Cambodian, Thai troops clash near disputed temple

by Suy Se

PHNOM PENH, February 4, 2011 (AFP) - Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged heavy arms fire near a disputed temple on the two countries' shared border on Friday, officials said, as tensions between the neighbours boiled over.

Chhum Socheat, a spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Defence, said both sides were using "mortar and artillery".

The Thai army reported two wounded in the skirmish, which follows reports of a military buildup on both sides of the border in recent days.

Shells had landed close to the ancient Preah Vihear temple area, which is claimed by both sides, locals said, but reports suggested the fighting later subsided.

Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon played down the significance of the incident. "We are negotiating now and I am sure that everything will be fine," he said.

Both Thailand and Cambodia accused the other of starting the fighting, the first since April 2009.

Cambodia's state news agency reported that "at least four" Thai soldiers were believed to have been captured, quoting government spokesman Phay Siphan, accusing Thai troops of "invading".

"We have a right to self-defence against the Thai invasion to protect our land," he said.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he did not know what had initially sparked it. "They fired at us first so we retaliated," he said.

A Thai army official at the border said fighting broke out at 3.10pm local time (0810 GMT) at Phu Makuea, near the 11th-century temple.

Residents in nine villages along the Thai side of the frontier have been asked to take shelter or leave the area, said a senior district official at Kantharalak in the border province of Si Sa Ket.

Cambodia is also evacuating villages in the area.

Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was Friday in Cambodia for talks with his Cambodian counterpart.

Tensions between the two countries have flared in recent weeks in the wake of the arrest of seven Thai nationals for illegal entry into Cambodia in late December.

Five of the group were given suspended sentences and have since returned to Thailand. The other two, high-profile nationalist activist Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary, were sentenced to lengthy jail terms for spying, in a case that has caused outrage among Thailand's "Yellow Shirts".

Another border spat has focused on the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda, which is built in the disputed area. Thailand on Monday demanded that Cambodia remove its flag from the pagoda, which it said was "situated on Thai territory" -- a claim Cambodia vehemently rejects.

Both sides have been talking tough on the border issue, which some observers say serves nationalist goals at home on both sides. But a foreign observer who did not wish to be named expressed surprise at the clash as both armies had appeared to be keen to ease hostilities.

"They will try to calm any increase in tensions coming from the politicians. They do not want to fight, especially not over politics," he said.

Ties between the neighbouring countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding the temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear itself belonged to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand. The exact boundary through the surrounding grounds remains in dispute.

The Thai-Cambodia border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

Hundreds of Yellow Shirts have camped out around Government House in Bangkok since last week, demonstrating against its handling of the border dispute, and the group plans a larger rally on Saturday.

Yellow Shirts are a force to be reckoned with in Thailand's colour-coded politics and have helped to claim the scalps of three governments in under five years, including that of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-02-04

What next?

The government won't be able to handle it, Its different fighting with another country as opposed to slaughtering your own civilians, the army will come out and say the government don't know how to handle it, and then fast forward to the coup that we all know is coming based on the reds coming back into power at the next election, and a desire by the elite to stop that at all costs.

ups, somoby didn't follow the orders.

agree fully with random.

just only today suthep wanted mediation about preah vihear

the nationalist card is the best bet to keep populace under controll and oppressed.

this time there was no need for the airport occupations etc - just crossing the border by some political lunatics in the hands of the generals and the rulling class trying to steer to war.

lets see how many casualties on each site and how many more before end of this week

Edited February 4, 201115 yr by londonthai

BBC: Thai & Cambodian soldiers clash near disputed temple amid a rise in tensions between the two countries /BBC

ups, somoby didn't follow the orders.

Right!

You just need a soldier who takes the order from Chamlong to create a war.

This is only vicious speculations. Yes, I'm vicious.

Edited February 4, 201115 yr by geovalin

Thai & Cambodian soldiers clash near disputed temple amid a rise in tensions between the two countries /BBC

Gunshots are being heard every now and then along Thai - Cambodian borderline, a school director in Si Sa Ket says. /via@Urisara_NT

Ten Cambodian artillery shells fall into Thailand's Si Sa Ket border area near Preah Vihear temple; Thai troops tighten security along border MCOT

Guess we really need to buy those tanks, guns and bullet-proof vests now Somchai.

While we're in the market, let's get those new generation submarines as well.

Edited February 4, 201115 yr by Payboy

Fighting is reported at Thailand-Cambodia border near disputed territory /REUTERS

Fighting Breaks out at Thai-Cambodian Border

Reports have come in about fighting at the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear Temple in Kantaraluck district, Si Sa Ket province.

Reports said 10 Cambodian mortar shells have landed on Thai soil.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-04

Breaking: fighting reported at Thailand-Cambodia border in Srisaket province near disputed area. #nationTV /via@veen_NT

When the report says that shells landed on thai soil, did they land on Thai soil or just what thailand believes is Thai soil?

50 Thai families in Chong Sa-ngam, Si Sa Ket preparing for evacuation due to Thai-Cambodian border gunfire exchange. /via@tulsathit

Thai media reports gunfire was heard but officials have not confirmed fighting; locals around border have been evacuated /TAN_Network

What next?

The government won't be able to handle it, Its different fighting with another country as opposed to slaughtering your own civilians, the army will come out and say the government don't know how to handle it, and then fast forward to the coup that we all know is coming based on the reds coming back into power at the next election, and a desire by the elite to stop that at all costs.

Couldn't (DIS)agree with you more on everything in your posting!!!!!

Reports say the exchange fire at Thai-Cambodian border involved motor shells. Awaiting confirmation what type of ammunition. /via@tulsathit

Guess we really need to buy those tanks, guns and bullet-proof vests now Somchai.

While we're in the market, let's get those new generation submarines as well.

Is that new dirigible air-worthy yet?

Ten Cambodian artillery shells fall into Thailand's Si Sa Ket border area near Preah Vihear temple; Thai troops tighten security along border MCOT

When Cambodians fire shells, it's oysters and mussels only. They don't have the same budget than on the other side.

It'll be over by Christmas.

THAI-KHMER BORDER

Thai-Khmer border skirmish breaks out

By The Nation

Border skirmish between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out Friday at the disputed area in Si Sa Ket province near the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, local residents said.

The clash between two sides took place at Phu Ma Khua hill at 3.15pm and sounds of gun fire were heard at Si Sa Ket province's Ban Phum Srol some five kilometres from the hill, they said.

A Cambodian solider meanwhile confirmed the fighting.

A local residents told the Nation in a telephone interview, "sounds of many weapons, including small and heavy weapons such as rockets were heard from the area," he said. "The fighting is still going on."

Authorities ordered local residents to take shelters immediately for their safety.

Bounruam Phongpan, director of Phum Srol school, evacuated children to a safe place.

Thailand and Cambodia are at loggerhead over the border area adjacent to the Prearh Vihear for long time. Both sides have boosted troops to the disputed areas days ago after nationalist group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) staged a protest near the Prime Minister Office demanding the government to use forces to kick Cambodians out of the area.

-- The Nation 2011-02-04

2nd Army chief confirms clash btw Thai, Cambodian troops starting around 3 pm. Awaiting for info /RT @tulsathit: /RT @NationChannel24

Cambodian govt spokesman says clash between Thai, Cambodian troops is ongoing near disputed Preah Vihear temple: AFP /MCOT

Kasit has been informed of "Cambodian shells landing on Thai border area. Army adviced to open talks. /RT @tulsathit: /TR @news1005fm

ups, somoby didn't follow the orders.

agree fully with random.

just only today suthep wanted mediation about preah vihear http://www.thaivisa....-vihear-temple/

the nationalist card is the best bet to keep populace under controll and oppressed.

this time there was no need for the airport occupations etc - just crossing the border by some political lunatics in the hands of the generals and the rulling class trying to steer to war.

lets see how many casualties on each site and how many more before end of this week

So, what you are saying is that Suthep and the government want to mediate, don't want to play the nationalist card, and don't want to keep the populace under control and oppressed.

Kasit visiting Veera in prison at the moment. /RT @tulsathit: /TR @news1005fm:

Army spokesman Col Sansern confirmed on @nationtv that clashes have occurred at the Thai-Cambodian border between troops /TAN_network

Get it straight!!!

The main reason nobody is talking about is to block the third and final reading of the change in the constitution.

If they would talk about they would lose backing of the population.

This is just an extreme rightwing movement with agent provocateurs to blind from the real issues at hand.

The Khmer are battle hard. They have fought a war till 15 years ago. They are holding the highland. Good luck with it.

What next?

The government won't be able to handle it, Its different fighting with another country as opposed to slaughtering your own civilians, the army will come out and say the government don't know how to handle it, and then fast forward to the coup that we all know is coming based on the reds coming back into power at the next election, and a desire by the elite to stop that at all costs.

Yes seems like a merry-go-round ride here in Thailand with coups, Reds versa Yellows, and now fighting with neighbors, LOL, I put my money on the Cambodians, and Reds.

Edited February 4, 201115 yr by PingManDan