claimed."

The clashes between Cambodia and Thailand troops have already caused many seriously damages to the temple of Preah Vihear, a World Heritage, according to the report from Cambodian military stationed at the border area.

Bora Touch counters the Thailand's Foreign Ministry statement concerning the Cambodian flag over Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda

Below is my response to "Thailand's Foreign Ministry statement concerning the Cambodian flag over Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda" published by The Nations, February 1, 2011. My comments begin with "Bora Touch" and the Thai Foreign Ministry's statement begins with "Thai FM"

Thai FM: The Foreign Ministry's statement concerning the Cambodian flag over Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda:

 "With reference to the declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia dated January 28, 2011 regarding the issue of the flag of the Kingdom of Cambodia that is flying over the "Keo Sikha Kiri Svara" Pagoda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand wishes to state the following:

1. According to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary of 2000, the 1904 and 1907 Treaties and "other documents relating to the application" of both treaties are the relevant legal documents to determine the boundary line. Thailand therefore does not accept the assertion by Cambodia that the 1:200,000 map is the basis for determining the boundary.

BORA TOUCH: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 ruled that the 1:200,000 map, or the Dangrek Section or Annex I Map as known in the ICJ proceeding, (and all of the 1:200,000 maps) is valid and forms part of the 1904 and 1907 Siam - France (Cambodia) delimitation treaties. The Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary of 2000 stipulates:

Article 1: The survey and demarcation of the land boundary between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand shall be jointly conducted in accordance with the following documents:

a) ... The Convention between France [Cambodia] and Siam [Thailand] modifying the stipulations of the Treaty of 3 October 1893, regarding the Territorial Boundaries and Other Arrangements, signed at Paris, 13 February 1904

b) ... The Treaty between the His Majesty the King of Siam and the President of the Republic of France, singed at Bangkok, 23 March 1907 ... and the Protocol Concerning the Delimitation of Boundaries and Annexed to the Treaty of 23 march 1907; and

c) Maps which are the results of the demarcation works of the Commissions of the Delimitation of the Boundary of the Indochina [Cambodia] and Siam ... set up under the Covnention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907 between France [Cambodia] and Siam [Thailand] and other documents relating to the application of the Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907 between France[Cambodia]  and Siam [Thaiand].

The Terms of Reference and Master Plan for the Joint Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary between Cambodia and Thailand (TOR) of  23 March 2003  stipulates:

1.1.3. Maps which are the results of the Demarcation Works of the Commissions of Delimitation of boundary between Indochina [Cambodia] and Siam [Thailand].. sep up under the Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907 between France [Cambodia] and Siam [Thailand] (theferafter referred to as "the maps of 1:200,000") and other documents relating to the application of the Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907 between France [Cambodia] and Siam [Thailand].

Paragraph 10 of the Terms of Reference emphasises:

"This TOR is without prejudice to the legal value of the previous agreements between France and Siam concerning the delimitation of boundary, nor to the value of the Maps of the Commissions of the Delimitation of Boundary between Indochina [Cambodia] and Siam [Thailand] sep up under the Convention of 13 February 1904 and the Treaty of 23 March 1907, reflecting the boundary line of Indochina and Siam"

 Clearly the maps referred to are the 1:200,000 map(s) which, as mentioned above, the ICJ in 1962 ruled to be valid and forms part of the  1904 (and 1907) treaties.  Thailand is therefore not in a position to assert that the 1:200,000 maps (one of which is known as Dangrek Section or Annex I map in which the PreahVihear Temple is situated)  are not valid.  There is no legal basis for such  an assertion and to make such an assertion would amount to saying that, in contravention of the UN Charter, Thailand does not accept and will not enforce the Judgment of  the ICJ.

Thai soldiers prevent Cambodia from building a road to Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda

04 Feb 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Cambodian officers in Preah Vihear temple indicated that on Friday morning, about 50 Thai soldiers came to prevent Cambodian machinery to clear a road to the Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda. However, the Thai soldiers retreated after Cambodian soldiers pointed their guns and threatened them. A RCAF officer told The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that the situation in Preah Vihear temple is easy to explode because Thai troops plan to send more troops in to prevent the operation of Cambodian machinery equipments. The Cambodian officer said that the time Thailand sends it troops to prevent the operation, that will be the time armed clash will take place.

Agreement to cool row over flags

4/02/2011
Bangkok Post

SIEM REAP - Thailand and Cambodia have reached agreement not to blow up the dispute over the national flags put up in their disputed border area near Pheah Vihear temple.

The announcement followed talks between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on the sidelines of Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission (JC) meeting on Friday.

Mr Kasit said afterwards they have agreed not to blow up the dispute over the flags and not to incite their people into hatred for each other.

In addition, the two countries would continue efforts to ease border tension by continuing demarcation negotiations through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).

Thailand threatens war with Cambodia

Wednesday, 2 February 2011
By Khmerization
Source: RFA

The military situations near Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodian-Thai border have become very volatile after Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva threatened Cambodia with war if Cambodia refused to pull down the Cambodian flag hoisted over a Cambodian pagoda in the nearby area. Mr. Abhisit said war with Cambodia will be the last resort if Thailand's wish cannot be achieved through peaceful means.

The Thai Foreign Ministry had further fueled the tensions by demanding that Cambodia dismantle the pagoda and remove the Cambodian flag. When Cambodia refused, Thai troops had sneaked in to hoist Thai flag which has further fueled the already heightened tensions.

A Cambodian military source said hundreds of Cambodian and Thai troops are confronting each other near Preah Vihear temple, where they are only about 200 metres apart. The source said Cambodia will not negotiate with Thai troops like in the past and will use the self-defence rights to protect Cambodian territory if Thai troops invaded the areas again. "For that areas, we do not need to negotiate any more. If Thai troops are sent to the prohibited areas of Sombok Khmum, we will attack. We won't negotiate", he said.

Cambodia refuses to remove pagoda or flag

This photo by AP clearly shows a Cambodian flag flying over Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak on 18 July 2008, shortly after the Thai troops invasion, yet Thailand never complained about this flag, so why is it doing that now? (Photo: AP)

February 2, 2011
By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

Phnom Penh claims structure, flag are legal; erected before 2000 MoU

The war of words between Thailand and Cambodia continued yesterday as Phnom Penh issued another statement and insisted it would not remove a contentious pagoda on the border, as demanded by Bangkok.

However, an outbreak of fighting in the area near the historic Preah Vihear temple seems unlikely despite troops being boosted on both sides.

The Cambodian foreign ministry statement said it was well acknowledged in Thailand that Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda was built by Cambodian people from 1998, with their national flag flying since then.

"The question is why has Thailand only now demanded the Cambodian flag be removed."

Bangkok demands Cambodia to remove temple from border area

February 01, 2011
Xinhua

Thailand has reaffirmed that a disputed temple on the common border with Cambodia is situated on Thai territory and demanded that Phnom Penh remove both the temple and its flag.

"Thailand maintains that the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda is situated on Thai territory, and demands that Cambodia remove both the pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the pagoda," the Thai Foreign Ministry said in a statement received by media late Monday.

"This is a reiteration of the many protests that Thailand has submitted to Cambodia regarding the activities carried out in the pagoda and the surrounding area, all of which constitute violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand," the statement said.

Recently, Cambodia erected a controversial stone sign in front of the temple, but later removed it after a request by Bangkok.

Thai flag also flown in disputed area [-Abhisit backtracking on demand to remove Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak?]

1/02/2011
Bangkok Post

A Thai flag has also been hoisted in a disputed area near the Phreah Vihear ruins, where the flying of a Cambodian flag has raised tensions, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.

Mr Abhisit said this information was included in a situation report made by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

"We have never said that the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda should be demolished. We said only that the Cambodian flag flying over the temple should be removed.

"But, meanwhile, we have also flown our flag there," the prime minister said, but did not elaborate.

Cambodia, Thai argue over diplomatic notes on pagoda and flag

PHNOM PENH, Feb 01, 2011 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Thailand throw arguments over diplomatic notes concerning the pagoda and flag that have been existing near Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple since 1998.

On Monday, the Thai Foreign Ministry issued a statement demanding Cambodia to remove the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda and Cambodian national flag flying over the pagoda from the disputed area adjacent to the Temple of Preah Vihear.

The statement said the pagoda "is situated on Thai territory." But, Cambodia, through the Foreign Ministry denied Tuesday with a diplomatic note saying "It is well acknowledged in Thailand that the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda was built by the people of Cambodia in 1998 with the flag of the Kingdom of Cambodia flying over this pagoda since then." "The question is why only now that Thailand demanded for the removal of Cambodia's flag. Until now, Cambodia has never received any official demand from Thailand," it said.

Cambodia Refuses To Lower Flag from Contentious Pagoda

(Photo: CEN)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Friday, 28 January 2011

“Cambodia reserves its legitimate rights to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Cambodia says it will not remove its flag from a pagoda on a disputed piece of land near Preah Vihear temple, despite a request from Thailand.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement it would not comply with a request from Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to remove the flag from Wat Keo Siha Kiri Svara.

Both sides claim the land surrounding the pagoda, which was also at the center of a prolonged military standoff that began in July 2008 and only ended a few months ago.

The Foreign Ministry called the “demand” for the removal of the flag “insulting” and said recent Thai military exercises near the border were “clearly provocative.”

Thailand takes stand on pagoda

February 1, 2011
By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

Thailand yesterday officially demanded that Cambodia remove Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the structure from the disputed border area around Preah Vihear Temple, while reaffirming its vow to resolve boundary issues through "peaceful means".

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement maintaining its claim that the Buddhist pagoda erected by Cambodia in 1998 "is situated on Thai territory".

The statement was issued days after Phnom Penh rejected Bangkok's request to take down the Cambodian flag from the pagoda.

Phnom Penh insisted last Friday that it had the legitimate right to fly its flag over the pagoda, which it claimed was on its territory.

The area of 4.6 square kilometres adjacent to Preah Vihear has not yet been demarcated because of the overlapping ownership claims.

The area was delimited in line with the Franco- Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. Cambodia claims that the Franco- Siamese joint commission produced a series of maps from 1905-08 to indicate that the area in question is Cambodian territory.

Take down those flags

1/02/2011
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL

Cambodian authorities are being unhelpful or even provocative by extending the issue of their national flag in a disputed border region. The attempt by Phnom Penh's foreign ministry to turn the issue back on the Thai government is a rather cheap ploy.

It is unresponsive to the elementary and understandable request by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for Cambodian authorities to remove national standards from a border region that is legally disputed and politically tense.

From the government's statements so far, it appears that a temple is at the heart of the flag issue. The Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda was built more than a decade ago. It predates the controversial memorandum of understanding which is a flashpoint at the yellow shirt rallies. It also is older than the contentious 2001 application by Cambodia for Unesco to list Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.

There is a rather insubstantial wooden arch at the end of the temple grounds, above which are two Buddhist flags, and a Cambodian standard. Another flag is painted onto the entranceway.

[Thai] Govt wants temple pulled down

Cambodia 'insulted' by latest demands

1/02/2011
Bangkok Post

The Thai government has renewed its demand for Phnom Penh to remove a Cambodian national flag flying over a temple on disputed land near the border, and is also now pressing for the temple itself to be dismantled.

The demand was included in a statement issued Monday by the Foreign Affairs Ministry amid reports of troop build-ups by both countries along the border.

"Thailand maintains that the 'Keo Sikha Kiri Svara' pagoda is situated on Thai territory, and demands that Cambodia remove both the pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the pagoda," the ministry said in its statement.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday came out to assert Thailand's sovereignty over the 4.6 square kilometres of land on which the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear is situated.

The statement prompted a fierce response from Phnom Penh, which labelled the demand as "insulting and unacceptable".

Cambodia: Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak is located inside Cambodian territories

Cambodia's Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda (Photo: AP)

Click on the diplomatic note in English to zoom in

Hun Sen Blasts Thais Over Temple Remarks

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
12 January 2010

Prime Minsiter Hun Sen on Tuesday warned Thai officials to surrender their ambitions to “invade” Cambodian land near Preah Vihear temple.

The premier was referring to comments made by the Thai Foreign Ministry Monday that claimed a pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, where troops from both sides have amassed since July 2008, belonged to Thailand.

The military standoff along the border has seen several skirmishes over the past 18 months, killing at least seven soldiers.

“Thailand, you are invading my country, and Cambodia cannot tolerate your invasion,” Hun Sen said, speaking at a graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Education. “This is an invasion and an insult that we cannot tolerate.”

Parallel to the border confrontation, Thailand and Cambodia are embroiled in an ongoing diplomatic row over the appointed of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser to Hun Sen.

Both sides have withdrawn their ambassadors and other diplomats in the dispute.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Monday Thailand would not engage in “normal” relations between the two countries as long as Thaksin retained his position.

“Kasit Piromya should stop talking about conditions for the return of the ambassador to Cambodia,” Hun Sen said Tuesday. “The presence of the charge d’affaires is enough.”

In July 2008, Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a high escarpment overlooking the Cambodian plains, was granted Unesco World Heritage status under Cambodian management.

The approval sparked protests in Bangkok and led to the deployment of troops on both sides to areas around the border, including the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, which is claimed by both sides.

A Thai court last week declared an agreement between Cambodia and Thailand that led to the listing of the temple as a World Heritage site should be canceled.

Borders and temples remain lightning rods for politics and nationalism on both sides.

In 2003, a Cambodian mob sacked and razed the Thai Embassy and other Thai businesses in a night of Phnom Penh rioting, after unconfirmed rumors a Thai actress had claimed the famed temples of Angkor Wat should belong to Thailand.

200 Cambodians held a Pchum Ben ceremony at Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak

Cambodian monks and Buddhist laypeople held a Buddhist ceremony at Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak. (Photo: Keo Nimol, RFA)

20 September 2009
Source: Radio Free Asia
Reported in English by Khmerization
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Two hundred Khmer tourists and Buddhist laypeople have held a Pchum Ben ceremony at Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak on Saturday the 19th of September, even though the military situations in the areas are still tense.

Thai troops occupied Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak on 15th July 2008, a week after Unesco inscribed the temple as a world heritage site. Ten Thai troops remained at the pagoda ever since.

Ven. Chan Thero, the abbott of Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda, said due to tense military situations the numbers of ceremony participants have significantly dropped to less than previous years. "But the conditions now are better than before because our troops have helped the monks a lot so when we hold any ceremony we face less obstacles than before. In short, the conditions are much better than before because, before, the roads to the temple are very bad, but now the roads are much better", he said.

Click to Read More...