Thai-Cambodian Border Clash Flares Again

webfact · April 25, 2011

Border clash flares again

By The Nation

'Disappointed' Asean chair Marty cancels trip to Bangkok

Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed with heavy weapons along their shared border yesterday evening. Two Thai soldiers were injured.

Second Army Region spokesman Colonel Prawit Hukaew said the latest flare-up stretched from the Prasat Ta Kwai to Ta Mouan Thom temples in Surin province.

It began at around 6pm with both sides using small guns and handheld grenades. However, as the fighting escalated, artillery shells and rocket-propelled grenades were also used.

In the wake of fresh border clashes, the Asean chair has cancelled a plan to visit Thailand to facilitate a peace settlement.

As of press time, there was no report of casualties from the latest exchange of gunfire. However, on Sunday alone, the border clash left one Thai soldier dead and six others injured.

Sunday's incident took place in an area west of Ta Mouan Thom temple as 40 Cambodian troops tried to take up a position, a military source said.

The 20-minute exchange of gunfire killed ranger Aree Kongnakpanoa and injured six others. There was no clear report about casualties on the Cambodian side.

A Thai military official claimed troops had been able to kill as many as 14 Cambodian soldiers on the ground, but there was no official report to confirm the claim.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday the Thai military would strongly defend the country's sovereignty over the territory and would employ existing bilateral mechanisms to solve the dispute.

"We are not aggressive, but we have no fear. We will fight to defend our land at the border, but will not invade the other side unless the government instructs us to do so," he told reporters.

"This is the rule of engagement: we will fire when they fire," he said, adding, "I think we fired more than they fired [on Sunday], doing so until they stopped firing."

The latest border skirmish has occurred at a time when Thailand and Cambodia, together with Indonesia as the Asean chair, are trying to settle the conflict via diplomatic means.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva blamed Cambodia yesterday for triggering the clash in a bid to take the issue into the international arena.

"Thailand is trying to solve the problem. We have never ignited the military conflict, but will exercise our right to self-defence as Cambodia has tried to take over the areas near Ta Mouan Thom and Ta Kwai temples," he said.

Abhisit still believes he can employ existing bilateral mechanisms to fix the problem, while Phnom Penh looks to have run out of faith in such an approach and wants a third party to get involved.

Indonesia hopes to dispatch observers to assess and monitor any permanent cease-fire at the border, but the Thai military has been reluctant to receive them.

Prayuth said the border dispute was a matter for the two countries to resolve, and not a third party. Thailand will settle the problem only with Cambodia, he said, adding, "Neither the United Nations nor

any other third party is necessary since it is a minor border clash, not a war between the two countries."

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa yesterday cancelled a visit to Thailand to discuss the observer plan, apparently out of disappointment with the attitude from Thailand. He had planned to visit Cambodia, stopping over in Bangkok. However, the Thai government wanted to highlight his trip as an official visit, whereupon the Indonesian foreign minister decided to cancel at the last minute.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he would have another chance to meet Natalegawa on Thursday to discuss the proposed observer plan.

Thailand basically agrees with the modality of the Indonesian observation, but still has some problems about diplomatic immunity for the observers, he said. "We are consulting our legal experts on the issue and expect to make a proposal for Cabinet endorsement in the next few days."

Kasit yesterday visited local residents who had fled the border clash in Surin province. It was difficult, he said, to predict when the conflict would end as it did not solely depend on Thailand.

"May I ask [Cambodian] Prime Minister Hun Sen what he wanted from the border clash. We want to settle the conflict at the local level, but why did he order the local commander to listen only to instructions from Phnom Penh?

"Why do you want to bring the issue before international forums, as we are in the same family of Asean. It's embarrassing to bring our internal conflict into the international community," Kasit said.

Meanwhile, out of concern for people affected by the border clash, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn yesterday had relief items sent to their hometowns.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

webfact · April 25, 2011

Clinton urges Thailand, Cambodia restraint

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2011 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and take immediate steps to defuse tensions after their deadliest border clashes in several years.

Clinton said that the United States had engaged directly with Thai and Cambodian officials in hopes of ending the violence, which has killed 12 soldiers and caused tens of thousands of villagers to flee.

"The United States remains deeply concerned about clashes between security forces along the Thailand-Cambodia border," Clinton said in a statement.

"We strongly urge both sides to exercise restraint, refrain from provocative acts and immediately take all necessary steps to reduce tensions and avoid further conflict," she said.

"The loss of life, displacement of civilians and damage to property is regrettable," she said.

Clinton welcomed mediation by Indonesia, whose Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had been due in both countries Monday but postponed his visit.

"We support the efforts of Indonesia in their role as chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to work with both countries to reach a resolution," she said.

The clashes erupted Friday near two groups of contested temples -- named Ta Kwai and Ta Muen in Thai or Ta Krabei and Ta Moan in Khmer.

The violence is the worst since the border dispute flared up almost three years ago and shattered a ceasefire that had held since February when the UN Security Council called for a permanent truce.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-26

webfact · April 25, 2011

Cambodia accuses Thais of temple damage in clash

by Janesara Fugal

NONG KANNA (AFP) - Cambodia accused Thailand Monday of damaging ancient jungle temples at the centre of their bloodiest fighting since a bitter border dispute flared up almost three years ago.

Twelve soldiers have died and tens of thousands of villagers on both sides fled the artillery shelling which shattered an informal ceasefire that had held since February, when the UN Security Council called for a permanent truce.

The fighting resumed on Monday afternoon with several shells fired, both sides said, as usual blaming each other for the violence.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged both sides to show restraint.

The clashes began on Friday near two groups of contested temples -- named Ta Kwai and Ta Muen in Thai or Ta Krabei and Ta Moan in Khmer -- deep inside the jungle away from the main tourist trail.

The Cambodian defence ministry said in a statement that the Thai attacks damaged the ruins, without giving further details. "We do not know the extent of the damage to the temples yet," said ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat.

Seven Cambodian and five Thai troops have died in the violence. Another Cambodian soldier has been missing since Friday.

About 20,000 civilians have sought refuge in 16 camps on the Thai side of the border while about 17,000 have been evacuated from Cambodian villages.

Others, like 47-year-old Suwech Yodsri, stayed behind to guard their properties, despite the danger from shells falling in the area.

"I'm scared to be here but I have to be here to protect our village from looting," he told AFP in the Thai village of Nong Kanna, about five kilometres (three miles) from the border.

"I believe political conflicts are to blame. Innocent people are just being used as a political tool," he added.

Residents said that since Friday about 10 shells had fallen in the village, which was almost deserted. A man carrying a rifle patrolled the empty streets on his motorcycle.

It is the first serious outbreak of hostilities since February, when 10 people were killed in clashes near the 900-year-old disputed Preah Vihear temple, about 150 kilometres away from the latest flashpoint.

The fighting comes at a sensitive political time for Thailand, with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva preparing to dissolve the lower house of parliament soon for elections he has said will be held by early July.

Abhisit said he hoped the border situation would improve before he meets his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen at a regional summit on May 7-8.

"We don't want it to escalate. We want to return to normal soon because it affects people in both countries," he said.

That view was echoed in Washington, where Clinton said that the United States had engaged directly with Thai and Cambodian officials in hopes of ending the violence.

"The United States remains deeply concerned about clashes between security forces along the Thailand-Cambodia border," Clinton said in a statement.

Ties between Thailand and Cambodia have been strained since Preah Vihear was granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.

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

Cambodia has accused Thailand of using spy planes and poisonous gas in the recent fighting -- claims that Bangkok has strongly denied.

It also accused Thailand of firing more than 300 artillery shells on civilian villages.

Thailand recently admitted using controversial munitions designed to burst into bomblets during the February fighting.

Indonesia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, has called for an immediate end to the violence.

The neighbours agreed in late February to allow Indonesian observers near Preah Vihear, but the Thai military has since said they are not welcome and the monitors have not been deployed.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had been expected to travel to both countries on Monday for talks on the conflict, but the visit was postponed.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-26

geovalin · April 26, 2011

"Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa yesterday cancelled a visit to Thailand to discuss the observer plan, apparently out of disappointment with the attitude from Thailand"

No comment

geriatrickid · April 26, 2011

Thailand is backing itself into an isolated corner.

The Cambodians have been scoring alot of points on the international diplomatic front with their willingness to allow internatational observers while Thailand has blocked the observers. The foreign perceptions in respect to the internal political issues combined with the never ending tales of tourist ripoffs and deaths are not earning Thailand sympathy. Throw in the accusations of cluster munitions being fired at civilians and now the accusations of gas (even if false) and some groups are going to be able to use this against Thailand.

In international politics public perceptions carry some weight and unfortunately, Thailand is its own worst enemy in that regard.

Although Cambodia is just as corrupt and repressive, if not more so than Thailand, Cambodia has been masterful at international diplomacy in this dispute. It has worked closely with foreign aid agencies and it has cooperated with foreign super powers like China and the USA. Cambodia has international law on its side, whether some people in Thailand believe it or not.

Thailand may be in for a shock when the international community is more supportive of the Cambodians than Thailand.

Gonzo the Face · April 26, 2011

When FACE gets too big, it would appear the tightness squeezes the eyes and the brain shut.

kdc1899 · April 26, 2011

and still.......

the baht gets stronger every day

what's that all about?

Payboy · April 26, 2011

When FACE gets too big, it would appear the tightness squeezes the eyes and the brain shut.

There are some assumptions, particularly in the later part of that statement - but we shouldnt go in to that.

Edited April 26, 2011 by Payboy

dunkin2012 · April 26, 2011

the Thai government wanted to highlight his trip as an official visit[/quote]
i am very diappointed too ... with the Thai gov. makin' Marty Natalegawa to turn away.

i don't get it.

discussing the observer plan isn't official?

Seems like both are playing a politic game................ over the deaths

fatfather · April 26, 2011

One fight fits all... Phnom Penh's internal problems are out of topic, Hun Sen's son, a young general without a profile can earn credits, the Thai army can show it's strength, justify the need of a strong army and blame the government for inactivity. Like in a chess game where only in the rows 4 and 5 the knights are battling. .........over the deaths.

I wonder when T. shows up in the game as former friend of Hun Sen and as the saver of the nation....

fatfather

Buchholz · April 26, 2011

"Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa yesterday cancelled a visit to Thailand to discuss the observer plan, apparently out of disappointment with the attitude from Thailand"

No comment

Any comment on why he cancelled his visit to Cambodia?

fatfather · April 26, 2011

Just received an inofficial info that fighting is supposed to be finished. Hope that's true....

fatfather

Payboy · April 26, 2011

"Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa yesterday cancelled a visit to Thailand to discuss the observer plan, apparently out of disappointment with the attitude from Thailand"

No comment

Any comment on why he cancelled his visit to Cambodia?

Guess he wanted to avoid paying more for an open-jaw.

webfact · April 26, 2011

Army Spokesman: Thai Troops Firing to Fend Off Cambodian Attacks

The army spokesman reported that there have been a number of casualties on the Cambodian side in the most recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border near Surin Province, after Thai troops fired to fend off attacks by Cambodian troops.

Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd reported that 21 Cambodian soldiers have been killed and 139 injured in the latest round of clashes that has been ongoing since Friday.

He noted that two of them were of colonel rank.

Sansern said the most recent confrontation took place at 1 A.M. this morning and that Thai soldiers first responded by firing flares as a warning.

He confimred that more damage had been dealt to the Cambodian side after Cambodian troops continued firing at Thai troops, but that Thai troops never intended to attack first as they do not want to add fuel to the fire.

Regarding Cambodia's use of women and children as human shields against Thai forces, the army spokesman said Cambodia needs to call in military reinforcement in the Preah Vihear Temple area, while also bringing in women and kids because their troops along the border with Thailand's Surin Province were not capable of full-scale combat.

However, Sansern noted that although the relationship between Thai and Cambodian commanders remains amicable, clashes were unavoidable because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is the ultimate authority to give direct orders to his troops.

Colonel Sansern is of the opinion that Cambodia launched the offensive against Thailand to elevate tensions to demand international intervention.

However, he believes the international community wants the dispute to be resolved through bilateral talks.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-26

webfact · April 26, 2011

Thailand to review Thai-Cambodian relations: Foreign Minister

BANGKOK, April 26 - Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled to meet Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan Tuesday to review Thailand's policy towards Cambodia following the weekend's renewed clashes, claiming scores of casualties among troops on both sides.

Speaking to reporters here after inspecting the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border at the northeastern province of Surin after clashes between troops of the two neighbours erupted Friday, Mr Kasit said the fighting proved that Cambodia would not stop and refused to accept Thailand's proposal to hold bilateral talks.

The foreign minister said that Thailand must therefore review its overall policy regarding Cambodia.

Mr Kasit said he would meet with Defence Minister Gen Prawit when the general returns from Surin to review policy regarding Thai-Cambodian relations as the lives of the 30,000 people who have been displaced must take top priority.

"Cambodia has deliberately launched attacks against us for many days and that went against [continued] amicable relations. Other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should be notified of Cambodia's hostile action." he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the foreign minister has not yet brought the issue to the Cabinet, while reaffirming the government's principle on the border conflict that Thailand wants to live peacefully with its neighbour and that while Thailand will not order the army to invade its neighbour, the country will retaliate as necessary.

Fighting between Thai and Cambodian soldiers continued for four consecutive days, with the latest clash occurring Monday night and ending at 3am this morning. Six grenades had reportedly fallen into a Thai village in Surin's Phanom Dongrak district.

The Public Health Ministry reported Tuesday that ten Thai soldiers were wounded in the late night clash, raising the accumulative toll of injuries to 42 soldiers, while death toll remains at five.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong said Tuesday that three districts of Surin province, including Phanom Dongrak, Kap Choeng and Prasathas, have been declared disaster zones following the deadly clashes near Ta Muan and Ta Kwai temples.

Mr Wiboon said so far 25,835 people have been evacuated to 22 safer locations since the fighting erupted April 22. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-04-26

Steely Dan · April 26, 2011

I think I've worked out what the Thai game plan may be. Given that they lost the 1962 temple ruling to Cambodia and may lose the areas immediately surrounding the temple if the border was demarkated by a third party what does Thailand do?

I suspect the answer may be to dispute every kilometer of the disputed border sending a clear signal to Cambodia that even if they prevail with the area surrounding the UNESCO site Thailand will engage in a scorched earth policy if necessary making the entire border a no go zone for tourists. It would then be logistically even more difficult for the UN or any third party to police the whole border whereas a limited mission may have kept the peace in the vicinity of Pra Vihear alone.

Face is such a destructive self-defeating emotion.

rubl · April 26, 2011

From the WallStreetJournal 2011-04-26:

"Fighting over the disputed territory surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodia border resumed last Friday, with both sides trading artillery fire and accusations of targeting civilian villages throughout the weekend. The Associated Press reports 12 soldiers confirmed dead."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704677404576284680471555442.html

webfact · April 26, 2011

Fighting spreads along Thai-Cambodian border

by Janesara Fugal

PHANOM DONG RAK, April 26, 2011 (AFP) - Thai and Cambodian troops opened a new front Tuesday in their deadliest fighting in recent history, despite mounting diplomatic pressure to end clashes that have left 13 dead.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes on both sides as heavy weapons fire pounded the jungle frontier, shattering a fragile ceasefire that had held since February.

The two armies exchanged fire Tuesday near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which has been the focus of strained relations between the neighbours since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008.

Fighting erupted near the ruins at 1:30 pm (0630 GMT) and lasted for 30 minutes, said Thai army spokesman Colonel Prawit Hookaew.

"They fired artillery and mortar and we retaliated," he said.

Cambodia blamed Thailand for starting the clash.

The fighting took place 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of two other disputed temple complexes that have been the scene of hostilities which have left at least 13 soldiers dead since Friday.

In February 10 people were killed near the Preah Vihear temple, prompting a UN appeal for a permanent ceasefire.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday urged Thailand and Cambodia to show restraint and said Washington was "deeply concerned".

She said that the United States had engaged directly with Thai and Cambodian officials in hopes of ending the violence, without providing further details.

The neighbours agreed in late February to allow observers from Indonesia into the area near Preah Vihear.

But the Thai military has since said the monitors are not welcome and they have not been deployed.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Tuesday that Bangkok would review its policy towards Cambodia including trade, border checkpoints and cooperation at all levels, but would not sever diplomatic ties.

Kasit is due to hold talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, whose country is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, on Thursday in Jakarta.

"Thailand will inform him that Thailand agrees to international observers but Cambodian troops must withdraw from Preah Vihear," Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.

A total of eight Cambodian soldiers and five Thai troops have died in the latest fighting further west along the border, while another Cambodian soldier is missing.

Thailand said nearly 26,000 people had been evacuated on its side of the border and were being housed in 22 shelters. Three districts -- Phanom Dong Rak, Kap Choeng and Prasat -- have been declared emergency areas.

More than 22,000 people have been displaced by the fighting on the Cambodian side, authorities have said.

Apisan Boonpradub, director of Thailand's Phanom Dong Rak hospital, said 65 Thai soldiers have been injured so far but no civilians have been wounded.

"The majority of them were hurt from the impact of explosions. Most of the patients we are treating at the moment were injured in the fighting," he said.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of using spy planes and poisonous gas in the recent fighting -- which Bangkok has strongly denied.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday said he hoped the border situation would improve before he meets his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen at a regional summit on May 7-8.

webfact · April 26, 2011

Border skirmish erupts in Si Sa Ket

Si Sa Ket - A fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted at the Phu Makhua Mountain in Kantharalak district Tuesday afternoon.

Sounds of gunfire were heard at 2:05 pm, said Chokechai Saikaew, mayor of Tambon Saothongchai Administrative Organization.

The fighting lasted about 10 minutes, causing villagers to run for cover, Chokechai said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

webfact · April 26, 2011

THAI-KHMER CLASHES

Fresh fighting erupts near Preah Vihear temple

Phnom Penh - Fighting erupted Tuesday near Preah Vihear temple, a Cambodian government spokesman said, marking a widening in the scope of border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.

Phay Siphan said fighting was underway using artillery near Phnom Trop, a hill that lies around 10 kilometres from the 11th-century Hindu temple.

At least 13 soldiers have been killed and more than 50 wounded since Friday in border clashes that have taken place at another disputed site around 100 kilometres west of Preah Vihear temple.

In February fighting around the temple killed at least five soldiers.

Pen Song, a soldier based in the area, told the German Press Agency dpa that clashes had started at Phnom Trop, and that troops were firing rockets and shells.

Each side has blamed the other for the fighting over the past five days. Thailand has also blamed Unesco for escalating tensions with its decision to list Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site in July 2008 despite Thai claims that a 4.6-square-kilometre area near Preah Vihear is still the subject of a border demarcation dispute.

The Hindu temple has been a bone of contention for five decades.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

elcent · April 26, 2011

the river of no return, well planned and no election in Thailand.

It has reached the point where it's going deeper and deeper without international UN troops intervention.

fatfather · April 26, 2011

Just received an inofficial info that fighting is supposed to be finished. Hope that's true....

fatfather

Not true. (( ......since about 10min (~03pm) shell fire can be heared again. It seems to be further east, towards Cap Chong.

Steely Dan · April 26, 2011

the river of no return, well planned and no election in Thailand.

It has reached the point where it's going deeper and deeper without international UN troops intervention.

Have you seen the latest thread? Dissolution of parliament may be postponed! I think the PAD would be delighted if that happened.

HappyDavid · April 26, 2011

Just received an inofficial info that fighting is supposed to be finished. Hope that's true....

fatfather

Not true. (( ......since about 10min (~03pm) shell fire can be heared again. It seems to be further east, towards Cap Chong.

Some rapid fire artillery going on a few minutes ago.

Insight · April 26, 2011

Somebody out there is screaming "election... must... not... happen!!!"

Betya it will.

BuckarooBanzai · April 26, 2011

Border area south of Khok Takian I think.

Edited April 26, 2011 by BuckarooBanzai

webfact · April 26, 2011