Thai-Cambodia border village emptied ahead of temple verdict

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Thai-Cambodia Border Village Emptied Ahead Of Temple Verdict
By Khaosod Online

BANGKOK: -- Residents of Phum Salon village, which sits on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, have fled their abodes amid the fears of a potential military conflict between the two nations.

The International Court of Justice is due to deliver its verdict on the ownership of the area around Preah Vihear Temple which is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.

The border dispute has been simmering for half a decade, but it has escalated into open combat in 2011, when the Thai and Cambodian troops clashed near Phum Salon village. The community was eventually wrecked by artillery shells fired from the Cambodian positions.

Ms. Samrit Kawsa-nga, 46, whose house was destroyed by the Cambodian shellfire in 2011 and later rebuilt by Sri Saket pronvincial authority, said that she is still worried about the current situation and fears that the Cambodian weapons might be aiming at her house again.

She eventually decided that she should flee the village to her relatives’ houses, along with many other villagers for their own safety.

Nevertheless, a number of locals have decided to stay out of the conviction that the situation would be resolved peacefully by the two nations.

On Monday, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of Civil Affairs also met with local residents in Tambol Sao-Thingchai, Katharalak district, to explain about the Government’s preparation plans as the ICJ ruling approaches.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE16WTBPRFEzTlE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-11-06

[webfact]

Locals at border towns very concerned
Nuntida Puangthong,
Pongpat Traipipat,
Surachai Piraksa
The Nation



Many worry about clashes erupting no matter which direction the verdict goes

BANGKOK: -- WITH AN International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the Preah Vihear case expected on Monday, high-ranking officials have gone to the border province of Si Sa Ket to allay fears among local people.

Nuttavudh Photisaro, deputy permanent secretary at the Foreign Ministry, yesterday downplayed concern that the ICJ would award the disputed 4.6-square-metre area to Cambodia.

"I personally don't think the ICJ will rule that way," he said at an academic seminar in Si Sa Ket.

Held by the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the event attracted several locals who are anxious about the upcoming ruling and its ramifications.

Weerayut Duangkaew, a kamnan in Kantharalak district, wanted to know how residents should prepare themselves. Apart from the tension along the border, he said villagers were also worried about protests and rallies.

Nattavudh reckoned that if the ICJ ruled in favour of Cambodia, Thais were bound to feel hurt and upset. However, he said, the two countries had already agreed to respect each other's right of expression and would discuss the issue through the Joint Boundary Commission.

He also said that the issue would not necessarily be dropped after the ICJ ruling, adding that people should not erupt in joy if the ruling is in Thailand's favour, nor point fingers if it is in Cambodia's favour.

"What matters most is how we move forward and maintain good ties our neighbour," he said.

Thailand's Ambassador to the Hague Virachai Plasai, who led the Thai legal team at the ICJ, joined the trip to Si Sa Ket yesterday where he explained the defence his team had used at the ICJ.

Lt-General Tarnchiyan Srisuwan, who heads the Army's Directorate of Joint Operations, said Thai troops were ready to protect the country's sovereignty and ensure peace. The officials also handed out a book illustrating the Preah Vihear case.

Separately, students and teachers at the Ban Khok Krachai School in Buri Ram yesterday participated in an emergency drill during which they rushed to find cover in available bomb shelters. Buri Ram is located on the border.

In 2011, border clashes erupted over the Preah Vihear issue and ammunition landed in this school's compound.

"That frightening incident has been haunting us so we need to be prepared," the school's director Pittaya Rattanakarn said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-06

[Jim walker]

We Thailand will be dignified and gracious and rise above every snide remark regardless of the outcome as we are totally diplomatic as normal and the army is on standby just in case the ICJ makes an error of judgement.

[phitsanulokjohn]

If it goes the Cambodian way,it'll be just like an election loss.The Thai's won't be able to take it.

[JulesMad]

I hope the ICJ rules in favor of Laos; in that case there is nothing to argue about between Thailand and Cambodia.

Nice elegant solution

[White Christmas13]

The disputed area is 4.6 square meter ?

[bigbamboo]

So sad to think that Thais and Cambodians on the border got along fine for years until someone decided Prear Vihear could be a UN heritage site.

What a great idea that was.

[doctorproc156]

What is the point in fighting and killing over a place that is meant to represent peace? Aren't all the ASEAN countries supposed to remove their border restrictions and become a single community in 2015, or is that a total load of BS like we all knew it was going to be anyway? Thailand is never going to get anywhere if it remains this stubborn and bullies its smaller neighbors, if anything Thailand should be the more mature one and refrain from any violence.