Cambodia Watchdog Council's Statement on the Anniversary of 15 July 2008, the date of Thai invasion in Preah Vihear

http://www.box.net/shared/bk1trm7gjtoenph9e51c

"... we told them to remove the plate and they cooperated": Abhisit on the sign posted in Cambodia

Thai Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon(right), the 2nd Army commander, joins in the demolition of the tablet reading ‘‘Here! is Cambodia’’. The sign was smashed into pieces after he negotiated with his Cambodian counterpart to destroy it yesterday.

Cambodia removes second provocative tablet

January 27, 2011
The Nation

Cambodia yesterday agreed to remove a second stone tablet from the disputed area next to Preah Vihear temple to help reduce mounting pressure by the nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against the Thai government.

"It's over," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters. "There's no need to negotiate as we told them to remove the plate and they cooperated."

Cambodia had placed the stone at Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara, next to the Preah Vihear temple claimed by Thailand and Cambodia as their own.

It read: "Here! is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 15, 2008, and withdrew at 10.30am on December 1, 2010."

Your say Re: Sign in front of Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak

I was wholeheartedly praising our government for replacing the old sign with a new one. Clearly, it was a clever move by our government. The new sign along with its content, in my humble opinion, was perfectly acceptable within the norm of international diplomacy. But before I finished cheering the move, some unthinkable thing happened. The new sign was taken down and destroyed by our own soldiers, presumably under a direct order from the government.

It was emotionally devastating to see a sign bearing Khmer’s pride and dignity being destroyed indiscriminately. It is hard to describe the painful feeling for such destruction, but it is even harder to comprehend the reason behind it. Speaking of the reason, it is highly improbable that Thailand is ready to go to war over its self-proclaimed disputed land. Thai radical groups make all the barking noises only to gain political ground at home. Regrettably, it appears that our government yields to their demand, knowingly or unknowingly at the expense of our pride and dignity.

Davan Long

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This is a slap in the face for the Khmer people and nation, all because of the ill leadership of a handful of people.

A sign like this should have been erected with prior due diligence and forethought, knowing the Thais' history of making similar complaints in the past.

The important thing is that once erected, it must remain there, even at the cost of bloodshed and sacrifice. Otherwise, it becomes proof of a fiasco OR a basic sign of weakness on Cambodia's part. And that could only encourage the Thais to bully Cambodia again and again.

School of Vice

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That is so disgrace! Why the hell they put that tablet up anyway when they can't take the heat from Thai?

Where are those advisers of HUN SEN that have all the degree to advice HUN SEN??

A threat from Thai military put HUN SEN in the shitty stance?

So disgrace that HUN SEN can only be strong to only unarmed innocent Khmer.

Khmer Sambok Kmom

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Why? Because YUON can have a piece of that pie so Thai wants that fair share too.

If Hun Sen be tough on all fronts, the Thai ambition wouldn't happened.

Look at on the east border with YOUN at Kampong Cham province for example. They (Youn) had planned the border mark right near the house of Monkey Heng Samrin and Hun Sen government done nothing to stop them. So Thailand now really wants that 4.6km2.

Mark my words, Hun Sen must request to UN or use the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement to bring them to UN Court again. If not this thing will not solve anything.

Khmer Poipet

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Its very embarrassing that Cambodian government is so damn weak and worthless! I agree, why we(Cambodian) bother putting up the stone tablet at the first place? Very soon, Thailand will order Hun Sen to wear short skirt like phnong people in the mountain...What an embarrassment!!

Anonymous

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អន់ហើយថោកទាបណាស់ ជើងឈរមិនជាប់ដី។

Anonymous

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Khmer have been known to be very passive and weak especially when it comes to the neighboring enemies. throughout history, we continued to destroy ourselve again and again. Not only we prefer to take order from other, but we also value their ideas while disregarding our own well being. Such coward act to remove the sign by Mr. Hun Sen is contrary to his alleged "iron fist" leadership with the poor Khmer people within the pass two decates. When it comes to fearing of loosing power from the enemy threaten, this coward leader is willing to sacrifice his moral by bowing to his enemy without any conviction in his heart.

Anonymous

[Thai] PM: Cambodia has removed sign [-Cambodia blinked again for the 2nd time?]

26/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Cambodian troops have removed the "Here! is Cambodia" sign on the disputed border near Preah Vihear, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday.

"It's a good thing Cambodian authorities have cooperated with us," Mr Abhisit said.

Cambodia put the controversial stone sign up after Thai soldiers withdrew from Kaew Sikha Khiri Sikha Sawara temple on Dec 1 last year.

The sign initially read "Here! is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 14, 2008."

After Thai authorities on Monday asked Cambodia to remove the tablet, the Cambodian army yesterday replaced it with a sign reading "Here! is Cambodia".

This sparked further angry protest.

Cambodia replaces controversial stone tablet near border temple

Jan 26, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian authorities have replaced a stone tablet near Preah Vihear temple on the country's northern border after its inscription angered the Thai government, local media reported Wednesday.

The original stone tablet, which was sited near the temple last month, originally read: 'Here! Is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 15, 2008, and withdrew at 10:30am on December 1, 2010.'

The new tablet simply states: 'Here! Is Cambodia.'

An anonymous Cambodian army officer stationed in the area confirmed the switch.

'I heard (the placement of the sign) was ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen,' the officer told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper, which carried a photograph of the new tablet.

New [border] tablet 'even worse' [-Phnom Penh blinked first?]

26/01/2011
By Wassana Nanuam and Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post

Cambodian troops have removed a stone tablet placed near the Preah Vihear temple carrying a message accusing Thailand of invading the country.

But the tablet has been replaced with another that could ratchet up the tension even further between the two countries. It simply states the area is part of Cambodia.

The first tablet put in place last month at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara, next to the Preah Vihear temple, read, according to the Phnom Penh Post: "Here! is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 15, 2008."

[Thai INVADERS] Tablet a bitter pill to swallow [for the INVADING Thais]

Merit in peaceful talks: Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara, left, meets his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Pol Sareoun, right, at Wat Chantharaburiwong in Phnom Penh for a Buddhist meritmaking ceremony. The supreme commander led 140 representatives from the armed forces to offer donations from Thailand to the temple. WASSANANANUAM

Armed forces chief sees a favourable outcome

25/01/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Thailand is expecting a favourable response from Phnom Penh to its request to remove an insulting stone tablet put up by Cambodian troops in a disputed border area, security authorities say.

The tablet claims "victory" for Cambodia after the last of Thai forces withdrew from Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara last month in a troop reduction schedule agreed to by both sides.

The withdrawal of the troops has no bearing on territorial claims and the Khmer-language sign has antagonised the Thai military by referring to its soldiers as "invaders" and claiming they had "trespassed" on Cambodian land.

Inflammatory sign at border [-Thai INVADERS just couldn't accept being called INVADERS]

25/01/2011
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL

No issue has dogged the administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva like Cambodian policy. There are a number of reasons for this, some of which are the premier's own poor decision making. But from the day his government came to power, unrelenting political pressure has been brought to bear. It has come from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has urged his army, government and media to oppose and even to attack Thailand. And it has come from Thais who openly proclaim they are more patriotic than Mr Abhisit and the rest of the nation.

This week, Mr Abhisit faces three Cambodia issues. The first is today's three rallies by groups with varied backgrounds but a single, burning aim: to force the government to cancel all border agreements with Cambodia. The ultra-hotheads among these groups actually want war. On Sunday, Mr Abhisit correctly told the country that he will not yield to these self-styled patriots. They are wrong about Thailand's long-established policy towards Cambodia. He must stick to his guns and not back down an inch.

The second issue is a nagging legal case, an absurd and personally vindictive charge. According to Phnom Penh, the two Thais, Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon of the nationalist Thai Patriots Network - equally hostile to Phnom Penh and Mr Abhisit - have conducted espionage inside Cambodia. Mr Abhisit continues to fight for a fast trial or, better still, their release. The "patriots" of course give him neither credit nor thanks.

The third issue is a recently erected and ostentatious stone tablet near a disputed area along the Thai-Cambodian border. The Khmer inscription says, "Thai troops - the invaders" and goes on for five offensive and super-nationalistic lines. It is a disgraceful display of bad neighbourliness from the Hun Sen government and army. By now, thanks to media attention, Hun Sen, his government and his military know how objectionable it is. If it is not removed forthwith, Mr Abhisit's government must take a strong stand.

[Thai general] Songkitti: Correction of [THAI INVADERS] sign promised

24/01/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

The supreme military commander of Cambodia has promised to make a "correction" to the controversial sign posted on the disputed border branding Thai troops as "invaders", Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara said on Monday.

Gen Songkitti said this after a meeting with Gen Pol Sareoun, the supreme commander of Cambodia.

They had discussed the controversial stone tablet erected in front of Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara. Cambodia says it is where Thai troops had invaded Cambodian territory.

"Cambodia said a correction will be made in a favourable way. Let's wait and see," Gen Songkitti said.

[Thai] Troops ready to remove 'invaders' sign [-Thailand ready to start another armed confrontation?]

24/01/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Thai troops are threatening to remove a stone tablet on disputed land carrying a message calling Thai soldiers "invaders" if Cambodian authorities do not do it themselves, a military border source says.

Second Army commander Thawatchai Samutsakhon has asked Cambodian troops to remove the tablet bearing the Khmer message accusing Thai troops of invading Cambodian territory, in front of Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara.

The temple, about 300 metres from Preah Vihear, is in a disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area claimed by both countries.

The military source said the Cambodian soldiers appeared reluctant to remove the tablet as they had to wait for an order from their commanders before taking any action.

Sign remains despite [Thai] army's request

24/01/2011
Bangkok Post

The "Thai troops - the invaders" sign remains prominently in place on the disputed border even though the Thai army asked Cambodia to remove it on Monday morning.

Reports said Army Region 2 commander Thawatchai Samutsakorn had asked Cambodian troops to take down the sign in front of Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple in the disputed 4.6 square-kilometer area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

However, the sign was still there, the reports said.

The Thai army earlier said it would remove the stone tablet if Cambodian authorities do not do it themselves.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier he would leave it to the army to ask Cambodia to remove the sign. The political sector would not get involved.

[Thai] PM assigns Army chief to talk to Cambodian counterpart over sign denouncing Thai troops

Monday, January 24, 2011
The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday that he had assigned Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to talk to his Cambodian counterpart to remove a sign that denounced Thai troops.

Cambodia has put up a sign near the disputed plot, saying Thai troops used to trespass the area.

Abhisit said Prayuth would take care of the issue.

Thailand wants Preah Vihear signs removed

January 23, 2011
The Nation

Thailand has asked Cambodia to remove a carved stone and a big sign accusing Thais of being trespassers near Preah Vihear mountain.

Lt-General Tawatchai Samutsakorn, commander of the Second Army Region, said Thai authorities had made the request because the stone and the sign - with golden Cambodian characters accused Thai soldiers and people of being trespassers in Cambodia - were in a disputed area.

The sign is in front of Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara, a temple near Preah Vihear mountain.

According to an agreement by the two countries, neither Thailand or Cambodia can produce anything to claim possession of the land.

The accusation refers to Lt-General Kanok Netrakavaesana, who led 20 soldiers to the temple on July 15, 2008 before others came to guard the place.

[Thai] PM to inform public about arrest of seven Thais by Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 23 (MCOT online news) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will also inform the Thai public Sunday night about the arrest of seven Thais by Cambodian soldiers on charges of trespassing onto Cambodian territory on Dec 29, he said Sunday during his weekly TV and radio address.

Five of the seven were freed by the Cambodian court and returned to their homeland Saturday evening. The court in Phnom Penh on Friday ruled them guilty of illegal entry and intentionally trespassing into Cambodian territory.

They were sentenced to nine-month suspended jail terms and fined one million riel (US$250) each. However, their jail sentences were suspended.

[Thai] PM wants the temple sign removed [-The truth must hurt the INVADERS!]

23/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his “Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit” weekly programme on NBT on Sunday morning that he had ordered army chief to contact Cambodian troops to remove the stone tablet, bearing the message “Thai troops –the invaders” written in Khmer.

The stone tablet was erected in front of Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara in the disputed 4.6 square-kilometer area near the Preah Vihear ancient temple.

Mr Abhisit said there should be no problem for Cambodia to remove the temple sign.

Thai 2nd Army chief angered by "INVADER" label posted by Cambodia

FIGHTING WORDS: A stone tablet with a message in Khmer branding Thai troops ‘invaders’ at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak.

HOME AT LAST: Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth (centre) and Samdin Lertbutr (left) arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday. They, with Narumol Chitwaratana, Tainae Mungmajon and Kojpollathorn Chusanasevi, returned to Thailand after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court gave them a suspended jail term for trespassing on Cambodian territory and illegal entry into a military area.

Invaders' jibe as Thais come home

SECOND ARMY CHIEF ANGERED AS TEMPLE SIGN ANTAGONISES TROOPS IN DISPUTED AREA

23/01/2011

Wassana Nanuam

Bangkok Post

The 2nd Army chief has demanded Cambodian troops remove a stone tablet in the disputed border area bearing a message lambasting Thai troops as "invaders".

The latest controversy in the Thai-Cambodian territorial dispute came as Bangkok yesterday welcomed back the five Thais allowed home by a Phnom Penh court after being found guilty of charges related to illegally crossing the border.

Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon said he had contacted Cambodian troops to remove the stone tablet, bearing the message "Thai troops _ the Invaders" written in Khmer, erected in front of Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara.

The temple, situated 300m away from Preah Vihear, is in the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area claimed by both countries.

100 Thai troops stationed at Five Rocks opposite Phnom Trop

Khmer and Thai commanders met after the armed clashes on 15th October, 2008.

Doeum Ampil News
12th February, 2009
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization

Om Wednesday 11th February 50 Thai troops have crossed into Cambodia and camped at Thmor Pram Dom (Five Rocks) opposite Phnom Trop. On the morning of Thursday 12th February, there are reports from Preah Vihear that the numbers of Thai troops had been increased to 100 in the area.

Sources said that the original 50 troops have been redeployed from the Thai frontline into the Cambodian frontline at Ta Sin Pass. The incursions happened in the morning when the Thai troops tried to lay barbed wires in the areas considered as disputed. The Cambodian side told the Thai side to stop laying the barbed wires and afterward they withdrew from the areas.

Later in the afternoon the same day, the same Thai troops returned to the same areas through Ta Sin Pass and stationed at Five Rocks again.

Sources said that due to these new Thai incursions, the Khmer and Thai commanders for the Preah Vihear areas have met on 12th February to resolve the issues.

The Thai incursions happened shortly after the Thai Defence Minister discussed the border issues with PM Hun Sen in Phnom Penh. This tense situation is reminiscent of the 15th October 2008 armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops which happened two days after the Thai Foreign Minister met Mr. Hun Sen in Phnom Penh.

When Thailand Cries Wolf

Opinion by Khmerization
2nd August 2008

“Thailand has come to the negotiations because it has no choice due to international condemnation but most importantly, it came to the negotiating table as a mean to buy time and prolong the occupation until such time Cambodia agrees to share the areas or partitioning the lands.”

The editorial “When Cambodia Cries Wolf” published in Thailand’s The Nation newspaper on 1st of August deserves my attention and warrants my strong response. As someone who believe in the truth, not the twisted truth, such an unfair comment should not be allowed to go unchallenged. And hence, comes my following response.

“Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain to its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute in the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions.” The Nation

With such a truth twisted by the article in The Nation newspaper above, one could not let it goes without a response. Thailand, as an invader, cannot cry foul when it comes to the issue of Preah Vihear. The world, in particular Thailand, knew full well that Preah Vihear was and is the exclusive property of Cambodia. The documents and maps from the 1904 and 1907 treaty, signed between Cambodia and Thailand, showed clearly that Preah Vihear temple and the so-called “overlapping area” are located inside Cambodian territories. And hence, Thailand has no right whatsoever regarding the affairs of Preah Vihear.

Even though Preah Vihear temple is an exclusive property of Cambodia, Cambodia has shown sincerity and good intentions all along. It has showed goodwill by agreeing to consult with Thailand about the listing of the temple. Cambodia was very patient when Thailand twice blocked the listing of Preah Vihear.

So, talking about the lack of sincerity and ill intentions, The Nation cannot say it better than that, but it should be said of Thailand rather than of Cambodia. Thailand has shown its lack of sincerity all along. It has blocked Cambodia’s attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple twice, in 2006 and 2007. Thailand has back-flipped on its decision to support the listing of Preah Vihear on several occasions. It signed a joint communiqué with Cambodia to support the listing and then withdrew it. Is this what The Nation called sincerity and good intention?

And what sincerity and good intentions has Thailand shown to Cambodia when it sent its troops to invade the Cambodian territories in the Preah Vihear area? The Nation was talking about resolving the Preah Vihear issue “in an amicable way without being aggressive”. The author cannot say it better, but again, it should be referred to Thailand’s belligerent and aggressive behaviour of sending in the troops to occupy Cambodian territories. The “amicable way” to resolve the dispute had not been taken by Thailand when it flexed its military might and muscles after it sent the troops to occupy a Buddhist temple and a Cambodian village with over 900 villagers living, by terrorizing them into fleeing en masse. On the other hand, Cambodia had chosen to resolve the Thai invasion “in an amicable way” by not ordering its troops to open fire and by trying to engage Thailand diplomatically to peacefully resolve the issue. But up until now Thailand has steadfastly refused to withdraw its troops. Any other countries would have gone to the UN Security Council or the World Court already.

The article also envisaged a solution within the ASEAN framework and not trying to internationalise the issue. Cambodia is a member of ASEAN and when this grouping refused to heed Cambodia’s call for help, Cambodia has the right to seek other venue to for help and in this case the UN which Cambodia is also a member. Thailand has successfully blocked ASEAN from stepping in and it opposed taking the issue to the UN as it did not want the issue internationalised. Thailand knew full well that it had encroached on Cambodian territories in many places along the border. Thailand is opposed to the Internationalisation of the issue because it would expose more of Thai encroachments. This is what Thailand did not want.

Cambodia did not need to tarnish Thailand’s reputation. Thailand’s own action regrading the Preah Vihear issue will tarnish Thailand’s reputation by itself.

By not taking the issue of Thailand’s invasion to the UN Security Council, Cambodia has shown its goodwill, sincerity and good intentions. Up until now, Thailand has shown nothing of sort. Thailand still refused to withdraw its troops. Thailand has come to the negotiations because it has no choice due to international condemnation but most importantly, it came to the negotiating table as a mean to buy time and prolong the occupation until such time Cambodia agrees to share the areas or partitioning the lands.

Cambodia should not play this game of a diplomatic hide-and-seek with Thailand any longer. Cambodia must stop negotiating with Thailand and take the issue of Thai invasion to the UN Security Council if Thailand still refuse to make a full and complete withdrawal. The two negotiations in the past were games played by Thailand to buy time and prolong the occupation until the international community lost interests in the issue and then the Thai occupation would become a fait accompli. This is the outcome that Thailand would hope for by playing a diplomatic hide-and-seek with Cambodia. Cambodia must not allow itself to fall into Thailand’s trap.//

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1. Related article: Who's The Crying Wolf?

Who's The Crying Wolf?

Written by Mediawatch

BANGKOKIAN
When Cambodia cries wolf
By The Nation.
Published on August 1, 2008

Cambodia knows exactly when and where to hit Thailand to inflict the most pain on its neighbour to the east. Repeated attempts by Phnom Penh to raise the Preah Vihear dispute at the international level in forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement - which were subsequently withdrawn - shows a lack of sincerity and ill intentions. At a meeting in Singapore, Asean took the unprecedented step of discussing the temple dispute but without any progress.- The Nation

Just keep our fingers crossed and hope that the Author of this particular article, in any way and manner, did not represent the voices of the people of Thailand or the current legitimate democratic elected government and its administration.

If the Author means to say that Cambodia lack sincerity and has ill intention on his/her part then he/she [author] is indeed impressively very delusional.

Mind you that Cambodia is the sole and lawful owner of the Preah Vihear Temple, which was legally awarded by the International Court of Justice in Hague, dated back in 1962; and was fully recognized by the international community. However, with due respects and sincerity, in good faith and in good intentions for us as a neighbour, Cambodia has approached Thailand that we shall have an open and sincere dialogue regarding the enlisting of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

Both sides have done all their best to teething any differences, meetings after meetings before reaching a fruitful result when a joint communique was eventually and dully signed by the lawful representatives from both Cambodia and Thailand.

During the 32nd session in Quebec, the World Heritage Committee [all the 21 members] has unanimously approved the Cambodian application to list the Preah Vihear Temple as the World Heritage Site.
Thailand's last attempt to delay and cite for a joint management of the temple has been rejected.

In return for all good deeds by Cambodia, the Royal Government and people of Cambodia; Thailand has decided to flex its military mights and muscles by sending its elite troops and military hardware to the surrounding areas of Preah Vihear Temple, on 15 July 2008.

How would the Author explain these types of action?

Would these actions prove the kind of sincerity and good intentions on the part of Thailand?

Preah Vihear Is A Victim Of Thailand’s Political Crisis And Khmer Weakness

Editorial by Khmerization

“Cambodia must send strong and unequivocal messages to Thailand and the world that Thailand’s occupation of the so-called “disputed zone” is unacceptable and is a fragrant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Thailand must withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally before any negotiation will take place regarding the border disputes.”

The Thai invasion of Preah Vihear should serve as a lesson for Khmer leaders to pay more attention to national interests rather than personal interests. It was the complacency and the carelessness of the Cambodian leaders which enabled the Thai to occupy the so-called “disputed zone” without any attempt to stop them. The Preah Vihear temple has become a casualty of Thai political crisis. The Cambodian leaders knew full well that the People’s Alliance of Democrats (PAD) were using the listing of Preah Vihear issue to score an internal Thai political points against the Samak government by stirring up nationalistic emotions amongst the general Thai population that the Samak government is selling out to Cambodia. They have threatened to storm the Preah Vihear temple and some Thai people even staged a protest in front of the Preah Vihear temple. Yet the Cambodia government did not reinforce the border guards or put in place a strong border protection. If Cambodia had stationed enough troops, may be around 200 soldiers, at the disputes zone, then the original 20-40 Thai troops sent to retrieve the three Thai protesters arrested by Cambodian border guards for trespassing on Cambodian soil, would not have dared to cross the border to occupy the disputed zone.

On top of this, Cambodia’s conflicting and contradictory messages to Thailand, and to a certain extent to the international community, undermine Cambodia’s position regarding the dispute. Cambodia appeared to be very soft with Thailand. First it requested for the Thai withdrawal but then sent a confusing reconciliatory message to Thailand that the dispute would be solved by peaceful means where all troops are to stay where they are now. Cambodia also sent very contradictory messages to ASEAN and the UN by saying that “ the situation is on the brink of war” but at the same time Cambodia told them that it will not resort to resolve the dispute through military actions. These sorts of confusing and conflicting messages from Cambodia make the ASEAN and the UN think that the situation is not grave enough to warrant to their serious attention.

Cambodia must send strong and unequivocal messages to Thailand and the world that Thailand’s occupation of the so-called “disputed zone” is unacceptable and is a fragrant violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Thailand must withdraw its troops immediately and unconditionally before any negotiation will take place regarding the border disputes. Cambodia’s weakness and the contradictory and confusing messages it sent to the Thai side and the international community will be Cambodia’s failure in its claims to the ownership of the so-called “overlapping area”. I can see the gloom and doom for Cambodia’s claims to the ownership of this area. And the Thai occupation is irreversible and a fait accompli, unless Cambodia makes substantial concessions to Thailand regarding the territorial claims surrounding the Preah Vihear precinct. This is my prediction.//