Postcards from Preah Vihear - By C.C.

By C.C.

A personal note about Prasat Preah Vihear. After seeing it up close for the first time and surveying the surrounding landscape, I feel that the Thai's claim to the land adjacent to the temple is ridiculous at best and aggressive at worst. There is clearly a gorge (small river) which separates the mountain on which Prasat Preah Vihear sat and the opposite mountain on which the Thai had already claimed as theirs. If we talk about watershed demarcation, the water that flows from both Preah Vihear Mountain and the other mountain on Thai side is eventually flowing down to Cambodia which should make the river in from of Preah Vihear Temple belonging to Cambodia, too. Also the new road which Cambodia built to reach Prasat Peah Vihear, it has been cut about 1 kilometer short of its destination because of the Thai's objection (in one of the pictures, it shows where the new road ended). I hope the UN court would rule in our favor so that we could complete that road and everyone could drive up to see Preah Vihear Temple without hindrance.

Temple dispute thaw could see observers' role changed [-Thailand tries to renege the border agreement?]

Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Tehran, Iran August 30, 2012

The terms of reference (TOR) for an Indonesian observer team to be sent to the disputed area adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear might need to be modified to fit the situation, said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul yesterday.

Surapong discussed the matter with his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa in Tehran on the sideline of the Non-Aligned Movement summit.

He told Marty of recent developments in the situation at the border near the temple where both Thailand and Cambodia redeployed their troops on July 18, a year after the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s injunction.

"The redeployment, as agreed by Thailand and Cambodia, was a process of the troop withdrawal in accordance with the ICJ's order," Surapong told reporters.

[Thai] PM wants parliament to debate troop move [-Yingluck's stance is no different from Abhisit when it comes down to Preah Vihear]

SPECIAL REPORT: Govt does not want to make a decision that could affect its relationship with military

16/08/2012

Achara Ashayagachat

Bangkok Post

Still, a military source involved in the issue said the military saw no merit in rushing the deal unless Cambodia offers some real concessions.

The Yingluck Shinawatra administration will ask parliament to decide whether Thailand should comply with the International Court of Justice's order to withdraw troops from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.

The aim is to free the government from making sensitive decisions that could affect the relationship between the administration and the armed forces, according to a government source.

The issue is expected to be considered at a cabinet meeting soon, the source said. If the idea is endorsed, the cabinet will forward the issue to parliament for its consideration. "We are still optimistic that within this four-month parliamentary session, the issue should get a debate. It's a matter that all sides should be jointly responsible for," the source added.

On July 18, 2011 the ICJ ordered both Cambodia and Thailand to immediately withdraw troops from the Provisional Demilitarised Zone, an area covering roughly 17.3 sq km.

Military officers and diplomats have been at odds over whether to comply with the ICJ's ruling.

Thailand must show maturity in handling Preah Vihear

Wednesday, Aug 15, 2012
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation/Asia News Network

Time is fast running out.

Maybe Parliament has forgotten it has an urgent task to consider the terms of reference (TOR) for Indonesia's observer team in the demilitarisation process at the disputed Preah Vihear temple, in accordance with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s injunction.

It's important to comply with all conditions set by the ICJ as Thailand is in court with Cambodia over the interpretation of the 1962 judgement on the sovereignty of the Hindu temple.

Compliance with the court's order during the trial is a key message to show the judges and international community that Thailand is a civilised country that lives with dignity and integrity.

Like it or not, agree or disagree, as a member of the United Nations and the international community, Thailand has an obligation to comply with the court's injunction since the country chose the civil way to settle the chronic conflict with its neighbour, in the court.

P. Penh delays plans for landmine mission

26/07/2012
Wassana Nanuam & Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post

Cambodia has delayed plans to send military officials to work out details of landmine clearance around the Preah Vihear temple with their Thai counterparts in Thailand, a military source says.

The source yesterday said Cambodia had neither informed the Thai army about the reason for the postponement nor fixed a new time for the meeting.

"I still don't understand why Cambodia won't abide by the agreement made during the meeting," the source said.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed in June to carry out landmine-clearing operations in areas designated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), following the second round of the Joint Working Group talks in Cambodia.

Observers at border territory still needed [-Never mind the stupid Thai general!!!]

Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong speaks in Phnom Penh on Friday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

Monday, 23 July 2012
David Boyle and Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia and Thailand remain committed to the deployment of independent observers at the disputed Preah Vihear border despite comments from a Thai general suggesting they may not be necessary, the respective foreign ministries said.

On Saturday, the Bangkok Post quoted Thai military supreme commander General Thanasak Patimapakorn saying his Indonesian counterpart had dismissed the necessity for his country to provide observers.

“Indonesia considers that if the two countries can talk, they will have no need to come in, and this is also the two nations’ stance,” General Thanasak reportedly said.

STUPID Thai general accuses Cambodian villagers of encroachment inside Khmer territories?

Sukumpol Suwanatat (C)

Defense Ministry affirmed illegal entry by Cambodians near the border

Monday, 23 July 2012
By NNT
Pattaya Mail

BANGKOK, 19 July 2012 -Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat has indicated that there is ample evidence of illegal encroachment by Cambodian villagers on the disputed border areas, adding that a negotiation between the two countries is needed to solve the issue.

According to the Minister, the situation around the border has been peaceful since border police have been deployed in the areas replacing soldiers who pulled out yesterday. However, he said some Cambodian nationals have been seen in the compound of Sikhakirisawara temple, which is located in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple.

Their presence would constitute an illegal entry. He said further discussion with Cambodia would be required since both sides claimed the area around the temple belonged to them. Meanwhile, the removal of landmines around the overlapping territory would proceed as planned, adding that Thailand will continue to work out the issue with Cambodia in a timely manner, said the Minister.

[Thai] Defense Minister, Army Chief witness police deployment in disputed area near Preah Vihear

SI SA KET, 18 July 2012 (Pattaya Mail) – The Defense Minister and the Army Chief have witnessed the police deployment in the 4.6-square kilometer disputed area at the Thai-Cambodian border.

Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat, Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Chief of the Defense Ministry's Office of Policy and Planning General Nipat Thonglek, and other high-ranking military officials today traveled to Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province.

The officials listened to security reports in the disputed area, followed by a ceremony to deploy police officers replacing military forces in compliance with the order of the International Court of Justice, which wanted the disputed area to be a de-militarized zone.

Thai commanders are doing all they can to avoid Indonesian observers in Preah Vihear temple

Thanasak Patimapakorn

Observers 'no longer needed' (sic!)

21/07/2012
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Indonesian observers may no longer be needed in the disputed land near Preah Vihear temple as the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border has stabilised, Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimapakorn said yesterday.

Gen Thanasak, who visited Indonesia on Monday and Tuesday, said he had told his Indonesian counterpart that Thailand and Cambodia had not been in conflict for almost two years now, so there is no longer a need for observers.

"Indonesia considers that if the two countries can talk, they will have no need to come in, and this is also the two nations' stance," Gen Thanasak said.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 18 last year ordered Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the 17.3 sq km provisional demilitarised zone (PDZ) around Preah Vihear temple after Cambodia petitioned the ICJ to reinterpret its 1962 verdict granting Cambodia sovereignty over the temple and its 4.6 sq km surrounding area.

Cambodia, Thailand pull out from Preah Vihear

Cambodian troops pull back from the provisional demilitarised zone, near the Thailand-Cambodia border, in Preah Vihear province yesterday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post

 

Thursday, 19 July 2012
Cheang Sokha and David Boyle
The Phnom Penh Post

Just over a year ago, Cambodian soldiers were training their sights on the border, firing artillery shells and launching rockets into neighbouring Thailand.

Yesterday, some of those same men jovially waved from military trucks as they finally headed home from Preah Vihear.

The redeployment of troops by both sides came on the first anniversary of an International Court of Justice ruling that ordered Thailand and Cambodia to “immediately” withdraw troops from a Provisional Demilitarised Zone established around the disputed Preah Vihear temple.

Still drawing flak for its perceived deference to Beijing over the South China Sea dispute during the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh last week, the government lauded the demilitarisation as a step to its vision of regional “peace and prosperity” yesterday.

Cambodia pull out troops from dispute zone with Thailand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e_oHB3aCeI

Troops redeployment at Preah Vihear temple

A Cambodian temple security guard stands near a UNESCO, World Heritage Site flag, left, and a Cambodian flag while patrolling Preah Vihear temple, in Preah Vihear province, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Nearly 500 Cambodian troops and an undisclosed number of Thai forces withdrew Wednesday from the demilitarized zone near the 11th-century temple, which the International Court of Justice awarded to Cambodia in 1962. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian troops pullout:

Thai border troops pullout:

Cambodian Troops Leave Disputed Area

July 18, 2012
Associated Press

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia—Cambodia and Thailand withdrew their army troops Wednesday from a disputed border area near an ancient temple, as the Southeast Asian neighbors try to defuse a decadeslong dispute that has turned deadly in recent years.

Some 485 Cambodian troops and an undisclosed number of Thai forces pulled back from a demilitarized zone near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, complying with a ruling last year by the International Court of Justice.

The court had awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, and while Thailand accepts that decision, both countries lay claim to land around it.

Cambodia Withdraws 485 Troops From Disputed Border With Thailand

PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia, July 18 (Bernama) -- Cambodia on Wednesday withdrew 485 military personnel from the Provisional Demilitarised Zone (PDZ) surrounding the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in order to comply with the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

China's Xinhua news agency reported that the pullout ceremony was presided over by Cambodian deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Tea Banh, and was attended by foreign diplomats, military attaches, government officials, locals and students.

According to a press release from the Council of Ministers, it was the "first step of troop redeployment" from the arena around Preah Vihear temple including the areas of Dragon Stair market, North Ancient Stair, East Ancient Stair, and Keo Sikha Kiri Svarak pagoda.

The troops were replaced by 255 policemen and 100 guards for safeguarding the temple, said the press release.

Police set to deploy at border temple

The Nation July 18, 2012

Troop adjustments to be made in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple today are intended as a signal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Thailand and Cambodia are complying with the court's order for demilitarisation of the disputed border area.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat, together with Army commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and other senior military officers, will preside over a ceremony to pull out some troops and replace police in the area.

At around the same time, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh will do his part on the Cambodian side in the same area.

Phnom Penh will pull out 485 troops and put 250 policemen and 100 security guards into the area and at the Preah Vihear temple.

Thailand will station 200 police in the area but has not made clear how many soldiers are being withdrawn from it. "In fact, the situation at the border has been returned to normal. There is no tension and no clashes in the area, but what we have to do now is to show that we are complying with the court's order," said the Defence Ministry's Chief of policy and planning Niphat Thonglek.

Thai poliBorder rally set to oppose troop pullout

Four companies of Border Patrol Police officers move in to replace soldiers who are to be pulled out of the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple Wednesday. The police took part in an exercise Tuesday to prepare for their new roles and operations. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

18/07/2012
Bangkok Post

SI SA KET : Protesters opposed to the government's decision to withdraw soldiers from disputed land near the Preah Vihear temple are planning a demonstration near the Thai-Cambodian border Wednesday morning.

Kittisak Ponpai, head of the Power of Land group, said Tuesday that members of his movement would stage their rally in Si Sa Ket province to protest against today's withdrawal of Thai soldiers from the 4.6-square-kilometre area claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.

He urged members of the public to join the rally and said that he did not believe that Cambodia would be straightforward in the withdrawal of its own troops.

The International Court of Justice ordered Thailand and Cambodia to pull their troops out of the demilitarised zone covering and surrounding the disputed area a year ago.

Time to pull troops back [-A reasonable appeal by the Bangkok Post]

18/07/2012
EDITORIAL
Bangkok Post

Distrust can also be overcome by stationing observers, either national or the Indonesian military who volunteered for the task. ICJ judges issued a reasonable and logical step to solving the border problems, and both countries should move more quickly to respect the court's ruling.

It has been a year now since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered that a demilitarised zone be set up around Preah Vihear temple. The good news is that the fighting which preceded the court order has entirely ceased. The bad news is that armed forces of the two countries remain in the area, stationed close to each other. The worst news is that both armies have essentially ignored the order of the ICJ and have not seriously pursued talks on how to disengage and make the Preah Vihear area safe.

The ruling by the ICJ, sometimes called the World Court, was a "preliminary" order after a series of deadly armed clashes that threatened actual war between the two countries. The court drew a quadrilateral on a map of the temple area and ordered the two countries to make everything inside a DMZ. The logic of the DMZ is unclear. It is much larger than the disputed region of 4.6 square kilometres around the temple, with four uneven sides between two and seven kilometres. Almost all of the DMZ is in Thailand, although it includes the high cliffs which form the natural border between the two nations.

Authorities in both Thailand and Cambodia have grumbled about the ICJ order, but have officially accepted the court's ruling. On the ground, however, neither country has respected, accepted or invoked the court's decision. Cambodia recently claimed it would "soon" withdraw soldiers who have been stationed inside the actual temple buildings. Thailand has replaced soldiers with members of the Border Patrol Police.

INDONESIAN OBSERVER TERMS TO GO BEFORE [Thai] PARLIAMENT: SURAPONG

NUNTIDA PUANTHONG
THE NATION July 17, 2012

Draft terms of reference (TOR) for the deployment of a team of Indonesians to observe the withdrawal of troops from around Preah Vihear Temple on the Thai-Cambodian border, as ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), will be discussed in Parliament next month in accordance with the Constitution, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed last week to "adjust" their troop levels in disputed areas adjacent to the 11th-century Hindu temple on Wednesday.

Both sides will pull some troops out and will put some border police in to guard the area. Defence ministers of both countries would inspect the troop redeployment in their respective territories tomorrow (Wednesday).

Cambodia, Thailand to redeploy troops at Preah Vihear on July 18

PHNOM PENH, July 13 (MCOT) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday that Phnom Penh will reduce its troops at the border region near Preah Vihear Temple on Wednesday under the International Court of Justice (JCJ) order, while Thailand is considering redeploying its troops as well.

Ms Yingluck was in Siem Reap for a one-day trip to address a high-level US business conference at the invitation of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The Thai premier accompanied by Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh in a one-hour meeting before holding a joint news conference.

Mr Hun Sen reportedly said that he and the Thai premier discussed the redeployment plan at border area near the Preah Vihear Temple under the World Court order which was considered as a goodwill gesture of the two neighbours, but said the move had nothing to do with the preparation for the observers from Indonesia.

Cambodia's promise to move troops doubted [-How about Thailand, can it be trusted?]

Democrats tell Yingluck to confirm withdrawal


16/07/2012
Bangkok Post

The Democrats have questioned the sincerity of Phnom Penh's withdrawal of troops from disputed borders, a decision which was confirmed on Friday.

Cambodia's move to replace its 485 soldiers with 350 border patrol and tourist police was confirmed by Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat after talks between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Siem Reap on Friday.

But Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut called on Ms Yingluck to make sure Cambodian solders "really withdraw" from the 17.3 sq km area around Preah Vihear temple, marked as a demilitarised zone by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).