Global Heritage Fund report warns end of national treasure

A Cambodian soldier rests at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple last year. Photograph: Phnom Penh Post/Heng Chivoan

Monday, 07 May 2012
Bridget Di Certo
The Phnom Penh Post

The temple at Preah Vihear, one of Cambodia’s most-prized national treasures, is at such risk of severe and irreparable damage that it could vanish completely, preservation watchdog the Global Heritage Fund said over the weekend.

Due to the impact of war and conflict, unsustainable tourism and natural disasters, the “picturesque masterpiece of Khmer architecture”, as it has been described by UNESCO, could be totally destroyed, the fund said in a report released this month to coincide with a global heritage forum over the weekend.

“The temple’s location atop a steep cliff leaves it vulnerable to the rigors of a mountain climate, further exacerbated by monsoon conditions,” the report states.

Further, the failure of Cambodia and Thailand to resolve their dispute over the land surrounding Preah Vihear is a man-made threat accelerating damage to the 11th-century temple, GHF said in their study.

[Thai] Army denies border clash

1/05/2012
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

a border source said reports had emerged about Cambodian troops providing protection to poachers.

The army yesterday denied reports of a weekend clash between Thai and Cambodian troops near Preah Vihear.

Lt Col Men Ly, deputy military commander of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, said Cambodian troops on patrol were attacked by Thai forces on Sunday.

The Thai army, however, denies it.

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Thai soldiers and forestry officials were on a patrol mission when they encountered a group of log poachers at An Ma border pass on Thai soil.

Thai authorities identified themselves but the poachers shot at them, he said.

Cambodian soldier said hurt in Thai border clash

April 29, 2012
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - (AP) -- Cambodia says its troops exchanged fire with Thai security forces along their border in their first publicly acknowledged clash since repeated combat there ended a year ago.

The deputy military commander of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, Lt. Col. Men Ly, says Cambodian troops on patrol Sunday were attacked by Thai forces. He says one Cambodian soldier was wounded in a 10-minute exchange of rifle fire and grenades.

Thai Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd says Thai security forces inside Thai territory returned fire after illegal loggers from Cambodia shot at them and fled.

Seventeen soldiers and a civilian died in skirmishes early last year related to conflicting claims over border territory, but Thailand has also complained about cross-border log poaching.

ទាហាន​ខ្មែរ និង​ថៃ បាញ់​​គ្នា​មួយ​ប្រាវ នៅ​ជាំ​ក្សាន្ត

ទាហាន​ខ្មែរ​ពិនិត្យ​មើល​កាំភ្លើង​យន្ត​នៅ​តំបន់​ប្រាសាទ​ព្រះវិហារ​ក្នុង​ ខែត្រ​ព្រះវិហារ កាលពី​ថ្ងៃ​៥ មេសា ២០០៩។ (RFA Photo/Savyouth)

2012-04-29
ដោយ ហង្ស សាវយុត
Radio Free Asia

មាន​ការ​ប៉ះ​ទង្គិច​គ្នា​ដោយ​អាវុធ​មួយ រវាង​ទាហាន​ខ្មែរ និង​ថៃ ដែល​ការពារ​ព្រំដែន​នៃ​ទឹក​ដី​នៃ​ស្រុក​ជាំ​ក្សាន្ត ខេត្ត​ព្រះវិហារ ជាប់​នឹង​ព្រំដែន ខេត្ត​អ៊ូប៊ុន​របស់​ថៃ កាល​ពី​វេលា​ថ្ងៃ​ត្រង់​ថ្ងៃ​អាទិត្យ​ទី ២៩ ខែ​មេសា។

ការ​ប៉ះ​ទង្គិច​គ្នា​ដោយ​អាវុធ​នោះ មាន​រយៈ​ពេល​ប្រហែល ១០ នាទី នៅ​ចម្ងាយ​ប្រមាណ ២ គីឡូ​ម៉ែត្រ ភាគ​ខាង​លិច​ច្រក​ព្រំដែន​អាន​សេះ និង​ភាគ​ខាង​ត្បូង​ឆៀង​ខាង​កើត ចម្ងាយ​ប្រមាណ​ជាង ៣០ គីឡូ​ម៉ែត្រ ពី​តំបន់​ប្រាសាទ​ព្រះវិហារ។

ប្រភព​ពី​កង​ទាហាន​ខ្មែរ​មួយ​រូប​នៃ​តំបន់​ប្រតិបត្តិការ​សឹក​ខេត្ត​ព្រះវិហារ ដែល​ប្រចាំការ​នៅ​តំបន់​នោះ បាន​ឱ្យ​ដឹង​ថា ការ​ប៉ះ​ទង្គិច​គ្នា​ដោយ​អាវុធ​នោះ បាន​កើត​ឡើង​នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​កង​ការពារ​ព្រំដែន​ខ្មែរ​ចំនួន ៧ នាក់ បាន​ដើរ​ល្បាត​តាម​បន្ទាត់​ព្រំដែន ដើម្បី​រារាំង​សកម្មភាព​ប្រជា​ពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ​មួយ​ចំនួន កុំ​ឱ្យ​លួច​ឆ្លង​ដែន​ចូល​ទៅ​កាប់​ឈើ​ខុស​ច្បាប់​ក្នុង​ទឹក​ដី​ថៃ។

Cambodian soldier said hurt in Thai border clash

April 29, 2012
Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodia says its troops exchanged fire with Thai security forces along their border in their first publicly acknowledged clash since repeated combat there ended a year ago.

The deputy military commander of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, Lt. Col. Men Ly, says Cambodian troops on patrol Sunday were attacked by Thai forces. He says one Cambodian soldier was wounded in a 10-minute exchange of rifle fire and grenades.

Thai Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd says Thai security forces inside Thai territory returned fire after illegal loggers from Cambodia shot at them and fled.

Seventeen soldiers and a civilian died in skirmishes early last year related to conflicting claims over border territory, but Thailand has also complained about cross-border log poaching.

Cambodian PM says 24 Cambodians killed in border clashes with Thailand since 2008 [-That's 24 TOO MANY!]

June 21, 2011
Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday said 24 Cambodian people had been killed in four-time armed clashes with Thailand over border conflict since 2008.

Speaking during celebrating the 4th anniversary of Cambodian Veteran Day, the premier said the fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border dispute near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in October, 2008 and April 2009 had killed 3 Cambodian soldiers, and the clashes on Feb. 4 to 7, 2011 killed 8 Cambodians including 4 soldiers, 2 police and 2 civilians.

Also, the latest clashes from April 22 to May 3 at Ta Mon temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province killed other 13 Cambodian soldiers, he said.

"Cambodia is deeply sorry for their deaths in the cause of national defense," said the premier. "We hope that there will be no further armed clashes and Cambodia is trying all its best to seek peaceful solution on Cambodian and Thai border conflict," he said.

Team Finds Widespread Cluster Munitions Near Border

Injured Cambodian and cluster ammunition used by Thailand (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Wednesday, 25 May 2011

“Between 5,000 and 10,000 people will be directly impacted by the cluster munitions.”

The Cambodian Mine Action Center has found more than 300 hectares of land peppered with cluster munitions, believed to be fired by Thailand during border fighting in February.

Clearance of the unexploded ordnance could take up to a year or more, demining officials said, following an assessment of the area by CMAC and Norwegian People’s Aid.

“We are searching for more areas affected with submunitions of cluster munitions,” CMAC Secretary-General Heng Ratana told VOA Khmer Wednesday.

Jan Erik Stea, program manager for mines at Norwegian People’s Aid, told reporters Wednesday the munitions were found druing a two-day assessment in April. Twelve areas, including four in villages, spread over more than 1.5 million square meters in Preah Vihear province’s Choam Khsant district were identified, he said.

[Thai] PM: Too many conflicting signals from Cambodia [-It looks like Abhisit is turning all Cambodia's proposals into his own. Can he still rein in the army?]

April 28, 2011
By NERISA NERYKHIEW
THE NATION

The government has stepped up the call for Cambodia to stop firing into Thailand and is urging Asean leaders to convince Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to commence bilateral negotiations.

The call was made at a House session yesterday that was held to discuss the conflicting signals coming from Cambodia, which is calling for a ceasefire and negotiations but shelling Thai territory over the past six days at the same time. 

"The government is doing everything in its power to restore peace as soon as possible at the Thai-Cambodian border," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

The neighbouring country initiated an armed attack on Thailand, which had not been anticipated or justified, Abhisit said, adding that the Army was duty-bound to repel the attack and had followed internationally accepted rules of engagement. He insisted that the skirmish was limited to military targets.

The government has always been ready to settle the dispute via bilateral negotiations, he said, adding that suspiciously Cambodia had offered a ceasefire on Tuesday but it did not stop shelling. He said he intended to meet his Cambodian counterpart in Jakarta on the sidelines of the Asean Summit next month.

Thailand and Cambodia Escalate Clashes Across Their Border

April 27, 2011
REUTERS

Thai and Cambodian troops fought with short-range rockets and guns near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday, opening a second front in a five-day confrontation that has killed 13 people in Southeast Asia’s bloodiest border dispute in years. A Thai official said that one Thai soldier was wounded. There were no reports of Cambodian casualties. Sovereignty over Preah Vihear and two other ancient, stone-walled Hindu temples about 90 miles west of it — Ta Moan and Ta Krabey — and the jungle of the Dangrek Mountains surrounding them has been in dispute since the French withdrew from Cambodia in the 1950s. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand said defense ministers from both sides might hold cease-fire talks on Wednesday.

Border Clash Returns to February Site

APRIL 26, 2011
Associated Press

NONG KANNA, Thailand—The worst fighting in years between Thailand and Cambodia spread Tuesday to a third temple, as the neighbors exchanged artillery fire in border clashes that have killed 12 soldiers and displaced 50,000 villagers.

The fighting Tuesday near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple followed unsuccessful international attempts to secure a cease-fire in the largely long-distance artillery battles that eruped Friday at two other temples about 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the west.

Preah Vihear, the scene of four days of deadly fighting in February, is the most prominent symbol of a border dispute between the Southeast Asian nations that goes back generations and has long stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides.

Fighting near Preah Vihear and in Surin

26/04/2011
Bangkok Post and AFP

Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed on Tuesday afternoon in the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple on the border in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, and again on the border in Surin province.

The fighting began about 1.30pm, with sounds of fierce exchanges involving both small arms and heavy weapons, local reports said.

Continuous gunfire could be heard from the area near Wat Kaew Sika Khiri Savara, around the Preah Vihear temple and Phu Makhua.

The violence reportedly erupted after Cambodian soldiers at Wat Kaew Sika Khiri Savara opened fire at a Thai F16 fighter which was flying along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Thai and Cambodian troops exchange fire near ancient temple [-... the fighting is fuelled by political interests on both sides]

Tue Apr 26, 2011
By Martin Petty

PHANOM DONG RAK, Thailand (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodia troops fought with short-range rockets and guns near 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday, opening a second front in a five-day confrontation that has killed 13 people in Southeast Asia's bloodiest border dispute in years.

The fighting raised concerns that hostilities had spread 150 km east of two other ancient Hindu temples where Thai and Cambodian troops have clashed sporadically since Friday, sending more than 50,000 people into evacuation shelters.

Thai regional army spokesman Prawit Hukaew said Cambodia fired rockets after two Thai F-16 jets patrolled the area, but he described the clash as "minor." He said he believed Cambodia was responding to the presence of Thai fighter jets which he said never strayed beyond Thai airspace or opened fire.

At least 12 13 soldiers were killed in the latest clashes between Thailand and Cambodia

Selasa, 26 April 2011
R.A Kawilarang
Vivanews.com

VIVAnews - Indonesia once again conveys its profound concern of the continued hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia at their border areas. The current Chair of ASEAN, Indonesia believes such diplomatic path "must be persevered."

"Indonesia calls for both parties to show courage in putting to the fore the urgent need for cease fire," said Indonesia's Foreign Ministry in its statement today as Cambodia and Thailand resumed skirmishes near the Preah Vihear temple over the last few days.

BBC News reported that at least 12 soldiers have been killed in the latest outbreak of violence between the two neighbours.

Thailand, Cambodia eye truce as fighting spreads

April 26, 2011
Agence France-Presse

PHANOM DONG RAK, Thailand - Thailand and Cambodia were preparing Tuesday for ceasefire talks after a new front opened in their worst border fighting in recent history, in which 13 troops have died.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes on both sides as heavy weapons fire pounded the jungle frontier, shattering a fragile truce that had held since February.

"Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh has agreed to meet his Thai counterpart in Phnom Penh shortly to discuss a ceasefire between the two countries," the Cambodian defence ministry said in a statement.

Thai Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon indicated that he was ready for dialogue with his Cambodian counterpart.

Border Clashes Spread as Leaders Talk of Ceasefire

A Cambodian Buddhist monk watches a house damaged by a rocket during Monday night's armed clash near the disputed border area between Cambodia and Thailand in Kork Morm village, Udor Meanchey province, Cambodia, Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Thai and Cambodian military officers say the border between their two countries is calm after four days of clashes. (Photo: AP)

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 26 April 2011

"The two men spoke by phone as border skirmishes spread to Preah Vihear province, where the two sides exchanged rocket and artillery fire."

The defense ministers of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to hold talks for a ceasefire late Tuesday, as spreading border clashes entered their fifth day.

Defense Minister Tea Banh agreed with his counterpart, Pravit Wongsuwan, to hold talks in Phnom Penh “soon” to discuss a ceasefire, according to a Cambodian statement late Tuesday.

The two men spoke by phone as border skirmishes spread to Preah Vihear province, where the two sides exchanged rocket and artillery fire, military officials said.

Fighting between Cambodian, Thai troops near Preah Vihear

Apr 26, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - Fighting erupted Tuesday near Preah Vihear temple, a Cambodian government spokesman said, marking a widening in the scope of border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.

Phay Siphan said fighting was underway using artillery near Phnom Trop, a hill that lies around 10 kilometres from the 11th-century Hindu temple.

At least 13 soldiers have been killed and more than 50 wounded since Friday in border clashes that have taken place at another disputed site around 100 kilometres west of Preah Vihear temple.

In February fighting around the temple killed at least five soldiers.

Thai-Cambodia border clashes enter fifth day, spread to ancient Preah Vihear as clashes resume

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Associated Press

BANGKOK — Officials say the worst fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces in years has spread, with both sides exchanging artillery and rifle-fire near another temple in a disputed zone along the border.

Thai army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd says skirmishes broke out near Cambodia's 11th century Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday. Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan confirmed that account.

The two Southeast Asian nations have battled along their border daily since Friday in several spots around 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Preah Vihear, which was the scene of four days of fierce fighting in February.

Thai, Cambodia troops clash close to Preah Vihear temple

BANGKOK, April 26 (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodia troops clashed on Tuesday near Preah Vihear temple, about 150 km (93 miles) to the east of where they have fought for four straight days, the Thai army said, the first sign the conflict may be spreading to other poorly demarcated border areas.

Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the two sides fought with short-range rockets and guns near the 11th-century Hindu temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment claimed by both Southeast Asian neighbors.

(Reporting by Ambika Ahuja. Editing by Jason Szep)

Cluster Bombs Cloud Prospects for Peace

A de-miner holds fragments from an exploded cluster submunition. (Credit:Irwin Loy/IPS)

By Irwin Loy

PHNOM PENH, Apr 19, 2011 (IPS) - Allegations that Thailand used controversial cluster munitions during recent border clashes with Cambodia have become the latest wedge driving tensions between the two neighbours.

The disarmament advocacy group Cluster Munition Coalition earlier this month announced that it had confirmed the Thais used the weapons as part of February skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops around a disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.

The group said this marked the first time such weapons have been deployed since a landmark treaty banning their use came into effect last year – though Thailand continues to dispute whether or not the weapons should be classified as cluster bombs.

The CMC said Thailand’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, acknowledged in an April meeting that Thai troops used 155mm Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions, or DPICM, during the February clashes.

International community condemns Thailand's use of landmines on Cambodia border

A Cambodian victim of the Thai cluster bomb (L) and shrapnels from Thai cluster bombs in Cambodia (R)

These cluster munitions have already robbed two men of their lives, two more have lost their arms and a further five were injured", said Sr Denise Coghlan, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

By Speroforum

Source: JRS.net

Based on two separate on-site investigations, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) has concluded that Thailand used cluster munitions on Cambodian territory during the February 2011 border conflict. Thai officials confirmed the use of cluster munitions in a meeting with the CMC on April 5.

This is the first use of cluster munitions anywhere in the world since the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force and became binding international law. The CMC, of which the Jesuit Refugee Service is an active member, condemns any use of cluster munitions, and urges Thailand and Cambodia to immediately accede to the global treaty banning the weapons.

In February and April of this year, CMC members conducted two separate missions in cluster-munition contaminated areas in Cambodia including in Svay Chrum village, Sen Chey village and around the Preah Vihear temple hill. Members found unexploded submunitions, as well as fragmentation damage caused by cluster munitions. Norwegian People's Aid confirmed that unexploded M42/M46 and M85 type DPICM submunitions have been found.