Provinces Near Thai-Cambodian Border Brace For Possible Tensions

[webfact]

Provinces Near Thai-Cambodian Border Brace for Possible Tensions

Villagers residing along the Thai–Cambodian border have been notified of an immediate evacuation plan, for fear of possible fresh clashes, after Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention.

Meanwhile, the Region 2 Army commander has reaffirmed troop readiness for combat.

Region 2 Army Commander, Lieutenant General Tawatchai Samutsakhon, along with Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Governor Rapee Phongbupakit, local Red Cross members and business people, visited the 26th Army Ranger Company in Surin's Phanom Dongrak District to give cash aid to families of military officers and volunteer rangers who were killed on duty in clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, to boost their morale.

Tawatchai said the Army is reorganizing troops for combat and has prepared reinforcements as well as emergency plans.

He added that both Thai and Cambodian troops are in constant communication, and relations remain normal.

There have been no additional reinforcements on the Thai side, but soldiers have been instructed to be on high alert.

In Buriram Province, Provincial Governor Thanee Samartkit has urged the military, police, and other security agencies in Baan Kruad and Laharnsai districts to step up safety measures and surveillance along the border, to prevent possible clashes.

Most recently, there have been reports of mysterious gunfire from the Cambodian side, but no mobilization of troops or weapons was seen at the border.

Thanee said the Comptroller's General Department is considering a budget for the construction of bunkers at border villagers in the two districts.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

[webfact]

Evacuation Plan in Place for Border Villages

Villagers residing along the Thai – Cambodian border have been notified of an immediate evacuation plan in fear of possible fresh clashes.

Meanwhile, border forces have been placed on the highest alert to brace for possible tensions.

Border troops posted at Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Yeun District atop the Phanom Dongruk Mountain have been instructed to be on the highest alert while some 100 Cambodian soldiers on the opposite side have set up three bunkers.

There has been no report of additional reinforcements.

Regarding the evacuation plan for border villagers, Nam Khoon District chief Tienchai Achariyaphan disclosed that around 800 villagers from four border villages will be immediately evacuated if fresh clashes erupt.

Children, women and seniors will be evacuated to the district's evacuation center while trained village volunteers will remain behind to defend the village at four newly-constructed bunkers.

At Nong Kanna Village in Surin's Phanom Dongruk District, near Ta Muan Thom Temple, villagers have been closely monitoring news on the situation following the escalating border tensions.

Nong Kanna villager Lui Bungthong said that the border situation around Ta Muan Thom Temple has been increasingly tense as soldiers from both sides made preparations and notified villagers to be prepared for an evacuation at all time.

A journalist working in the area reported that he saw a man wearing a white hat park his motorcycle in front of a local store and inquire the store owner on military activities in the area and the number of troops posted there.

When military personnel tried to approach the suspicious individual, the man immediately took off on his motorcycle.

Surin Deputy Governor Yutthana Wiriyakitti traveled to the Jom – O Samed border pass to follow up on the border situation and said that the two countries are in constant communication and relations remain normal.

He said that Thailand and Cambodia will organize a joint Buddhist Lent ceremony on July 13 to 15 in Kabchoeng District.

There have been speculation and fear of escalating tensions following an announcement by Natural Resources and Environment Minister and Thailand's representative to the World Heritage Committee Suwit Khunkitti that Thailand has withdrawn from the World Heritage Committee.

Independent academic from Si Sa Ket's Chalerm Kanchana University, Chaiyawut Tepoe, stated that he is personally in favor of Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Committee as it clearly shows Thailand's standpoint.

Chaiyawut added that after the election and formation of the new government, the Thai – Cambodian border issue will likely become a national concern as the decision to withdraw from the convention means Thailand does not accept Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple management plan.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

[webfact]

Region 1 Army commander denies Thailand plans to invade Cambodia but says troops will retaliate if Cambodia starts an attack /TAN_Network

First Army Region Commander denies Thai troops will attack Cambodia July 1 as Hun Sun reportedly claims /MCOT

[Thaddeus]

A journalist working in the area reported that he saw a man wearing a white hat park his motorcycle in front of a local store and inquire the store owner on military activities in the area and the number of troops posted there.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

Did he also have a black mask and his motosai was Silver.

Seriously, people around these parts are starting to worry again, I did my last 90 report at Chong Chom early just in case (and the place was deserted).

[webfact]

Border Villagers Live in Fear as Border Tensions Rise

Sisaket Governor insists the Thailand-Cambodia border situation remains peaceful.

He insists it will not affect the July 3 election.

Sisaket Governor, Somsak Suvansujarit said that although there has been no fighting for nearly two months, Thai soldiers are on watch for possible intrusions by Cambodian forces.

Precautionary measures are being taken, such as building and restoration of 650 shelters to make sure villagers can evacuate to a safe location at short notice if Thai and Cambodian troops clash again.

In addition, the government allocated around three million baht to construct of eight warning center.

Sakchai said that such a preventive measures help calm down villagers along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Moreover, the governor reiterates that Thai-Cambodia border situation will not affect the General Election scheduled for July 3.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

[webfact]

PM assures Thai troops are ready to protect the country's sovereignty but adds there is no reason for Thailand to provoke Cambodia /TAN_Network

[finnomick1]

No reason why the Thai officials walked out of the World Heritage Convention, but then I suppose they had their reasons. Do we locals really have to put up with the artillery shelling yet again ? Maybe the government will recompense me and my family if we re-locate ? Some chance, we are all cannon fodder here. Very disappointing.....

[lannarebirth]

No reason why the Thai officials walked out of the World Heritage Convention, but then I suppose they had their reasons. Do we locals really have to put up with the artillery shelling yet again ? Maybe the government will recompense me and my family if we re-locate ? Some chance, we are all cannon fodder here. Very disappointing.....

What this nonsense is really all about and Thaksin's next plunder:

http://www.clc-asia.com/analysis/the-struggle-between-thailand-and-cambodia-over-oil-and-gas-resources/

[webfact]

Region 1 Army Rules Out Invasion Claim

The Region 1 Army Commander has rejected a rumor that Thai troops have come up with a plan to open fire on Cambodia.

He also denied that the Army has interfered with the July 3 poll to form the next government.

Region 1 Army Commander, Lieutenant General Udomdet Sitabut has dismissed a claim that the Thai troops have a plan to attack Cambodia, saying the Thai soldiers will only engage in self-defense.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that the number of Cambodian troops in the area is slowly increasing, but they have not been armed, adding that he believes the practice is unlikely to shake Thai troops.

He added that the border situation in Sa Kaew Province remains normal, as border trade continues, and security has been tightened for entry to the Kingdom.

As for a claim of military interference in the July 3 poll, the commander rejected the remark and insisted that the Army maintains its neutrality and never played a role in supporting any particular party to lead the next government.

When asked about the regional border committee meeting, he said Thailand is willing to attend the meeting if Cambodia agrees to join the event.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

[webfact]

Thai military denies planning attack on Cambodia

BANGKOK, June 29 – Thailand’s First Army Region Commander, Lt-Gen Udomdej Sitabutr on Wednesday denied as spurious the idea that Thai troops will attack Cambodia on July 1 as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sun reportedly claimed.

The Thai military has a clear policy that it will not invade other countries but will retaliate only after being attacked first, he said.

Gen Udomdej said the Cambodian military has moved more infantry units closer to Thailand’s northeastern border province of Sa Kaeo, however, there has been no report of reinforcement of armoured vehicles or heavy weapons. The move, he said, has not affected the border situation.

However, the first army region commander said he has ordered his subordinates to step up security measures including a strict check on people and vehicles which approach the border checkpoint and sought negotiation to ease problems such as talks by the regional border committee earlier scheduled in April.

Cambodia however has not yet responded to that.

Gen Udomdej also denied reports which link the border situation to an attempt to provide an excuse to cancel Thailand’s general election on July 3.

Thailand on Saturday announced its departure from the World Heritage Convention (WHC) at the WHC meeting in Paris, saying the World Heritage Committee failed to heed its request seeking postponement of Cambodia's unilaterally-proposed Preah Vihear temple management plan, as Thailand fears that it may threaten national sovereignty.

Ties between the neighbours have been strained since Preah Vihear temple was granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008.

In April, Cambodia asked the court to clarify its 1962 ruling on the ancient Hindu temple on its disputed border with Thailand following recent deadly armed clashes between the two neighbouring countries.

The court, based in The Hague, ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but both Phnom Penh and Bangkok claim ownership of 4.6-square-kilometre of the surrounding area. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-06-29

[barrybankruad]

No reason why the Thai officials walked out of the World Heritage Convention, but then I suppose they had their reasons. Do we locals really have to put up with the artillery shelling yet again ? Maybe the government will recompense me and my family if we re-locate ? Some chance, we are all cannon fodder here. Very disappointing.....

What this nonsense is really all about and Thaksin's next plunder:

http://www.clc-asia....-gas-resources/

Why does somebody ALWAYS have to bring Thaksin into the equation? The Pheu Thai party with the Shinawatras at the helm are far more likely to resolve the problems of the temple and gas reserves than the provocative idiots in yellow shirts.

[DP25]

No reason why the Thai officials walked out of the World Heritage Convention, but then I suppose they had their reasons. Do we locals really have to put up with the artillery shelling yet again ? Maybe the government will recompense me and my family if we re-locate ? Some chance, we are all cannon fodder here. Very disappointing.....

What this nonsense is really all about and Thaksin's next plunder:

http://www.clc-asia.com/analysis/the-struggle-between-thailand-and-cambodia-over-oil-and-gas-resources/

Yup. If he wins, the temple conflict will mysteriously disappear, and they will move on to the serious business of plundering those billions between them

[englishinsiam]

No reason why the Thai officials walked out of the World Heritage Convention, but then I suppose they had their reasons. Do we locals really have to put up with the artillery shelling yet again ? Maybe the government will recompense me and my family if we re-locate ? Some chance, we are all cannon fodder here. Very disappointing.....

What this nonsense is really all about and Thaksin's next plunder:

http://www.clc-asia....-gas-resources/

Yup. If he wins, the temple conflict will mysteriously disappear, and they will move on to the serious business of plundering those billions between them

Could not agree more, it'll put the fight against corruption back another 20 years if he buys power (sorry I mean wins power).

[webfact]

Thai premier denies planning Cambodia offensive to delay election

Thailand will not escalate a border conflict with Cambodia in order to delay a general election scheduled this weekend, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Wednesday.

Abhisit was responding to comments reportedly made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that Thailand would use a conflict over a border dispute to attack Cambodia as a excuse to postpone the election, the Bangkok Post online news service said.

Abhisit, who was campaigning for votes in Samut Sakorn province Wednesday, said there was no reason for Thailand to clash with Cambodia and the election would "definitely not be cancelled."

-- The Nation 2011-06-29

[Scott]

Because this situation could be important to a lot of people, be sure to stay on-topic. If anyone in the area has any updates, please let us know.

Please do not post any information concerning troop deployments or movements. Such information is sensitive and cannot be posted on the open forum.

[virtualtraveller]

Actually, the Cambodia spay isn't going to suddenly be resolved when Hun Sen's Buddy Shinawatra gets into power. He's been shit stirring all along, inviting Thaksin to be an economic advisor, insulting Abhisit, initiating a border spat, all in the hope of government change, this is his way of doing business and it's going to backfire on him. Until now the government and army has had to 'put up' with him to save their image.

Should Yingluck become the next Prime Minister, the army will take its kid gloves off. This will become her first major crisis. A new border spat will emerge sooner or later as Hun Sen loses patience with Yingluck's inability to order the army around. He will move his earth-moving equipment etc back into the disputed territory, a shot will ring out from 'somewhere' and the 'they shot first, no no, we insist THEY shot first' scenario will spark, just like before. Expect insubordination from the army. A new round of gunfire exchange, on and off, only this time it will be the Thai army surreptitiously starting it each time. Hun Sen is no buddy of the army, and they now no longer have to worry about the negative impact on a government they don't have much time for. It worked for Thaksin, now it will work against him.

[ericthai]

A journalist working in the area reported that he saw a man wearing a white hat park his motorcycle in front of a local store and inquire the store owner on military activities in the area and the number of troops posted there.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

Did he also have a black mask and his motosai was Silver.

Seriously, people around these parts are starting to worry again, I did my last 90 report at Chong Chom early just in case (and the place was deserted).

Really? When did you go, I went yesterday the 29th and the place was busy as usual. Casino vans were parked everywhere and the parking lot was full, I had to park on the street. Seemed business as usual, I think it will take an actual war for the gamblers to stop going to the casino.

[Thaddeus]

A journalist working in the area reported that he saw a man wearing a white hat park his motorcycle in front of a local store and inquire the store owner on military activities in the area and the number of troops posted there.

-- Tan Network 2011-06-29

Did he also have a black mask and his motosai was Silver.

Seriously, people around these parts are starting to worry again, I did my last 90 report at Chong Chom early just in case (and the place was deserted).

Really? When did you go, I went yesterday the 29th and the place was busy as usual. Casino vans were parked everywhere and the parking lot was full, I had to park on the street. Seemed business as usual, I think it will take an actual war for the gamblers to stop going to the casino.

I just reported what I saw.

[cdnvic]

Some posts with insults removed