Thread: Thai and Cambodian troops clash

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Reports of another round of shooting; Region 2 Army Commander says clashes minor

Sansern: total of 14 Thai soldiers injured last night; 2 villagers sustained minor injuries during evacuation

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

''A wing of our Preah Vihear temple has collapsed as a direct result of the Thai artillery bombardment,'' said a military commander in a statement released by Phnom Penh last night.

Oh for the wisdom of Solomon

BREAKINGNEWS »


No more talk: Sansern


Thai Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd vowed early Monday to carry out tit-for-tat attacks against Cambodia and troops of two countries exchanged artillery shelling until 2 am Monday.

Sansern said the Thai Army would carry out no more talk with its Cambodian counterpart as Cambodian troops always started firing first.

Shortly after 8 am, more gunfire was heard at Phu Makhua at the Thai-Cambodia border.

I can hear fighter jets in the distance. They must be a bit nervous down south of here.

Preah Vihear shootings continue

Monday, 07 February 2011 10:59 Cheang Sokha


Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Three Cambodian army soldiers injured during fighting with Thailand are transported by truck to Siem Reap for medical treatment, with two comrades assisting.

Preah Vihear province

Fighting broke out last night for the third time in three days along the contentious border near Preah Vihear temple, breaking a truce brokered by military commanders.

Pen Pong, a military official stationed at Sa Em village, said clashes began at around 6:30pm, with both sides exchanging 105mm artillery fire and BM-40 rockets in the areas of Phnom Trop, Chak Chreng and Sambok Khmum close to the temple. He added that dozens of the Thai shells have fallen as far as Sa Em, which lies 27 kilometres inside Cambodian territory.

Ten Navun, an officer in Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Battalion 404, said shells were still falling as of 10:15pm.

“We are still attacking each other now and the shelling is continuing,” Ten Navun said by phone, against a backdrop of artillery fire. “I am sorry I can’t say more, because the enemy might shoot me.”

No casualty figures could be confirmed as of press time, though sources in both countries reported injuries on both sides.

“There are some injured troops from the two sides but I don’t know how many of them,” said Chin Vannak, a military official stationed along the border.

“We cannot calculate when the fighting will be stopped as troops from both sides are still fighting.”

A military officer in Military Region 5 also reported that about 2,000 Thai paratroopers were deployed along the border in O’Beichoan commune, in Banteay Meanchey province’s O’Chrou district, more than 100 kilometres from Preah Vihear temple.

During the fighting, Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote to United Nations Security Council President Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, denouncing Thailand’s “full-scale armed aggression” against Cambodia and calling for the council to intervene to halt the Thai action.

“This fresh onslaught by the Thai armed forces has resulted in more human casualties and damages to the temple of Preah Vihear as well as other properties,” he wrote.

“Considering [these] 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 session of the [UNSC] so as to stop Thailand’s aggression.”

Clashes first erupted on Friday afternoon along an eight-kilometre stretch of the border near the temple at Phnom Trop, Ta Thav, Veal Entry and Chak Chreng. Firefights also broke out on Saturday morning, with the skirmishes ultimately leaving two Cambodian soldiers and one villager dead and 23 soldiers wounded, RCAF officials said. Thai state media reported that one Thai soldier and one civilian had been killed and 14 Thai soldiers had been wounded.

Cambodian officials say the clashes were triggered when Thai troops crossed onto Cambodian soil and opened fire. Thailand has claimed, however, that Cambodian troops were the source of the hostilities. Last night, the sides again blamed one another for re-igniting battle.

In a statement yesterday evening, the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit claimed that heavy Thai shelling on Cambodian positions had caused the collapse of a wing of the eleventh-century Khmer temple.

“A wing of our Preah Vihear Temple has collapsed as a direct result of the Thai artillery bombardment,” the statement quoted an unnamed Cambodian military commander as saying.

“The Thai army began shooting at us first, we are taking self-defence and retaliatory measures, now.”

Thai Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told the AFP news agency, however, that Cambodian troops touched off last night’s fighting by igniting “fireworks” and discharging their weapons.

“Thailand has retaliated. The fighting is still going on. There are no reports of casualties,” he said.

The two sides have exchanged fire in the area on several occasions since 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for Cambodia over Thai objections. Thailand subsequently concentrated military forces in the area with the Cambodian military responding in kind. At least seven soldiers in total from both sides had been killed since 2008 prior to the most recent round of clashes.

Sar Thavy, deputy governor of Preah Vihear province, said roughly 1,000 families living near the temple had been evacuated to avoid weapons and artillery fire. The Thai foreign ministry said 3,000 Thai civilians had been evacuated.

Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara, a pagoda adjacent to the temple, was also “seriously damaged” in last night’s clashes, said Sun Saing, the pagoda’s abbot. The pagoda was the source of controversy last week, when Thai officials including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded that a Cambodian flag flying at the site be removed. In addition, bullet holes and surface-level damage were visible on the temple yesterday in the aftermath of clashes on Friday and Saturday.

Heam Vuthy said the damage to the temple would be reported to UNESCO for the body to “take measures” to address the issue. Abhisit, meanwhile, proposed that Preah Vihear’s UNESCO registration be suspended, Thai state media reported.

The recent round of hostilities come following the arrest in late December of seven Thai nationals including a parliamentarian along the border in Banteay Meanchey province, several hundred kilometres from Preah Vihear.

Five members of the group, including MP Panich Vikitsreth, were released last month on suspended sentences after being convicted of illegal entry. The other two, which included Veera Somkwamkid, a high-profile member of Thailand’s nationalist Yellow Shirt movement – were sentenced to lengthy jail terms on espionage charges.

Abhisit has been under intense pressure at home from Yellow Shirts incensed by Veera’s conviction and Preah Vihear’s UNESCO registration. The Yellow Shirts staged street protests in Bangkok last week urging Abhisit to take a harder line against Cambodia and to push back against alleged encroachment along the border.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple sits within Cambodian territory, though the two sides continue to disagree over the sovereignty of territory in the surrounding area.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1040467

Foreign Media: Tensions Remain High at Thai-Cambodian Border

UPDATE : 7 February 2011

Foreign media have reported that tensions remain high at the Thai-Cambodian border following a succession of clashes over the weekend near the 11th century ancient temple of Preah Vihear.

The two conflicting nations are now said to be in talks to bring the situation to normalcy.

France-based news agency AFP reported that during his weekly television address on Sunday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva defended a counterattack by Thai border troops against Cambodian counterparts as self defense, claiming the Cambodian side opened fire first and Thai soldiers were forced to retaliate to protect the nation's sovereignty.


The premier denied that Thai soldiers fired back into a Cambodian village targeting civilians, while stressing that border conflicts must be resolved through peaceful means.

He said the Army and the Foreign Ministry are in discussions with Cambodian counterparts in hopes of bringing the situation to normal.

Meanwhile, a commander of Cambodian troops stationed at the Preah Vihear Temple said though the two sides met on Sunday and are working together to sort things out, they are prepared for combat, as the situation remains tense.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1040466

Finance Minister: Thai-Cambodian Tension Affects Border Trade

UPDATE : 7 February 2011

The finance minister has admitted that the Thai-Cambodian clashes has had an effect on border trade; however, he says the Thai economy as a whole remains unaffected.

Finance Minister Korn Chantikavanij said that clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border has drawn concerns over border trade and the living conditions of locals living near the disputed area.


Thailand has a positive trade balance with Cambodia, and if trade borders are to close, it will seriously affect the local economy.

However, the finance minister expressed less concern that the tension will affect the Thai economy as a whole.

He said negotiations between the two countries need to commence as soon as possible, to minimize problems and prevent the situation from affecting political issues, leading to tough trade agreements in the future.

Korn went on the say that the current conflict only creates a negative effect for Thailand, and turning it into a political issue will only offer benefits for Cambodia.

Last night the fucking army had taken over the wife's village, they have fucked off again now.

Originally Posted by SteveCM

BREAKINGNEWS »


No more talk: Sansern


Thai Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd vowed early Monday to carry out tit-for-tat attacks against Cambodia and troops of two countries exchanged artillery shelling until 2 am Monday.

Sansern said the Thai Army would carry out no more talk with its Cambodian counterpart as Cambodian troops always started firing first.

Shortly after 8 am, more gunfire was heard at Phu Makhua at the Thai-Cambodia border.

From Twitter in the last hour:

bangkokpundit
1 Regarding earlier tweet quoting The Nation with Col. Sansern stating that Thais would not talk with Cam anymore. Have now found an (cont)

bangkokpundit
2 Thai lang article in KT (part of Nation Group) which quotes Sansern as saying Thais will talk IF Cambodia contacts us "

Bangkok Post : Thailand 'ready to explain' to UN

News > Local News
Thailand 'ready to explain' to UN

* Published: 7/02/2011 at 11:09 AM
* Online news:

Thailand is ready and willing to explain its position in the border conflict with Cambodia to the United Nations Security Council, government acting spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Monday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked the UN to intervene in the Thai-Cambodian conflict.

Mr Panitan said that Thailand had previously explained the situation with Cambodia to the UN Security Council and would send additional explanations to the council if Cambodia repeated its complaint.

Mr Panitan said the agenda of the council depend on the decisions of its permanent members and non-permanent members. All the members must agree with the agenda first.

Thailand has briefed its representatives. The council may reach a resolution, but the process is complicated and permanent member countries have the right to veto a resolution.

“Mostly, it considers situations without reaching a resolution. If some country wants to get involved by deploying its forces, that would need approval from the five permanent member countries.

"For an issue to be discussed it must be seen as a serious issue.

"At present, there are the issues in Egypt and Tunisia. The issue of Thailand and Cambodia must follow the procedures. If there is a complaint, we are ready to explain. That is it,” Mr Panitan said.

ASEAN chief has mediation priority

Monday, 07 February 2011 11:33 Vong Sokheng


Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong (right) meets his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya in Siem Reap on Friday.


Indonesian Foreign Minister and current ASEAN Chairman Marty Natalegawa is set to arrive in Cambodia today for talks aimed at damping down continuing tensions along the Thai border, amid calls for international mediation to resolve the dispute.

“[Natalegawa] will meet Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong to seek an understanding about the situation following the border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said.

The announcement came ahead of renewed fighting on the border last night – the third straight day of hostilities and the fiercest fighting since tensions broke out in July 2008.

On Saturday, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan called for both sides to halt hostilities and return to the negotiating table, reopening suggestions the dispute should be resolved through outside mediation.

“I am deeply concerned about the serious situation on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. This violent conflict must be brought under control and return to negotiating table soonest,” Surin said in a statement cited by the Bangkok Post. Surin added that he had been in touch with Cambodian and Thai leaders and that both “now welcome some form of mediation by the ASEAN leadership”.

Thailand has long opposed the issue being raised in international fora, arguing that it was possible to solve it on a bilateral basis. Ahead of yesterday’s clashes, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said Thai officials “continue to believe” that third-party mediation is not necessary.

“Both countries want to use existing bilateral mechanisms to address outstanding issues,” Thani said.

After fire fights broke out on Friday morning, Hor Namhong wrote to the United Nations Security Council accusing Thailand of “flagrant aggression” in the wake of border clashes on the weekend that left at least five people dead.

In the letter to UNSC President Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti dated Saturday, Hor Namhong claimed about 300 Thai troops entered Cambodian territory on Friday, forcing Cambodia to react in self-defence.

“Facing this flagrant aggression, Cambodian troops had no option, but to retaliate in self-defense and in order to safeguard Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the letter stated. Thai leaders say Cambodian troops started the skirmish. In his letter, Hor Namhong claimed the clashes followed similar “acts of aggression” committed by Thailand during 2008 and 2009, which had resulted in “human casualties as well as property damage, especially to the temple of Preah Vihear”.

On Saturday, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Bangkok planned to send letters of its own to the UNSC, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee and foreign diplomats in order to clarify its position on the flare-up. Officials from both sides claim the letters are merely to inform the council of the situation – not a call for its intervention.

“It’s not for them to come in and mediate, but to let the UNSC know what has transpired,” said Thani.

At least seven people have been killed in border clashes since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Whether a resumption of bilateral talks can resolve ongoing tensions at the border, however, remains an open question.

“We have observed that the bilateral negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand near the Preah Vihear temple have had no progress and are completely deadlocked,” Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann said.

“Therefore, the opposition party will support the government’s policy for resolving the border issue with the regional and international communities.”

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JAMES O’TOOLE

ASEAN chief has mediation priority

Monday, 07 February 2011 11:33 Vong Sokheng

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong (right) meets his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya in Siem Reap on Friday.


Indonesian Foreign Minister and current ASEAN Chairman Marty Natalegawa is set to arrive in Cambodia today for talks aimed at damping down continuing tensions along the Thai border, amid calls for international mediation to resolve the dispute.

“[Natalegawa] will meet Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong to seek an understanding about the situation following the border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said.

The announcement came ahead of renewed fighting on the border last night – the third straight day of hostilities and the fiercest fighting since tensions broke out in July 2008.

On Saturday, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan called for both sides to halt hostilities and return to the negotiating table, reopening suggestions the dispute should be resolved through outside mediation.

“I am deeply concerned about the serious situation on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. This violent conflict must be brought under control and return to negotiating table soonest,” Surin said in a statement cited by the Bangkok Post. Surin added that he had been in touch with Cambodian and Thai leaders and that both “now welcome some form of mediation by the ASEAN leadership”.

Thailand has long opposed the issue being raised in international fora, arguing that it was possible to solve it on a bilateral basis. Ahead of yesterday’s clashes, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said Thai officials “continue to believe” that third-party mediation is not necessary.

“Both countries want to use existing bilateral mechanisms to address outstanding issues,” Thani said.

After fire fights broke out on Friday morning, Hor Namhong wrote to the United Nations Security Council accusing Thailand of “flagrant aggression” in the wake of border clashes on the weekend that left at least five people dead.

In the letter to UNSC President Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti dated Saturday, Hor Namhong claimed about 300 Thai troops entered Cambodian territory on Friday, forcing Cambodia to react in self-defence.

“Facing this flagrant aggression, Cambodian troops had no option, but to retaliate in self-defense and in order to safeguard Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the letter stated. Thai leaders say Cambodian troops started the skirmish. In his letter, Hor Namhong claimed the clashes followed similar “acts of aggression” committed by Thailand during 2008 and 2009, which had resulted in “human casualties as well as property damage, especially to the temple of Preah Vihear”.

On Saturday, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Bangkok planned to send letters of its own to the UNSC, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee and foreign diplomats in order to clarify its position on the flare-up. Officials from both sides claim the letters are merely to inform the council of the situation – not a call for its intervention.

“It’s not for them to come in and mediate, but to let the UNSC know what has transpired,” said Thani.

At least seven people have been killed in border clashes since July 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Whether a resumption of bilateral talks can resolve ongoing tensions at the border, however, remains an open question.

“We have observed that the bilateral negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand near the Preah Vihear temple have had no progress and are completely deadlocked,” Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann said.

“Therefore, the opposition party will support the government’s policy for resolving the border issue with the regional and international communities.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JAMES O’TOOLE

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...lain-to-the-un

Thailand 'ready to explain' to UN

• Published: 7/02/2011 at 11:09 AM
• Online news:

Thailand is ready and willing to explain its position in the border conflict with Cambodia to the United Nations Security Council, government acting spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Monday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked the UN to intervene in the Thai-Cambodian conflict.

Mr Panitan said that Thailand had previously explained the situation with Cambodia to the UN Security Council and would send additional explanations to the council if Cambodia repeated its complaint.

Mr Panitan said the agenda of the council depend on the decisions of its permanent members and non-permanent members. All the members must agree with the agenda first.

Thailand has briefed its representatives. The council may reach a resolution, but the process is complicated and permanent member countries have the right to veto a resolution.

“Mostly, it considers situations without reaching a resolution. If some country wants to get involved by deploying its forces, that would need approval from the five permanent member countries.

"For an issue to be discussed it must be seen as a serious issue.

"At present, there are the issues in Egypt and Tunisia. The issue of Thailand and Cambodia must follow the procedures. If there is a complaint, we are ready to explain. That is it,” Mr Panitan said.

Army refutes cross-border shooting into Kantharalak sheltering center : National News Bureau of Thailand

Army refutes cross-border shooting into Kantharalak sheltering center



BANGKOK, 7 February 2011 (NNT) – The Thai army has dismissed a news report about artillery attacks on the temporary shelter of Kantharalak district in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket, amid the ongoing tension along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Army Spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd confirmed that the temporary shelter remains safe because it is out of the shooting range of the Cambodian troops. He believed the rumor might be caused by either ill intentioned people or made out of fear of local villagers.

Colonel Sansern added that army officers, local administrative officials and community leaders have done utmost to facilitate and ensure safety of local residents. He also asked villagers to have confidence in the Thai troops.

As for a renewed border clash late Sunday night, the spokesperson responded that an initial report showed there were 14 soldiers wounded on the scene, and the situation had returned to normalcy.

Regarding the army’s preparations for possible renewed attacks, Colonel Sansern said troops have been reinforced to protect the borderline. He pledged that the army will do its best to protect the country’s sovereignty, and it will take only defensive measures against attack.

Suthep: Thailand-Cambodia can still negotiate : National News Bureau of Thailand

Suthep: Thailand-Cambodia can still negotiate



BANGKOK, 7 February 2011 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban has voiced his confidence that Thailand and Cambodia will be able to negotiate despite recent clashes between their troops at the border.

Mr Suthep admitted that he is still unable to analyse the cause of the continuous border clashes because each side has different ideas. He added that there is no need to downgrade the diplomatic relations between the two countries for the time being.

The deputy prime minister believed that both sides are still able to enter negotiations by themselves to solve the border disputes without the need for ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan to mediate.

Mr Suthep however voiced concerns over news presentation of the press and rumor. He asked all sides to wait for confirmation from the army prior to making any judgement. He then stressed that the Thai troops had acted in the border clashes with dignity and were not at all at a disadvantage.

The deputy prime minister also expressed his concerns for local residents along the Thai-Cambodian border, pledging that the government will expedite its assistance to renovate their houses and rehabilitate cultivating areas. He also noted that the border can be closed whenever necessary.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...l-park-closure

Clashes force national park closure

• Published: 7/02/2011 at 01:01 PM
• Online news:

The Phra Viharn National Park in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district has been indefinitely closed following clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers that have caused some damage to the park, National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Sunant Aroonnopparat said on Monday.

Mr Sunant said the cross-border exchange of fire which started on Feb 4 had caused damage to the national park which covers an area of 81,250 rai or 130 square kilometres on the border with Cambodia.

Artillery rounds that landed on the park caused heavy damage to the park's office and computers. The roofs of the houses of the park's staff were demolished. The damage was initially estimated at 400,000-500,000 baht, he said.

All nine park officials had evacuated to Kantharalak. Soldiers from the 2nd Army had been despatched to take positions inside the park.

The park officials left eight or nine guns at the office. They would today seek permission from soldiers to go back their to pick the weapons, Mr Sunant said.

Second Army claims Cambodian soldiers fired first this morning : National News Bureau of Thailand

Second Army claims Cambodian soldiers fired first this morning

SURIN, 7 February 2011 (NNT)-The Second Army Area has order a temporary closure at Chong Chom border check point in Surin province after fresh gunfights have been reported between Thai and Cambodian Soldiers in Sisaket province.

The atmosphere around Chong Chom border check point in Kap Choeng district, which is located near the Cambodian border, has been quiet since Cambodian traders have fled the border and quickly returned to their country for fears of possible violence.

All shops in Samrong district of Seam reap province in Cambodia have also closed down. The clashes took place this morning at 8.00 hours in Kanthararak district, Sisaket province. According to the Second Army Area, Thailand did not retaliate after the Cambodian soldiers had fired a recoilless rifle at the Thai soldiers patrolling close to the border. However, no one has reportedly been injured or dead.

Private sector worried with border clashes : National News Bureau of Thailand

Private sector worried with border clashes



BANGKOK, 7 February 2011 (NNT) – The Thai private sector has voiced concern over the Thai-Cambodian border clashes and urged that the Thai government should expedite talks or implement diplomatic measures to put an end to the disputes.

Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Chairperson Payungsak Chartsutipol stated that the Thai government must urgently negotiate with Cambodia or use diplomatic means to end the ongoing spats.

As for the economy, Mr Payungsak said over 20-30 billion THB was usually generated in border trade, and Thailand was the major player. The clashes certainly will cease all trade between the two countries, he said.

Meanwhile, Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Vice Chairperson Pongsak Assakul admitted that the private sector is worried with the situation because its investment plan in Cambodia will be affected.

Mr Pongsak elaborated that a number of investors are planning to use Cambodia as their production base after the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Their plan will not be materialized if the conflict is prolonged.

^The moral argument for stepping back is clearly a non-starter, but that might work.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...7151K320110207

Thai and Cambodian troops clash for fourth day

Mon Feb 7, 2011 12:56am EST



By Jason Szep

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodian troops clashed for a fourth straight day on Monday over a disputed border area surrounding a 900-year-old mountaintop temple as Cambodia urged the U.N. Security Council to intervene.

Shelling and machinegun fire resounded in the morning in the 4.6-sq-km (two-sq-mile) contested area around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on a escarpment covered in jungle and claimed by both Southeast Asian neighbors, witnesses said.

Fighting in the area killed at least five people on Friday and Saturday, the deadliest clashes since Cambodia's bid in 2008 to list the Hindu ruins as a World Heritage Site sparked sporadic exchanges of fire in the rugged area.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen called on the Security Council to convene an urgent meeting, accusing Thailand of "repeated acts of aggression" that have killed Cambodians and caused a wing of the temple to collapse.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement he was "deeply concerned" and urged both sides to cease fire and find a "lasting solution" to the dispute, echoing a similar statement by Washington over the weekend.

The number of fatalities is unclear.

The Cambodian government has said three of its nationals, including two soldiers, have been killed.

Thai media say as many as 64 Cambodians died, quoting army sources. That could not be verified by witnesses contacted by Reuters in Cambodia.

The Thai army says a soldier and a villager were killed on Friday and Saturday and that at least 20 soldiers were wounded.

Thousands have fled villages on the Thai side and hundreds of Cambodians have been evacuated, with each side accusing the other of firing first and of infringing on its territory.

PROTESTERS SEEK THAI PM RESIGNATION

The dispute is unleashing nationalist passions and threatening to worsen long-running hostility between Thai political factions ahead of expected elections.

Pro-establishment Thai "yellow shirt" protesters, who helped to bring Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to power, have turned against him in recent weeks, demanding his resignation and calling for him to take a tougher line against Cambodia.

"I don't think this will look good for Abhisit's government, especially as we are heading toward elections," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
"He has upset both the yellow shirts and Cambodia."

The yellow shirts accuse their main rival, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, of colluding with Cambodia against Thailand and have threatened mass protests to bring down Abhisit's government, stoking speculation they may invade government offices in a reprise of a prolonged 2008 protest.

National police chief General Wichien Pojphosri told reporters he would seek cabinet approval on Tuesday to impose the Internal Security Act to prevent a rally and to take back the areas occupied by yellow-shirt protesters. He did not elaborate.

Up to 4,000 gathered outside Abhisit's offices on Saturday and 1,500 on Sunday calling for his resignation.

The temple, known as Preah Vihear, or "Mountain of the Sacred Temple," in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, sits on a triangular plateau that forms a natural border and has been a source of tension for generations.

Both sides have been locked in a standoff since July 2008, when Preah Vihear was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, which Thailand opposed on grounds that territory around the temple had never been demarcated.

Thailand ruled much of northwestern Cambodia, including Preah Vihear, from the late 18th century until the early 20th century, when Cambodia's French colonial rulers forced the Thais back to the current international frontier.

The International Court of Justice in 1962 awarded the temple to Cambodia, which uses a French map drawn up a century ago, but the ruling did not determine ownership of the scrub next to it.

(Additional reporting by Prak Chan Thul in Phnom Penh and Pracha Hariraksapitak in Bangkok; Editing by Ron Popeski)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...at-temple.html

Thai, Cambodian Troops Clash for Fourth Day at Temple

February 07, 2011, 1:30 AM EST

By Daniel Ten Kate and Suttinee Yuvejwattana

Feb. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a fourth day along their disputed border, blaming each other for initiating a conflict that has damaged an 11th century Hindu temple and fueled protests in Bangkok.

Fighting erupted briefly today at the UN World Heritage Site, Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told the Thai PBS television station. Skirmishes starting Feb. 4 have killed at least five people, according to Thailand’s government and Cambodian press reports.

The Southeast Asian neighbors have managed to avoid letting sporadic clashes at the border since 2008 escalate into a wider conflict. The latest outbreak takes place as 2,500 nationalists block a Bangkok street for a second week to demand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva take tougher measures against what they say are Cambodia’s attempts to claim Thai territory.

“Right now I’m 90 percent sure it will be contained and the military will negotiate a lasting cease-fire,” Paul Quaglia, director of PSA Asia, a Bangkok-based security and risk assessment consulting firm, said by telephone today. “The Thai army is in pretty good contact with counterparts on the other side.”

Thailand’s benchmark SET Index fell 0.6 percent to 979.05 as of the 12:30 p.m. mid-day break. The gauge has risen 1.9 percent since nationalists started protesting against Abhisit on Jan. 25, the best performance among Asia’s 15 biggest markets in that time, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

‘Armed Aggression’

“The fighting has mainly affected the sentiment of domestic investors,” said Siripun Sutharoj, head of equity at ING Funds (Thailand) Co. Ltd., which oversees about 120 billion baht of assets. “Its impact on the overall economy and corporate earnings is very limited. Still, we have to closely monitor the situation.”

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in a letter dated yesterday called on the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on the dispute. A wing of Preah Vihear temple has collapsed as a result of Thai artillery bombardment, Cambodia said in a statement yesterday, citing an unidentified military commander based near the border.

Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said in a telephone interview today that Cambodia started the fighting by firing artillery shells, rockets and bullets across the border.

A Thai court in 2008 ordered the government to withdraw support for Cambodia’s bid to list the disputed temple as a World Heritage site.

Bangkok Protests

The yellow-shirted protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, who backed Abhisit’s rise to power in 2008, are demanding that Thailand drop out of the UN World Heritage Committee, cancel a 2000 agreement with Cambodia on border negotiations and urge Cambodians to withdraw from disputed border areas.

While the clashes give protesters momentum their aim of ousting Abhisit is a “farcical hope,” Jacob Ramsay, a Singapore-based senior analyst at Control Risks Group, said by phone. “It’s pretty much irrelevant who fired first, but the fact that an exchange of fire did occur suggests there is some actor here that is stirring things up needlessly.”

The gun battles have prompted civilians to flee the area. As many as 12 Thai soldiers and two villagers were injured in last night’s clashes, Sansern said. The fighting has killed two Cambodian soldiers and one civilian since Feb. 4, the Phnom Penh Post reported today, citing unnamed army officials. A Thai soldier and a civilian were also killed in the same time period, Panitan said.

Military Spending

Thailand’s $264 billion economy is more than 26 times the size of Cambodia’s. The Cambodian army spent $123 million in 2008, compared with $4.1 billion for the military in Thailand, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Abhisit said yesterday that the army acted to protect the country and wouldn’t invade Cambodia. He condemned the shelling of civilians and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

“We will solve the border issue with peaceful methods,” he said. “This is the right way to benefit people and solve the problems for the long term.”

In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in a 9-3 vote that Cambodia had sovereignty over Preah Vihear. The court didn’t rule on the disputed land near the temple.

--With assistance from Anuchit Nguyenin Bangkok. Editors: Patrick Harrington, Ben Richardson.

Fresh fighting on Thai-Cambodian border; 15,000 evacuated
วันจันทร์ ที่ 07 ก.พ. 2554



SI SA KET, Feb 7 - Cambodian troops using semi-automatic rifles, mortars and recoilless rifles fired on a Thai military base in Si Sa Ket province bordering Cambodia Monday morning for a fourth straight day, but Thai troops did not retaliate, according to the Thai Second Army Region.

The latest firing which began around 8am Thailand time lasted only a few minutes. The shooting followed heavy round of fighting involving artillery and shots from small firearms Sunday evening leaving 15 Thai soldiers and two civilians wounded.

Local authorities ordered the urgent evacuation of all villagers in Phum Srol district amid reports of Cambodian troop reinforcements at the border.

About 15,000 villagers fled their homes and are now staying at five temporary shelters.

Cambodian artillery shells hit a local temple in Si Sa Ket and caused severe damage to two monks' living quarters and the kitchen in a house. A large hole caused by an artillery shell was found on an asphalt road. Army engineers filled in the pit, five metres wide and about 80 centimetres deep.

Phum Srol village is deserted, quiet. Shops and homes are closed as most villagers fled to safer areas overnight.

The Si Sa Ket provincial governor denied rumours that Cambodian troops have taken control of some areas of Thai territory.

The 2nd Army Region ordered closure of the Chong Jom border point in Surin for an indefinite period after the renewed border clash Sunday, which occurred despite a just negotiated ceasefire.

Both tradespeople and local residents showed were apprehensive, and Cambodian traders moved their belongings back to their country.

Thai government authorities closed shops in Ubon Ratchathani's Samrong district and are ready to evacuate villagers along the border in Phanomdongrak and Kap Choeng districts in Surin.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned publicly that the fighting poses a threat to regional stability. He said the latest clash was sparked after Thai soldiers crossed the border in search of a slain comrade, and Cambodians opened fire to repel them, the Associated Press reported from the Cambodian prime minister as saying on Monday during a university graduation ceremony in the capital, Phnom Penh.

Cambodia said two of its soldiers and one civilian were killed on Friday, while Thailand said a villager and a soldier were killed in a renewed fighting on Saturday.

mcot.net

15 Thai soldiers wounded in latest Thai-Cambodian border clashes
วันจันทร์ ที่ 07 ก.พ. 2554



SI SA KET, Feb 7 -- Fifteen Thai soldiers, two villagers wounded in the latest Thai-Cambodian border clashes which flared Sunday evening, one seriously--transferred to Ubon Ratchathani Hospital, according to the director of Kantharalak hospital, as residents at five Kantharalak district villages were evacuated to less risky areas.

Kantharalak District Hospital Director Wanchai Laosathienkij said since the border clashes began Sunday until 9am this morning there were 17 wounded from the fighting,15 soldiers and two civilians

Most suffered minor injuries but one soldier was critically wounded and was transfered to a military hospital at Sappasitprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani.


The latest cross border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops at Kantharalak district near Preah Vihear Temple began Sunday afternoon and stopped at about 2am Monday even though both sides had agreed to a cease fire on Saturday.

Thai army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sunday's skirmish was "more serious" than the previous two days of violence. He said about ten soldiers were injured, but that there were no reports of new deaths.

Villagers in Lalai, Bueng Malu, Rung, Phu Pha Mok and Sao Thong Chai districts were removed from at risk areas while district officials had prepared additional 60 makeshift tents to facilitate their temporary housing.

Meanwhile, international news agencies reported that Cambodia accused Thailand of damaging the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in fresh clashes on Sunday and appealed to the United Nations to halt Thailand's 'aggression' on the third day of cross-border fighting.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly sent a letter to the UN Security Council calling for an emergency meeting to help end the fighting.

French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted Mr Hun Sen's letter as saying that he urged the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent meeting "so as to stop Thailand's aggression", which the Khmer leader said has "gravely threatened peace and stability in the region."

But Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn rejected the accusation that Thailand was the aggressor. He said Thailand has a clear policy that it will not invade any country.

Clashes erupted on the border at Phu Ma Khua at Kantharalak for the third day in a row on Sunday evening, ending a ceasefire agreed after earlier fighting left at least five people dead.

mcot.net