Fresh Thai-Cambodia Clash Shatters Ceasefire: Army

[webfact]

Fresh Thai-Cambodia clash after ceasefire

BANGKOK, April 29, 2011 (AFP) - Fresh fighting erupted on the Thai-Cambodian border, both armies said Friday, shattering a truce aimed at ending the bloodiest clashes between the neighbours in decades as the toll rose to 16.

One Thai soldier died and four were wounded in sporadic skirmishes that broke out hours after a ceasefire deal was agreed on Thursday, Colonel Prawit Hookaew, Thailand's northeastern army region spokesman, said.

"The situation is now calming but still tense," he added after the skirmishes flared overnight.

Fighting around two temples at the jungle frontier between the countries, now in its eighth day, has caused tens of thousands of people to flee from their homes.

"There was a brief clash early on Friday," Cambodian field commander Suos Sothea told AFP by telephone, without giving further details.

Nevertheless, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban indicated there might be a chance to salvage the truce.

"It's not considered a breach of ceasefire because they have used personal firearms. But if the clash expands with heavy weapons, that means the agreement is no longer valid," he told reporters.

Both sides had reacted cautiously to Thursday's peace deal, struck after talks among local commanders.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday that the agreement was a "good sign", but added that "we have to wait and see whether real peace has been achieved".

Thai and Cambodian commanders had agreed at the talks to reopen a border gate and "create a climate to allow civilians to return home", according to the Cambodian defence ministry.

Seven Thai troops and eight Cambodian soldiers have died since the clashes began last Friday. Bangkok has said a Thai civilian has also been killed.

Heavy weapons fire has also strayed towards villages around the frontier, causing an estimated 45,000 people in Thailand and 30,000 in Cambodia to flee their homes.

Both countries have blamed each other for sparking the violence.

Cambodia claims that Thailand used spy planes and poison gas during the conflict -- an allegation denied by Bangkok.

The countries have come under increasing international pressure to stop the violence.

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

On Tuesday the fighting briefly spread to 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.

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.

In February, 10 people were killed near Preah Vihear, which is 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of the two ancient temple complexes at the centre of the latest clashes.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-29

[jfchandler]

Perhaps the Thai and Cambodian armies can agree on this:

Mon-Wed-Fri: ceasefire days...

Tue-Thu-Sat: blast the heck out of each other days...

Sundays: R&R day with the lady of their choice....

It really would make things a lot easier on everyone involved, and certainly on ThaiVisa in keeping the latest "breaking news" headline up to date..

Can't we all just get along???

[BuckarooBanzai]

Perhaps the Thai and Cambodian armies can agree on this:

Mon-Wed-Fri: ceasefire days...

Tue-Thu-Sat: blast the heck out of each other days...

Sundays: R&R day with the lady of their choice....

It really would make things a lot easier on everyone involved, and certainly on ThaiVisa in keeping the latest "breaking news" headline up to date..

Only if there is a 1 million baht per month inconvenience fee paid to each individual displaced by these "war games".

Can't we all just get along???

We can only hope that those in charge get some enlightenment.

[rubl]

Perhaps the Thai and Cambodian armies can agree on this:

Mon-Wed-Fri: ceasefire days...

Tue-Thu-Sat: blast the heck out of each other days...

Sundays: R&R day with the lady of their choice....

It really would make things a lot easier on everyone involved, and certainly on ThaiVisa in keeping the latest "breaking news" headline up to date..

Can't we all just get along???

Just reading 'Retief to the Rescue' from Keith Laumer. Describes the problems the Terran-sponsored Interplanetary Tribunal for the Curtailment of Hostilities (aka ITCH) has just trying that. I can recommend the book, and a few of the other Retief's

[DocHolliday]

both sides seem to give a dam_n about civilians

both sides put some sq miles with some ancient rubble on it above human life

and…… both sides cannot lose face - under no circumstances. That would be devastating.

So let's go ahead and fight for some time....

mho

[BuckarooBanzai]

can anyone update the situation there?... fight today

please ..

I updated this morning:

That is the last exchange I have heard.

[webfact]

Cambodia to respect ceasefire despite alleged Thai mortar fire

Phnom Penh - Cambodia on Friday said that Thailand had broken a ceasefire agreed the day before by military commanders and endorsed by politicians in both countries, but that it would respect the deal.

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Thai artillery fired a number of mortars early Friday near Ta Kwai temple on the north-western border. The temple is one of a half dozen sites that have seen exchanges of fire since April 22.

He said six shells landed on Cambodian territory.

"We are very sorry that Thailand has broken the agreement," he said. "It is a provocative act, but we restrain ourselves and we don't return fire. Cambodia is abiding by the (ceasefire) agreement."

Phay Siphan said Thai and Cambodian military commanders on the ground would meet to assess what had happened

-- The Nation 2011-04-29

[webfact]

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh says he has ordered a ceasefire; Foreign Minister Kasit has approved the presence of observers /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Army Chief: Cambodia Calling for International Attention

The army chief believes Cambodia is trying to intensify the conflict in order to attract attention from the international community.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that there is still sporadic fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Prayuth asserted that he has ordered his field commanders to return fire to protect soldiers and civilians.

The army chief also said he has been in contact with the Cambodian military and has asked the Thai Second Army Region commander to confirm that the Cambodian soldiers have fired shots into Thailand, killing a Thai soldier and wounding five others.

Prayuth also questioned the Cambodian leaders about whether they are sincere in wanting to solve the conflict.

The army chief believes Cambodia is trying to intensify the conflict in order to attract attention from the international community.

The Thai army chief also commented that no one wants the deployment of foreign observers in the disputed area, but it may be necessary so as to keep the situation under control and prevent additional casualties.

Earlier today, Prayuth and Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Dapong Ratanasuwan traveled to Narathiwat Province to meet with religious leaders and youths who will participate in an anti-drug campaign.

Afterwards, both attended a briefing by Region 4 Internal Security Operations Command on the anti-oil smuggling operation and the security situation in the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-29

[Buchholz]

but we restrain ourselves and we don't return fire. Cambodia is abiding by the (ceasefire) agreement."

and posted a scant 4 minutes later...

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh says he has ordered a ceasefire

[webfact]

Fighting Ensues at Border Despite Ceasefire Agreement

The Cambodian media has reported that the representatives of the Thai and Cambodian military have reached a ceasefire agreement.

However, the Chong Jom-O'Smach Border Crossing in Surin Province remains closed as fighting continues nearby, despite the reported ceasefire agreement.

The Chong Jom-O'Smach Border Crossing in Kap Choeng District of Surin Province remains closed despite the recent agreement between the Second Army Region and the Cambodian Fourth Army Region on April 28.

The Thai soldiers who are guarding the area said no order has been given by the Second Army Region commander to reopen the border.

They believe the reason the pass remains closed is that fighting near Ta Kwai Temple and Chong Krang in Phonom Dong Rak District is ongoing, where two Thai soldiers have reportedly been injured.

Meanwhile, the CTN Cambodian Television Network has reported that the Thai and Cambodian military representatives have reached a ceasefire agreement to end a week-long conflict.

However, the two sides remain wary of each other.

Cambodian Government Spokesperson Phay Siphan has confirmed that Phnom Penh is open to a bilateral ceasefire negotiation between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Prime Minister Hun Sen next week in Indonesia.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-29

[Thaddeus]

The Thai army chief also commented that no one wants the deployment of foreign observers in the disputed area, but it may be necessary so as to keep the situation under control and prevent additional casualties.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-29

Shouldn't that say no one Thai wants foreign observers, just proves that if you aren't Thai you don't count.

[webfact]

related topic

Indonesian Observers to Arrive in Thailand After Cambodia Removes Troops

Follow this link:

[Steely Dan]

I guess the champagne is back on ice then, though it probably helped wash down a working lunch.