Thread: Thai and Cambodian troops clash

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011...-30148136.html

Diplomacy the new battlefront

By The Nation,
Agencies
Published on February 8, 2011


Cambodia asks UN to send in peacekeeping force; Thailand says dispute should be settled bilaterally

Border between Thailand and Cambodia was not completely calm yesterday as Phnom Penh began to internationalise the boundary conflict, asking United Nations to send peacekeeping forces to contain the violence at the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear while Bangkok was struggling to bring it down to bilateral level.

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen sent their respectively letters to President of the UN Security Council Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti accusing each other of launching heavy arm attacks to violate sovereignty of the other. Both sides claimed other fire first and they did retaliate only for self-defence.

Hun Sen said in his letter sent out since Sunday night that the attack resulted in human casualties and damaged to the Preah Vihear temple.

Abhisit argued that Cambodian troops used the Hindu temple as a shield. "Thailand is gravely concerned about the use of Phra Viharn (Thai accent for Preah Vihear) by Cambodia for military purpose, which is in violation of international law, in particular the article 4 (1) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Arm Conflict," he said in the letter to UN yesterday.

Abhisit protested the Cambodia's violation of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity and the attack on Thai civilians and properties but requested the UN to take no action.

Hun Sen, however, urged the UN Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to stop Thailand's aggression.

"We need the United Nations to send forces here and create a buffer zone to guarantee that there is no more fighting," Hun Sen said, adding that the situation kept deteriorating and the two sides were no longer listening to each other.

Meanwhile Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An wrote his letter to Unesco's Director Irina Bokova to informed her the damages of the Preah Vihear from Thai artillery shells.

The Hindu temple of Preah Vihear has been at the core of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia since last century. The conflict was boiled out when the World Heritage Committee inscribed it as a world heritage site in 2008 with Thailand's disagreement on the ground that the inscription might cause lost of Thailand's right over its vicinity.

The temple, ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962, is situated in the territory under sovereignty of Cambodia but Bangkok argued that the surrounding areas belong to Thailand.

The current border clash is one of the worst in decades causing a lot of casualty and damages. One Thai soldier and one civilian died and 25 soldiers injured in the clash since Friday. Casualty and damage on Cambodia side were reportedly around the same as Thai side but could not be verified clearly.

A fresh round of clash took place yesterday morning when troops of both sides exchanged small arms firing in the area near the Preah Vihear.

Thailand insisted that it fired to Cambodia only for self-defence and hoped that the conflict could be solved bilaterally. Bangkok disagreed with the idea to bring the issue into the discussion of the UN Security Council.

"We would cooperate with the United Nations and international community but in this case we would like to reserve our right to solve the problem bilaterally," said government's spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, likely wanted to have some roles in mediating the current conflict.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty M. Natalegawa, as the chair of the Asean, would visit Thailand today to obtain information on the situation after another visit to Phnom Penh for the same purpose earlier.

However Asean chief Surin Pitsuwan said the Asean would limit its role only in listening information from both sides. "In early stage, both sides should end the problem by bilateral consultative," he said.

Hun Sen said he needed third party mediation as two countries cannot negotiate each other. "I also appeal to (Thai Prime Minister) Abhisit not to be afraid of the third party to mediate the Cambodia and Thai border dispute. We can go to the International Court together."

The Asean, UN, United States and China have expressed their concern over the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodian and called the two neighbours to exercise utmost restraint.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011...-30148139.html

ICC move against Hun Sen?

By The Nation
Published on February 8, 2011

Thai senators are preparing to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court accusing Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen of being a war criminal, following the latest military clash on the border.

Appointed Senator Paiboon Nititawan, a key member of the 40 Senators Group, said yesterday they would meet with international law experts to discuss their plan to sue Hun Sen.

"A military fight against each other is normal. But Cambodian soldiers intentionally firing heavy weapons into Thai villages was considered an unacceptable attack," Paiboon said.

He believed the senators could sue Hun Sen because Cambodia was a signatory of the ICC.

The move appears to be a largely symbolic protest as the senators should be aware the international court is purely a court of "last resort" that only handles extremely serious matters such as genocide and crimes against humanity - if such issues can't be resolved in a country's own courts.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011...-30148161.html

Border village now a ghost town

By The Nation
Si Sa Ket
Published on February 8, 2011

The border village of Ban Phum Saron has almost become a ghost town, as fighting between Thai and Cambodian soldiers has caused most residents to flee for their safety.

Only about 50 of about 2,300 locals remained in the village yesterday.

These men have stayed put for a reason. They want to protect their homes and town.

"If we move away, what will happen if a house catches fire?" Boonruam Pongsapan said.

Being a school director, he is also a community leader. Boonruam believed his presence would be useful to villagers who might need support at such a difficult time. These villagers volunteered to patrol their town to ensure that homes are not robbed and no bad incidents take place.

"Our village is very much in a war zone now," he said, "Bombs and artillery shells have rained down."

Boonruam said he had never thought the violence would go this far.

"We fear for our safety but we can't chicken out. This is our hometown," Chob Mathong said as he huddled in a village bunker alongside many other men.

"If we leave, who will protect our properties?" Chob said.

Ban Phum Saron is located in Kantharak district just 1.5 kilometres where from the two armies were fighting.

An informed source said more than 200 spent ammunition cartridges were found in the village with holes in roads, damage to units for monks and people's houses.

Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the border fighting had claimed two lives and injured 34 people from Friday till Sunday.

The deaths included a civilian, who was a resident at Ban Phum Saron.

Most of the injured - 30 - were soldiers, but their injuries were minor, except for one man who was in a serious condition.

Jurin said up to 1,165 people evacuated from the border zone to Kanthararak District Office had sought counselling from psychiatrists. At least 22 had been given sleeping pills to cope with the anxiety and worry.

Out of concern for the evacuees, Their Majesties the King and the Queen graciously instructed the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation to hand out blankets and kitchen utensils to the affected people.

Tents were going up at the Kanthararak District Office yesterday to accommodate more evacuees. However, the place was not crowded as some people opted to seek shelter with relatives in other provinces.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

A military fight against each other is normal.

excuse me ?

What I find hilarious is that all those little Asian shitholes are so paranoid about their borders and visa control,

I mean how more stupid do you need to be ? there is nothing to gain with those silly land dispute

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011...-30148182.html

NATION COMMENT

War only means both countries stand to lose

By The Nation
Published on February 8, 2011


There are people in both Thailand and Cambodia who want their soldiers to go all the way. The problem is, even though this might bring the territorial dispute to a conclusion, it would only be for the short term. In 10 or even five years, when one side gets weaker or stronger, the conflict will flare up once again. That is absolutely certain, if force is used to settle this conflict.

Diplomacy can be painstakingly protracted or fruitlessly repetitive and its results can be unpredictable. One can also argue that years of negotiations, the setting up of committees or commissions and other diplomatic efforts have failed to prevent the ongoing confrontation. Obviously, the "let's get this over with" mentality is thriving among many on either side of the border.

The question that nationalistic extremists in both countries, be they politicians, activists or just the man on the street, have to ask themselves is: Are "real" people better off now that tanks, artillery and rockets are reinforcing territorial claims? Politicians and activists advocating war should be able to at least point to a group or community and say: "There, those people feel happier at the moment, so the fight should go on."

War only fulfils the purposes of a few, but makes life miserable for countless others. Preah Vihear, proclaimed to be priceless, is nothing if villages around it are left in smouldering ashes. It's pointless for both countries to get the temple and destroy everything else - things such as Bt81-billion worth of yearly bilateral trade, Thailand's status as the third-largest foreign investor in Cambodia, the smiles at the border, the security that schoolchildren on both sides of the border had until recently.

Can diplomacy really draw a border? From dinosaurs to cavemen to ancient tribes to imperial rulers, boundaries have been marked through killings and intimidation. Preah Vihear, on the one hand, is just a place around which "real life" continues. On the other hand, it stands as one of the biggest challenges for both Thailand and Cambodia - daring them to break free from a glorious past so a new future can be built for people who really matter.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

there is nothing to gain with those silly land dispute

if you are politically unpopular, winning this silly land dispute will do wonders for your election changes a massive boost, be you TPN, PAD or hun the pm

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Cambodia asks UN to send in peacekeeping force; Thailand says dispute should be settled bilaterally

Which begs the question- why is Thailand so scared of an independent, third party arbiter? Don't they believe they have a case of any merit, when it comes down to it?

I suppose the same attitude is mirrored when it comes to the ICC, the foreign Press, and their own citizens Right of Suffrage.

^Can't have a precedent set.....especially when there's so many other things at stake....can you also imagine "outsiders" interfering....!!! (repeat after me, "sovereignty", The new buzzword!).

It all started with a walk over a border....

It then became Cambodia seeking to provoke (the 2 signs, the flag), the rather lengthy prison sentences (for what is a very porous border at the best of times) and then we have clashes, where the innocent people get caught in the middle.

At the same time we have the PAD giving out ridiculous and unreasonable demands spotting an opportunity to play the nationalism card (and the usual surge in support that goes with it). They then progress to calling for the government to step down (I am curious as to how many more protesters joined their rally today, it isn't reported in the English press).

Now we have a group of senators seeking to attack/debate this governments performance (I wonder who they are and where their allegiances lie... I can guess...)

None of this seems to be coincidence.

So on the one hand, we have Hun Sen seemingly doing his friends (Thaksin) work for him...knowing this will destabilise this floundering government.

On the other, The PAD and I assume their army friends are doing something which is still rather mysterious, but this also seems to be aimed at bringing about some sort of crisis. They appear to be trying really hard to make one.

Maybe Jatuporn's warning of an imminent coup wasn't so crazy after all.

Certainly you do get the feeling that things are happening according to some design. The events I've listed above (some of which are still baffling) seem coordinated.

I'm left with the feeling that 2 factions (the red and the PAD/TPN and associated malingerers) are vying for control and see an opportunity arising, both with a different end result (The PAD want an unelected PM and national government, no mention of democracy....the reds, well we all know what they they want).

Now, I'm also wondering if we will actually see elections...if the Cambodian spat escalates, well, it presents the perfect excuse to suspend elections (Abhisit did say on many occasions that elections would only be called when the country was stable...and a "war" would certainly not fit with that!). We shall see...

I'm also curious about this "perfect storm" of groups all coming together at the same time. I wonder if they do all get what they want (this government gone), what will we be left with? The PAD and the reds both openly at each others throats? Or is the game plan for the PAD/army faction a coup...and military control thereafter (No inquiries into red shirt deaths then too!). I doubt the reds would be terribly happy with that outcome...but then maybe if the army is in total control, with one of their friends the appointed PM (Burma anyone?) the reds would be brought to heel pretty quick...the threat of death will do that to most (and as has been proven already, the army can shoot people here and get away with it).

Anyway, lots of idle speculation there, most of which I hope is wrong.

The next few weeks should be very interesting and revealing.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

the PAD giving out ridiculous and unreasonable demands

They are exactly that- clearly no rational government could accede to them. Furthermore, their behaviour is much more provocative and unreasonable than the Red shirts, even though they are a fraction of their numbers. Very suspicious indeed.

^It smells very fishy...

The PAD had no real reason to demonstrate and their demands would never have been met (I'm sure they knew this).

But now we have a "war" and all of a sudden they have something 'real' to protest about....strange huh?

Odd timing...you might say. Coincidence some might suggest. I don't think so.

Then we have the senators claiming the government are handling this badly and seek debate.

And there are certain people (who shall remain nameless, but in a position of influence) on Twitter posting that this country is in a state of total disarray and the government is to blame (the PAD have been oddly echoing this very opinion).

I get the feeling a games afoot. A crisis is being generated. The reasons are to be revealed....and just today the PAD 'suggest' an unelected PM and national (unelected?) government, strange timing too....or is this what this is all about...?

I hope I am proven very wrong.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

So on the one hand, we have Hun Sen seemingly doing his friends (Thaksin) work for him...knowing this will destabilise this floundering government.

SD you seem to have this pathetic obsession with Thaksin that you try to bring him anywhere in your debate. You probably should look at the most logical conclusion and say that Hun Sen is his own man and it is highly unlikely that Thaksin has played any part in the current cross border spat.

No reds involved here, just an elderly very sick gentleman and the people around him who are trying to manage their future fundbox...

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Thai senators are preparing to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court accusing Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen of being a war criminal

555555....Monkey See, Monkey Do.....

Hun Sen is a sad POS, so maybe he is trying something for his own audience

you guys seem to forget that we are dealing with territorial monkeys, if you look at the Discovery Chanel, the behaviors displayed by Thai and Cambodian officials is very well documented.

Originally Posted by DroversDog

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

So on the one hand, we have Hun Sen seemingly doing his friends (Thaksin) work for him...knowing this will destabilise this floundering government.

SD you seem to have this pathetic obsession with Thaksin that you try to bring him anywhere in your debate. You probably should look at the most logical conclusion and say that Hun Sen is his own man and it is highly unlikely that Thaksin has played any part in the current cross border spat.

Where did I say that Hun Sen isn't his own man?

Hun Sen cares about one thing, himself.

However, Hun Sen is actively aiding the collapse of this Thai government. Who is he going to have to deal with next?

The reds stated aim is for Thaksin to return to power.

The Pheu Thai Party's stated aim is for Thaksin to return to power.

Can you see the connection? Penny dropping yet?

My bets on Hun Sen thinking the PT party and associated people are the next group of folks he's going to have to deal with. Also, do you recall Hun Sen appointing Thaksin a financial adviser before?

Btw, what did you think of the rest of the post, seeing as you are so convinced in another thread of my "colours".

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/secu...a-war-of-words

Feisty dispute turns into a war of words

• Published: 8/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Thailand and Cambodia put their case in letters to UN Security Council president Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.


Debris clutters the entrance to a school at Ban Phum Srol. JETJARAS NA RANONG

CAMBODIA

"Once again, despite negotiation by the field commander of both sides for a cease fire, on 6 February, 2011 [Sunday], at 18:20, Thai armed forces launched a full scale armed aggression against Cambodia, using heavy sophisticated weapons including many 105, 120, 130, 155 artillery shells which were fired into the TEMPLE OF PREAH VIHEAR, a World Heritage [site], the region of TASEM, VEAL INTRY and PHNOM TRAP hill and others. All these areas are well inside Cambodian territory. Thai artillery shells have landed as far as approximately 20 km inside the Cambodian territory.

"While I write this letter to Your Excellency, Thai armed forces still continue firing of heavy weapons into Cambodian territory.

"This fresh onslaught by Thai armed forces has resulted in more human casualties and damages to the TEMPLE OF PREAH VIHEAR as well as other properties."

It continues: "Considering this recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which has gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request Your Excellency to convene an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council so as to stop Thailand's aggression. I would also highly appreciate it if Your Excellency could circulate this letter to all members of the United Nations Security Council as an official document."


A man looks at a huge crater in front of a house in the border village of Ban Don-aow. The crater was caused by a rocket fired from Cambodian soil that narrowly missed hitting the house. JETJARAS NA RANONG

THAILAND

1.Following the incidents of armed attacks in the afternoon of 4 February and again in the early morning of 5 February 2011, both of which were initiated by Cambodia, both Thai and Cambodian regional commanders met at Chong Sa-ngam Pass, Si Sa Ket Province, Thailand, in the morning of 5 February 2011. At that meeting, they reached an agreement on immediate ceasefire.

2.However, on 6 February 2011, at 18.30 hours, Cambodian troops breached the above agreement by opening fire, preceded by firing of military illumination flares into the sky, into Chong Don Ao Pass and Phu Ma Khua in Thai territory before launching attacks to other areas in Thai territory, namely Sattasom Hill, Phlan Yao, Chong Ta Thao Pass, the area near the Temple of Phra Viharn, and the Phum Srol village.

The incident resulted in severe destruction of many civilian structures and injury of two Thai civilians and eight Thai military personnel, one of which has sustained serious injury. Again, about 15,000 innocent villagers living along the border where the attacks took place had to be evacuated.

3.At 08.17 hours of 7 February 2011 Cambodian troops opened fire at Thai military personnel stationing at Phu Ma Khua and Phlan Yao in Thai territory. The incident lasted until 08.27 hours. Casualties from the attack are under investigation.

4.In this connection, Thailand categorically rejects the allegation made by Cambodia that Thailand initiated the attacks. The fact is that Thailand has always exercised utmost self-restraint, but in the face of such unprovoked armed attacks from Cambodia, it had no choice but to exercise its inherent right of self-defence.


An anti-war group gathers at the Victory Monument and arranges candles in a peace symbol to call for a stop to fighting between Thailand and Cambodia. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

5.Thailand therefore protests in the strongest terms against Cambodia's blatant violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity and its attacks on Thai civilians and properties.

6.Thailand is gravely concerned about the use of the Temple of Phra Viharn by Cambodia for military purposes, which is in violation of the international law, in particular the Article 4 (1) of the 1954 Hague Convention on Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

7.Thailand wishes to point out the fact that the attacks by Cambodian troops on 6 February 2011 were intentionally launched at night time. These attacks were pre-meditated and well planned in advance to create a situation which would serve Cambodia's political objective of internationalising what is essentially a bilateral issue while bilateral negotiations are still ongoing. The swiftness of the release of the letter from the Prime Minister of Cambodia to Your Excellency dated 6 February 2011, shortly after the attacks started, only confirms the pre-meditated nature of the attacks and unfriendly intention.

8.It is the firm conviction of Thailand that any differences between countries shall be settled by peaceful means.

9.Thailand wishes to reiterate its commitment to working closely with Cambodia through existing bilateral frameworks.

10.Thailand hopes that, with all bilateral channels of communication still open and ongoing dialogue by officials of both countries, the situation in this specific border area will return to normalcy soon.


Second Army commander Tawatchai Samutsakhon, left, and Suranaree Task Force commander Chavalit Choonprasarn take a break in front of a convenience store in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district. WASSANA NANUAM


A Don-aow villager stands behind parts of a rocket Cambodian soldiers fired into Thai territory. JETJARAS NA RANONG


Thais occupy a campin front of Kantharalak district office, Si Sa Ket. JETJARASNA RANONG


A monk walks on a deserted road at Ban PhumSrol after villagers fled the village following the border clashes. PHONGTHAIWATTANAVANIATVUT


A group of villagers board ane-tan farm truck as they flee their villages in SiSa Ket’s Kantharalak district. PHONGTHAIWATTANAVANIATVUT

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/secu...t-if-they-must

Locals vow to stay and fight if they must

While many villagers from the volatile border area have left, others pledge to stick it out

• Published: 8/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The firing of artillery shells and rockets along the Cambodian border has forced thousands of residents living in Si Sa Ket province to flee for their safety. But some have refused to leave and are vowing to fight to defend their homes against a possible incursion by Cambodian troops.


A section of road linking Ban Phum Srol in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district to nearby Don-aow village was damaged by artillery shells fired by Cambodian troops during fresh clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. JETJARAS NA RANONG

"As we were born and grew up here, we will safeguard our village to prevent Cambodian soldiers from seizing our land or looting our belongings," said Cha Mathong, 53, of Ban Phum Srol in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

"I am ready to sacrifice my life to defend my homeland."

Mr Cha is one of 20 men in their 50s who have refused to leave their border village since clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops erupted on Friday night.

The men, calling themselves "Phum Srol Residents Who Love Their Motherland", show no fear in protecting their village despite the fierce border clashes.

Some have lost a leg after stepping on landmines years ago - a stark reminder of the volatility that has characterised the border region over many decades.

Fresh fighting erupted along the border on Sunday, forcing thousands of residents to abandon their border villages and seek shelter in Kantharalak's main town.

But not all.

"I cannot leave," Mr Cha said.

"Although my family is not rich, I am afraid of looting and theft if no one stays home. More importantly, I want to protect my village from the Cambodians."

When Cambodian troops fired shots across the border on Sunday night, his group fled into bunkers to avoid incoming shells, emerging at 10am yesterday.

"We were extremely hungry as we did not eat on that day," he said.

"But we can stand and we will not leave our village, no matter what happens.

"Even if Cambodian troops storm our village, we will fight."


Boonmee Pattama, front, a resident of Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district, and two other villagers stay inside a bunker to escape artillery shells. JETJARAS NA RANONG

Mr Cha's group believes Thai troops will win and protect the country's sovereignty.

Another member of the group, Boonmee Pattama, 59, said there had been rumours about more clashes so those who were guarding their villages would panic and flee, but his group had not been swayed.

There were also rumours that Cambodian troops had targeted central Kantharalak town, about 30 kilometres from the border, and would attack the district with artillery shells, Mr Boonmee said.

He called on the People's Alliance for Democracy and its splinter group, the Thai Patriots Network, to stage their rallies in his village rather than in faraway Bangkok.

He wanted the yellow shirts to experience for themselves what border villagers face. The local people had become sitting ducks in the border clashes, he said.

"[But] I will not leave," Mr Boonmee said. "I will fight here until I die."

Clashes between troops from the two countries have forced more than 3,000 residents from border villages into makeshift camps in central Kantharalak. Residents of Ban Phum Srol have taken refuge in the area since Friday. They were joined by villagers from Don-aow village in tambon Rung, near Preah Vihear temple, on Sunday as fighting began anew.

Mee Jomsati, 72, a Don-aow resident, said she was having dinner when rockets and artillery shells were fired into her village, about three kilometres from the border. She was carried to a bunker by her children, the elderly woman said.

Su Dokkaew, 59, another resident, said local people had been living in the fear for their lives following the border clashes.

She prayed the fighting would end soon so people could return to their normal lives.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-with-cambodia

Army rules out rushed talks with Cambodia

Hun Sen's son blamed for resumed hostilities

• Published: 8/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Thai army officers have no plans to rush into talks with Cambodia to end the border conflict as they say the Cambodians are lacking in unity and are not keeping to their word.

"Despite [previous] talks [among commanders] and truce agreement, Cambodian field units started firing again," 2nd Army commander Thawatchai Samutsakhon said yesterday.

"It's them who start the fight every time and then [they] come up with this and that excuse. I won't negotiate [with them] yet," Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

"As for now, we are fully prepared to curb whatever is to come."

He said the ceasefire deal might not have been conveyed properly to field units, and this was why firing went on.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has ordered the 2nd Army to try to hold further talks with Cambodia and to find a way to effectively end the fighting, Defence Ministry spokesman Thanathip Sawangsaeng said.

Col Thanathip said Gen Prawit was very worried about the situation.

"In past negotiations between military commanders from the two sides, Cambodia has agreed to stop firing and the commanders seemed to understand," the spokesman said.

"But the agreed messages might have not reached all operation units yet, so there were still clashes."

An army source said Gen Prawit spoke with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Defence Minister Tea Banh by telephone on Saturday and they agreed to a ceasefire and to stop reinforcing their troops.

"But Cambodia has not kept its word and has started a new attack on Thailand, which has infuriated the [Thai] defence minister," the source said.

Thai field commanders believe the Cambodian operation after the ceasefire on Sunday was the work of Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, who was promoted to a two-star general in a ceremony earlier this month.

He is commanding the Cambodian troops based near the Preah Vihear temple himself.

"Hun Sen wants the Cambodian people to be satisfied with his son and he wants to show them his [impressive] roles before he is to be promoted to the army chief's post," a source said.

Brig Gen Hun Manet, 33, who graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point, wanted to retaliate against Thai troops after Cambodian troops suffered severe damage in Friday's clashes, the source said.

"I know that the Cambodian side faced heavy losses," Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

"We also have some losses, so we should not fight. But when Cambodian troops do not have unity, it's useless to talk with them now."

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday he hoped dialogue between the two sides was still possible as a key mechanism to end the border row.

Originally Posted by SteveCM

Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reporting from the border area during Sunday evening's shelling: ".....We're situated right alongside a Thai artillery position and we've seen dozens of artillery shells being fired across into Cambodian territory...... This time, a Thai army source told us that this clash started when they saw a flare go up from the Cambodian side. The Thais feared that an attack was coming, so the Thais started firing artillery shells towards the Cambodian area. But, as we have seen in the past, these clashes are followed by a blame game with both sides saying that the opposite started the fighting"

Confirmed..... just no mention that the Thais reportedly opened fire in response to flares. Whose "attacks" were responding to whose?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

2.However, on 6 February 2011, at 18.30 hours, Cambodian troops breached the above agreement by opening fire, preceded by firing of military illumination flares into the sky, into Chong Don Ao Pass and Phu Ma Khua in Thai territory before launching attacks to other areas in Thai territory, namely Sattasom Hill, Phlan Yao, Chong Ta Thao Pass, the area near the Temple of Phra Viharn, and the Phum Srol village.

"a possible incursion by Cambodian troops" Wtf?

it's all about chest pounding, the bigger the noise, the better

TAN_Network TAN News Network

BKK Poll: 80.2% not happy with govt's efforts to solve conflict with Cambodia

Thailand sends letter to UNSC explaining border fighting : National News Bureau of Thailand

Thailand sends letter to UNSC explaining border fighting



BANGKOK, 8 February 2011 (NNT) – The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) explaining the prevailing tension and border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops.

Secretary to the Foreign Minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut stated at at press conference that the letter confirmed Thailand’s strict compliance with the United Nations (UN) Charter in solving international conflicts through peaceful means.

The secretary reaffirmed at the same time Thailand’s legitimacy to protect its sovereignty against Cambodian violation of its territorial integrity.

Mr Chavanond added that the ministry will also send a letter to the world heritage committee and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to point out that the registration of the Preah Vihear Temple has been causing problems between the two countries because the ancient ruin is situated on a disputed area. The fact is against the registration principle for world heritage.

The secretary stressed that Thailand will insist on its standpoint with the world heritage committee that the registration of Preah Vihear Temple should not be made in the middle of this year as has been scheduled, but ways should be sought to bring the two conflicting countries to talk before the registration procedure is taken.