Stories tagged with cambodia
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Thai and Cambodian troops clash
A brief skirmish along the Thai-Cambodian border resulted in injuries to soldiers from both nations, according to official statements released by Thailand and Cambodia. The incident lasted only a few minutes, but as would be expected, both sides have opposing stories of how the incident was started. This latest clash happened near the disputed Khmer temple Preah Vihear.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith confirmed that one of their soldiers was injured by a grenade blast from Thai troops. But Thai officials claim that Cambodian troops had illegally entered Thai territory first, firing at and wounding two Thai soldiers.
Cambodia’s spokesman, Phay Siphan, contends the clash was sparked when a Cambodian foot patrol caught Thai soldiers trespassing on the part of temple land claimed by Cambodia. Phay says that the Cambodian soldiers fired warning shots at the Thais, who retreated but then launched a grenade at the Cambodians. The two groups then exchanged fire with AK-47s for about 5 minutes, according to Phay.
Naturally, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat told the exact opposite chain of events, claiming the Thais were patrolling their own territory when "the Cambodian troops shot at the Thai troops first, wounding two soldiers. One Cambodian soldier was also wounded after the Thais responded," Tharit said. The contentious issue over the temple is no closer to being resolved.
Posted by: Andrew on 07 Oct 2008, 13:07 -
Cambodia Closes Thai Border at Preah Vihear Temple
Cambodia closed a border gate with Thailand leading to a centuries-old temple, which both nations claim as belonging to them. An unnamed official said the action was taken on Tuesday as Thai protesters gathered outside the gate and opposition members in the Thai Parliament accused the PM of yielding sovereignty over the site to Cambodia.
The border closure at Preah Vihear temple was the latest in a long series of flare-ups between Thailand and Cambodia over the ownership of this area.
Located atop a cliff around 245kms north of Phnom Penh, Preah Vihear is actually more accessible from Thailand than it is from Cambodia.
The two countries have disputed ownership of this temple, which is found on territory that is also under dispute. The International Court of Justice, however, awarded ownership to Cambodia in 1962.
This most recent conflict came to life a week ago when the Thai government supported Cambodia's attempt to register Preah Vihear with UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Critics in Thailand condemned the actions of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej when he bypassed Parliament and endorsed Cambodia's bid to UNESCO, accusing him of violating Thai sovereignty. According to the critics, the two countries should make joint application for the site’s World Heritage Status.
A large crowd of Thai protesters gathered early in the week near the entrance to the temple at the border, shouting that Preah Vihear belongs to Thailand and telling the Cambodians who live in the temple area to move away, reported the director-general of the Preah Vihear Authority, Hang Soth.
"We decided to shut down the border entrance because we are afraid that Thai demonstrators will reach the temple and cause problems with our people who live the near the temple," said Hang Soth.
Authorities will consider reopening the entrance "when the situation becomes normal and Thai demonstrators stop protesting in front of the temple," he added.
Posted by: Andrew on 01 Jul 2008, 21:00 -
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Single Visa Plan
The Thai and Cambodian governments will sign an agreement allowing foreign visitors to travel in both countries with only one visa.
The plan was initiated under the Ayeyawaddy-Mekong-Chao Phraya Economic Cooperation (Acmecs) accord, in which Vietnam, Laos and Burma also took part.
Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong will sign the single-visa agreement on Monday, making these the first Acmes countries to initiate such a plan.
The agreement applies to foreign tourists who have received a visa in either Thailand or Cambodia, but it is not clear when nationals of both countries will be granted visa-free access.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the new rules will come into effect once regulations are modified accordingly.
Although the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) decided that visa applications are not necessary among member states, Thai nationals are still required to apply for a visa when travelling to Cambodia or Burma.
Posted by: Zoe on 13 Dec 2007, 15:55 -
Cambodia: 10th Anniversary of Leadership Tussle
It's 10 years since three days of fighting between supporters of the country's two main political figureheads led to bloodshed. With Prince Norodom Ranariddh in self-imposed exile in France, prime minister Hun Sen's victory seems more secure than ever before. The anniversary is not being officially marked in Cambodia. BBC NEWS has the story.
Posted by: Watt on 06 Jul 2007, 16:42 -
Plane Crash in Cambodia
Yahoo News is reporting that Him Sarun, Cabinet chief for the Secretariat of Civil Aviation in Cambodia, has said an AN-24 jet carrying 13 South Koreans, three Czechs and four crew was flying from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville when it disappeared from radar screens at 10.40 a.m.
Bun Ratha, Director of Siem Reap International airport told Reuters that they do not yet know the fate of the lost jet, and that helicopter search teams have been sent out. There is speculation the plane may have crashed into mountain, and fears are that all the passengers may have perished.
Posted by: Toony on 25 Jun 2007, 15:38 -
$690 Million in Aid for Cambodia's 2007
Hang Choun Naron, a senior official in the Cambodian finance Ministry, told reporters that Cambodia's international donors have pledged $690 million in aid for 2007, as a result of the country's good performance over the last year. This is a 15 percent increase on the previous year. The announcement follows a major donors conference. The money will be spent on education, health care, improving infrastructure, rural development and agriculture. Reuters outlet AlertNet has the report.
Posted by: Toony on 20 Jun 2007, 10:00 -
Cambodia Development Directions Discussed
There was a major meeting of donors, diplomats and government representatives in Cambodia today to discuss the country's future development directions and strategies.
The meeting, called the Cambodia Development Cooperation Forum (CDCF), replaces the previous annual forum known as the Consultative Group, and signals the Cambodian government's desire and resolve to take ownership of developement issues in their country.
The People's Daily Online has some details.
Posted by: Toony on 19 Jun 2007, 13:15 -
Southeast Asian Tourism Rises on Low Cost Airlines
Low-cost airlines are expanding their networks across the Mekong region, encouraging growing numbers of Southeast Asian tourists to explore neighbouring countries. Thai AirAsia is doubling its flights from Bangkok to Hanoi and Phnom Penh next month, and adding Shenzhen as its third destination in China. In May, Air Bagan started operating flights between Bangkok and Yangon, and there are now flights between the main attractions in Cambodia and Myanmar. Channel NewsAsia carried the story, including analysis from a PATA spokesman
Posted by: Toony on 18 Jun 2007, 09:14 -
Direct Angkor-Bagan Flights in the Offing?
According to a report from the People's Daily Online Cambodia and Myanmar are discussing the possibility of direct flights between Siam Reap (site of Angkor Wat) and Myanmar's Bagain, as well as mutual visa exemptions to promote intra-country tourism, and to encourage foreign tourists to move directly between the two significant historical sites.
Posted by: Toony on 14 Jun 2007, 11:33 -
Cambodian Prime Minister in Japan
Yahoo News carries the news that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived Japan late Wednesday to visit Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He is keen to move Cambodia's economy beyond reliance on donor handouts, and is seeking more foreign direct investment from Japan, a long-time supporter. Yahoo News has the full AFP story.
Posted by: Toony on 14 Jun 2007, 09:23 -
Mekong Migrant Workers Face High Risks of HIV Infection
The recent growth in the number of migrant workers between countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion is leading to increased exposure of those workers to the risk of HIV infection, according to a report on a recent conference in Bangkok orgainised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The organization will try to improve the situation through educational videos. Thanh Nien News carried the story.
Posted by: Toony on 11 Jun 2007, 10:41 -
Cambodia Labour Law Changing
According to People's Daily Online, the Cambodian National Assembly has enacted several amendments to local labour laws aimed at creating 150,000-200,000 new jobs and stimulating foreign investment. One of the amendments see a reduction of nightshift salaries from a 100% to a 30% premium, supposedly to improve competitiveness with neighbouring economies. Cambodia's fledgling economy is looking to begin gas and oil production before long.
Posted by: Toony on 08 Jun 2007, 11:38 -
Foreign Companies Should Provide High Benefit from Oil Revenue to Cambodia
It looks as though Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen isn't too happy with US Oil Coporations' reactions to his proposals that they channel revenues from the estimated 700 million barrels of crude oil off the Cambodian coast. The report isn't entirely clear on the details, but the feelings shine through.
Posted by: Toony on 07 Jun 2007, 14:41 -
33.5 Million USD for Improving Power Supplies in Cambodia and Laos
According to Japan Today, the World Bank stated that they had approved a grant for US$33.5 million to improve power supplies in Laos and Cambodia. A statement by the organisation explained that this will lead to lower power costs in some areas which currently have high electricity tariffs.
Posted by: Toony on 07 Jun 2007, 08:43 -
Indochinese Refugees on the Brink of Chinese Citizenship
The United Nation said that 260,000 Indochinese refugees who fled to China in the late 1970s and early 1980s may be granted Chinese citizenship. Most of the refugees were originally from Vietnam, with some from Laos and Cambodia. They are mainly settled in southern China. Reuters has the details.
Posted by: Toony on 01 Jun 2007, 12:08 -
Cambodian General Election Date Announced
The Cambodian Prime Minister has announced the decision to hold the general election for the kingdom's fourth government on July 27 next year, 2008. The day is a holiday and also the anniversary of the previous general election. People's Daily Online has more detail.
Posted by: Toony on 30 May 2007, 15:51 -
UN Visit Cambodia for Human Rights Assessment
The United Nation's special human rights envoy will make an assessment visit to Cambodia for his annual report on the kingdom's human rights conditions. Relations between the government and UN rights envoys have historically been poor. The Independent Online carries the full story from AFP.
Posted by: Watt on 29 May 2007, 16:47 -
Cambodian Tourist Numbers on the Rise
Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Kong told the AFP that tourist arrivals had seen a 20% year-on-year increase. Vietnamese visitors increased in number by 70%, and Thai arrivals were up 38%. Total arrivals in 2006 stood at 1.7 million, though the country aims for almost twice that by 2010.
Posted by: Toony on 29 May 2007, 11:39 -
Upgrading Mekong River Trade
Transport ministers from the six nations along the Mekong River have signed a co-operation agreement to jointly build a cross-border trade and transport systems. By the end of the year, China will improve the channels of the Mekong to enable larger vessels to sail between China, and the countries downriver. Cargonews Asia has many more details on the various projects underway.
Posted by: Toony on 28 May 2007, 14:58 -
Direct Flight between Myanmar and Cambodia Officially Announced
Following Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's official visit to Myanmar, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has stated that there will be direct flights from Bagan and Mandalay to Siem Reap to enhance regional tourism. Your Global Travel New carried the Reuters story.
Posted by: Toony on 24 May 2007, 13:33