Thai Troops Enter Disputed Territory On Thai-cambodian Border

[Old Man River]

This report by the AP is more what I would expect. It is titled "Cambodia Stresses Peaceful Solution with Thailand."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h6tp2tO..._HH52QD92CLS7O0

[sabaijai]

My understanding is that 2 out of 3 of these temples are in Cambodian territory according to the 1907 Franco-Siam Treaty.

Anybody have any details on this or opposing views?

What basis is Thailand claiming this land?

That treaty (1904-07) stipulated a bilateral mapping of the Thai-Cambodian border, an agreement the French broke when they surveyed the border unilaterally in 1907. The alleged French violation of the treaty was one of causes for the 1940-41 French-Thai War.

Thailand is basing its claim on the original 1904 phase of agreement, which verbally specified certain areas to be included under Thai sovereignty; on the 1936 registration of Ta Muan Tom by the Fine Arts Dept; and by the common law of adverse possession, ie the fact that Thai adminstrative bodies have oocupied the land and cared for the site for decades.

If you have ever been to Ta Muan Tom you'll know it's in an area administered as part of Thailand, with Thai villages to the immediate north, east and west. There are no Cambodian administrative offices in the immediate area. The nearest village, Ban Ta Miang, has a Thai ABT and Thai village headman.

Obviously it's one of many disputed areas along the border that Cambodia and Thailand have long wanted to set straight. All were part of Thailand after Angkor fell, and before the French came along. The French failed to delineate the border properly according to Franco-Thai treaties, in the Thai perspective, a fact well known to the post-independence Cambodian governments. Thailand, with a relatively more stable government over the last half century, has been able to administer there areas more successfully than the Cambodians, who had effectively abandoned them because of relative inaccessibility not to mention the vagaries of the Indochina War followed by Khmer Rouge ascendancy.

Thailand's biggest mistake was not making an international issue of disputed borders post-WWII, thinking that de facto control of these areas would be sufficient. It led to a violent flare-up between Thailand and Laos (over Ban Rom Klao and other districts at the Thai-Lao border in Phitsanulok and Utaradit) in the 1980s, during which 1000 troops on either side died. Hopefully that won't happen in this case and the two sides will be able to come to some agreement.

[jimbob]

What I have read is that Thailand occupied the temples in 2003.

The registration in 1935 is a strawman as far as I can see and has no bearing on the matter.

Does anybody have any information on the 1946 Franco-Siam agreement and if it has any effect on these temples?

I also read a quote from a Cambodian official who noted that two of the temples were 100m behind border marker 22 or 23 - does anybody have any feedback on this?

[Old Man River]

What I have read is that Thailand occupied the temples in 2003.

The registration in 1935 is a strawman as far as I can see and has no bearing on the matter.

Does anybody have any information on the 1946 Franco-Siam agreement and if it has any effect on these temples?

I also read a quote from a Cambodian official who noted that two of the temples were 100m behind border marker 22 or 23 - does anybody have any feedback on this?

If the attachments work out (I have never attached anything on TV before) you will have the English translation of 1946 Washington Accord and an analysis of the boundaries (as per French 1907 map).

It is interesting to note that the Washington Accord came about with Thailand reverting back to the 1937 treaty in exchange for France's withdrawal of its blockage of Thailand to the UN.

[sabaijai]

What I have read is that Thailand occupied the temples in 2003.

The registration in 1935 is a strawman as far as I can see and has no bearing on the matter.

Does anybody have any information on the 1946 Franco-Siam agreement and if it has any effect on these temples?

I also read a quote from a Cambodian official who noted that two of the temples were 100m behind border marker 22 or 23 - does anybody have any feedback on this?

No, Thai troops occupied Ta Muan Thom on and off during the Khmer Rouge conflict, and both pre- and post-Khmer Rouge the area surrounding the temple was administered by the Thai government as far as I've been able to tell on visits there in the 1980s and 1990s.

[Jai Dee]

Cambodia: Thai PM plans to visit Preah Vihear area

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is scheduled to visit the area near the Preah Vihear Temple in the eponymous Cambodian province, English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily Friday quoted official as saying.

"He has a plan to visit the Preah Vihear area, not the Preah Vihear Temple," said Cambodian Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith, adding that specifics on the visit are yet unavailable.

"We will welcome (Samak) if he visits there," he said.

Meanwhile, Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Cambodian Council of Ministers, said that Samak needs to inform the Cambodian government before visiting the disputed area near the temple.

He dismissed the possibility of the visit on Saturday, because Samak is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

Cambodia and Thailand will hold the second foreign ministers' meeting in Thailand on Aug. 18 to seek peaceful solution to the 25-day-long military standoff over border dispute.

On July 15, Thai troops went into the border area to fetch three trespassers who had intended to claim Thai sovereignty over the Preah Vihear Temple. The troops stationed there ever since, thus triggering the military stalemate.

In the following days, both sides gradually increased their military personnel to a thousand-strong at the border area to showoff their determination for territorial sovereignty.

During the time, Thai troops occupied one pagoda and one temple that the Cambodian government claimed should belong to its kingdom.

The Preah Vihear Temple straddles the Cambodian-Thai border atop the Dangrek Mountain and was listed as a World Heritage Site on July 7 by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice decided that the 11-century temple and the land around belongs to Cambodia, which rankled the Thais and has led to continuous disputes in late years.

Source: Xinhua - 08 August 2008

[sriracha john]

Cambodia claims more Thai troops sent to border

Cambodian border officials Monday accused Thailand of disregarding agreements to move back from three border temples in northern Oddar Meanchey province, but said they would not act until after bilateral ministerial talks in a week.

After negotiations Tuesday, Thai troops agreed to pull back from the Ta Moan group of temples, but moved back into the area Saturday, said a senior border official who asked not to be named. "We have held four rounds of negotiations with the Thais and they just don't respect any agreement," the official said. "They have not built a barricade at the temple - that has been there for a long time - but they are making it bigger." However, he said Cambodia refused to react until after talks between the nations' foreign ministers scheduled for August 18.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129530

[sriracha john]

Border talk continues in Surin

Second army commander Lt-Gen Sujit Sitthiprapa on Wednesday attended a bilateral meeting with Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Paht over disputes on Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples situated on Thai-Cambodian border. The meeting was held at Thong Tarin hotel in the municipality of Surin province. This is the 11th Joint Boundary Commission on the border dispute. Reporters were not allowed to attend the meeting, but a press conference on progress made during the meeting was expected to be held at 3pm. Preah Vihear has been claimed by both sides for decades, but was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, a ruling that has rankled in Thailand ever since. The row spread early this month to Ta Moan Thom, a second ancient temple, on the border between

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129571

[sriracha john]

There's been a break-through... to some degree... with bilateral troop reductions this week-end...

A Cambodian soldier carries a shoulder-launched grenade as he stand guards near a contested temple on the Cambodia-Thai border. Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to sharply reduce troop numbers around a disputed temple before a new round of border talks open Monday, a top general said.

AFP

[sabaijai]

Border talk continues in Surin

Second army commander Lt-Gen Sujit Sitthiprapa on Wednesday attended a bilateral meeting with Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Paht over disputes on Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom temples situated on Thai-Cambodian border. The meeting was held at Thong Tarin hotel in the municipality of Surin province. This is the 11th Joint Boundary Commission on the border dispute. Reporters were not allowed to attend the meeting, but a press conference on progress made during the meeting was expected to be held at 3pm. Preah Vihear has been claimed by both sides for decades, but was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, a ruling that has rankled in Thailand ever since. The row spread early this month to Ta Moan Thom, a second ancient temple, on the border between

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129571

A bit misleading as the ownership of Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear is not in dispute, only Ta Muan Thom. The dispute at KPV regards adjacent territory.

[sriracha john]

There's been a break-through... to some degree... with bilateral troop reductions this week-end...

Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to sharply reduce troop numbers around a disputed temple before a new round of border talks open Monday, a top general said.

- AFP

Looks like no troop reduction and consequently no break through....

Army: No Withdrawal of Forces from Preah Vihear

The Suranari Task force commander confirmed that up to this moment, there are no plans for military pullbacks from the Preah Vihear Temple border area in Si Sa Ket province and the operation is to follow the official Army command as a priority.

Suranari Task force commander Major General Kanok Netrakawesana states in regard with the military force being stationed at the Preah Vihear border in Si Sa Ket province that up to now, a military pullback has not taken place as reported by the foreign media.

He says that the Thai and Cambodian Armies are holding to the discussion results of the last meeting on August 13th that includes a plan to balance the Thai and Cambodian military units, stationed at the Preah Vihear border.

However, the task force commander insists that the decision on when the Thai military pullback and the change in numbers of the army force will only be confirmed by Second Army Region Commander Sujit Sitthiprapa.

He says that the task force unit is ready to move as soon as the command is prompted by the Second Army Region commander.

Meanwhile, sources reveal that the atmosphere at Prasart Ta Muen Thom in the Panom Dongrak district in Surin province remains on high alert as the military force from the Suranari Task Force is still closely monitoring the situation.

Cambodia continues to station its army units to inspect the situation closely at the Cambodian border near Prasart Ta Muen Thom. Up to now, there are no Cambodian visitors asking to visit Prasart Ta Muen Thom after the tourist site opened for visitors as usual.

- Thailand Outlook / 15 August 2008

[sriracha john]

Anti-Thai protest set for Sunday in Cambodia

Cambodian union members have been called out for an anti-Thailand protest in Phnom Penh on Sunday, and demand withdrawal of Thai troops from around the Preah Vihear temple. The Phnom Penh Post said that the Cambodia Confederation of Unions expects hundreds of participants for the peaceful demonstration. A letter informing the government of the protest "stated that at least 300 people would gather at the former National Assembly building and march through the city" on Sunday, the newspaper said. Union leaders intend to demand the government press the UN Security Council to intervene in "an invasion by Thailand." While nationalistic fervour over the controversial Cambodian temple and dispute grounds has eased in Thailand, anti-Thai protests and economic boycotts have increased in

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129677

[sriracha john]

Troops at disputed temple not yet reduced

The number of Thai and Cambodian troops stationed near Preah Vihear temple has not yet reduced after both sides earlier agreed to lower the number of military personnel to 10 personnel each.Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong are scheduled to have a meeting to end the ongoing border dispute in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province on August 18 and

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129715

[sabaijai]

Temple standoff cools down, troops withdraw

Tension along the Thai-Cambodian border began to ease on Saturday as troops from the two country began to pull out from disputed area around Preah Vihear temple, Cambodian officials said.

Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, a government agency managing the historic site, said that troops started putting away from the temple on Friday and the move was continuing on Saturday.

The pullout is expected to be done before sunset on Saturday, according to Cambodian Lieutenant-Colonel Sar Thavy.

The move ends a month-long standoff around an ancient border temple, where about 1,000 troops from Thailand and Cambodia have been facing off as the two countries claim the ownership of the temple.

Under the terms of an agreement reached between army officers on Wednesday, each side will leave just 10 soldiers at a Buddhist pagoda on the disputed territory, about 5 square kilometres of scrub that sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the two countries.

Sources: Bangkok Post, news agencies

[sriracha john]

Seems to be some conflict in the reporting with about half saying troops have left, the other half saying they haven't...

[sriracha john]

Cambodian riot police officers bar protesters at the Cambodian Confederation of Unions's office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, as they demand to pull back Thai troops from disputed territory around Preah Vihear temple, an ancient border temple. Cambodia geared up Sunday for new talks with Thailand after both sides ceased a month-long armed confrontation by withdrawing most of their troops from disputed territory around the ancient border temple.

Associated Press

========================

Again.... not sure which reports are accurate regarding the supposed troop withdrawal... but it didn't stop the protesters whichever it is.

[sabaijai]

Seems to be some conflict in the reporting with about half saying troops have left, the other half saying they haven't...

I noticed that ...

[ozzydom]

A convoy of army trucks with soldiers and towing light artillary came through Udon Thani on Hwy 22 and headed south on Hwy 2 about 3.00 pm Friday.

The soldiers in the open jeeps wore the ranger black uniforms, from the state of the trucks ,they were coming from field work .

[sabaijai]

A convoy of army trucks with soldiers and towing light artillary came through Udon Thani on Hwy 22 and headed south on Hwy 2 about 3.00 pm Friday.

The soldiers in the open jeeps wore the ranger black uniforms, from the state of the trucks ,they were coming from field work .

If they were coming back from Surin or Si Saket they've pick up Hwy2 somewhere farther south, wouldn't they?

[sriracha john]

Apparently the troops HAVE gone..... (or not, depending on the next article after this one)

Cambodia, Thailand to hold new border talks

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA, Agencies) -- Only a few Thai and Cambodian troops remain near the disputed temple of Preah Vihear ahead of a meeting Tuesday of the two countries foreign ministers in Thailand's Phetchburi province

southwest of Bangkok to seek a solution to a lingering border dispute over the ancient temple.

Thai Army chief General Anupong Paochinda is scheduled to inspect a Thai troop pullout from border points near the Preah Vihear temple in Thailand's northeastern province of Si Sa Ket Monday morning.

Prior to departing for Si Sa Ket, Gen. Anupong reaffirmed the troop pullout which both countries have carried out since Saturday was the result of cooperation and understanding between Thailand and Cambodia to avoid confrontation and tension.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith confirmed Sunday that there were only 20 soldiers --10 Cambodian and 10 Thai -- in the compound of a pagoda located in a border area claimed by both countries, according to the Associated Press.

In Phnom Penh, at least three people were slightly injured on Sunday when Cambodian anti-riot police cracked down on about 50 anti-Thai protesters, mainly teachers and garment workers during a demonstration over the disputed

Preah Vihear temple.

The demonstrators urged Thai troops to complete their withdrawal from the disputed temple.

Phnom Penh's police chief G. Touch Naruth said such a protest would never help reduce the tension between the two countries, according to a report by Reuters.

Tensions at the ancient temple escalated after the United Nations for Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) early last month named the temple as World Heritage site to Cambodia. The International Court of Justice in 1962 ruled that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but that the surrounding area remains in dispute between the two countries.

The troop withdrawal followed the first meeting of Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong held in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap on July 28.

Edited August 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[sabaijai]

Thailand-Cambodia border tension eases

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation (Thailand)

Publication Date: 18-08-2008

Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia eased yesterday (August 17) as troops on both sides near Preah Vihear were reduced significantly, while protesters in Phnom Penh failed to stage a huge rally as planned.

The calming of tensions reduces the pressure of expectations from a meeting between Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong scheduled for today and tomorrow at the beach resort of Cha-Am.

The process of troop redeployment to reduce the number of soldiers at the disputed area near Preah Vihear was completed over the weekend, Major-General Kanok Netrakavaesana, commander of Suranaree Task Force, said.

"Yes, it (the troop reductions) is already done and the situation is normal," Kanok, who oversees the area, said via phone from Surin.

Both sides stationed 10 soldiers each near Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda over which both sides claim sovereignty, according to a Cambodian official.

The military stand-off between the two neighbouring countries began on July 15 when thousands of troops were deployed on both sides after the Khmer sanctuary of Preah Vihear was listed as a World Heritage Site to the dissatisfaction of some in Thailand, who staged a protest there.

The ministerial meeting in Cha-Am this week aims to find a sustainable border-settlement solution for the area. Thailand says Cambodia has built a road, a temple and a community in the overlapping area claimed by both sides.

The governments of both sides have tried to create a friendly atmosphere for the talks.

Cambodian authorities yesterday refused to grant permission to the Cambodia Confederation of Unions to stage a huge rally in Phnom Penh demanding Thailand troops withdraw from the disputed border.

Chea Mony, a labour union leader, and Rong Chhun, president of Cambodia Independent Teachers, distributed leaflets instead.

Their statement demanded that Thailand honour Siam-Franco treaties and respect the boundary line in accordance with the treaties, according to a Phnom Penh resident who saw the statement.

They demanded that Thailand recognise the International Court of Justice ruling that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, he said.

The group's activities got |little attention from local residents, as reflected in their failure to mobilise mass participation due to the government blockage, a Phnom Penh resident said.

[Jai Dee]

Thai military cancels talks with Cambodia on border dispute

Amid mass protests in Bangkok, the Thai military has canceled bilateral talks with Cambodia over the border dispute near the Preah Vihear temple scheduled for Friday in Siem Reap town, local newspaper reported Thursday, citing Cambodian officials.

Defense Ministry Secretary of State Neang Phat told the Cambodia Daily that he learned Wednesday morning of the last-minute cancellation of the talks.

As Cambodian officials gathered Wednesday in Siem Reap town to prepare for Friday's talks, Neang Phat said they received an emergency call from the 30-member Thai delegation, which had already arrived in Siem Reap.

The two groups held an immediate meeting at the Century Hotel, and, at the Thai military's request, agreed to postpone Friday's meeting because of the protests in Bangkok, Neang Phat said.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Ministry press officer Apirat Sugondhabhirom said the military had only informed the Thai government of the canceled negotiations Wednesday, but he downplayed the Bangkok demonstrations as the reason for the delay, the newspaper said.

The Preah Vihear Temple straddles the Cambodian-Thai border atop the Dangrek Mountain and was listed as a World Heritage Site on July 7 by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice decided that the 11-century temple and the land around belong to Cambodia, which rankled the Thais and has led to continuous disputes.

Source: Xinhua - 28 August 2008

[dumball]

Thai military cancels talks with Cambodia on border dispute

Amid mass protests in Bangkok, the Thai military has canceled bilateral talks with Cambodia over the border dispute near the Preah Vihear temple scheduled for Friday in Siem Reap town, local newspaper reported Thursday, citing Cambodian officials.

Defense Ministry Secretary of State Neang Phat told the Cambodia Daily that he learned Wednesday morning of the last-minute cancellation of the talks.

As Cambodian officials gathered Wednesday in Siem Reap town to prepare for Friday's talks, Neang Phat said they received an emergency call from the 30-member Thai delegation, which had already arrived in Siem Reap.

The two groups held an immediate meeting at the Century Hotel, and, at the Thai military's request, agreed to postpone Friday's meeting because of the protests in Bangkok, Neang Phat said.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Ministry press officer Apirat Sugondhabhirom said the military had only informed the Thai government of the canceled negotiations Wednesday, but he downplayed the Bangkok demonstrations as the reason for the delay, the newspaper said.

The Preah Vihear Temple straddles the Cambodian-Thai border atop the Dangrek Mountain and was listed as a World Heritage Site on July 7 by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice decided that the 11-century temple and the land around belong to Cambodia, which rankled the Thais and has led to continuous disputes.

Source: Xinhua - 28 August 2008

Are you not a little behind the times ? The 2 sides have agreed to operate this very miniscule piece of real-estate TOGETHER to enhance tourism for both countries , what took them so long ? Thais and Cambodians both have a very prevalent problem , they have considerably dense heads that are difficult to penetrate , the inability caused by rote teaching to have even an inkling of how to think , WHAT! get a head-ache ? Give it another millenium or so , and still wonder what the answer to the 'None' problem will be .

The REAL concern ? Did you not read about the discovery of possible oil/gas in the Adaman sea ? Just a degree or two in the demarcation can relate to multi billions in revenue , not true concern about religion or land , GREED sir , pure unadulterated GREED .

[jimbob]

Are you not a little behind the times ? The 2 sides have agreed to operate this very miniscule piece of real-estate TOGETHER to enhance tourism for both countries , what took them so long ? Thais and Cambodians both have a very prevalent problem , they have considerably dense heads that are difficult to penetrate , the inability caused by rote teaching to have even an inkling of how to think , WHAT! get a head-ache ? Give it another millenium or so , and still wonder what the answer to the 'None' problem will be .

The REAL concern ? Did you not read about the discovery of possible oil/gas in the Adaman sea ? Just a degree or two in the demarcation can relate to multi billions in revenue , not true concern about religion or land , GREED sir , pure unadulterated GREED .

No, they have not.

What they have done is try to reduce the troops on either side.

The Cambodian's retain sole ownership over Preah Vihear temple and will not jointly manage that, ever.

The 4.6km of contested land might eventually form part of some sort of compromise but not yet, nor for the forseeable future.

[dumball]

Are you not a little behind the times ? The 2 sides have agreed to operate this very miniscule piece of real-estate TOGETHER to enhance tourism for both countries , what took them so long ? Thais and Cambodians both have a very prevalent problem , they have considerably dense heads that are difficult to penetrate , the inability caused by rote teaching to have even an inkling of how to think , WHAT! get a head-ache ? Give it another millenium or so , and still wonder what the answer to the 'None' problem will be .

The REAL concern ? Did you not read about the discovery of possible oil/gas in the Adaman sea ? Just a degree or two in the demarcation can relate to multi billions in revenue , not true concern about religion or land , GREED sir , pure unadulterated GREED .

No, they have not.

What they have done is try to reduce the troops on either side.

The Cambodian's retain sole ownership over Preah Vihear temple and will not jointly manage that, ever.

The 4.6km of contested land might eventually form part of some sort of compromise but not yet, nor for the forseeable future.

The Preh Vihear temple is not in dispute , that has been ceded to Cambodia , however , an agreement has been reached to mutualy operate the long time disputed 4.6 skm of contested land until agreement can be reached for actual ownership . The temple access has been opened and it is agreed that Cambodia collects the entry fees for tourism entry .

[dumball]

Are you not a little behind the times ? The 2 sides have agreed to operate this very miniscule piece of real-estate TOGETHER to enhance tourism for both countries , what took them so long ? Thais and Cambodians both have a very prevalent problem , they have considerably dense heads that are difficult to penetrate , the inability caused by rote teaching to have even an inkling of how to think , WHAT! get a head-ache ? Give it another millenium or so , and still wonder what the answer to the 'None' problem will be .

The REAL concern ? Did you not read about the discovery of possible oil/gas in the Adaman sea ? Just a degree or two in the demarcation can relate to multi billions in revenue , not true concern about religion or land , GREED sir , pure unadulterated GREED .

No, they have not.

What they have done is try to reduce the troops on either side.

The Cambodian's retain sole ownership over Preah Vihear temple and will not jointly manage that, ever.

The 4.6km of contested land might eventually form part of some sort of compromise but not yet, nor for the forseeable future.

The Preh Vihear temple is not in dispute , that has been ceded to Cambodia , however , an agreement has been reached to mutualy operate the long time disputed 4.6 skm of contested land until agreement can be reached for actual ownership . The temple access has been opened and it is agreed that Cambodia collects the entry fees for tourism entry .

My post was taken from the PP government site , i searched for it last night but it was gone , in fact thier posting format was also changed , i found 3 conflicting posts on the subject so i must say your choice is as good as any . I would have e-mailed a government office but they NEVER respond no matter what the info concerns that you are seeking , it would appear from a message i read not so long ago , there are appr: 500 such offices but the fellow tried to find one that was actualy open almost all had locks on , the staff are permitted to take outside jobs as thier pay is insufficient to live off , go figure .

[sriracha john]

Court decides Preah Vihear ruling stands

The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday upheld a lower court ruling in late June to suspend cabinet backing for Cambodia's listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. The court gave its ruling after the cabinet appealed to it to reserve the Central Administrative Court's injunction against the Samak Sundaravej Cabinet's earlier resolution supporting Cambodia's proposal. A joint declaration was signed by then Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18, a day after the Cabinet gave it the green light. The court decision came after the anti-government PAD asked it to rule on the matter, alleging Thailand's support for Cambodia's bid was in return for business concessions in Cambodia for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. The Foreign Ministry considered the document not to be an international treaty and because of this it did not need the approval of parliament. The court injunction forced Noppadon to get the Thai delegation, which was an observer at the 21-member World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec, to protest against the listing. Noppadon quit after the Constitution Court ruled the joint communique he signed supporting Cambodia's application to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site was unconstitutional. The Supreme Administrative Court, chaired by Court President Ackaratorn Chularat, said the joint communique, which did not mention demarcating the border in the disputed zone, may cause Thailand to lose part of its territory and this may lead to a conflict between Thailand and its neighbour in the future. The court also said the the joint declaration may cause trouble among Thai people and may affect relations between Thailand and Cambodia. The court decided to uphold the

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/120908_News/12Sep2008_news12.php

[sriracha john]

Thai soldiers seize Cambodian temple

Cambodian military said that more than 100 Thai soldiers have seized control of the Kingdom's Ta Krabey temple and are refusing to leave, despite the best efforts of some 50 Cambodian soldiers who remain at the site, local media reported Friday.

The Cambodian soldiers, who have controlled the small temple for years, tried to defend the site by shooting in the air but that the Thai soldiers still marched in, Ho Bunthy, Deputy Commander of Border Military Unit 402, was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

"They dared to enter because they know Cambodian soldiers got the orders not to use violence and shoot," Ho Bunthy said.

The Wednesday night incursion involved around 100 Thai soldiers who had previous tried to prevent Cambodian troops from accessing the temple by cutting down tress and using them to block the entry road, he said.

Ho Bunthy said that before the Thai soldiers entered the temple he ordered 50 Cambodian soldiers to stand in a "fence" formation to try to prevent them from entering but to no avail, adding that the Thais had been eying the temple for days.

Meanwhile, Chea Morn, commander of Military Region 4, said that military commanders on both sides are trying to solve the problem through negotiation.

"We are standing at the temple together now and we will negotiate with Thai military commanders later on," he was quoted as saying.

- Xinhua / 2008-09-12

[robee]

"nice" try, move the public away from much more pressing issues...stir up nationalism combined with a pinch of patriotism.

This all about some still neatly arranged historic rubble..

the timing is strange, why today

[hammered]

"nice" try, move the public away from much more pressing issues...stir up nationalism combined with a pinch of patriotism.

This all about some still neatly arranged historic rubble..

the timing is strange, why today

The military under no circumstances want a politcal return of Thaksin. Politcs involves large sums of money. Thaksin has a few sweetheart deals arranged with Cambodia thanks to Noppadols little Preah Vihear concession. Thaksin is Thai. Thai soldiers creating natioanlistic anti-Thai stirs in Cambodia makes the enactment of the sweetheart deals more distant, which equals delaying the money for Thaksin which equals less ability to conduct politics.

Note also the rather brash attempt to release funds through the tax department that failed and then the sale of Man Citeh to raise funds. Thaksin cant compete with what is ranged against him for very long without a further infusion of money. There may be a Thai election soon and there well also be a PPP disolution. Reinventing the PPP means rebuying the MPs and elections involve vast quantities of money, and the weaker Thaksin's position looks the more it costs to buy MPs.