[Thai] 2nd Army to rein in PAD border protest

Cambodian police go on alert to prevent possible intrusions

18/09/2009
WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post and AFP

The 2nd Army plans to restrict a rally scheduled for tomorrow by a group linked to the People's Alliance for Democracy in a bid to prevent any possible intrusion into a disputed border area claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.

The move comes amid fears the PAD protesters will enter the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area and proceed to the Preah Vihear temple ruins.

There are concerns this could lead to possible clashes with Cambodian troops and villagers, which would further complicate the border dispute.

Second Army chief Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said an area on the Thai side of the border had been designated for the PAD demonstrators to hold their rally.

Lt Gen Wibulsak said the disputed area, which is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia, was a danger zone.

He said the overlapping area had limited space and few facilities, and was not suited for a rally.

Thai troops stationed at the border have been told to ensure protesters do not enter the danger area and that there are no clashes between the protesters and Cambodian soldiers and villagers who have built houses and shops in the area.

Those planning to take part in the rally were advised to comply with the law and factor in the significance of maintaining good relations with Cambodia.

Lt Gen Wibulsak was concerned the feared intrusion by the PAD into the 4.6-square-kilometre no-man's land and temple ruins could complicate efforts to resolve the border conflict. "The rally could add to the border dispute and hinder negotiations [to end the dispute] between the two countries," he said.

However, he said some protest leaders had agreed to move to areas in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district which borders the disputed area.

The protest will probably draw supporters from Bangkok as well.

PAD key figure and protest leader Veera Somkwamkid has vowed to lead supporters to the disputed area and the temple tomorrow.

Mr Veera has reportedly distributed leaflets among villagers in provinces close to Preah Vihear in a bid to drum up support "to reclaim Thailand's rightful ownership" of the ancient Hindu temple and the disputed land.

Mr Veera led a march of several hundred supporters on Aug 28 up to the Pha Mor E Daeng cliff in Kantharalak district near the Preah Vihear temple.

Soldiers stopped them from entering the disputed zone. The army only agreed to let eight of the group, including Mr Veera, into the area.

Cambodia yesterday deployed riot police at Preah Vihear in response to the planned protest.

Cambodian defence spokesman Chhum Socheat said at least 50 police with dogs, batons and tear gas had been sent to the temple ahead of the demonstration.

"Our anti-riot police have been deployed to the border at Preah Vihear temple in case the Thai yellow shirt protesters illegally cross the border to cause problems," Chhum Socheat said.

"We will order our forces to prevent them from entering. We don't want bloodshed to happen, but if they don't listen to us, we will use our self-defence measures."

Foreign Affairs Minister Hopes to Defuse Tension over Preah Vihear Controversy

11 September 2009
Thai-ASEAN News Network

The second Army Region Commander claims there have been no outbreaks of violence at the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple. Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Minister is scheduled to visit the controversial area on Sunday.

Second Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neepan, revealed that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had a talk with him yesterday about the latest developments at the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple. He said the talk focused on how troops are deployed to control the situation in the area.

The 2nd Army Region Commander added that all military officers have strong moral support. In addition, he said he recently held a meeting with Cambodia's local Army Commander, Lieutenant Gia Mon, to discuss an invasion of Cambodian people who cut some trees in Thailand's forest area. He said a harsh penalty will be pressed on those who broke the law, as Thailand has strong evidence on the issue.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled to visit the controversial border area near the Preah Vihear temple on Sunday.

Lieutenant General Wiboonsak added that the number of military personnel stationed near the border will remain in the area. However, he stated the number may be cut soon if no violence breaks out.

Thailand and Cambodia both claim sovereignty over the disputed area, which has led to flare-ups of tension at the controversial border.

Thailand lost the ownership of the Hindu prasat to its eastern neighbouring country after the International Court of Justice ruled in favour of the counter party in 1962 in the Netherlands.

Border tensions mount as military talks collapse

Wibulsak: In failed talks with Cambodia

3/07/2009
Bangkok Post Reporters

Talks between Thai and Cambodian generals have collapsed after the two countries failed to reach an agreement on troop reductions to ease border tensions.

Cambodia's 4th Army chief Chea Mon rejected a Thai proposal to halve the number of about 500 troops of the two countries near Preah Vihear temple.

The proposal was offered during talks on Wednesday with 2nd Army leader Wibulsak Neepal at the border in Kap Choeng district in Surin, an army source said yesterday.

The soldiers are stationed in the area near Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara. Thailand wants to see the number reduced to prevent possible clashes.

Lt Gen Chea Mon countered by demanding that all Thai troops leave the disputed area claimed by the two countries in a proposal rejected by Thailand, the source said.

Cambodia has about 5,000 soldiers along the land border and Thailand claims there are 4,000 troops not far from the ancient Hindu temple, called Phra Viharn in Thai.

Lt Gen Wibulsak reported the failed talks to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and army chief Anupong Paojinda. Gen Anupong wanted all soldiers on the border with Cambodia to be patient, the source quoted him as saying.

Tensions between the two countries erupted after the government's protest to the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation and World Heritage Committee over their approval of the temple as a World Heritage site.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday ruled out the use of violence to solve border conflicts with Phnom Penh in the wake of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's recent belligerency.

He insisted a political dialogue was the only means to address the dispute and a reduction of troops was a delicate matter which would take time.

Mr Abhisit said authorities from the two countries would continue with their dialogue.

Mr Abhisit said Hun Sen's recent outspoken statements could have been prompted by internal political affairs. The Cambodian prime minister was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as warning Thailand that Cambodia was ready to use all means to defend the country's sovereignty.

"We are also ready [for a battle]," Mr Abhisit said. "But we have agreed that it is not a solution. I believe that the two countries understand that a war does not do anyone any good."

Authorities in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, which is adjacent to the temple, will today hold an evacuation drill near the border area. District chief Chanya Sukhonkhantachart said local leaders had been asked to inform villagers of the planned drill to avoid a commotion.

Troop cuts urged to ease border tensions

2/07/2009
Bangkok Post Reporters

Troop reductions are crucial to easing tensions along the border with Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple, the 2nd Army commander says.

Lt Gen Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said the two countries should reduce the numbers of soliders deployed in the area to a level where neither country has an edge.

"I am afraid violence might occur if we do not talk," he said.

Border tensions flared again after the Thai government renewed its opposition to Unesco listing the temple as a World Heritage site on Cambodia's behalf.

The issue was addressed by Lt Gen Wibulsak in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Lt Gen Chea Mon, at the border adjoining Surin's Kap Choeng district.

Lt Gen Wibulsak refused to comment on Thailand's opposition to the temple's listing other than to say: "We do what we are supposed to do. That is to protect our sovereignty."

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for informal talks in Phnom Penh on Saturday. Mr Suthep said Hun Sen supported attempts to ease tensions.

But the Phnom Penh Post yesterday quoted Hun Sen as warning Thailand against violating Cambodian airspace.

"I told the Thai deputy prime minister and minister of defence frankly to be careful and not fly across the border into Cambodian territory," Hun Sen told graduates at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

"I am afraid that I won't be able to control the shooting if the soldiers on the ground lose patience."

Cambodia had no intention of confronting Thailand but had the right to protect its territorial sovereignty, the Phnom Penh Post quoted him as saying.

"We are waiting to shoot because we are not invading [Thailand]. Cambodia is not showing muscle, but to defend the nation we will play it until the end," Hun Sen said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said relations remained strong despite Hun Sen's aggressive words.

Thai Troop Denies Invading Hill 600 Near Preah Vihear

1 June 2009
Thai ASEAN News Network

The Army Region 2 Commander confirmed that Thai troops never invaded the area near Hill 600 near the Preah Vihear temple, and says that soldiers had only been patrolling the area as usual. He also insisted that Thailand was strictly following regulations and was well within the parameters of the agreement regarding border conflicts.

Army Region 2 Commander Lieutenent General Wibulsak Neepal revealed that the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border is normalized. Troops are attentively gaurding the Praeh Vihear temple in Wat Sri-saket province and both remain in good condition.

Cambodia's media is alleging that Thai soldiers had taken over the area at Hill 600, approximately 7 km east of the ancient temple, which caused the deployment of Cambodian troops one kilometer away from the Hill 600.

Lieutenant General Wibulsak said Hill 600 is the area where troops normally conduct border patrols to guard the Thai territory.

He stated that there might be a misunderstanding by Cambodia's journalists, which could lead to potential clashes. However, both Thai and Cambodian commanders remained in contact.

Preah Vihear set to reopen

February 9, 2009
The Nation

The 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple will reopen tomorrow after being closed for months.

Seni Jitkasem, governor of Si Sa Ket province, where the entrance to the hill-top Hindu temple is situated, said the decision to reopen was taken because the Thai-Cambodian border situation had returned to normal.

Cambodia last year unilaterally got the temple listed as as a Unesco World Heritage Site, even though access to the ancient site is on Thai soil.

Seni said Lt-General Wibulsak Neepan, the commander-in-chief of the second region army, had endorsed the reopening of Thailand's Phra Viharn national park.

Phra Viharn is the Thai name of the Hindu temple whose original name was Preah Vihear.

"The reopening would benefit local tourism and related businesses. Tomorrow, we would reopen the entrance to the temple unofficially to welcome Thai and foreign visitors ahead of Valentine's Day which falls on February 14.

"In the second stage, we will prepare for a grand opening ceremony around April this year. We'll turn the Phra Viharn or Pa Mor E-daeng national park into a major tourist attraction in northeastern Thailand. "Initially, we will allow only Thai vendors and businesses inside the park," he said.

The Preah Vihear Temple became a hot political issue last year between the two countries when former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was accused of mishandling the sensitive bilateral issue regarding Cambodia's listing it as a Unesco World Heritage Site.