Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday

A Thai villager surveys the damage on a house in Si Sa ket Province, Thailand on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. Cambodian and Thai troops resumed an artilleryduel along their disputed border Saturday, killing at least one Thai soldier as some of the two countries' fiercest battles in years entered a second day. (AP Photo)

A Thai firefighter sprays water towards a burnt house at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa ket Province, Thailand on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. Cambodianand Thai troops resumed an artillery duel along their disputed border Saturday, killing at least one Thai soldier as some of the two countries' fiercest battles in years entered a second day. (AP Photo)

Thai workers survey the damage on a school in Si Sa ket Province, Thailand on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. Cambodian and Thai troops resumed an artillery duelalong their disputed border Saturday, killing at least one Thai soldier as some of the two countries' fiercest battles in years entered a second day. (AP Photo)

Thai border patrol policemen survey the damage on a school in Si Sa ket Province, Thailand on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. Cambodian and Thai troops resumedan artillery duel along their disputed border Saturday, killing at least one Thai soldier as some of the two countries' fiercest battles in years entered a second day. (AP Photo)

A Thai man shows a piece of a shell allegedly used in an attack on a village in Si Sa Ket province near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the borderbetween Thailand and Cambodia February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple. REUTERS/Stringer

A Thai villager receives medical assistance at a shelter in Si Sa Ket province after fleeing the area near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at theborder between Thailand and Cambodia February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple. REUTERS/Stringer

Thai villagers find shelter in Si Sa Ket province after fleeing the area near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and CambodiaFebruary 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple. REUTERS/Stringer

Thai villagers find shelter in Si Sa Ket province after fleeing the area near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and CambodiaFebruary 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple. REUTERS/Stringer

A Thai border patrol policeman surveys the damage on a school in Si Sa ket Province, Thailand on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. Cambodian and Thai troops resumedan artillery duel along their disputed border Saturday, killing at least one Thai soldier as some of the two countries' fiercest battles in years entered a second day. (AP Photo)

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Gen. Chea Dara: Cambodian troops killed 32 Thai soldiers in 2 days of fighting [unconfirmed]

Soy Sopheap (L) posing with Gen. Chea Dara at his command post on top of the Preah Vihear hill.

http://khmerization.blogspot.com/

via CAAI

By Khmerization

Source: DAP News

Gen. Chea Dara, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, has told Mr. Soy Sopheap, Bayon TV anchorman and publisher of DAP News, that in the 2 days of fighting, Cambodian troops had killed 32 Thai soldiers on the spots, caused injuries to many more and captured 5 Thai soldiers.

Armed clashes erupted between Cambodian and Thai troops at many locations near Preah Vihear temple at 3:15 p.m on Friday and lasted until 5:45 p.m. The clashes erupted again early this morning at 6:15 a.m near Preah Vihear temple and Phnom Trop, 5 kilometres east of Preah Vihear temple.

Soy Sopheap quoted Gen. Chea Dara as saying that Cambodian troops had killed 5 Thai soldiers at Sombok Khmum battlefield and 11 were killed at the Red House when it was destroyed by Cambodian artillery shells during the fighting yesterday and 4 Thai soldiers were captured. The fighting erupted again at 6:15 a.m this morning when 6 Thai soldiers were killed at Sombok Khmum, 7 were killed at the Red House and 3 were killed and one captured at the Phnom Trop battlefield.

On top of these, Cambodian troops had destroyed one artillery tow truck, destroyed 12 houses, one market, one petrol station, one water well and destroyed 4 buildings within the Red House compound. Other than these, he claimed that Cambodian troops had destroyed many Thai tanks and military positions.

On the Cambodian side, Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda and Preah Vihear temple had suffered significant damages by Thai 105, 130 and 150 milimetres shells. Thai artillery shelled the two places to open ways for Thai ground forces to move in to occupy the two temples, but they were repelled by experienced Cambodian troops, leaving the dead and the wounded behind. He said there were many international tourists visiting the temple at the time and Cambodian troops have protected them and evacuated them safely. But, unfortunately, one photographer was killed when Thai troops rained their machine guns on the Preah Vihear temple.

Gen. Chea Dara said, at this moment, the situations at Preah Vihear temple and the nearby military front lines are still very tense because Thailand had reinforced between 18,000-20,000 Thai troops to the areas. He added that Cambodian troops are on high alert at all time.

Neither Mr. Soy Sopheap nor Gen. Chea Dara had revealed the number of casualties on Cambodian side, which make their assessments and reports of the Thai casualties less credible.

Soy Sopheap's report and Gen. Chea Dara's alleged casualty figures of the Thai side seemed too high compared to the Thai claims and international news agencies' reports. Most international media reports quoted the number of deaths on the Thai side as one soldier and 2 civilian killed and about 4 soldiers wounded.

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Pictures From the border Khmer/Thai

Cambodia's military commanders (R) speak to their Thai counterparts after a brief exchange of fire near the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn. REUTERS/Khem Sovannara

Cambodian soldiers run towards a bunker at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, in this February 4, 2011 still image taken from video. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around an 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as KhaoPhraViharn. REUTERS/CTN via Reuters TV

A Cambodian soldier fires a rocket launcher from behind sandbags at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, in this February 4, 2011 still image taken from video. REUTERS/CTN via Reuters TV

A Cambodian soldier fires a machine gun from a bunker at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, in this February 4, 2011 still image taken from video. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around an 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as KhaoPhraViharn. REUTERS/CTN via Reuters TV

A Cambodian soldier holds a rocket launcher from behind sandbags at the border between Thailand and Cambodia, in this February 4, 2011 still image taken from video. REUTERS/CTN via Reuters

A Thai man is seen at a crater allegedly caused by a shell in Si Sa Ket province near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple at the border between Thailand and Cambodia February 5, 2011. Deadly fighting broke out between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on Friday and Saturday. REUTERS/Stringer

Cambodian soldiers (in green military fatigues) speak to their Thai counterparts as their commanders meet after a brief exchange of fire near the Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around an 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn. REUTERS/Khem Sovannara

Cambodian soldiers load ammunition near Preah Vihear temple after a brief clash with Thai troops early February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn. REUTERS/Pheara

Cambodian soldiers sit at Preah Vihear temple after a brief clash with Thai troops early February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn. REUTERS/Pheara

A wounded Cambodian soldier is transported from the Preah Vihear temple front line to a local hospital after a brief clash with Thai troops early February 5, 2011. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire for a second day on Saturday in a brief clash that killed at least one Thai soldier, the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over land around the 11th-century temple, known to Cambodians as the Preah Vihear temple, and known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn. REUTERS/Pheara

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Troops reinforced at tense border

Sunday, 30 January 2011
Cheang Sokha and Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia officials have sent military reinforcements to the border area near Preah Vihear temple in the midst of a public spat with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over the removal of Cambodian flags at a nearby pagoda.On Friday, Abhisit requested that the flags be removed from Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara, adjacent to the temple, a plea that came amid reports of a Thai plan to hold military exercises close to Preah Vihear.

Srey Doek, commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Military Division 3 at the border, said additional personnel, tanks and heavy artillery had been dispatched to the border on Friday in response to the exercises.

“They [Thai troops] are doing maneuvers and we are also doing them – that is why we need to send tanks and other weapons to the border,” Srey Doek said. “Our armed forces are on alert.”

Information minister Khieu Kanharith said today that the situation could erupt “this afternoon or tomorrow” if the Thais threatened Cambodia’s construction of a road leading up to Preah Vihear.

“Our stance is that [Thai troops] should not cross the border without Cambodian agreement,” he said.

Tensions in the area first broke out in 2008 following the inscription of Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage site for Cambodia.

The confrontation over the flags follows Thai demands that Cambodia remove a stone tablet placed last month at Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara which read: “Here! is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 15, 2008, and withdrew at 10:30am on December 1, 2010.”

On Tuesday last week, the sign was removed and replaced with another proclaiming, “Here! Is Cambodia”, a sign that was itself later destroyed at Thailand’s request.

Abhisit’s call for the removal of Cambodian flags from Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara, however, has been rejected outright.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Abhisit’s request, saying the pagoda was on Cambodian territory.

The ministry claimed the demand was made “in parallel with Thailand’s military exercises at the border”, which were “clearly provocative and [constitute] a casus belli for future acts of aggression against Cambodia”.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation wishes to emphasise that this statement made by the prime minister of Thailand is unacceptable and that the Kingdom of Cambodia firmly rejects such an insulting demand,” the statement read.

“Cambodia reserves its legitimate rights to [defend] its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

In his weekly television programme today, Abhisit reportedly pledged to work with Cambodia to have the flags near Preah Vihear removed.

“The temple is located on the disputed border area, and if the claim by the Yellow Shirt people is true, the government will coordinate with Cambodian authorities to remove the flag,” Abhisit said in Davos, Switzerland, according to The Bangkok Post.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia intensified last month following the arrest of Thai parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth and six other Thai nationals for trespassing on Cambodian territory.

Panich and four of the other Thais were found guilty but released earlier this month on suspended sentences.

However, two others including Yellow Shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid are being held on espionage charges and are set to be tried on Tuesday.

They have also been charged with illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military base, facing up to 11 and a half years in prison.

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[Thai] Protest to be lodged over flag

January 31, 2011
The Nation

Preah Vihear tense after influx of Cambodian troops

The government will flex its muscles for the protesting yellow shirts from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to show it will protect land in disputed border areas. It plans to issue a statement of protest against Cambodia.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed the Foreign Ministry to issue a protest, because Phnom Penh has refused to remove its national flag from the disputed area adjacent to the Hindu temple at Preah Vihear, the ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said.

"Concerned officials are working on it and we could issue the statement soon," he said. Abhisit said last week that Cambodia had no right to fly its national flag at Wat Keo Sikkha Kiri Svara temple as Thailand also claimed territorial rights to the area.

Thailand managed to convince Cambodia to remove two stone tablets saying the area where Thai troops invaded in 2008 belonged to Cambodia.

However Phnom Penh refused to follow any further demand from Bangkok to remove its national flag there. It says the temple built by Cambodian people in 1998 is clearly situated in Cambodian territory.

"Therefore the national flag of Cambodia is legitimately able to fly over the pagoda," a statement by Cambodia's Foreign Ministry said last week.

The border area adjacent to Preah Vihear has been argued over ever since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the temple was situated in Cambodian territory.

Abhisit has argued that the ICJ ruled only the stone ruins belong to Cambodia while surrounding areas belong to Thailand.

The areas have not been demarcated yet but the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 2000 to set up a joint mechanism to try to settle the dispute.

The PAD, which has staged a rally near the Prime Minister Office, wants Abhisit to use force to remove Cambodians from the disputed area and scrap the 2000 MOU on land boundary demarcation. They have pressured the government by vowing to stay until their demands are met.

Cambodia, meanwhile, is reported to have boosted troops in the area, notably near Preah Vihear. Thai news teams have said the border areas are tense while outlets in Phnom Penh have reported that the Cambodian military is ready for war with Thailand.

Abhisit insisted he would settle the border dispute with Cambodia by peaceful means. The 2000 MOU was an effective instrument for settling the border dispute, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees security matters, said the Thai military was strong enough to protect the country but would not boost forces in the area near the historic temple.

The government would continue to negotiate with Cambodia over the border issue, he said.

"Please do not provoke any news to create tension with our neighbouring country. We have to live with them peacefully," Suthep said when asked about Cambodian troops along the border.

"We don't have any problem with Cambodia and our two governments have no problem," he said.

Asked if the government in Phnom Penh criticised Thailand every day, Suthep said, "don't look only at one side. If you are in Cambodia, you would see a group of Thai people scolding Cambodia every day."

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[Thai] PM orders Cambodian flags to be taken down

Phnom Penh labels demand 'provocative'

31/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is insisting that any Cambodian flag flying above disputed areas must be removed, despite Phnom Penh denouncing the call as "insulting and unacceptable".

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement criticising Mr Abhisit's demand, saying the call, in parallel with Thai military exercises last week near the border, was provocative.

Mr Abhisit called for the removal of the Cambodian flags yesterday during his weekly radio and television address.

Cambodia is flying its national flag near Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple in the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area near Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Abhisit said the area did not belong to Cambodia and ordered the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry to protest against Cambodia's announcement that he had violated its sovereignty by ordering the removal of the flag.

The prime minister also reaffirmed yesterday that he would not meet the demands of the People's Alliance for Democracy, which is protesting against the government's handling of the border row.

The PAD is calling on the government to revoke the 2000 memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia that governs the countries' boundary quarrel, to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee, and to expel Cambodian people from the disputed area.

Mr Abhisit said it was a misunderstanding that the border agreement allowed Cambodia to encroach on Thai territory. He said the memorandum prohibited either country from further intruding on the other's land.

He denied the agreement put Thailand at a disadvantage or meant that Thailand accepted a 1:200,000 border map used by Cambodia. He insisted the memo was drawn up in line with international principles and could help prevent the disagreement escalating into war.

As for the membership of the World Heritage Committee, Mr Abhisit said the past government of Thailand allowed Cambodia to have the Preah Vihear temple listed as a world heritage site, while his government had resisted Cambodia's desire to manage the temple as a world heritage site alone.

Regarding the expulsion of Cambodian people from the disputed area, the prime minister said such a move could trigger retaliations.

The secretary to the foreign minister, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, said yesterday the Foreign Ministry would issue a letter of protest against Cambodia's statement accusing Mr Abhisit of violating its sovereignty.

"We should help each other avoid conflicts and should not issue any statement that will lead to more conflicts and confusion," he said.

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Adding insult to injury: Cambodia allows a Thai general to participate in the smashing of the sign in Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak

Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon(right), the 2nd Army commander, joins in the demolition of the tablet reading ‘‘Here! is Cambodia’’. The sign was smashed into pieces after he negotiated with his Cambodian counterpart to destroy it yesterday.

Loudmouth and useless Chea Dara(Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Srey Doek (L) (Photo: Reuters)

Tablet talks a smashing success [for Thailand]

Cambodia demolishes claim to border area

27/01/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Growing border tensions have eased again now that Cambodia has demolished a stone tablet that claimed it owned a disputed area.

"It has now ended," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the press yesterday after he received a report from the army that the tablet had been destroyed.

The prime minister said Thailand had protested against the stone sign being erected in the disputed area and Cambodia had shown it was prepared to cooperate, which was a positive step.

Cambodia's decision to demolish the controversial tablet came after a tense Tuesday night at the border.

Both countries reinforced troops near the Preah Vihear temple and put them on full alert after Cambodia replaced the original tablet which accused Thai soldiers of trespassing with a new one. The new tablet carried an even stronger message, declaring that the disputed area in which it had been erected belonged to Cambodia.

The 2nd Army, responsible for the border area, moved in troops and heavy war weapons and conducted military training near the area.

The tablet was placed in front of Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple which is near the Preah Vihear temple. The stone was replaced on the weekend on the orders of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen but the new message was more aggressive, reading "Here! is Cambodia".

After receiving an order to "do anything" to get Cambodia to remove the new tablet, at around 11am yesterday, Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, the 2nd Army commander, led about 20 armed soldiers to Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple to demand the Cambodian troops remove the new tablet.

Four companies of soldiers were deployed at the foot of the hill and were ordered to be ready to act.

The 2nd Army chief asked Cambodian commanders why they had erected the tablet as both sides had promised not to build anything to claim territory in the disputed area. The Cambodian authorities replied that their foreign ministry had told them to put the tablet there.

Lt Gen Tawatchai asked them to destroy it to ease the discomfort of the Thai soldiers and people.

"If you don't remove such a negative tablet, I will erect a "Here! is Thailand" tablet nearby as well," Lt Gen Tawatchai told his Cambodian counterparts.

After an hour of negotiations, the Cambodians agreed to destroy the tablet.

"I don't know why they agreed. At about 12.15pm, Cambodia had its soldiers destroy the new tablet. I watched them do it. I smashed it too. I wanted to participate," Lt Gen Tawatchai said.

"I spoke to them nicely and stuck to the reason of what could happen if the tablet remained.

"We are neighbours and should coexist peacefully. No one would like a war and then they agreed," said the 2nd Army chief who previously received a medal for bravery after taking part in a battle at the Chon Bok border pass in Ubon Ratchathani following a territorial dispute involving Thailand, Cambodia and Laos in 1987.

"Before ascending to the temple, I told them beforehand that I would be there and Gen Chea Dara, their deputy supreme commander, and Lt Gen Sai Deuk, the commander of their 4th regional army, were waiting for me," Lt Gen Tawatchai said.

He said the 2nd Army is now deploying five paramilitary rangers to stay with Cambodian soldiers at their 795 border patrol base behind Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple to coordinate with them.

Lt Gen Tawatchai did not send any Thai troops to stay overnight at Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara but Thai soldiers can still reach the temple which is in the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area.

Mr Abhisit yesterday said the traning of Thai soldiers near the border was a routine military mission.

As for Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who have been accused of illegal entry into Cambodia and espionage, Mr Abhisit pledged that his government would continue to help them They are awaiting a court ruling on their case scheduled for Feb1.

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US President Obama's State of the Union 2011

Dear all,

If you missed last night live 2011 State of the Union CLICK HERE to watch President Obama address on innovation, education, security and budget deficit.

President Obama framed his speech around the theme of “winning the future” a call to maintain American greatness through innovation in a rapidly changing world. He also focused on investment in education and infrastructure as essential for the US not just to remain competitive in the global marketplace, but also to win, to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world.

R. V.

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Kampuchea, Khloat Ban Ter Mang [Khlang Ban Ter Moat]

Top three rows: Cambodia's Strongmouth
Bottom photo: Minion Bigmouth Chea Dara

Op-Ed by Sopheak
Originally posted at http://sopheak.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/cambodia-strong/

Click on the article in Khmer to zoom in

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Investigation Concluded in Release of Police Chief

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 25 January 2011

via CAAI

Photo: AP

Yoeung Baloung, the former police chief of Ratanakkiri province, who was supposed to be serving 13 years on charges related to illegal logging.

"No one else has been apprehended for the crash, but Yoeung Baloung is now back in prison."

The prison department of the Ministry of Interior has finished an investigation into the mysterious release of a former provincial police chief in Ratanakkiri province but has declined to release the findings, which are under review.

The investigation stems from a drunk driving accident that injured three people on a motorcycle.

Local rights group Adhoc says the driver in the accident was Yoeung Baloung, a former police chief who was supposed to be in jail serving 13 years for corruption crimes surrounding illegal logging. Police say a relative of the former chief was driving the car.

No one else has been apprehended for the crash, but Yoeung Baloung is now back in prison, officials said.

The prison department is trying to learn the circumstances of his release by the provincial prison, whose director has said Yoeung Baloung was temporarily let out for medical reasons.

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Military flexes its muscle

via CAAI

Abhisit approves army exercise near temple

Published: 26/01/2011

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has given the army the green light to conduct a military exercise near Preah Vihear temple to display its strength as Cambodia continues to lay claim to the disputed area.

Thousands of People’s Alliance for Democracy supporters join the movement’s protest near Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue. The yellow shirts gathered yesterday for the first day of what is expected to be a protracted rally. APICHIT JINAKUL

The provocative move came after Thailand demanded Cambodia remove a stone tablet carrying a message in Khmer that accused Thai troops of invading Cambodia territory from that spot.

A senior army source who asked not to be named said yesterday the military exercise near the border was proposed by the army.

Thai gamblers would also be blocked from visiting Cambodian casinos close to Thai territory if Phnom Penh refused demands to remove the tablet.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thailand would follow proper procedures in handling border disputes with Cambodia.

''There are three steps to solving border issues. They include negotiations, intensified measures and the use of force. We will not move directly from Step 1 to Step 3,'' Gen Prayuth said.

The tablet was installed in front of Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara temple, about 300 metres from the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

''We must show our strength,'' the source quoted the prime minister as saying in his recent meeting with Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Gen Prayuth.

The source said Gen Prayuth planned to deploy infantrymen close to Preah Vihear in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province.

The deployment will reinforce paramilitary rangers who are guarding a disputed area with no back-up.

''The army plans to conduct a drill that includes artillery fire close to the border,'' the source said.

The source revealed the military exercise was aimed at sending a message to Cambodia that Thailand is not only unhappy with the placement of the stone tablet in the disputed area but also Cambodia's continuing construction of a road to Preah Vihear.

The 3.6-kilometre road is being built on the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area next to Preah Vihear.

Cambodia has ignored Thailand's re peated protests against the roadworks. The source said Cambodia and China were accelerating the work on the road with the aim to facilitate visits to the Preah Vihear temple from the Cambodian side.

The source said Mr Abhisit also gave the nod to the army to prevent Thai gamblers from crossing the border to visit Cambodian casinos in Poi Pet, opposite Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province.

The source said the prime minister did not mention the possibility of border closure which would seriously affect local people.

as well as two Thai people: Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon who were prosecuted allegedly for trespassing and espionage on Cambodian soil. Mr Veera is still detained and verdicts on their cases are expected on Feb 1.

Mr Abhisit was also said to have agreed to allow the army to buy weapons it needed to handle the border situation.

The nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday urged the gov ernment to use the country's stronger military capacity to gain leverage over the Cambodian government in its negotiations with Phnom Penh on disputed border areas.

Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a core PAD leader, said the Thai military did not have to wage a war with Cambodia to regain Thai sovereignty over disputed areas along the border.

But it could use the country's military might to gain a stronger bargaining position.

The government has not tried to gain such leverage through the demonstration of Thailand's military capacity, Maj Gen Chamlong said.

''Consequently, it has allowed the Cambodian government to have the upper hand,'' he said.

''Our fighter jets can reach Cambodian skies in five minutes.''

Asked if such a demonstration of Thailand's military might would hurt the country's bilateral relationship with its neighbour, Maj Gen Chamlong replied: ''What are you afraid of more? Hurting the ties or losing territory?''

PAD spokesman Panthep Phongphuaphan said Thailand's military capacity was certainly higher than that of Cambodia.

The government should use this advantage in its effort to protect the country's sovereignty and pressure the Cambodian government to move Cambodian communities out of the disputed areas along the border.

More importantly, Thailand should revoke the 2000 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia as the agreement gave Phnom Penh greater negotiating powers and enabled Cambodians to continue living on Thai soil, Mr Panthep said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New tablet 'even worse'

Cambodian troops have removed a stone tablet placed near the Preah Vihear temple carrying a message accusing Thailand of invading the country.

But the tablet has been replaced with another that could ratchet up the tension even further between the two countries. It simply states the area is part of Cambodia.

The first tablet put in place last month at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara, next to the Preah Vihear temple, read, according to the Phnom Penh Post: "Here! is the place where Thai troops invaded Cambodian territory on July 15, 2008."

This angered Thai troops, their commanders and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who claim the temple is located in a disputed area open to Thai troops.

A Cambodian armed forces officer who asked not to be named said the offending sign had been replaced, Phnom Penh Post reported.

Whether the new sign will be received any more favourably remains to be seen.

"Here! is Cambodia," reads the sign erected yesterday.

"I heard [the placement of the sign] was ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen," the officer said

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Tense between Cambodia and Thai Troops Eased

2011-01-26
Xinhua

A brief tense between Cambodia and Thai troops near Preah Vihear Temple was finally eased and returned to normal, military sources at the border said Wednesday.

The sources said over telephone that some 30 Thai soldiers in black uniform came close to Keo Sikhakiri Svarak Pagoda near Preah Vihear Temple on Wednesday morning at which they were asked to return to their previous position by Cambodian troops.

According to the sources, the Thai troops were demanding a stone sign that says "Here Is Cambodia" to be removed from a site near the Pagoda where 20 Thai soldiers used to stay during the tense border conflict after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site in July 2008.

The stone sign, however, was removed and the Thai soldiers also returned to their previous line after lunch time on Wednesday.

Since 2008, Cambodia and Thai troops have exchanged several rounds of military clashes that resulted in several dead and injured.

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Border tensions rise

Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Cheang Sokha and Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post

Thousands of Yellow Shirt protesters in Bangkok have called for the Thai government to take a stronger stance against Cambodia, though military officials said today that a stand-off along the countries’ contentious border had been averted.

Some 3,000 police officers have been deployed in the Thai capital to control the estimated 5,000 activists who took to the streets of central Bangkok on Tuesday, threatening to occupy the prime minister’s office as they did for three months during unrest in 2008.

Cambodian officials near Preah Vihear temple said about 40 Thai troops had traveled to the nearby border area this morning, though they withdrew after talks between commanders of the respective forces.

Following the meeting, Cambodian troops agreed to remove a sign placed near the temple on Tuesday that declared the area Cambodian territory.

“Now we have no more confrontation and both sides have returned to their camps,” said Om Phirum, heritage police chief of the Preah Vihear National Authority.

“The withdrawal of the Thai troops came after Cambodia agreed to take away the sign.”

The offending sign, which read “Here! is Cambodia”, had replaced a similar sign placed last month that accused Thai troops of invading Cambodian territory.

Thai military commanders and Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva had publicly complained about the message.

Thai military deputy spokesman Veerachon Sukondhadhpatipak acknowledged that the protesters in Bangkok had increased the tension surrounding the border issue, though he said Thai and Cambodian troops “are in contact at all levels” and will not let the situation spill over into violence.

Recent military exercises conducted by Thai troops in the area, he added, were routine procedure and were unrelated to relations with Cambodia.

“We try not to do anything provocative, and we still believe everything can be settled with talks,” Veerachon said.

The oft-strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia were upgraded last year following the resignation of ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a bitter rival of the Abhisit administration, from his position as economics adviser to the Cambodian government.

Tensions returned last month, however, following the arrest of a Thai parliamentarian and six other Thai nationals for allegedly trespassing on Cambodian territory.

Five of the Thais, including ruling party MP Panich Vikitsreth, were released last week on suspended sentences, though two others are being held on espionage charges and are set to be tried next week.

Panthep Puapongpan, a spokesman for the Yellow Shirts, said those protesting in Bangkok were angered by the arrests and other alleged Cambodian provocations along the border.

“We don’t want [to] invade their territory, but we want to protect our land,” he said.

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Hun Xen blinked after Siamese army threat?

Following the removal of the first sign displaying about Thai troops invasion of Cambodia, a second sign was later installed that read "Here! Is Cambodia". However, following more threats from the Thai army, Cambodia not only removed this second sign, but it also destroyed it as can be seen in the photo above (Photo: Sermpong Thongsamrit, Bangkok Post)

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Shame on you Mr. Barking Hoon Xen!

A few days ago we read the news that Cambodian soldiers put up a tablet with a message in Khmer branding Thai troops “Invaders” at Wat Keo Sekha Khiri Svara, Preah Vihear.

This tablet angered Thailand. Then it demanded and threatened Cambodia to remove it unconditionally or Cambodia would be meet with Thai military measure. Cambodian leaders bowed to them and promised to install a nicer tablet with a message in Khmer again branding “Here is Cambodia“. But Thailand demanded and threatened it again and SEE BELOW HOW WE DESTROY OURSELVES!

Hoon Xen and his gangs like doing everything without practical strategy and analytic vision. So sad!

TIME TO STEP DOWN NOW HOON XEN!

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