Army Uneasy About Pad's Preah Vihear Protest Plan

[webfact]

Army uneasy about PAD's Preah Vihear protest plan

By The Nation

Published on September 14, 2009

The Army yesterday urged restraint when the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrates on Saturday at Preah Vihear Temple for the eviction of Cambodian troops and villagers occupying a disputed area near the ancient site.

"Shall we be careful about the protest since such an activity, despite good intentions, could affect operating strategy on the ground?" Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaeowkamnerd said.

People should be confident in the Army's ability to secure Thai sovereignty over the territory, he said.

The conflict should be solved peacefully through talks, not by force, he said, adding that it could be settled by the joint border commission.

The PAD led by Veera Somkwamkid plans to call a rally this week to demand the removal of Cambodian troops and communities from the area.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya inspected the overlapping zone adjacent to the temple.

He met Cambodian commander Cheat Dara and some Thai field commanders. He told the commanders that his government wants to maintain good relations with Cambodia and would employ peaceful means to resolve the claims over the area.

He also visited military and border police outposts in the area including Phu Ma Khua, where military skirmishes last October and in April killed seven soldiers on both sides.

Kasit, who is a former PAD member, also questioned the group's motives.

"I have explained several times via both the PAD's ASTV network and the national network of Channel 11 that the best way to solve the problem is through negotiation," Kasit said.

"We cannot use the military to take over the contested area," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government would not do any thing that could concede sovereign rights over the territory.

"We will do our best for the national interest but we should prevent misunderstandings that could lead to clashes and losses," he said.

-- The Nation 2009/09/14

[Scott]

I fail to understand exactly why they have chosen this time to have a protest. I think the country is in for some interesting times. At least the airport should remain open in case things get a little too hot.

[dre1247]

Army uneasy about PAD's Preah Vihear protest plan

By The Nation

Published on September 14, 2009

The Army yesterday urged restraint when the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrates on Saturday at Preah Vihear Temple for the eviction of Cambodian troops and villagers occupying a disputed area near the ancient site.

"Shall we be careful about the protest since such an activity, despite good intentions, could affect operating strategy on the ground?" Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaeowkamnerd said.

People should be confident in the Army's ability to secure Thai sovereignty over the territory, he said.

The conflict should be solved peacefully through talks, not by force, he said, adding that it could be settled by the joint border commission.

The PAD led by Veera Somkwamkid plans to call a rally this week to demand the removal of Cambodian troops and communities from the area.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya inspected the overlapping zone adjacent to the temple.

He met Cambodian commander Cheat Dara and some Thai field commanders. He told the commanders that his government wants to maintain good relations with Cambodia and would employ peaceful means to resolve the claims over the area.

He also visited military and border police outposts in the area including Phu Ma Khua, where military skirmishes last October and in April killed seven soldiers on both sides.

Kasit, who is a former PAD member, also questioned the group's motives.

"I have explained several times via both the PAD's ASTV network and the national network of Channel 11 that the best way to solve the problem is through negotiation," Kasit said.

"We cannot use the military to take over the contested area," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government would not do any thing that could concede sovereign rights over the territory.

"We will do our best for the national interest but we should prevent misunderstandings that could lead to clashes and losses," he said.

-- The Nation 2009/09/14

Why not declare the area off limit for protests?

[Chunkton]

Now if this post had said the reds were going to protest, how many saliva dripping hate Taksin posts would there be by now?

Thought those idiot yellows had gone away, seems Sondhi wants to apply the blowtorch to the government. Now why would that be?

[animatic]

It may well be a way to have as much of PAD as possible VISIBLY out of town

when the Red Shirts Screw the Pooch on international television...

Then it's harder to blame them as : Insert pejoratives here.

Third Hand, Bad Intentioned, Disguised as reds troublemakers,

and my personal favorite this week for absurd hyperbol: Fifth columnists

'Sorry folks,

PAD has other more important business for the nation, than watching red protests.'

Of course this also makes them seem, for large swaths of the populace,

as strong nationalist defenders of the realm vs foreign incursions.

Nationalism is a very strong card to play in this indoctrinated land.

And would put them in STARK relief au contraire to the Reds rioting for their Godhead.

(See Chunksie, a generic swipe at the savior,

just so you don't think the opposition is slipping) Oh the irony

But the "We're here, not back there." argument, is likely a good reason to be gone.

And the idea that they could be seen as opening a 'Second Front',

might also make them be seen as not friends of the military,

IF things go very, very bad.

Edited September 14, 2009 by animatic

[noithip]

It may well be a way to have as much of PAD VISIBLY out of town

when the Red Shirts Screw the Pooch on international television...

That's what I thought too..

[Rumfoord]

It may well be a way to have as much of PAD VISIBLY out of town

when the Red Shirts Screw the Pooch on international television...

That's what I thought too..

yep, that is what you thought.

[pedro01]

PAD are nothing more that way out of line for their behavior of the past few days there.

I'm no fan of the reds but anyone that sees some sort of 'intelligence' behind this should be questioning their own