Thai army says reinforcing troops at Cambodian border

04/28/2011
REUTERS

BANGKOK - Thailand has reinforced troops at a disputed area on its border with Cambodia after clashes, involving heavy artillery, for a seventh day on Thursday near two 12th-century Hindu temples, the Thai army spokesman said.

The reinforcement followed a night of shelling in the area that killed a Thai soldier and wounded seven others.

"We are putting more troops in the area preventively because there has been tension for several days now," said Colonel Prawit Hukaew, regional army spokesman.

"But we remain firm that we will not attack first."

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.

Ministry of Defense spokesman rejects tense situation in the confrontation in Veal Entry and Phnom Trop

Thai troops maneuver along the border

28 July 2009
By Sopheap
Khmer Sthabna
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A report from an army official indicated that the situation along the Cambodian-Thai border is remaining still, however, both troops are constantly on alert in case an incident would occur.

The same source indicated that Thailand dug trenches, sent in armaments, tanks, troops and heavy artillery and posted them in the region located in front of Veal Entry (Eagle Field) and Phnom Trop hill on 28 July 2009, in the area where past armed clashes took place. However, the trenches are dug inside the Thai territory, only that these trenches are located right in front of Veal Entry and Phnom Trop zones.

The same source indicated that when Cambodian troops saw Thailand brought in tanks, armaments and troops and placed them in front of Veal Entry and Phnom trop, they have increased their vigilance in order to defend Cambodia’s territorial integrity.

The army official source claimed that the situation along the border is normal, and there is no tension.

Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Cambodian ministry of Defense, confirmed that he is currently in Preah Vihear province and there is no tension, the situation is not tense and there is no problem. He also said that he walked along the border and nothing happened.

Chhum Socheat rejected the fact that there is tension along the border, and he said that Thailand dug trenches inside its own territory, and Cambodia is not concerned about it, there is no tension.

Saber rattling at Preah Vihear [-Thailand is expecting to go to war with Cambodia?]

25/06/2009
BangkokPost.com

Thai soldiers have been put on full alert along the disputed border with Cambodia and been warned that an armed clash is possible, Second Region Army commander Viboonsak Neepal said on Thursday.

Lt-Gen Viboonsak said the Cambodian army had begun deploying more troops and artillery, including 10 large cannons and six tanks, near Preah Vihear temple.

The new Cambodian troops were dressed in new uniforms and armed with new rifles. They had set up camp about two kilometres across the border from Chong Sa Ngam in Si Sa Ket.

Thai troops stationed along the border now had units on alert around the clock, he said.

"If there are bullets coming from the other side, the Thai army is ready to retaliate by any means necessary.

"I have ordered all troops to show patience but be alert, and reminded them not to underestimate the situation," he said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian villagers continued to buy goods at the Thai market as usual.

[Thai] Army beefs up temple forces [-Thailand is looking to provoke a war with Cambodia?]

Foreign Ministry fears border talks derailment

23/06/2009
By WASSANA NANUAM and THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkok Post

The army has deployed a battalion of troops backed by heavy weapons near Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket province in case of further clashes with Cambodian soldiers.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda had ordered the Lop Buri-based artillery to send the battalion of troops with 12 large artillery weapons to Pha Mor E-Daeng Cliff national park, a source said yesterday.

Gen Anupong also ordered a company of special warfare troops to guard the border area in the northeastern province with a battalion of infantrymen as reinforcements. There are now 3,000 infantrymen securing the border.

The source said the additional troops and weapons were not sent to provoke clashes with Cambodian troops but were there as back-up. Thailand had a clear policy not to use force to solve border disputes with Cambodia.

The wrangling over the historic temple ruins and recent strong reaction from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had sparked speculation of more clashes between the two countries.

The army commander will today fly to the border area in Si Sa Ket, the source said.

The Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that Thailand's objection to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site last year could have a negative impact on border talks.

Vasin Teeravechyan, head of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, said Thailand's position could obstruct border negotiations, including the 4.6 square kilometre area claimed by the two countries close to the temple.

The commission will wait for a response from the World Heritage Committee on the Thai position in Seville and the outcome of talks between Cambodian officials and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban in Phnom Penh this week. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has travelled to the Spanish city for talks with the WHC.

If the talks in Seville and Phnom Penh do not go smoothly, it could disrupt the collaboration pledged by the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Hun Sen, during Mr Abhisit's recent visit to Cambodia on June 12.

The Thai World Heritage Committee last week informed the Thai cabinet about its decision to oppose the registration of the ancient Hindu temple.

It said last year's listing had violated the registration process and increased conflicts along the Thai-Cambodian border instead of promoting cultural conservation and tourism between the peoples of both countries.