Stories tagged with vihear
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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 -
Preah Vihear temple talks on hold
Due to the escalation in tensions between PAD protestors and the Thai government, the next round of formal talks over the disputed Preah Vihear temple along the border of Cambodia and Thailand have been postponed indefinitely. The Thai delegation arrived in Siem Reap this week and were chatting agreeably with their Cambodian counterparts prior to the official meetings scheduled for Friday August 29th when the planned talks were abruptly cancelled.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry Secretary of State, Neang Phat, said “we had prepared all the documents [when] a call came and they asked for the meeting to be delayed. [The Thais] didn’t say why but we can assume. This is Thailand’s business, not ours.” According to Phat, the Thai government has not set a new date for resuming the joint discussions over the disputed border area around the Preah Vihear temple site and the Ta Moan temple site, 150kms to the west.
Several rounds of talks between the two nations have so far failed to reach any kind of compromise. Both nations still lay claim to the territory around the 11th-century Khmer temple, which UNESCO granted to Cambodia on July 7. Cambodia closed the border with Thailand in June fearing violence between locals on both sides.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Sep 2008, 14:56 -
Thailand and Cambodia pull back troops
Tensions over the disputed Preah Vihear temple on the border of Thailand and Cambodia in the northeastern region of Thailand received some welcome development as both sides decided to pull back the majority of their troops. Ten soldiers from each country will remain at the temple site as discussions between the two nations continue.
Thai Army Chief Anupong Paochinda confirmed that Thai troops have pulled out after the Thai government reached an understanding with its Cambodian counterpart. The foreign ministers from both nations will meet again to continue to search for a solution over the ancient Khmer temple dispute.
Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith confirmed to the Associated Press that only 20 soldiers remained at the temple site: 10 Thai and 10 Cambodian. Protests by citizens continued with the latest in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. Cambodian anti-riot police broke up an anti-Thai protest of about 50 people, three of whom were slightly injured. The demonstrators were demanding a complete Thai withdrawal from Preah Vihear.
The troop withdrawal was a result of the first meeting between Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in the Cambodian town Siem Reap on July 28.
Posted by: Andrew on 24 Aug 2008, 13:21 -
Khao Phra Viharn National Park Closed Over Temple Dispute
The popular Khao Phra Viharn National Park in the eastern Thai province of Si Sa Ket has officially been closed to the public as a result of the ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. Talks are continuing between the two countries over ownership of the Preah Vihear temple, but with little indication of reaching a conclusion.
Wichan Thavichai, the deputy director-general of Thailand’s National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Division, confirmed that the park will not reopen until the situation along the border returns to normal. At the centre of the spat is a 4.6sqkm piece of land surrounding the ancient Khmer temple Preah Vihear, which lies directly on the border between Thailand and Cambodia.
Both countries claim ownership of the temple, but Cambodia was awarded rights to Preah Vihear by the International Court of Justice in The Hague back in 1962. A recent successful bid by Cambodia to have the temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site thrust the contentious issue back into the limelight.
Nationalism has flared up on both sides of the border, and tenuous national politics have only helped fan the fire. A recent request by Cambodia to have the UN intervene in the matter was put on hold while the two countries try once again to reach a settlement. Until this happens, however, the temple and its national park will remain off-limits to the public.
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Jul 2008, 10:27 -
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