Thai Troops Enter Disputed Territory On Thai-cambodian Border

[sriracha john]

Cambodia: Thai troops still in country

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Associated Press) — Cambodian officials said more Thai troops crossed into their country's territory Wednesday in the second day of alleged incursions amid tensions over disputed border land near a historic temple.

Thai officials have denied any incursion, saying the troops are deploying on Thai territory to protect their country's sovereignty.

"Their troops have increased in number. They have not pulled back yet," said Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for the Preah Vihear temple. Both sides were due to resume negotiations Wednesday morning, he said, but did not elaborate.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Tuesday night that 170 troops and Thai civilians had crossed into Cambodian territory. He could not say how many civilians were among the group.

The number of Thai troops swelled to about 200 on Wednesday, Cambodian border guard unit commander Seng Vuthy said by telephone from Preah Vihear.

"Both the Cambodian and Thai forces have their hands on their guns at all times," Seng Vuthy said.

The latest confrontation came after UNESCO declared Preah Vihear — which is at the center of a long-standing border quarrel between the neighbors — a World Heritage site last week.

Both countries claim land around the temple, and Thai anti-government activists have revived nationalist sentiment over the issue. The activists and some government officials fear the temple's new status will jeopardize their country's claims to land adjacent to the site.

The incident has claimed at least one casualty. A land mine explosion sheared the right leg off a Thai soldier patrolling in the area, said Thai army Col. Sirichan Ngathong.

Stretches of the Thai-Cambodian border are still strewn with land mines sown by various sides during the 1970-75 Cambodian civil war and the guerrilla conflict that followed the fall of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.

Maj. Gen. Kanok Netakawesana, a Thai army field commander in the region, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that his troops were on Thai soil close to the disputed area. He declined to give the number of soldiers deployed.

"We are not violating the territory of Cambodia. We have every right to deploy troops here to protect our sovereignty," Kanok said.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat denied any incursion, saying the relationship between the two countries remained normal.

The ministry said in a statement late Tuesday that the troops were ensuring that any protests by Thai activists were being done "in an orderly manner."

The Thai troop movements followed the arrest by Cambodia of three Thai citizens for crossing the border earlier Tuesday. The three were returned to Thailand later Tuesday.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex in northwestern Cambodia.

[ilyushin]

France is not in the way anymore so why not want it back.

Thai concessions to France on Khmer border

maps below.

related news on the temple issue.

Anniversary of Preah Vihear ruling to be held at in Cambodia

+ - 10:45, June 12, 2008

The Khmer Civilization Support Association (KCSA) has announced its celebration of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s 1962 ruling that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia rather than Thailand, will be held Sunday at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh, local newspaper the Mekong Times reported Thursday.

"The ceremony is being held in gratitude to our Cambodian ancestors who built Preah Vihear," said the KCSA statement, adding that it was also dedicated to former King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodian head of state when the ICJ ruling was made.

The ceremony is also being held to thank the Cambodian government for maintaining sovereignty and integrity until the temple is registered as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site list, said the KSCA.

The UN body will discuss the temple's listing at talks to be held early next month in Quebec.

The KSCA announcement comes as the Thai government studies in detail a new drawing of the temple grounds that Cambodia submitted last week.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungwat told The Bangkok Post Wednesday that further talks between Thai and Cambodian officials are needed because the Cambodian map of the area slightly differs from the border map used by Thailand, the Mekong Times said.

Pai Siphan, spokesman for the Cambodian Council of Ministers, said Wednesday that the term "map" as opposed to "drawing" was causing confusion.

"We use the word drawing, as it was a drawing submitted to UNESCO and Thailand. We have sent the drawing to the Thai side and they approved it," he said.

He added that, according to Cambodian law, the legal premises of each temple are adjudged to be 30 meters starting from the base of its outer buildings.

"Currently Preah Vihear temple fences are too near the gate of the temple, which indicates that Thailand has moved its border markers into Cambodian territory," said the spokesman.

Source:Xinhua

Thai concessions to France on Khmer border Indochina 1942

1904 - 1907

Edited July 16, 2008 by ilyushin

[wintermute]

A war between Thailand and Cambodia would be like watching two old cripples fight over a bag of candy. It's childish but entertaining. None of them possess any sort of military superiority to do any real damage to the other. They will most likely get into a running shooting skirmish and miss each other.

Also the nationalism over a temple makes me laugh. It's not unprecedented though. I know two South American countries went into a war over a football match.

Thailand should count its lucky stars that it's never been in a confrontation with a real military power. Vietnam would not play these games.

[A_Traveller]

^ Though called, mostly by lazy journalists, 'The Soccer War' the background to the El Salvador Honduras 1969 conflict, was far more complex and the result of long standing tensions, including border issues. The match in June added to the temperature but was not causal.

As I noted earlier, the fact that Cambodia is entering the final few weeks of campaigning in the General Election is not something that should be lightly dismissed.

Regards

[sriracha john]

As I noted earlier, the fact that Cambodia is entering the final few weeks of campaigning in the General Election is not something that should be lightly dismissed.

It certainly isn't without brutality, what with the Secretary of State there getting acid thrown in his face. Ironically, he's in a Thailand hospital recuperating.

[TAWP]

As land mines was mentioned above, one quick note is that they are created with the intent to cause severe damages to legs bot not kill a soldier. A severely wounded soldier takes up much more front-line resources (3-5 comrades) and fairly advanced amputation surgeries have to be performed. Much better than to just kill an enemy. And the soldier is in many cases still hurt enough (missing foot/part of leg) to not be able to go back out into the fight again after operation and recuperation.

[A_Traveller]

As I noted earlier, the fact that Cambodia is entering the final few weeks of campaigning in the General Election is not something that should be lightly dismissed.

It certainly isn't without brutality, what with the Secretary of State there getting acid thrown in his face. Ironically, he's in a Thailand hospital recuperating.

Yes but there's serious questions as to the motives of the attack, and it's not clear at this stage if there is any political element.

Regards

[bangkokrick]

I read the news item about the Thai Ranger stepping on a land mine and losing his leg. If I'm not mistaken, the injury is consistent with an anti-personnel mine right? They can kill but more often than not you lose a limb and other body parts. That's why you see all those people walking around Afghanistan missing a limb etc. Due to the location and injury, obviously this wasn't an anti tank mine and most likely not a remote controlled claymore or booby trap, right?

Now, suppose I take the Thai government at its word (humour me), that the Thai troops were in Thailand. Would I be incorrect in believing that the Thai government now has has a bigger issue on its hands ? Something called the Ottawa Treaty. Thailand signed the treaty on Dec. 3, 1997. With that signature, Thailand pledged to give up all anti personnel mines. It is also a reqirement of the treaty that any areas that were mined had to be cleared within 10 years following the signature, or a special extension had to be requested. I am unaware of Thailand requesting the extension. Does this mean that Thailand has violated the treaty? After all, the Thai troops were on Thai soil.

Cambodia signed on the same date and it is still demining areas.

Putting aside the issue of the sovereignty, surely some genius in either Thailand or cambodia would have given such a high tourist traffic area to receive priority for a demining procedure? Or were they just waiting for errant visitors to set off the mines to clear them out? Someone's got some explaining to do in both countries.

I took this picture at the Preah Vihear temple earlier this year. It seems that the French started to clear the mines, but some still remain. Hence the warning signs.

Cheers, Rick

[Payboy]

wonder why there were no questions when cambodia issued banknotes with the preah vihear image in jan '08.....

oh, mr. t wasnt back home yet and pad were still running a dog-shelter fulltime...

Edited July 16, 2008 by Payboy

[chuang]

Cambodia: Thai troops still in country

"We are not violating the territory of Cambodia. We have every right to deploy troops here to protect our sovereignty," Kanok said.

Deploying troops at your neighbour's door to protect your sovereignty during peace time Maybe Thailand is being invaded

[sriracha john]

that Tourism and Sports guy is back again in the news...

Tourism and Sports Minister calls on media not to cover dispute over Preah Vihear

The Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat called on the media not to propagate news about the Preah Vihear Temple case because such news could exacerbate the situation between Thailand and Cambodia.

- ThaiNews

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

At least he's getting the appropriate end of chang...

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat

It seems the media is being stubborn in its desire to report the news and since it hasn't been cooperating with the censorship...it's time to take it up a notch or so...

Thai Soldiers Secure Boundaries Around Preah Vihear

Conflicts involving the ancient Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding areas seem to be escalating. Although three Thai nationals who were arrested by Cambodian officials for climbing the walls into the Hindu temple were released yesterday, reports indicate that Thai authorities have increased security along the boundary areas.

Yesterday, three Thai nationals climbed a fence and entered the disputed area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple and were arrested by the Cambodian military. The three arrested Thais include a man, a woman and a Buddhist monk.

Today, reports suggest that several hundred soldiers and police officers have been dispatched to the Khao Pra Viharn National Park.

At the same time, 150 field army soldiers have been sent to the disputed area, where several Cambodian villages and markets are located.

The Thai media, along with tourists, have also been prevented from entering the Khao Pra Viharn National Park and its surrounding areas.

- Thailand Outlook

[bangkokrick]

It sounds like this is getting out of hand. It's a shame for both Thailand and Cambodia because it really is a great place to visit.

Cheers, Rick

[sriracha john]

Thai troops enter Cambodia in escalation of temple feud

Several dozen Thai troops crossed into neighboring Cambodia on Tuesday as a smoldering dispute over ownership of a 900-year-old temple has been fanned into flames by political turmoil in both countries.

It appears that up to 100 Thai soldiers were detained by Cambodian troops after crossing the border at the site of the Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodian forces have been ordered not to shoot unless fired upon, but one Thai soldier was badly injured by a landmine.

The Thai troops were part of an effort by local Governor Seni Chittakasem to gain the release of three Thais -- a man, a woman and a monk -- who had crossed the border to protest Cambodia's ownership of the 12th-century Hindu temple.

The issue resurfaced recently because of controversy surrounding the listing of the temple last week by the United Nations as a world heritage site.

In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen is in the midst of a election campaign to secure a return to the power he first achieved as a surrogate for invading Vietnamese forces in the 1980s.

Hun Sen is never shy about using any weapon that comes to hand to undermine his opponents' campaigns and the Preah Vihear UN listing, together with Thailand's evident discomfiture, have been a great political gift.

But political agitation of the Preah Vihear issue is most potent in Thailand where the government elected in December is floundering under a barrage of street demonstrations, an economy in turmoil, and a re-invigorated parliamentary opposition.

Thailand's Foreign Minister, Noppadon Pattama, was even forced to resign last week over the Preah Vihear temple issue.

Noppadon quit after the Thai Constitutional Court ruled he acted unconstitutionally when he endorsed Cambodia's application to have the temple registered as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

But Noppadon was also the lawyer for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has large business interests in Cambodia.

Critics say Noppadon's attempt to support Cambodia's campaign for Preah Vihear's listing by the UN was in reality an effort to protect Thaksin's business interests.

The claim to own Preah Vihear and even Ankor Wat held by many Thais is based on Thailand's overthrow of the Khmer empire six hundred years ago.

In 2003 an alleged comment by a famous Thai actress Sunawan Khongying, who was very popular in Cambodia, that she would not visit Cambodia until Ankor Wat was returned to Thai ownership led to days of rioting.

In the Cambodian capital of Phnom Pehn, mobs linked to Hun Sen's ruling party burned the Thai embassy and businesses owned by then Thai prime minister Thaksin.

It was widely believed, however, that the true reason for the anti-Thai riots was that Hun Sen was miffed when Sunawan turned down his suggestion that she become his mistress.

It was the French colonial masters of Cambodia who 100 years ago first fixed the border that put Preah Vihear just inside Cambodia.

Thailand felt cheated and in 1941 fought its only official war of the 20th century against French colonial troops over the line of the border.

Thailand's defeat in that war and the failure of successive Bangkok governments to sustain the claim to Preah Vihear, which has some merit because all the ancient farmland associated with the temple is in Thailand, prompted the World Court to award the temple to Cambodia in 1962.

- The Vancouver Sun

[seagull]

I found these incidents of troops deployment along disputed territories (or intrusions for that matter) to be a bit odd. Can area commanders order soldiers under their command to do so without the approving authorithy of the PM/Defence Minister ? Where is Samak while all these is happening ? Is he still waiting for his weekly Sunday TV broadcast ?

Or as usual, birdie brain here had missed something here.

[sriracha john]

I found these incidents of troops deployment along disputed territories (or intrusions for that matter) to be a bit odd. Can area commanders order soldiers under their command to do so without the approving authorithy of the PM/Defence Minister ? Where is Samak while all these is happening ? Is he still waiting for his weekly Sunday TV broadcast ?

Or as usual, birdie brain here had missed something here.

He's too busy getting indicted with the 3rd of his 5th ongoing criminal litigation case....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2090360

Edited July 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[jumnien]

I found these incidents of troops deployment along disputed territories (or intrusions for that matter) to be a bit odd. Can area commanders order soldiers under their command to do so without the approving authorithy of the PM/Defence Minister ? Where is Samak while all these is happening ? Is he still waiting for his weekly Sunday TV broadcast ?

Or as usual, birdie brain here had missed something here.

He's too busy getting indicted with the 3rd of his 5th ongoing criminal litigation case....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2090360

Samak is being diverted by the antics of the EC and PAD, no doubt. However, any observer of Thai affairs can deduce that the PM has little control of the military (witness the junta, the junta's anti-democratic charter and the junta's lapdog justice dept). They must be able to divert his time with something more important than a cooking show?

Edited July 16, 2008 by sunrise07

[sriracha john]

Congratulations for starting a problem East while there is still one down South.

which is ratcheting up... with the bombings of the two biggest police stations in the entire area....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2090243

[TAWP]

Interesting that the military isn't able to hold it's own ground. Walk into...whatever land (be it disputed or Cambodian) and be detained, in the hundreds. Are they women with guns that walked wrong during a pick-nick?

They thought they where though and then got detained fast...

Edited July 16, 2008 by TAWP

[sjaak327]

I wonder how the 100 Thai boyscouts are doing on cambodian soil ? Have they been released already, or is Thailand going to send in more troops to free them ?

[sriracha john]

More than 200 Thai troops now in Cambodia, Phnom Penh says

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian government said Wednesday that a couple hundred Thai troops had moved into its territory in a dispute involving an ancient temple while a Thai military officer denied his country's soldiers had crossed the border.

More than 200 Thai troops were inside Cambodian territory and 380 Cambodian troops were deployed to meet them, Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said while denying bilateral relations were strained.

'They are living altogether, and there is no conflict between them,' he said at a press conference at the Information Ministry.

However, Major Kanok Natrakawessena, commander of the Thai Army's Suranaree task force along Thailand's border with Cambodia, said no Thai soldiers had crossed into Cambodian territory.

According to the Cambodian government, Thai troops clad in black - a colour that evokes memories of the Khmer Rouge to many Cambodians and is regarded as particularly menacing - began arriving Tuesday at the northern Preah Vihear temple, about 300 kilometres north of Phnom Penh.

Tensions have been building since Cambodia again asked UNESCO to list the 11th-century Hindu temple as a World Heritage Site in 2007 and the United Nations cultural body granted that wish on July 9.

The temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962 by the International Court in The Hague, but the surrounding border area is still disputed, and many Thais were angered by the decision. Thai protesters have been camped out on the border for weeks.

'Please, I urge journalists not to inflame this situation,' Kanharith said.

The Cambodian government has urged calm with national elections, which are held every five years, two weeks away, and Cambodians seem to have obliged.

In 2003, angry Cambodians torched the Thai embassy and some businesses over a false rumour that a Thai actress had said the country's other World Heritage Site, the Angkor Wat temple, was Thai.

Kanharith declined comment on reports that more Thai troops were massing in the north-western Cambodian province of Banteay Meanchey, also on the Thai border and around 200 kilometres from the temple.

Cambodia briefly detained and then released three Thai protesters Tuesday, but their arrest was followed, the Cambodian government said, by the arrival of 40 armed Thai troops at the temple, which is sacred to both sides.

Thailand's Kanok denied Cambodia's claims from Tuesday that some of those Thai soldiers were detained.

Cambodia has said all Thais are free to return after signing agreements that they trespassed on Cambodian soil and apologize. The Cambodian government denied they were under arrest.

Kanharith said Thailand had discussed the issue by telephone with Defence Minister Tea Banh, who has strong Thai connections and speaks fluent Thai, and added Prime Minister Hun Sen and representatives of his Interior and Foreign ministries had also met about the issue Wednesday.

Border authorities were unavailable for comment.

- DPA

[dominique355]

Also the nationalism over a temple makes me laugh. It's not unprecedented though. I know two South American countries went into a war over a football match.

Thailand should count its lucky stars that it's never been in a confrontation with a real military power. Vietnam would not play these games.

Remember the Falklands? Argentina launched a war to re-claim territory in order to divert the public's interest from the huge internal problems the general could not solve. It's an old recipe to stir up primitive nationalistic emotions to divert attention from the real problem.

[sriracha john]

BREAKING NEWS

Authorities block access to Preah Vihear zone

Military sources said about 250 Thai troops have been deployed near the Cambodian border following the arrest by Cambodia of three Thai citizens who crossed into the disputed border area early Tuesday. The trio were returned to Thailand later on Tuesday, but Thais are being warned not to travel to the vicinity of Preah Vihear. Meanwhile, military sources said, Cambodian troops have been reinforced nearby the area of overlapping claims. The troop movements by both countries heightened tension at the border, and the Thai authorities have restricted vehicles and media from a 10 Km radius of the ancient temple. Lt-Gen Suchit Sitthiprapha said that the protesters were being interviewed by the Suranaree Task Force and are "not being detained." The trio, including a Buddhist monk, were detained briefly by Cambodian authorities on Tuesday. It was the first cross-border protest since Cambodia blocked access to Preah Vihear temple to visitors from Thailand last month. Gen Suchit said the area adjacent to the temple was still disputed between the two countries, which means there are differing ideas as to where the border is. Assuring the public that there are sufficient Thai military personnel patrolling the Thai-Cambodian border.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=128905

Edited July 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[sabaijai]

A war between Thailand and Cambodia would be like watching two old cripples fight over a bag of candy. It's childish but entertaining. None of them possess any sort of military superiority to do any real damage to the other. They will most likely get into a running shooting skirmish and miss each other.

Also the nationalism over a temple makes me laugh. It's not unprecedented though. I know two South American countries went into a war over a football match.

Thailand should count its lucky stars that it's never been in a confrontation with a real military power. Vietnam would not play these games.

It's not just the temple, it's the clifftop it sits upon. Anyone who has ever been there will recognise its military value. It's why the Khmer Rouge maintained a position there when they could get away with it.

I once stood on the edge of the cliff, near the ruins entrance, while a Khmer Rouge unit and Cambodian government troops engaged in a firefight on the plains below, not far from the foot of the bluff. If you'd had a powerful automatic rifle or rocket launcher, you could have picked off almost every soldier in the battle.

Looking at the photo below, you may also get an idea of how odd it is to demarcate the border along the edge of the top of the bluff rather than at the foot of the bluff, as would be more natural in such situations. Basically both sides are cleverly using the temple as a football, while the goal is the cliff/bluff. The land form you see in the foreground of the photo extends for hundreds of kilometers inside modern Thailand. The plains below, in the background, all belong to Cambodia.

It's not about the temple. Cambodia already has all the great Angkor architectural masterpieces. Thailand already has around a thousand Angkor satellite temples and shrines, including at least two sites similar to or greater than KPV. To either side this temple is relatively expendable. And both can use it as a tourist attraction regardless.

Cambodia is hoping UNESCO recognition will gain them control of the cliff, which Thailand at present controls (and which the ICJ decision neglected to specify). This is regardless of French maps, whose borders along this stretch have yet to be surveyed to see whether the temple was marked correctly on the map in terms of available geographic data.

[dotcom]

I say bravo to the Thai military for going to get the 3 idiots. Bravo to the Thai military for closing off access to the area.

Liberals make me ill.

[sabaijai]

Well Shiva is the Lord of Destruction. Fitting place to start a war.

This is an overblown nationalist-fueled feeding frenzy. I agree with Jopha above that perhaps this situation will cause some reflection on the influence of Khmer and even Mon culture on Thailand, but somehow I doubt it. I think it's jealousy run amok fed by the factions' bid for power of which none have the best interests of the Thai people in mind.

I agree that Cambodia should prosecute the trespassers to the full extent of the law. They wouldn't have it any differently if it were Thailand.

First they'll have to prove they trespassed. The RTA says the troops entered a 4.6 sq-km section still in dispute. In fact there are still several stretches of Thai-Cambodian still without demarcations.

Sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, which is located on the two countries' border, has been long been a contentious issue. The core dispute was officially settled in 1962 by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which determined that the temple belongs to Cambodia. Crucially, however, the ICJ did not rule on the overlapping claims to 4.6 sq km of land surrounding the temple, and the two sides have yet to reach any agreement on the matter.

Source: The Economist

That particular patch of land is considered to be quite strategic, militarily, by both countries. Whoever controls that point has a protected crosshairs view of the Cambodian plains below.

Thanks SJ. I feel special with all of the attention.

You are very special to me, Kat But instead of tea I would offer you a big mug of coffee, they say it prevents Alzheimer’s in women.

[kat]

I had it already. That was your only break.

[h90]

More than 200 Thai troops now in Cambodia, Phnom Penh says

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian government said Wednesday that a couple hundred Thai troops had moved into its territory in a dispute involving an ancient temple while a Thai military officer denied his country's soldiers had crossed the border.

More than 200 Thai troops were inside Cambodian territory and 380 Cambodian troops were deployed to meet them, Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said while denying bilateral relations were strained.

'They are living altogether, and there is no conflict between them,' he said at a press conference at the Information Ministry.

However, Major Kanok Natrakawessena, commander of the Thai Army's Suranaree task force along Thailand's border with Cambodia, said no Thai soldiers had crossed into Cambodian territory.

According to the Cambodian government, Thai troops clad in black - a colour that evokes memories of the Khmer Rouge to many Cambodians and is regarded as particularly menacing - began arriving Tuesday at the northern Preah Vihear temple, about 300 kilometres north of Phnom Penh.

Tensions have been building since Cambodia again asked UNESCO to list the 11th-century Hindu temple as a World Heritage Site in 2007 and the United Nations cultural body granted that wish on July 9.

The temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962 by the International Court in The Hague, but the surrounding border area is still disputed, and many Thais were angered by the decision. Thai protesters have been camped out on the border for weeks.

'Please, I urge journalists not to inflame this situation,' Kanharith said.

The Cambodian government has urged calm with national elections, which are held every five years, two weeks away, and Cambodians seem to have obliged.

In 2003, angry Cambodians torched the Thai embassy and some businesses over a false rumour that a Thai actress had said the country's other World Heritage Site, the Angkor Wat temple, was Thai.

Kanharith declined comment on reports that more Thai troops were massing in the north-western Cambodian province of Banteay Meanchey, also on the Thai border and around 200 kilometres from the temple.

Cambodia briefly detained and then released three Thai protesters Tuesday, but their arrest was followed, the Cambodian government said, by the arrival of 40 armed Thai troops at the temple, which is sacred to both sides.

Thailand's Kanok denied Cambodia's claims from Tuesday that some of those Thai soldiers were detained.

Cambodia has said all Thais are free to return after signing agreements that they trespassed on Cambodian soil and apologize. The Cambodian government denied they were under arrest.

Kanharith said Thailand had discussed the issue by telephone with Defence Minister Tea Banh, who has strong Thai connections and speaks fluent Thai, and added Prime Minister Hun Sen and representatives of his Interior and Foreign ministries had also met about the issue Wednesday.

Border authorities were unavailable for comment.

- DPA

Maybe paramiliters. The south is full of them (sleeping), to have people fighting the communists. If there are the same amount to fight communists and protect Thailand against Cambodia, than some might have activated themself to do exactly what they were trained to do.

Great performance of the governments on both sides, instead of creating an area where they can jointly rip off Tourists they risk to get a second south.

[Scott]

My understanding is that (and this is by word of mouth only--no concrete proof), Thailand and Cambodia may make a play to carve up Cambodia. At the same time, the U.S. military is planning on moving it's military base to Cambodia. I got this info from a drunk CIA agent. so take it as you may.

[rishi]

So for the history books, in case this should escalate, who did throw the first stone - Thais or Cambodians?

The total of my understanding is based solely on bits and pieces noted while reading through this thread, but am I wrong that a yearlong "ceasefire" on this matter of dispute was ended by the Cambodians by raising a barbed wire fence on disputed land?

So, as pointed out by someone else, the coming Cambodian elections might be the best place to look for a reason for the current escalation together with the circumstance that Thailand may look a bit weaker now due to internal problems - not to mention the evident Thai disagreements on the issue.

[sriracha john]

If you're out-manned... you,

Thailand boosts forces on border in temple feud with Cambodia

Thailand has boosted its military forces on disputed land at the Cambodian border, an army official said Wednesday, after two days of simmering tensions over an ancient Hindu temple.

Publicly, officials from both nations have called for talks to peacefully resolve the dispute over a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) area near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple that is home to a small Cambodian village.

But Thailand's army chief, General Anupong Paojinda, ordered 140 elite soldiers to the border to pressure Cambodia to the bargaining table, an army official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Thailand is angry that Cambodia has allowed its people to build a village in the disputed area, he said.

"The additional 140 troops will work in a temporary outpost to press Cambodian officials to bring the issue to Township Border Committee, so Thailand can push the Cambodian community out of the overlapping area," the official said.

More than 250 Thai forces and 380 Cambodian soldiers were already stationed around a Buddhist pagoda in the disputed territory, located on the slope of a mountain leading to the ruins of the ancient Khmer temple.

Thailand's air force chief Chalit Pukbhasuk told reporters that an F-16 fighter was conducting surveillance flights over the region.

"Which country does that disputed area belong to?" he said, expressing frustration at the standoff.

"Has Cambodia staged a de facto occupation of the area?"

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said that his country was ready to hold talks, but did not say whether Phnom Penh would discuss border demarcation.

"We are ready to meet, and after that we will decide what to discuss. What we want to discuss is the presence of the two forces," he told AFP.

In Bangkok, Anupong also urged talks.

"There should be negotiations between the two countries. The problem has been unaddressed for a long time because there has been no demarcation of the border yet," he told reporters.

The standoff began after three Thai protesters crossed a Cambodian military barricade to try to reach Preah Vihear. Cambodia arrested them, but returned them to Thailand later in the day.

But following the arrest, dozens of Thai soldiers arrived at the Buddhist pagoda in the village in the disputed zone. Both sides have slowly increased their troop presence, though no violence has broken out.

One Thai soldier was injured when he stepped on a land mine in the disputed zone, possibly a remnant from the decades of war that once plagued the border.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in both countries after the UN cultural agency UNESCO awarded the temple World Heritage status earlier this month.

Cambodia is preparing for general elections on July 27, when Prime Minister Hun Sen is expected to extend his decades-long grip on power.

He has portrayed the UN recognition of the ruins as a national triumph, organising huge public celebrations.

In Thailand, critics of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej -- already the target of street protests -- have stoked the temple controversy to fire up nationalist sentiment.

Samak's government had originally signed a deal supporting Cambodia's bid to make the ruins a World Heritage site, but a court overturned the pact, forcing the resignation of foreign minister Noppadon Pattama.

The parliamentary opposition is now mulling impeachment motions against the entire cabinet.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. The exact border around the ruins remains in dispute, with the main compound lying inside Cambodia but the most accessible entrance at the foot of a mountain in Thailand.

- AFP