Thailand’s attempt to plant its flag in Ta Moan Thom temple was unsuccesful

31 Jan 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

About 60 Thai black-clad soldiers and paratroopers from Unit 26 stationed near Ta Moan Thom temple pushed forward to the south of the temple, they were all armed and they attempted to plant a flag within the perimeter of the temple in the evening of 27 Jan. However, their attempt was unsuccessful and they retreated back to their base. General Neak Vong, the deputy army chief of staff and commander of Cambodia troops Unit 42, indicated that Thai troops and Thai people planned on planting a Thai flag inside the perimeter of Ta Moan Thom temple, however the Cambodian side learned about it and prevented them. When the Thai soldiers saw armed Cambodian troops in larger number, they asked to negotiate. The Thai commander said that he will help prevent any action that looks suspicious to Khmer troops, and he asked to re-establish the former relationship back.

Thailand plans to restore Ta Moan Thom temple, will Cambodia agree to this plan?

KI-Media note: As can be seen on the third photo below, the Bangkok Post reporter noted that a portion of the temple was damaged during Cambodia Civil War. For this situation to occur, it simply means that the temple was under Cambodian control during all this time and the current occupation of the temple by Thai troops is merely an aggression on Cambodian territories, is it not?

Small yet elegant Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district. Both Thailand and Cambodia have claimed ownership over the 13th century temple, which is on the overlapping border. An ownership dispute caused the Thai Fine Arts Department to abandon the site in 2001. PHOTO: SANITSUDA EKACHAI
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE
✦ Ta Muen Tot chapel, built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, on the Ta Muen complex. Also known as ‘arokhayasala’, the structure once served as a hospital.
✦ A ‘soam sutra’ drain, which siphoned sacred water during a Hindu ceremony from one of Ta Muen Thom chapels.
✦ Ta Muen chapel is a rest house for travellers. Like Ta Muen Tot, restoration on the Bayon-styled structure, is completed.
✦ This file photo shows a Thai military ranger standing guard at Ta Muen Thom temple. The site is open to visitors from both sides except when the border dispute heats up.
Traces of damage left behind from the Cambodian Civil War on Ta Muen Thom’s delicately carved sandstones.
Deputy Director-General of the Fine Arts Department Bovornvate Rungrujee hopes there is a chance to resume restoration work at the ancient site.

Thai-Cambodia impasse hinders restoration work

Archaeologists and historians hope an agreement over the long-standing border and ownership dispute can be reached so restoration work at Ta Muen Thom sanctuary can resume

16/09/2010
Bangkok Post

For some, Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district is a testament of a shared heritage between Thailand and Cambodia. For others, however, it is an attestation of long-standing antagonism of the two rivalry neighbours.

Whatever it is, the monumental Khmer-styled sanctuary opposite Oddar Meanchey province in Cambodia has become one of the first casualties of territorial disputes between the two neighbouring countries, which each have aggressively claimed ownership over the ancient site located in the so-called Ta Muen complex, incorporating two other nearby ruins, Ta Muen Tot - also an overlapping site - and Ta Muen chapel.

The Thai Fine Arts Department registered the whole complex as a national archaeological site in 1935 and later began restoration work on the three ruins, which had sustained a great deal of damage from shells during the Cambodian Civil War. Ta Muen, which was an ancient rest house for travellers during the reign of King Jayavarman VII, and Ta Muen Tot, an arokhayasala (hospital) built in the same era, both received proper restoration. However, territory tensions forced the Thai Fine Arts Department to abandon the Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in 2001, leaving the restoration work incomplete, as advised by the security agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Ministry, in response to protests by Phnom Penh that argued the site was on Cambodian soil.

Both sides since then have deployed several units of armed rangers just a stone's throw away from the site, while the surrounding areas are known to be heavily landmine-infested.

Regretfully, the Preah Vihear dispute has aggravated border tensions, particularly at this ancient site, given the overlapping claims between both sides.

Yet the Ta Muen site _ about an hour's drive south of Surin town _ remains a tourist attraction for both Thais and Cambodians who are allowed access into the region to get a glimpse of the ancient beauty; the access would be closed to visitors only if tensions hit the red alert level. Tensions hit a peak earlier this year when a planned visit to the ancient temple by Cambodian strongman Hun Sen during his high-profile border tour, which almost resulted in a confrontation between the two sides.

The Fine Arts Department, meanwhile, is looking for the possibility to resume and complete the restoration work at Ta Muen Thom. This time, it hopes to invite Cambodia to join the restoration effort, if it is to truly happen.

Deputy Director-General of the Fine Arts Department Bovornvate Rungrujee, who led a group of judges and justice personnel on a visit to the ancient site earlier this month, said the half-restored sanctuary has evidently deteriorated, with a number of sandstone blocks crumbling to the ground.

The idea of resuming reconstruction work was proposed during the trip. It was agreed that Thailand and Cambodia should work together for the sake of heritage conservation, putting aside the border conflict and ownership dispute _ at the least temporarily.

Bovornvate said the Fine Arts Department, through the Ministry of Culture, will raise the issue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the security agencies to find ways to continue the unfinished repair work.

Bovornvate, who was responsible for the Ta Muen Thom excavation in the 1980s, said that Ta Muen Thom is a unique sanctuary, regarding the location of the structure, which lies exactly on a rock-cutting site.

The Ta Muen complex stands on the Angkor-Phimai royal road. Along the route, there were several arokhayasala, cited in an ancient Khmer inscription, as well as rest houses (or dharmasala, also known previously as agnisala, meaning a house with lit-up fire.

Bovornvate noted that Ta Muen Tot is the most complete arokhayasala ever found in Thailand. There are nearly 20 such ancient hospitals _ all built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII _ in the lower part of the Northeast. An ancient inscription found at this particular chapel cited the name of Phaisatchaya Kuruwaituya, a Bhodhisattva who blesses its worshippers with good health.

"The Fine Arts Department has used this arokhayasala as a prototype for restoration of similar chapels in other areas," he said.

It is well realised that the idea of having Cambodia in the renewed restoration plan will not be easy. Immediate question involve with the legitimate right over the overlapping site, if any party is to do _ or continue _ the restoration work.

Historian Charnvit Kasetsiri doubts if Cambodia would consider the "invitation", given the bitterness of both sides.

"Ideally, joint work [on the sanctuary] is good," he said. But personally he does not believe that Cambodia will ever take an interest.

"Such cooperation can be made when two sides truly trust each other. And that is, unfortunately, not the case between Thailand and Cambodia," said Charnvit, who notes that the Ta Muen conflict is but a small part of the Preah Vihear problem, which has worsened due to ultra-nationalism and racial nationalist sentiments that surged after Cambodia's successful bid to have the site registered on the Unesco World Heritage list.

"The Preah Vihear problem will haunt us again and again as long as we are trapped in old history, shrouded by racial nationalism," he said.

The historian also said it is necessary that Thais are better educated about treaties and conventions concerning the obligations and commitment the country has with its neighbours, as well as the international community, otherwise border conflicts, in particular, the Preah Vihear problem, will erupt again and again.

And if that were the case, the historian said that he sees no end to the Ta Muen tension.

"For some issues like border disputes, we'd be better to leave it as it is if we can't fix it. And just wait until we are ready," said Charnvit.

Thailand boasts it sent Hun Xen dashing back home: In that case, Abhisit deserves Hun Xen's curses

Sirichok: Causing political misunderstandings
Hun Sen: Put off by Thai welcoming committee
Kasit: Foreign minister in name only

From behind the shadows

13/02/2010
Bangkok Post

The source said Hun Sen spent just half an hour on the Cambodian side of the border opposite the Ta Muan Thom temple before flying back to Phnom Penh by helicopter after receiving a report there was ''a boom'' near the Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodian soldiers were concerned for Hun Sen's safety and the opening ceremony of a military office at Ban O-rumchong, 6km inside Cambodia, had to be cut short.

A military source at the Preah Vihear temple said the ''boom'' was actually a sonic boom from F-5 and F-16 jets from the Royal Thai Air Force on patrol over Thai soil near Preah Vihear.

Breaking the sound barrier did the trick, sending the Cambodian premier dashing off home.

Problems lie ahead for the PM as Sirichok ''Mr Wallpaper'' Sopha emerges from his shadow, Thai welcoming committee praised for Hun Sen's hasty retreat from the border, Ex-FM Surakiart Sathirathai says removing Kasit from talks with Cambodia is key to resolving the dispute

Dubbed ''Mr Wallpaper'' by the media for spending much of his time standing behind Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during press interviews, Sirichok Sopha has now become a figure to watch in Thai politics.

The fact that he is a well-trusted close aide of the prime minister has given him political leverage, even if few people remember him for his record as a former Songkhla MP.

Some Democrat politicians, however, are concerned Mr Sirichok could invite political problems for the premier.

Over the past year, Mr Abhisit has been seen to be playing the role of a man who tells himself over and over again: ''I'm the prime minister''.

Critics say Mr Abhisit has exercised his authority with little regard for the feelings of other politicians, whether they are leaders of coalition parties or the government manager, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

Among political insiders, it is widely believed that Mr Abhisit listens to suggestions from only a handful of people. Among them are his secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu, PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn and Mr Sirichok.

In Mr Sirichok's case, political observers reckon he has been following the prime minister like his shadow.

Nevertheless, several sources in the Democrat Party claim that recently Mr Sirichok has caused a number of misunderstandings between Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep.

A senior source in the Democrats said Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep had been at loggerheads over the nomination of the national police chief.

Mr Suthep and Mr Abhisit's previous secretary-general, Niphon Phromphan, were united in their support for deputy police chief Pol Gen Chumpol Manmai to become the new police commander. Mr Sirichok took Mr Abhisit's side and threw his support behind Pateep Tanprasert.

The tug of war ended with Mr Abhisit getting his way and Mr Niphon resigning as his secretary-general last October.

Even after Pol Gen Pateep had been appointed acting police chief, Mr Sirichok had a part to play. It is said that during a confrontation between Pol Gen Pateep and Mr Suthep, it was Mr Sirichok who backed the acting police chief. The party source added that during the reshuffle of police generals and police commissioners, differences between Pol Gen Pateep and Mr Suthep became apparent.

It was also believed that during the confrontation, Pol Gen Pateep was supported by Mr Sirichok.

Pol Gen Pateep and Mr Sirichok were dissatisfied with the appointment of Santhan Chayanon as the Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner, whose nomination was supported by Mr Suthep and the military. Pol Gen Pateep preferred Pol Lt Gen Rachata Yensuang for the post.

Then, a misunderstanding over the appointment of the Metropolitan Police Bureau chief erupted between Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep, said the source.

Mr Abhisit was told Pol Lt Gen Santhan took instructions only from Mr Suthep and certain high-ranking military officers.

The source said Mr Sirichok may have whispered a few words about Pol Lt Gen Santhan to Mr Abhisit.

Mr Suthep insisted it would be impossible for Pol Lt Gen Santhan to listen to him and not Mr Abhisit.

The source added Mr Sirichok has also tried to play political tricks. He had his aide contact Bhumjaithai de facto leader Newin Chidchob to arrange direct communication between Mr Abhisit and Mr Newin without going through Mr Suthep, who is the government manager.

However, Mr Newin did not agree to play his game.

Say hello, wave goodbye

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's tour of the Thai-Cambodian border, including the disputed areas, from Feb 6-8 was meant to send signals to the Thai government and the army.

The opening of a village which Cambodians call ''Hun Sen village'' near Preah Vihear temple is part of Hun Sen's policy to build border villages for Cambodian soldiers and their families to live in.

These border villages are thought to be a kind of buffer against any Thai invasion. They are also gradually expanding further into Thai territory.

Most importantly, judging by the fact that Hun Sen wore a military uniform during his visit, the implication seen is that Cambodia is ready to clash with Thailand over their territorial dispute.

During his visit, Cambodian troops stationed at the border moved up an array of weapons and ammunition to impress their leader.

But Hun Sen was unhappy when 2nd Army chief Weewalit Chornsamrit and Thai authorities managed to climb up the Preah Vihear temple to ''receive'' him.

Lt Gen Weewalit wanted to show to Hun Sen that Thailand owned the land around the Preah Vihear temple and that he himself was a host who was duty bound to welcome his guest.

However, it was not easy for Lt Gen Weewalit and his delegation to make their way up to the temple.

A border army source said Cambodian troops guarding the temple allowed only 10 Thai officers access to the temple and demanded they be disarmed.

And on Feb 8, the Thai army wounded Hun Sen's pride again when they turned him away after he asked to cross the border to visit Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district.

The army said the presence of protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy could ''inconvenience'' him on his visit as a tourist.

Hun Sen later launched a verbal attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The source said Hun Sen spent just half an hour on the Cambodian side of the border opposite the Ta Muan Thom temple before flying back to Phnom Penh by helicopter after receiving a report there was ''a boom'' near the Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodian soldiers were concerned for Hun Sen's safety and the opening ceremony of a military office at Ban O-rumchong, 6km inside Cambodia, had to be cut short.

A military source at the Preah Vihear temple said the ''boom'' was actually a sonic boom from F-5 and F-16 jets from the Royal Thai Air Force on patrol over Thai soil near Preah Vihear.

Breaking the sound barrier did the trick, sending the Cambodian premier dashing off home.

Afterwards, the source said both Lt Gen Weewalit and air force commander ACM Itthaporn Subhawong were praised for their roles in arranging ''welcome'' and ''send-off'' ceremonies which Hun Sen is unlikely to forget.

World no longer Thailand's oyster

Even without naming names, former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai managed to snub his successor Kasit Piromya, who also happens to be one of his critics, on Wednesday.

Mr Surakiart, who was foreign minister under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, feels Thailand is slowly alienating itself from others on the world stage.

''Since the coup, Thailand has lost many friends,'' said Mr Surakiart.

''Even the US deputy assistant secretary of state Scot Marciel is visiting Cambodia rather than Thailand.''

Mr Surakiart made the point that key US authorities in charge of Asean affairs had bypassed Thailand.

In fact, Thailand was part of Mr Marciel's five-country working tour of the region, which also included Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Mr Marciel did not meet Mr Kasit on Wednesday but made an introductory call on permanent foreign secretary Theerakul Niyom.

They discussed Burma and Cambodia.

As always, the Thai senior official was a good listener.

Earlier, Mr Marciel, the US ambassador to Asean, had a full day of meetings with high-ranking officials in Phnom Penh, including Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Mr Marciel spoke briefly about the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, saying the US would like to see a stable regional security.

He said that the US is a ''friend to both countries'' and hoped that the issue could be resolved bilaterally and peacefully.

But Hor Namhong responded by saying it was the Thai leadership that was being greedy by seeking Cambodian territory.

Hor Namhong asked the US to support Phnom Penh's application in 2012 for a non-permanent member's seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The US is not the first country from which Phnom Penh has asked for sympathy or support relating to its disputes with Thailand. It has also approached China.

The 18 votes for Cambodia's unilateral listing of the Preah Vihear temple at the World Heritage Board meeting in 2008 is evidence that Cambodia can exercise more clout than Thailand in terms of soliciting help on the international stage.

Yet, Mr Surakiart said there remained something Thailand could do to recover its dwindling influence.

He said, for example, that Thailand could remove the foreign minister from bilateral negotiation mechanisms with Cambodia and appoint a respected person such as former foreign minister Tej Bunnag, who might be better accepted by Phnom Penh to help salvage the fast deteriorating relationship.

Mr Surakiart may have realised that the Abhisit government is likely to stay in power longer than anticipated, so he has suggested practical action to soften the dispute with the eastern neighbour.

But it has been noted that Mr Kasit, who is an open supporter of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, is not cut out for the job of normalising ties with Cambodia.

The tough challenge is to find someone who is.

Some observers reckon that at least four other individuals are playing ''foreign minister'': Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva; Panich Vikitset, who is assistant to the foreign minister; the foreign minister's secretary Chavanond Komalayasutr; and PM Office Minister Virachai Viramethekul.

On his Chinese name card, Mr Virachai introduces himself as ''minister of foreign affairs''. So it's little wonder that Thailand's diplomacy seems confusing and contradictory, if not directionless.

Ta Moan Thom temple: Siam accuses Cambodia of reinforcing troops ... and vice-versa

Cambodia Reinforces Troops Along Border in Surin

12 February 2010
Thai-ASEAN News Network

Thai and Cambodian soldiers are facing in each other in a tense situation at the Ta Muan Thom archaeological site in Surin province.

Meanwhile, Cambodia reinforced troops near the Ta Kwai ancient temple in the province.

The 960th Paramilitary Ranger Company and the Task Force 23 Suranaree Force have been deployed to oversee security along the Cambodian border near the Ta Muan Thom archaeological site in Surin.

The deployment took place after it was discovered that Cambodia has been rotating its troops along the border.

Also, Thai soldiers have closed off the entrance to the Ta Muen Thom temple to the general public.

It also has been discovered that Cambodian soldiers have been reinforced along the border near the Ta Kwai temple in the province.

Cambodia has been building infrastructures to transport supplies and weapons to its troops.

As a result, Thai troops have been reinforced to increase security along the border and in the area.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Mad Hun Dechor

Click on the cartoon to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

[Thai] PM takes Hun Sen's outbursts in his stride

Wed, February 10, 2010
The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday he was not bothered by Hun Sen's outbursts, saying the Cambodian prime minister simply wanted to give vent to his frustrations.

"I don't want to retaliate but if anything affected the country, the Foreign Ministry would take care of it. The most important thing is that we have to prevent invasion of territory under Thai sovereignty," Abhisit told reporters.

Hun Sen launched a verbal attack against Abhisit on Monday during his border tour in response to the Thai stance over the disputed area adjacent to the Hindu Preah Vihear Temple.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Hun Sen was angry as he was not allowed by Thai authorities to visit Ta Moan Thom temple on his last leg of the border tour.

However, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told local media on Monday that Hun Sen had no plan to visit Ta Moan Thom from the beginning.

Hun Sen's border tour over the weekend was blown out of proportion by Thai politicians and the media, he said.

"Why were they really surprised about the visit of Samdech Techo? The reason is that they want to take Cambodian land," Hor Namhong was quoted as saying by Phnom Penh Post.

Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabatara said the border situation and relations with Cambodia were normal. "News [by media] made the normal thing to appear abnormal," he told reporters.

The military did not boost forces to confront the Cambodians but worked on their usual routine, he said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said his ministry would not issue any more reaction against Hun Sen beyond what his secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut had made on Monday which said Thailand regretted and was disappointed with Hun Sen's harsh statement.

"All 65 million Thai people have already seen what is what and I don't need to explain. Thailand continues to have good wishes for the Cambodian people. We want them to be developed, be happy and have good relations with Thailand," he said.

Kasit said what Hun Sen had done over the past days was an act to help former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to create chaos in Thailand to mount pressure on the court which will rule on the assets case later this month.

Hun Sen's rant is 'proof that ties will remain shaky'

10/02/2010
Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says the personal attacks on him by his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen are proof of why the shaky ties between the two countries cannot return to normal.

But Mr Abhisit said yesterday he would not react to the abuse from the Cambodian leader.

Matters involving Thailand's sovereignty would be handled by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

''We will not let any country violate our territory and sovereignty,'' he said.

Hun Sen wrapped up his three-day visit to the Thai-Cambodia border on Monday by launching a blistering attack on Mr Abhisit on a website.

He accused Mr Abhisit of coming to power undemocratically and of causing trouble with neighbouring countries.

He also said, among other things, that Thai soldiers had entered Cambodian territory.

Hun Sen launched the attack after visiting a military office about six kilometres inside Cambodian territory across from Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak.

The Cambodian premier had planned to visit the temple ruins but he was advised by Bangkok to abandon the trip for fear the People's Alliance for Democracy would stage a protest against the visit.

Mr Abhisit said Hun Sen's attack had showed how sour the relations between the two countries had become.

The outburst demonstrated that Thailand had not initiated the decline in diplomatic relations, he said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government would not react harshly to Hun Sen's words. Bangkok could opt for a softer approach by having the Foreign Ministry send a letter to Phnom Penh refuting Hun Sen's allegations. The international community would take a dim view of Hun Sen's remarks, Mr Panitan said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said it was unnecessary for the government to react to the outburst.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security, said he believed Hun Sen made his remarks in a fit of anger after he was unable to visit Ta Muan Thom temple.

Relations with Cambodia soured after Bangkok reversed its position to support Cambodia's application to unilaterally list the ancient Preah Vihear temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Ownership of the land around the temple is disputed by the two countries.

Ties plunged to a new low when Hun Sen appointed fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and as an economic adviser to his government.

Thailand asked Cambodia to extradite Thaksin when he visited Phnom Penh last November, but the request was denied.

Hun Sen lets fly at Abhisit

A Thai soldier armed with a rocket launcher guards the Ta Muan Thom temple on the border with Cambodia in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin yesterday. Security forces were on alert for the visit to the temple by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but he cancelled his plans. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

Foreign Ministry says remarks unacceptable

9/02/2010
Thanida Tansubhapol, Surasak Glahan and Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post

A fresh onslaught of insults by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen directed at Abhisit Vejjajiva is widening the diplomatic gulf between the two countries.

Thailand and Cambodia had been struggling to find ways to mend fences after a series of spats but Hun Sen yesterday appeared to want nothing of the kind.

He scrapped a visit to Ta Muan Thom, an ancient border temple in Phnom Dong Rak district of Surin.

Diplomatic tensions did not ease despite Hun Sen not turning up at the temple and he fired a broadside at Prime Minister Abhisit on a Cambodian website.

The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh alerted the Thai government to the remarks on the website and the Foreign Ministry was quick to counter the Cambodian leader.

"I have to apologise to the Cambodian people that up until today all Thai people and the government have wanted to resume relationships with Cambodia in all fields, including economic, social and investment cooperation," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to the foreign minister.

"But criticising the Thai premier so badly damages Thailand's dignity and that will make it even more difficult to normalise ties.

"The harsh and rude words should not have come from a prime minister of any country. We cannot accept it.

"It is impossible for any country to resume [good] relations without being respectful of each other first."

Thailand will now press for sovereignty over disputed areas along the Thai-Cambodian border, Mr Chavanond said.

"We have never invaded any place which is not ours. We have the evidence to confirm that the area, including Wat Kaew [Sikha Khiri Sawara] or other areas in the 4.6 sq km [of disputed territory] are under Thai sovereignty."

Tension along the border escalated after Hun Sen concluded his weekend tour of the area yesterday. His itinerary included the Preah Vihear temple.

A military standoff continued yesterday morning around the Ta Muan Thom temple as the army tripled its troop presence to about 1,500 to offset Cambodian troops beefing up security during Hun Sen's visit to the opening ceremony of a military office at Ban O-rumchong, six kilometres inside Cambodia.

"We regard Cambodia's troop increase for Mr Hun Sen as very unusual," said Col Thanet Wongcha-um, chief of staff of the Suranaree Task Force.

Hun Sen contacted the Thai army yesterday to ask if he could cross the border to visit the Ta Muan Thom ruins as a tourist after going to Ban O-rumchong.

"But we advised him this was not the right time as there were protesters [from the People's Alliance for Democracy] here which could have been inconvenient for his trip," Col Thanet said.

The Cambodian premier did not respond and then left for Phnom Penh by helicopter, he said.

Dozens of heavily armed Thai soldiers remained on guard at Ta Muan Thom and about 300 police officers equipped with batons and shields were deployed along the main road to the ruins. They were there to prevent about 150 protesters opposing Hun Sen's planned visit from entering the temple. The demonstrators had camped overnight at the Ta Muan Tod ruins, about a kilometre away.

Villagers said they were unhappy with what the PAD was doing as they wanted to live in peace in the area.

In Bangkok, Thailand has asked Unesco to show it a Cambodian plan to manage and safeguard areas at and around Preah Vihear to ensure it will not touch on the disputed territory.

"We are now asking [Unesco] to give us the plan," Mr Abhisit told reporters.

"The 4.6 sq km being disputed by the two countries is the point that we will have to consider carefully," he said.

"We have the right to see the plan and we also have the right to express our opinions. I will closely monitor the matter and I will not let Thailand lose its territory," he said.

On the border dispute with Thailand - Op-Ed by MP

Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Op-Ed by Anonymous Reader MP

By all means pursue legal avenues to regain any Khmer territories/temples (Ta Moan Thom?) currently under Thai control. The Thais, however, having lost the Preah Vihea case at the ICJ are unlikely to co-operate through legal processes, and that is why they always insist on 'bilateral' negotiation - a delaying tactic designed to wear down the political will of their opponents. If pressed, they will likely put forward 'joint-development' proposals which, with their existing superior physical infrastructures such as roads and tourism logistics, will mean that Thailand can resume its pre-dispute position, taking the lion's share in future development of these areas.

It is in Cambodia's interest to transform traditionally conflict scarred regions into zones of peace and development, but this should not override vital national boundary and integrity which must be clearly delineated and defended from further encroachments. Failing to do so will leave future generations with compounded and unfair burdens to bear. They could be your own children or grand children answering the calls of nationalistic duties.

Cambodia should learn from Laos who spent 2 years honing their military prowess, spending millions of dollars on military hardware in the process prior to their effective campaign to seize disputed Mekong islets from Thailand in the late 1980s.

Until such a time when territorial disputes can be amicably settled, Cambodia should be in a position to back up her legitimate claims with telling, concrete measures, rather than being bamboozled to no end with empty gestures from Bangkok.

Lives will be lost and people will be maimed in armed clashes, but just as our ancestors had been compelled to make these sacrifices so that we have a place still to call home, the sacrifice to be made by the soldiers and their families will not be forgotten by a grateful nation.

MP

The "dumb" Abhisit: Hor Nam Hong

DAP news published this photo showing a Cambodian soldier (2nd from left) talking to his Thai counterpart. The background appears to be the stairway to the Ta Moan Thom temple (DAP)

Cambodia denies sending official to negotiate with Thailand on Ta Moan temple

08 Feb 2010
By Kim Pov Radio Free Asia Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Hor Nam Hong, the Cambodian minister of Foreign Affairs, denied that the Cambodian government sent General Khan Savoeun, the secretary of state of the ministry of Interior, to go to Ta Moan temple to negotiate with Thailand to allow Hun Xen to visit the location.

In a hastily organized press conference held in the afternoon of 08 February, Hor Nam Hong indicated that Khan Savoeun’s trip the temple was his private business, and it did not involve Hun Xen’s visit to this same temple.

At the press conference, Hor Nam Hong also called Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai PM who recently declared Thailand’s opposition to the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site at the upcoming July Worlbned Heritage meeting, as being dumb because the Preah Vihear temple had already been listed as a World Heritage since last year already.

Cambodia's response to the "perfidious" Thai media report

Sunday, 07 February 2010
Press and Documentation Dept.
Source: Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

PRESS RELEASE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia wishes to make clarification in response to Thailand’s reaction as published in the media concerning the visit of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen to the border area as follows.

1-The Bangkok Post published a distorted report online on 7 February 2010 that Thailand’s Second Army Area Commander Veewarith Chornsamrit led a delegation to welcome Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen on his visit to the Preah Vihear Temple. However, contrary to the claim, it was Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen who allowed the Thai Commander to come to meet him at Preah Vihear Temple, where Samdech Techo Prime Minister unequivocally stressed that it is the Temple of Cambodia and it is Cambodian territory.

2-The Bangkok Post also reported that Thai Commander Veewarith Chornsamrit was assigned to welcome Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen to send a message that Thailand is firm on its ownership claim over the disputed territory of 4.6 km2 near the Temple of Preah Vihear. However, in fact the Thai Commander did not raise anything as distortedly reported by the Bangkok Post.

Such untrustworthy report clearly shows that the Bangkok Post is perfidious and falsely reporting to blindly mislead the public.

3-The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand again issued a press release on 7 February 2010 which stated that during his visit to the border area, Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen “might enter into Thai territory......the Cambodian side must first inform and request prior permission from the Thai Government”. On this point, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia already issued a statement on 5 February 2010 that Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit is only within the Cambodian territory.

4- The Bangkok Post also reported today that Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will use Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen’s comment to explain the World Heritage Committee that the area around Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Thailand. Such a statement clearly shows the ambitious greed and duplicity of the Thai Prime Minister, who wants to annex Cambodian territory, blatantly and illegally.

Phnom Penh, 07 February 2010

Hun Sen calls down curse on Thai PM over land row [-Was Hun Xen afraid of the yellow shirts?]

February 9, 2010
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Border tensions died down yesterday but the war of words flared up with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reciting a curse on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for his comments on disputed territory.

Thai security forces had been put on alert over the weekend as Hun Sen toured the border near overlapping areas including the Preah Vihear Temple.

The PM arrived in the vicinity of Ta Muen Thom Temple but did not visit the ruins.

Colonel Thanet Wongcha-um, chief of staff of the Suranaree Task Force, which oversees the area, said Thai authorities on the ground informed Hun Sen's advance team the situation was not safe due to the presence of yellow-shirt protesters.

Before leaving the area, Hun Sen presided over the inauguration of Ta Moan village in Oddar Meanchey province, some five to six kilometres away from the temple, Thanet said. Thai troops retreated after his departure, he said.

During the opening ceremony, Hun Sen launched a verbal attack on Abhisit.

Abhisit said on Sunday that Hun Sen's visit to Preah Vihear would help Thailand claim possession of the area surrounding the temple.

Hun Sen visited the temple on Saturday and accused Thai troops of invading Cambodia. Abhisit said later that day that Hun Sen's accusation meant the Cambodian leader accepted Thai ownership.

Hun Sen put a curse on Abhisit.

"If you don't tell the truth about Thai troops invading Cambodia, let magic objects break your neck, may you be shot, be hit by a car, may you be shocked by electricity or [may you be shot] by misfired guns."

"Will Abhisit swear on having all his family members killed and having them [perish] in a plane crash, if [he still claims] that Thai troops did not invade Cambodia?" Hun Sen was quoted as saying by Cambodian website Deum Ampil News.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear is located in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. Abhisit argued that the court was referring only to the stone remains but the area adjacent to the temple belongs to Thailand.

He said again yesterday that Thailand would never surrender any of its territory.

Relations with Cambodia turned sour after Abhisit took power due to his stance against Cambodia over the Preah Vihear issue.

Hun Sen criticised Abhisit for supporting the yellow-shirt movement, which helped set the stage for the military coup in 2006 and seized Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2008, paving the way for Abhisit to assume power.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister, said Thailand regretted learning about Hun Sen's harsh statement.

Such an outburst would undermine attempts to restore diplomatic relations, he said.

Thailand won't give up disputed area to Cambodia: Abhisit

"The PAD leaders said they have successfully put pressures and force the Cambodian leader not to enter into Thai soil."

BANGKOK, Feb 8 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday stood firm that his government would not give up the contested 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) area adjacent to the ancient Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia, saying the area which is owned by Thailand must belong to the kingdom.

He said the government would send a letter asking the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Committee to review the map which Cambodia earlier submitted to it and would give a Thai opinion to the UNESCO committee.

The World Heritage Committee will soon meet to consider Cambodia's application to list the ancient temple and its surrounding areas contested by the two neighbouring countries as a World Heritage site.

Mr Abhisit said Cambodia has been trying to acquire the area for two years but his government would not budge and would not accept any disputed map submitted by the neighbouring country.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand holds that the 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) area surrounding the ancient temple belongs to Thailand.

Border demarcation in the area remains unresolved and sporadic clashes have occurred recently.

The Thai prime minister said the Thai-Cambodia border has returned to normal after Mr Hun Sen cancelled his planned visit to Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Thailand's northeastern province of Surin.

He also shrugged off reports that Cambodia has changed the name of the village opposite Ta Muen Thom ruins as Ta Muen Village, saying the matter will not cause any misunderstanding nor confusion as Thailand can prove that the area belongs to the kingdom.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or the Yellow Shirts have dispersed after receiving confirmation that Mr Hun Sen had cancelled his planned visit and returned to Phnom Penh.

The PAD leaders said they have successfully put pressures and force the Cambodian leader not to enter into Thai soil.

Thai military personnel remain stationed at the Ta Muen Thom ruins and are closely monitoring Cambodian military movements. The area has been declared a restricted zone as the situation is considered risky.

Did Hun Xen blink first by cancelling the visit to Cambodia's Ta Moan Thom temple?

Hun Sen cancels Surin temple visit

8/02/2010
Bangkok Post

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen cancelled his planned visit to Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province and returned to his own country via helicopter on Monday, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.

Mr Hun Sen decided not to visit Ta Muen Thom ruins in Surin province after Thai authorities demanded his military escort not carry weapons, Mr Chavanond said.

The Cambodian premier said he understood the regulations and did not want to create tension between soldiers from the two countries even though he wanted to travel as a tourist.

Foreign Ministry Information director-general Wimol Kidchob said Mr Hun Sen's visit did not violate the sovereignty of Thailand.

The Cambodian government had previously twice asked Thai authorities for permission for Mr Hun Sen to visit the ancient Khmer temple.

Thailand claimed that Hun Xen cancelled the visit to Ta Moan Thom temple: is it telling the truth?

Tension eases as Hun Sen returns to Phnom Penh

Mon, February 8, 2010
The Nation

Tension along the Thai-Cambodia border seemed to ease after Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen cancelled his schedule to visit Ta Muen Thom temple ruins and returned to Phnom Penh on Monday.

Hun Sen and his wife; Bunnari, arrived at Oh-room-jong Village in Banteay Ambrel of Udon Mechai province by helicopter at about 9am. He presided over an opening ceremony of a battalion and a village which are about four kilometers from Ta Muen Thom temple in Cambodian soil.

His visit was made amidst tight security which included tanks and heavily-armed soldiers. He spent about half and hour there before boarding a helicopter back to Phnom Penh.

A Thai army officer said that Hun Sen normally spent about two hours to visit his soldiers at the border. But this time he spent only half and hour probably because he was worried about the reports that some groups of Thai activists planned to rally near the site.

Earlier reports said that Hun Sen's visit to Preah Vihear area which started on Saturday until Tuesday.

Hun Sen also cancelled a plan to visit Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province, the site which has been claimed by both countries. The Thai side which claimed ownership of the temple insisted that Hun Sen has to ask permission if he wanted to visit the temple.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban earlier said that Cambodian side had notified the Thai side that Hun Sen would visit the temple ruins.

Suthep said the Thai troops will not be withdrawn from the ruins which belong to Thailand.

"We have been taking care of and and [holding in our] possession the area [of the Ta Muan Thom ruins]. Cambodia cannot claim its right over the area," said Mr Suthep."It's unlike the case of Preah Vihear temple in which the dispute was brought to the International Court of Justice."

Hun Sen to visit Ta MuenMoan Thom temple

8/02/2010
Bangkok Post

Soldiers accompanying Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen must not be armed when he visits Ta Muen Thom temple, in Surin province near the Cambodian border, on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Thai authorities would be there to welcome him because it is Thai territory, he said. The area is under the supervision of the 2nd Army commander.

Mr Suthep called on those planning to rally in opposition to Hun Sen's visit not to enter the temple grounds because it could create difficulties for Thai authorities.

He also said there is no need to reinforce Thai troops along the Thai-Cambodia border at the moment.

A close encounter

February 8, 2010
The Nation

Thai, Cambodian authorities brace for Hun Sen's visit to Ta Muen Thom ruins

Thai and Cambodian authorities were busy preparing and bracing themselves yesterday for what promised to be extremely awkward diplomacy, with Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen set to visit the Ta Muen Thom ruins in Surin.

"We will act in accordance with prescribed procedures as a host and Thai representatives will be present to welcome Hun Sen upon his arrival," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

The ancient Khmer temple straddles a mountain pass on the border and its ownership is disputed by Cambodia despite a border marker.

Abhisit said the Cambodian leader would be accorded the hospitality given to any foreign visitor.

A group of soldiers and provincial authorities met with Hun Sen's advance team in Surin to finalise the arrangements. The Cambodian team was led by Interior Secretary of State Khann Savoeum.

During the meeting, the Cambodian team sought and received permission to take about 100 visitors sightseeing to the ancient temple. It also informed the Thai side that there might be a temporary surge of 150 troops deployed opposite the temple due to the security requirements for the visit by Hun Sen.

After the Cambodian team left, about 400 yellow shirts led by Veera Somkwamkid were allowed to visit the temple.

Veera said his People's Alliance for Democracy would not stand idly by if Cambodia attempted to project itself as owner of the temple.

He vowed to organise a yellow-shirt welcoming committee to greet Hun Sen.

At the triangle border area of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, a group of Thai troops, provincial authorities and diplomats was present when the Cambodian side held a ceremony to pay respects to the deities.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Thai side had no objection to Hun Sen's visit to Thai territory if advance notice was given and permission granted and if the touring of the border was not meant to challenge Thai territorial integrity or usurp Thai sovereignty.

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said Hun Sen made misleading accusations when he claimed Thailand harboured an intention to invade Cambodia. That remark was groundless and Hun Sen should retract his statement, he said.

Abhisit said the Thai government would not read too much into the move by Hun Sen and would maintain its good-neighbour policy to prevent violence from flaring up at the border.

He said Hun Sen's border visit might be prompted by a combination of factors such as domestic politics, the controversy over Preah Vihear Temple's listing as a World Heritage site and an attempt to sway Thailand.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees security affairs, insisted that the Ta Muen Thom ruins were located on Thai soil and any visitor there, including Hun Sen, must not carry a weapon.

Prasong Nurak, who sits on the Senate committee on military affairs, said he believed that Hun Sen would not show up at Ta Muen Thom because as the leader of a foreign country, his visit would likely need to go through diplomatic channels and be handled by the Foreign Ministry.

A source said Hun Sen was in fact scheduled to inaugurate a village called Ta Muen on the Cambodian side today. That village is about four kilometres away from Ta Muen Thom.

"By the way, his programme is subject to change," the source added.

Cambodia informs Thailand Hun Sen to visit Ta MuenMoan Thom ruins

BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) -- No extra security measures will be provided to Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen when he visits the disputed Ta Muen Thom ruins, said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security affairs, said Cambodian officials had already notified concerned Thai security officials that Mr Hun
Sen would visit Ta Muen Thom ruins.

The second army commander and governor of the Thai border province of Surin had been instructed to be vigilant while the Cambodian government leader stays in the area.

The Ta Muen Thom ruins sit near one of many disputed areas along the Thai-Cambodian border and lie in Surin province.

Mr Hun Sen is scheduled to visit the ruin on Monday, concluding his three-day visit which earlier took him to disputed Preah Vihear temple.

Reiterating that Thailand wants to stay peacefully with neighbouring countries, Mr Suthep charged that the Khmer government leader had done several things which went beyond Thai government’s expectations and they had caused misunderstanding.

He urged both the Thai activist group, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD or the Yellow Shirts), and the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD, or the Red Shirts) to stay away from the border because their presence could further worsen existing problems between the two countries.

Abhisit counters Hun Sen's claim

(Photo: Reuters)

7/02/2010
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted Thai military officers have not trespassed to Cambodia, as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed.

"The Thai government will use Prime Minister Hun Sen's comment to explain to the World Heritage Committee that the area around Preah Vihear temple clearly belongs to Thailand," Mr Abhisit said on Sunday.

The Cambodian premier visited the ancient Preah Vihear and Ta Muan Thom temples on Saturday without incident. More than 100 Thai troops were sent to the area.

Thai soldiers will not be withdrawn from the disputed border area yet and more personnel will be deployed to oversee the area around Ta Muan Thom, Mr Abhisit said.

"I don't have to give details whether former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was behind Mr Hun Sen's visit, but the government will continue keeping a close watch on the red-shirts' activities in different areas," he added.

Thailand intends to make Hun Xen lose face

Hun Sen told to visit as tourist

Cambodian security escorts 'must disarm'

6/02/2010
Bangkok Post

All eyes are on how the already tense situation at the Thai-Cambodian border develops as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen today begins a three-day visit which will conclude at the Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin.

The government says that while the Cambodian leader is free to go anywhere while on Cambodian soil, he is not advised to enter the disputed territory covering 4.6 square kilometres near the Preah Vihear temple without informing Bangkok.

The 2nd Army Region and provincial authorities have been instructed to make security preparations and oversee the situation during Hun Sen's visit.

The army says Hun Sen is scheduled to visit three or four locations.

Today, the Cambodian prime minister will chair the opening of Siharat Decho village and an army battalion on Cambodian soil.

On Monday, he plans a visit to Ta Muan Thom temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district, which is under the supervision of Thai armed forces.

Ta Muan Thom and the neighbouring Ta Kwai temple in Surin were embroiled in the border dispute when the conflict escalated two years ago.

Phnom Penh claimed both were located in disputed territory and tried to deploy troops there.

Army sources said the army has told Cambodia that Hun Sen cannot bring troops when visiting the Ta Muan Thom temple, which is in Thai territory.

Second Army Region commander Weewalit Chornsamrit yesterday met senior Cambodian military leaders in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district to discuss security measures for the Cambodian leader.

Maj Gen Weewalit said he had been assigned to welcome Hun Sen if he wishes to enter the disputed area where both Thai and Cambodian troops are now deployed.

Maj Gen Weewalit said Thailand had informed Cambodia that if Hun Sen visits any disputed area surrounding Preah Vihear, Thailand will send representatives - Maj Gen Weewalit, the ambassador to Cambodia, and the Si Sa Ket governor - to join his visit.

The military source said the government had responded to the Cambodia prime minister's request to visit Ta Muan Thom, saying he was welcome there, but his security guards and followers must be disarmed and visit the temple just like normal tourists.

However, Cambodia has not responded to this demand.

He said Thai troop levels will not be beefed up as there are enough of them in the overlapping zone.

He dismissed speculation that Hun Sen's visit was intended to demonstrate ownership of the disputed territory. Concerns were also raised that Hun Sen might deliver a nationalistic speech to pep up his troops.

"I think he is paying a visit to the troops as the government leader and the commander of his armed forces.

"The army is accustomed to Hun Sen's style of talking and Cambodia's media reporting, which is not quite accurate and causes trouble," he said.

Maj Gen Weewalit insisted that Cambodian troops will be pushed back if they cross the border during the visit.

"That cannot be allowed. They must be disarmed before they are allowed to step onto Thai soil," he said.

Gen Piroon Paewpolsong, army chief of staff and secretary-general to the Internal Security Operations Command, said Hun Sen can visit the disputed area, but he is required to inform Thai authorities if he does.

"It is not a no-go zone, but there is a protocol to follow. If we are to enter the disputed area, we have to inform Cambodia too," he said.

"The visit is a Cambodian affair. We just follow the protocol regarding a border visit.

"We can talk to each other. We have no problems if they want to visit. There are procedures for it," he said.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh said yesterday Hun Sen has no hidden agenda in the timing of his visit which has put security forces on edge, especially following rumours that fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would join the trip.

Gen Tea Banh said the Cambodian leader's trip is simply a morale-boosting visit for his soldiers. Hun Sen was tied up during New Year and could not pay the troops a visit. "There is no agenda. Why can't Hun Sen go to the border? It is Cambodian territory and he wants to visit his troops," said Gen Tea Banh.

He also rejected the rumour that Thaksin would accompany Hun Sen.

Former prime minister Thaksin posted messages on his Twitter page, Thaksinlive.com, saying he had no plan to visit the disputed area near the temple. He was in Dubai, he said.