New Skirmishes On Thai-Cambodian Border

[webfact]

New skirmishes on Thai-Cambodian border

PHNOM PENH, April 30, 2011 (AFP) - Sporadic clashes broke out on the tense Thai-Cambodian border Saturday, both sides said, casting doubt on peace efforts as the countries' bloodiest conflict in decades stretched into a ninth day.

The latest hostilities at two ancient temples on the disputed jungle frontier erupted just hours after Cambodia announced a second truce agreement in as many days, although Bangkok denied knowledge of a new deal.

"Even though there is a recent ceasefire agreement... Thailand still breached it," Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters in Phnom Penh.

"There were exchange of firing last night and this morning," he said. "It shows that we cannot trust our counterpart."

Thai army sources also confirmed early morning clashes.

Thailand said Friday's peace talks between commanders from both sides did not amount to a genuine breakthrough in a dispute that has left 16 people dead and displaced more than 85,000 civilians.

"We actually have talked at local officers' level which I hope will lead to a real ceasefire," said Thailand's government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Seven Thai troops and eight Cambodian soldiers have died since the clashes began on April 22, and Bangkok has said a Thai civilian has also been killed.

Hor Namhong returned Saturday from The Hague where he had submitted a request to the World Court to clarify a 1962 ruling about land around the ancient Preah Vihear temple -- an area that has inflamed tensions between the two neighbours.

"The request for the interpretation by the court is a way to resolve the problem peacefully," he said at Phnom Penh airport.

The court ruled more than four decades ago that the 900-year-old temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.

Thailand said it had hired legal advisors and would fight the case.

The stone structure has been the focus of border tensions since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008 and 10 people died in hostilities between the neighbours there in February.

The current unrest is centred around two other contested temple complexes 150 kilometres (90 miles) west of Preah Vihear, although there was some fighting at the site itself on Tuesday.

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

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-30

[animatic]

Maybe the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan should skip Phuket

and go right to Pattaya.... that might give Hun Sen a bit of... ... pause!

Edited April 30, 2011 by animatic

[Oberkommando]

Maybe the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan should skip Phuket

and go right to Pattaya.... that might give Hun Sen a bit of... ... pause!

Start another war with Cambodia's closest ally Vietnam which they would inevitably lose?

You will have noticed the very close co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia during the last week. Vietnam gently affirming their commitment to Cambodia's economic progress.

[whybother]

Maybe the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan should skip Phuket

and go right to Pattaya.... that might give Hun Sen a bit of... ... pause!

Start another war with Cambodia's closest ally Vietnam which they would inevitably lose?

You will have noticed the very close co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia during the last week. Vietnam gently affirming their commitment to Cambodia's economic progress.

I didn't notice. Was it in the papers somewhere?

[RKASA]

Maybe the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan should skip Phuket

and go right to Pattaya.... that might give Hun Sen a bit of... ... pause!

Why it is nothing to do with us and if it is going to skip let them skip Thailand completely. Thailand's vice PM does not listen, trust or like us anyway - why put any money (or lives) in the the country.

[webfact]

Ten Thai soldiers wounded in border clashes

SURIN, April 30 – Ten Thai soldiers were wounded in clashes at Thai-Cambodian border in Surin on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Among ten injured soldiers, one soldier, 1st Lt. Kosit Songsaengkajorn suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his back and was transferred to a military hospital in the capital of Bangkok.

It was the second night that the border clash reoccurred since a cease fire was agreed by Thai and Cambodian field commanders.

Cambodian troop were armed with recoilless rifles and rocket- propelled grenades (RPG), while Thailand used artillery to respond the attack.

Four soldiers were wounded in the border clash near the Ta Kwai temple. The clash occurred around 7.30 pm and ended at around 10 pm on Friday while the second clash erupted at 5 am Saturday and lasted at about one hour. Six soldiers were wounded in the morning clash.

In adjacent province of Buriram, Thai villagers living near the clash site between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the disputed border continued to evacuate to three key temporary shelters – two schools and a temple – in Ban Kruat district of Buriram province bordering Cambodia.

About 4,650 villagers are now staying at the three shelters after some men had returned to their homes believing that the fighting which had begun since April 22 would stop.

A similar situation was seen at another shelter housing Thai evacuees in Tambon Prasat which is close to the border as the number of evacuees has dwindled to about 40 yesterday compared to 100 earlier. The sound of intermittent gunfire could be heard, as this centre is less than 20 kilometres away from Ta Muen Thom temple, the scene of fighting between soldiers of the two countries. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-04-30

[slapout]

The military people seem more adapt at making war, than peace agreements. The front line troops on the ground, seemly cannot/will not honor a cease fire, this should raise a question about the chain of command and who is in command, somewhere.

[micksterbs]

Well, as we don't appear to have an emoticon for shaking one's head in disbelief, you'll just have to imagine me doing it.

In view of the often exasperating nature of Thai military/political affairs, might I suggest we add such an emoticon?

[BarnicaleBob]

Either side could end the conflict any time it wants to simply by pulling back all of their troops beyond the rang of fire. Then the other side would have nothing to shoot at and it would all stop. There would be no loss of face in repositioning the troops.

[Merzik]

Send all the patriotic nationalists and generals to the front lines and the war will stop.

"Chickenhawk" ; a person enthousiastic about war as long as somebody else has to fight it."

[Merzik]

Maybe the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan should skip Phuket

and go right to Pattaya.... that might give Hun Sen a bit of... ... pause!

Another "Operation Breakfast" in Cambodia???? America would need a rather large payday loan from China first; if it wants to get involved in yet another senseless war.

[asiawatcher]

Cambodia could in no way support a war effort financially. I think the Thai's have shown considerable constraint so far as they could easily outnumber and over run the lesser opponent at any time. Hun Sen's huff, puff and bluff is all politically motivated. The media reports of VN's backing economically is hardly on their agenda to piss off Thailand. No the spin doctors are still in control out there, the Thai Army is taking the chance to move the rust build up out of the barrels and maybe, create a bit of excitement in their otherwise, boring existence until the next set of political rallies... where they can get to fire 'rubber' bullets .... ooh what a bitch! Hello soldier

[Renbe]

It boggles the mind to see so much suffering, death and destruction over an issue so insignificant. This dispute should have been solved years, if not decades, ago. It seems that there are forces who prefer to keep this matter smouldering and to retain the option of rekindling it whenever it suits those forces...

Edited April 30, 2011 by Renbe

[Lite Beer]

10 Thai troops injured in Surin after 'light weapons' clashes on border

By The Nation on Sunday.

Flare-up triggered by delay in informing units of ceasefire

Ten more Thai soldiers were injured in the Thai-Cambodian border clashes in Surin's Phanom Dongrak district on Friday night until yesterday morning, bringing the cumulative Thai casualties to seven deaths and 95 injuries in the nine days of clashes.

Among the four injured soldiers from Friday night's clash, First-Lieutenant Kosit Songsaengkajorn suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his neck and back and was transferred to Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok, while others were airlifted to the Surin Centre Hospital and Weerawat Yothin Army Camp Hospital the same night. Six other soldiers were injured on Saturday morning.

The border clash reoccurred despite the fact that a ceasefire was agreed by Thai and Cambodian field commanders.

Second Army spokesman Prawit Hookaew said that the Cambodian side explained that it was because "some units weren't yet informed [of the ceasefire]" and "there were some rogue soldiers".

He also declared a hint of a silver lining in that the reoccurring clashes so far utilised light weapons only.

This showed that field officers could still talk to each other and limit the fighting.

Since Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen declared that he wouldn't negotiate at all levels and would only table the issue at the Asean level - and announced that Cambodia was ready to go to war against Thailand - the Thai Army has remained cautious and was following the situation closely, he said.

Prawit also revealed that Cambodia had sent more backups to the clash area and reportedly recruited more fighters, especially former Khmer Rouge soldiers and their children.

"We haven't yet sent more back-up soldiers, [but] it wouldn't take a long time to send back-ups because most of the manpower are already in the Second Army area. We're using force only to defence our territory," he said adding that 36 out of the injured 95 soldiers already asked to be reinstated in the field.

Thai Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd commented that the Cambodian side admitted that there might be some stress in the areas that the ceasefire order haven't reached yet - hence the fighting wasn't completely halted.

But gunfire erupted lightly on and off and Thai troops just counter-fired. He said they would try to get the ceasefire in place first before negotiations at other levels could take place.

Meanwhile, the Second Army Area bomb squad had cleared some 70 per cent of the grenades fired from Cambodia to Thai villages.

As several schools in Surin were currently functioning as shelters to villagers, the Education Ministry inspector Supakorn Wongprat said he would initially arrange a Bt500,000 budget allocation to help these schools with water, electricity and other expenses. He said he would also have non-formal education teachers teach students at the shelters so the students could later catch up with their lessons, as the school term will open in mid-May.

In Buri Ram, some male evacuees yesterday returned to their homes near the clash site in hopes that the border fighting would stop soon, bringing the number of evacuees in nine shelters of Ban Kruat and Prakhon Chai districts down from 9,000 to some 4,000

-- The Nation 2011-05-01

[barrybankruad]

It boggles the mind to see so much suffering, death and destruction over an issue so insignificant. This dispute should have been solved years, if not decades, ago. It seems that there are forces who prefer to keep this matter smouldering and to retain the option of rekindling it whenever it suits those forces...

So once again it is the poor local residents who are suffering whilst the Thai and Cambodian powers that be play games. The locals don't give a sh*t about a couple of old Hindu temples they just want to get on with their lives harmoniously with their Cambodian neighbours, who are the same ethnic people anyway.

[Robby nz]

Either side could end the conflict any time it wants to simply by pulling back all of their troops beyond the rang of fire. Then the other side would have nothing to shoot at and it would all stop. There would be no loss of face in repositioning the troops.

Nope wont work.

As soon as the Thai forces pulled back the Cambodians would move in.

Note that while Praeh Vihear temple has been agreed on as in Cambodia Ta Kwai temple and the other one that the present fighting is close to have not.

What cambodia is trying to do is claim them as well although they appear to be in what is Thai teritory.

[Britannia]

I am bemused that two Nations that both call themselves Buddhist, can result to killing over a temple, A temple of Buddha, Have they all forgotten the first percept. Like the Christians who killed in the name of God and the Muslims that kill in the name of God. Political always Political, Shame on the leaders who bow before a Buddha image and call themselves Buddhist. The World of the Blind egos leading the blind.

[OzMick]

Either side could end the conflict any time it wants to simply by pulling back all of their troops beyond the rang of fire. Then the other side would have nothing to shoot at and it would all stop. There would be no loss of face in repositioning the troops.

you would be one of the few people to have read Neville Chamberlain's book of military tactics

[Thaddeus]

I am bemused that two Nations that both call themselves Buddhist, can result to killing over a temple, A temple of Buddha,

The temples are Hindu.

[ginjag]

I am bemused that two Nations that both call themselves Buddhist, can result to killing over a temple, A temple of Buddha, Have they all forgotten the first percept. Like the Christians who killed in the name of God and the Muslims that kill in the name of God. Political always Political, Shame on the leaders who bow before a Buddha image and call themselves Buddhist. The World of the Blind egos leading the blind.

I did read the said temple was hindu ???

[ArtVandelay]

500 years later.......Same S*** Different Day

[Buchholz]

Cambodia could in no way support a war effort financially.

Hun Sen's son disagrees.

[Buchholz]

Cambodia recruiting more soldiers to fight against Thailand

BANGKOK, May 1 2011 (NNT) - Major-General Hun Manet announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land to anyone willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

Deputy Army Commander Major-General Hun Manet, the eldest son of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, has announced that he would give 1 house and 5 rai of land plus a few thousand baht of their normal salary to anyone who are willing to become a soldier and fight against Thailand.

This announcement has been broadcast in Sam Rong Province and A-longweng province.

-- NNT 2011-05-01

[Britannia]

I am bemused that two Nations that both call themselves Buddhist, can result to killing over a temple, A temple of Buddha,

The temples are Hindu.

Buddha himself was a Hindu, Buddhism did not exist before Hindu, The path of Hindu gave birth to Buddhism, the teachings are the same, the first percept still applies in Hinduism

But still my point is the same, How can a Buddhist or Hindu kill over a holy site, hypocrisy when they bow before the image of Buddha, Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Krishna, Ramah, Christ. Politics, Politics Ego Ego

[Buchholz]

^ ^ Not included in the above broadcast is whether foreign ex-pats living in Thailand are eligible to enlist.

.

Edited May 1, 2011 by Buchholz

[jayboy]

^ ^ Not included in the above broadcast is whether foreign ex-pats living in Thailand are eligible to enlist.

.

Which army - the Thais or the Cambodians?

Look, you can spin this to your heart's content but nobody's fooled.The Cambodians under Hun Sen are a childish and emotional bunch, but the prime responsibility for the troubles on the border lie with reactionary Thai generals.Their motivation has been discussed in detail before.They have essentially told Kasit and Abhisit to get lost.They are a law to themselves - greedy, corrupt, shortsighted and incompetent.They say their actions are to protect the country and its key institutions.The truth is they are dragging them all down.

[Buchholz]

^ ^ Not included in the above broadcast is whether foreign ex-pats living in Thailand are eligible to enlist.

Which army - the Thais or the Cambodians?

Headline re-posted for the benefit of those needing it.

Cambodia recruiting more soldiers to fight against Thailand

[rubl]

^ ^ Not included in the above broadcast is whether foreign ex-pats living in Thailand are eligible to enlist.

The use of foreign 'mercenaries' would be frown upon by UN, ICJ and other international organizations. Still some here may like to be there if I understand some posts on the Thai-Cambodian border skirmish

[Thaddeus]

I am bemused that two Nations that both call themselves Buddhist, can result to killing over a temple, A temple of Buddha,

The temples are Hindu.

Buddha himself was a Hindu, Buddhism did not exist before Hindu, The path of Hindu gave birth to Buddhism, the teachings are the same, the first percept still applies in Hinduism

But still my point is the same, How can a Buddhist or Hindu kill over a holy site, hypocrisy when they bow before the image of Buddha, Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, Krishna, Ramah, Christ. Politics, Politics Ego Ego

Judaism was around before Christianity and you would be equally as wrong if you called a Synagogue a Church of Christ.

The last couple of words in your post are right however, politics and ego.

The temples are being stated as the reason for this nonsense, but they aren't.

[Britannia]

How can you own a piece of land? The land was there long before you were borne and shall be long after you have gone. The land can never belong to you, for it feeds you, you do not feed it, it is the mother, for a brief time you may be the keeper, the one who takes care. The land ask nothing of you, most surely not that you should kill for it, For it is the mother of all

Edited May 1, 2011 by metisdead
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