It's my temple, no its MY temple.

[LakeGeneve]

^ It was remiss of me not to mention a good point that Loburt previously made that Cambodia has consistently rejected the idea of a Peace Park. However, perhaps with pressure from ASEAN or the UN it may be workable if all else fails.

Gunfire at the border BangkokPost.com breakking news pm

Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat urged Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave for home immediately after a Wednesday afternoon military battle along the disputed border. "Thai businessmen who have no need to be in Cambodia now, please rush back to Thailand," Sompong told reporters. "We have our evacuation plan ready," he added. In the Northeast, officials told residents of the border to be ready to move out quickly in case hostilities resume and escalate.

Thai and Cambodian troops reportedly exchanged gun fire for about 10 minutes at the border of Kantalak district, Si Sa Ket province at around 2.30pm.

The incident reportedly occurred three kilometres from Phreah Vihear temple, and at the site of an Oct 3 clash which left two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian wounded. Thailand issued an official protest to the Cambodian government over that alleged border incursion.

Cambodia?s Preah Vihear governor Prieb Tan claimed that Thailand started shooting at the Cambodian army first. Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, meanwhile, claimed that Cambodian soldiers started the shooting first by firing about seven to eight shots onto the Thai soil so Thai soldiers had to defend themselves by firing them back using small weapons.

According to Col Sansern, four Thai army rangers were wounded while one Cambodian soldier was killed in the incident.

Notye : edited

[LakeGeneve]

This article suggests that the Thai soldiers were injured by shrapnel and that there were two locations of exchange of fire this afternoon.

Thai troops wounded in clash with Cambodia - Army spokesman

By The Nation breaking news pm One Cambodian soldier killed : Thai Army spokesman

Four Thai troops were injured during a clash with Cambodian troops along Thai-Cambodia border on Wednesday, Army spokesman Sansern Kaeowkamnerd said. One Khmer soldier was killed during the clashes.

The Thai troops were suffered from sharpnels of explosives and were rushed to a hospital in Si Sa Kaet province.

They were injured in one of two clashes with Cambodia at Pa Mo I Daeng in Si Sa Ket province. Another clash Phu Ma Khur caused no casualty.

They were first casualties of the Thai-Cambodia border conflicts which were flared up after Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum to open war if Thai troops were not withdrawn from the disputed area near the temple. However his ultimatum was shot down as the Thai army vowed to remain troops.

[iBatch]

This article suggests that the Thai soldiers were injured by shrapnel and that there were two locations of exchange of fire this afternoon.

Thai troops wounded in clash with Cambodia - Army spokesman

By The Nation breaking news pm One Cambodian soldier killed : Thai Army spokesman

Four Thai troops were injured during a clash with Cambodian troops along Thai-Cambodia border on Wednesday, Army spokesman Sansern Kaeowkamnerd said. One Khmer soldier was killed during the clashes.

The Thai troops were suffered from sharpnels of explosives and were rushed to a hospital in Si Sa Kaet province.

Politic players play it well.... innocent person lost their soul.

They were injured in one of two clashes with Cambodia at Pa Mo I Daeng in Si Sa Ket province. Another clash Phu Ma Khur caused no casualty.

They were first casualties of the Thai-Cambodia border conflicts which were flared up after Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum to open war if Thai troops were not withdrawn from the disputed area near the temple. However his ultimatum was shot down as the Thai army vowed to remain troops.

[LakeGeneve]

I still don?t understand what happen with my people. We lost the temple to Cambodian decades ago..

So far as I know the Temple never belongs to Thailand so Thais didn' t loose anything. Only the surounding area is a part of Thailand (parking area, entrance, phone booth?). The Temple was build in the Khmer Empire. The Khmer Empire occupied the most if not 99% of what we call Thailand today. Therefore the Temple belongs to Thailand like Angkor Wat. So they should make a model again and place it in a temple somewhere

There wasn' t a problem with it till the PAD played the nationalistic card and started to brainwash ppl that Cambodia is evil.

One of the many stupid PAD reckless and populist issues was making this bogey. And the opportunistic leadership have a lot of responsibility by raising the heat on this issue, just to get at the PPP, when it was not one at all. LIEBE, your reply was very good and balanced.

Here is a Post map from late June of the area in contention, a very small area it should be noted. Worth a few lives and many injured?

The official Cambodia and Thailand maps used in the Cambodian application to the World Heritage Comm can be posted if anyone wants.

[LakeGeneve]

Two interesting things with this article. Firstly, Reauters ran some pics of what is said was 10 captured thai soldiers (all dressed in black Ranger style gear), yet apparently any capture is denied by thai officials.

Secondly, if you look closely at the Post Graphics Google Earth pic below, it would appear that it supports the Thai territorial claim. Obviously it should somehow distinguish the disputed area.

Troops clash on border - 7 Thais wounded and 10 reported captured BANGKOK POST AND AGENCIES 16/10/08

SI SA KET : The army has brought in 500 reinforcements and heavy weapons and says it is ready for battle, while the Foreign Ministry claims it is prepared to take Cambodia to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice over sovereignty of the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple. The separate army and ministry warnings came after skirmishes yesterday in areas between Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district and Preah Vihear in Cambodia, which escalated border tensions.

Fighting broke out in the afternoon at two flash-points at Phu Ma Khua and Pha Mor E Daeng near the ancient Hindu temple. Seven Thai troops were wounded while two Cambodian soldiers were killed and seven others injured, according to the army. Cambodia said it captured 10 Thai troops, a claim denied by Thai military officials.

Cambodian charge d'affaires to Bangkok Ouk Sophoin was summoned by permanent secretary for foreign affairs Virasakdi Futrakul and handed an "aide memoire" accusing Cambodia of initiating the clashes. The fighting has prompted the ministry to urge Thais in Cambodia to leave the country. Thai Airways International has prepared large aircraft to evacuate all Thais in Cambodia if the situation worsens.

There are about 1,000 Thais in Phnom Penh and about 500 in Siem Reap, according to the ministry. Second Army commander Lt-Gen Wibulsak Neepal said Cambodia fired first into Thai bases, prompting Thai troops to retaliate. He said his unit has adjusted operational plans and redeployed troops to handle any situation, noting the military is ready to retaliate against any further aggression.

Full article: http://www.bangkokpost.com/161008_News/16Oct2008_news01.php

[Sinenat]

MONTREAL: An 11th-century temple that sits in a disputed border zone between Thailand and Cambodia has been named by U.N. officials as a world landmark.

UNESCO spokeswoman Joanna Sullivan said Monday that Preah Vihear was designated a heritage site at a meeting in Quebec City.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice in the Hague ruled Preah Vihear was located inside Cambodia's border, a decision opposed by many in Thailand.

Thai citizens were asked to donate money to help finance the country's push to defend the temple in the international court. The crumbling stone temple is a few hundred feet (meters) from Thailand's eastern border with Cambodia.

Cambodia has been trying to obtain the designation for the Khmer-style temple since 2001.

However, Thailand has vetoed its neighbor's previous submissions, fearing the status would include nearly five square kilometers of disputed land along the border.

In June, Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed a joint communique with Cambodia, endorsing the country's bid to nominate the temple as a world heritage site.

But Thailand's Cabinet suspended its decision to support Cambodia's bid on July 1. The action had little effect on Preah Vihear's World Heritage application, since Cambodia does not need Thailand's support.

The dispute surrounding the ancient temple continues to fuel nationalist sentiment in Thailand.

Tensions along the border boiled over last month when protesters threatened to evict Cambodians living in the disputed territory. Cambodia responded by closing access to the temple.

The temple's select status as a world heritage site will attract tourists and grants from the United Nations' World Heritage Fund.

Preah Vihear, a Hindu-themed temple that reflects the beliefs of the kings who ruled what was then the Angkorean empire, is located on the top of a 1,722-foot (525-meter) cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) north of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Reaching it by road is easiest from the Thai side of the border.

The stone temple is revered partly for having one of the most stunning locations of all the temples constructed during the Khmer empire ? the most famous of which is Angkor Wat.

As the Khmer empire, which once encompassed parts of Thailand and Vietnam, shrank to the size of present-day Cambodia and the country was plunged into civil war, the temple fell into disrepair. Steps, walls and pillars have collapsed.

:wink: :twisted: :twisted: :idea:

[LakeGeneve]

Bit of shooting this morning on the border in the disputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear. As usual both armies blame the other. No one injured but a Thai soldier reportedly did lose a leg to a landmine yesterday which is very sad. And very concerning given that the area had previously been demined > the laying of any new mines would be in breach of international law.

Both countries really need to finally progress this issue and progress border demarcation. The temple site finally reopened a month ago. I had planned to visit the Temple site again next week after many years but I think I may give it a miss....

Cambodia, Thai troops exchange fire By: AFP 3/04/2009 at 10:30 AM

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire briefly on Friday in a disputed area on their border, a Thai official said, raising tensions that erupted into a deadly clash last year.

The exchange of shots occurred about 7.10am after Cambodian soldiers went to investigate the area where a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine on Thursday and lost a leg, Si Sa Ket governor Seni Chittakasem said. "There is no report of loss (of life) on the Thai side and it's ended now,'' he said. The trouble flared one kilometre inside the disputed territory, the governor said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/139454/troops-exchange-gunfire

[LakeGeneve]

Somewhat cynically, Cabinet has decided to request that UNESCO review the World Heritage decision and include Thailand as a joint manager of a site which is soley within Cambodia territory.

The last 3 Thai govts have only acted in a belligerent manner and not sought to honestly progress the underlying problem of demarcation. Neither has Hun Sen been acting with integrity on the issue (it was a big winner in his re-election). The disputed area should be jointly managed until demarcation is concluded but the temple is located in the Kingdom of Cambodia and the sooner the Govt of Thailand can accept this the better for all.

Conflict and loss has only occured due to the fact that some in both countries have been politicising this issue regarding the disputed area for their own nationalistic ends whilst encouraging conflict and thus putting soldiers lives at risk not because of the WHC decision per se.

Thailand to seek review of Preah Vihear's heritage status

By: BangkokPost.com Published: 17/06/2009 at 01:47 PM

Thailand will ask the World Heritage Committee to review the decision to register Preah Vihear temple, on the border of Si Sa Ket province, as a World Heritage site under the sole supervision of Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday.

Last year, the World Heritage Committee (WHC), which operates under the auspices of Unesco, registered Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site, as proposed by Cambodia, and required Phnom Penh to set up an International Coordinating Committee to preserve the temple.

Mr Abhisit said the cabinet on Tuesday resolved to submit its request to this year's 33rd session of the WHC, to be held in Seville, Spain, from June 22-30. At the meeting, Cambodia is due to report on the state of conservation of the ancient khmer temple.

The prime minister said a delegation of the Thai world heritage committee led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will tell the meeting that the registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site had brought about conflict and losses, and this would appear to be against Unesco's objectives in having heritage sites.

The prime minister said a World Heritage site is supposed to be an area where traces of culture and history are preserved, allowing tourists to see and admire them. But the registration of Preah Vihear had caused more conflict between the peoples of Thailand and Cambodia.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/mail/146256/thailand-to-seek-review-of-preah-vihear

[LakeGeneve]

A new reason to blame the farang for any problem which cannot be objectively resolved.

Amazing and bizarre that historical textbooks written by English and French are now being blamed for this ongoing dispute. Very contradictory as well in the context of nationalistic policies which guide history education in Thailand.

Kasit schedules visit to area near Preah Vihear by THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL, Bkk Post, 11/09/2009

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is to visit the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple on Sunday ahead of talks later this month with his Cambodian counterpart in New York. His schedule was set after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told him on Wednesday to obtain first-hand information on developments along the border. "My plan is to visit the troops stationed there as well as to inspect the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple," the minister said yesterday.

Mr Kasit has no plans to meet senior Cambodian officials there as he is scheduled to meet Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month. Thailand and Cambodia both claim sovereignty over the disputed area which has led to flare-ups of border tension. Thailand lost the battle over ownership of the Hindu temple to Cambodia before the International Court of Justice in 1962.

Mr Kasit said conflicts between nations in the region were rooted in their bitter history and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was trying to create better understanding among its members.

He said history could not be reversed, but countries in the region should not politicise their past differences. "All Asean countries have history textbooks written by English and French academics which show hatred or blame another country for defeats in the past," Mr Kasit told a seminar on Thailand and Asean at Ramkhamhaeng University. "This will make new generations feel loathing and it will be an obstacle to building up the Asean community."

Revising textbooks in all Asean countries would help dispense with misunderstandings and hatred, he said. That would help build up trust among people in the region. Asean foreign ministers have agreed to let their historians revise the shared history of Southeast Asia together, the minister said.

Mr Kasit said Thais should not deny their history with neighbouring countries, including Burma, and should not use it to put up obstacles to fostering ties. "It's like Germany and France, which fought for more than 300 years and burned down each other's cities many times. But these two countries were the founding countries in setting up the European Union."

[iBatch]

A new reason to blame the farang for any problem which cannot be objectively resolved.

Amazing and bizarre that historical textbooks written by English and French are now being blamed for this ongoing dispute. Very contradictory as well in the context of nationalistic policies which guide history education in Thailand.

Kasit schedules visit to area near Preah Vihear by THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL, Bkk Post, 11/09/2009

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is to visit the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple on Sunday ahead of talks later this month with his Cambodian counterpart in New York. His schedule was set after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told him on Wednesday to obtain first-hand information on developments along the border. "My plan is to visit the troops stationed there as well as to inspect the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple," the minister said yesterday.

Mr Kasit has no plans to meet senior Cambodian officials there as he is scheduled to meet Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month. Thailand and Cambodia both claim sovereignty over the disputed area which has led to flare-ups of border tension. Thailand lost the battle over ownership of the Hindu temple to Cambodia before the International Court of Justice in 1962.

Mr Kasit said conflicts between nations in the region were rooted in their bitter history and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations was trying to create better understanding among its members.

He said history could not be reversed, but countries in the region should not politicise their past differences. "All Asean countries have history textbooks written by English and French academics which show hatred or blame another country for defeats in the past," Mr Kasit told a seminar on Thailand and Asean at Ramkhamhaeng University. "This will make new generations feel loathing and it will be an obstacle to building up the Asean community."

Revising textbooks in all Asean countries would help dispense with misunderstandings and hatred, he said. That would help build up trust among people in the region. Asean foreign ministers have agreed to let their historians revise the shared history of Southeast Asia together, the minister said.

Mr Kasit said Thais should not deny their history with neighbouring countries, including Burma, and should not use it to put up obstacles to fostering ties. "It's like Germany and France, which fought for more than 300 years and burned down each other's cities many times. But these two countries were the founding countries in setting up the European Union."

[LakeGeneve]

I supported much, not all, of the PAD's political agenda last year insofar as it related to the then Samak led govt.'s policies. I supported some of their civil disobiediance actions but definately not all.

But frankly the mindless, nationlistic protests today at the border by a small group within the PAD - noting that most PAD leaders are not supporting it - is completely stupid and reckless.

It is a cynical attempt to spread lies regarding the 4.6km disputed area and provoke ignorant public nationalism on an issue which is already extremely fragile. And it is downright dangerous as it could result in needless loss of life, either with a shooting or some idiot wandering into a mined area.

The protest is occuring at a timewhen both Thailand and Cambodia have been reducing tensions at the border, restarting the Joint Border Commission and most importantly were just about to reduce the numbers of troops on both sides. The whole thing is completely idiotic!

A couple of updates;

PAD moves to Preah Vihear national park BangkokPost.com 19/09/2009 at 12:11 PM

About 500 buses, vans, six-wheeled trucks, motorcycles and pickups carrying about 4,000 supporters of the People?s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) late morning on Saturday moved out from Kanthararak district of Si Sa Ket, heading for Preah Vihear national park.

Veera Somkwamkid, a core leader of PAD, said he plans to lead members of his group to Pha Mor I-Daeng in the national park to read out PAD statement demanding the Cambodian villagers and troops to move out of Thailand?s territory.

About 1,000 policemen under the supervision of PolMaj Gen Amnuay Mahaphol, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 3, had set up check-point at a school in Phumisarol village of Kanthararak district to prevent PAD supporters from entering the national park.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/154806/pad-moves-to-preah-vihear-national-park

PM worries on clash in Si Sa Ket The Nation 19/09

The prime minister was speaking after yellow shirted protesters clash with local villagers in Si Sa Ket on Saturday before managing to go nearer to the entrance of Preah Vihear Temple.

Thai TV reported that the clash which took place at about 1.40pm left many villagers injured. The protesters who are members of People's Alliance for Democracy planned to march to the entrance of the temple to demand for the Khmers to move out of the disputed areas.

The clash happened as many local villagers did not agree with the protest, viewing it would damage the country's repuation as well as economic and relations with neighbouring country.

They formed a blockage on a road which is leading to the park near the temple. Anti-riot police who are in full gear also set up barricades. The Thai TV reporter reported that the blockage is the last stop and now that the protesters could break it, they are now marching to the temple.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/19/headlines/headlines_30112586.php

[iBatch]

I supported much, not all, of the PAD's political agenda last year insofar as it related to the then Samak led govt.'s policies. I supported some of their civil disobiediance actions but definately not all.

But frankly the mindless, nationlistic protests today at the border by a small group within the PAD - noting that most PAD leaders are not supporting it - is completely stupid and reckless.

It is a cynical attempt to spread lies regarding the 4.6km disputed area and provoke ignorant public nationalism on an issue which is already extremely fragile. And it is downright dangerous as it could result in needless loss of life, either with a shooting or some idiot wandering into a mined area.

The protest is occuring at a timewhen both Thailand and Cambodia have been reducing tensions at the border, restarting the Joint Border Commission and most importantly were just about to reduce the numbers of troops on both sides. The whole thing is completely idiotic!

A couple of updates;

PAD moves to Preah Vihear national park BangkokPost.com 19/09/2009 at 12:11 PM

About 500 buses, vans, six-wheeled trucks, motorcycles and pickups carrying about 4,000 supporters of the People?s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) late morning on Saturday moved out from Kanthararak district of Si Sa Ket, heading for Preah Vihear national park.

Veera Somkwamkid, a core leader of PAD, said he plans to lead members of his group to Pha Mor I-Daeng in the national park to read out PAD statement demanding the Cambodian villagers and troops to move out of Thailand?s territory.

About 1,000 policemen under the supervision of PolMaj Gen Amnuay Mahaphol, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 3, had set up check-point at a school in Phumisarol village of Kanthararak district to prevent PAD supporters from entering the national park.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/154806/pad-moves-to-preah-vihear-national-park

PM worries on clash in Si Sa Ket The Nation 19/09

The prime minister was speaking after yellow shirted protesters clash with local villagers in Si Sa Ket on Saturday before managing to go nearer to the entrance of Preah Vihear Temple.

Thai TV reported that the clash which took place at about 1.40pm left many villagers injured. The protesters who are members of People's Alliance for Democracy planned to march to the entrance of the temple to demand for the Khmers to move out of the disputed areas.

The clash happened as many local villagers did not agree with the protest, viewing it would damage the country's repuation as well as economic and relations with neighbouring country.

They formed a blockage on a road which is leading to the park near the temple. Anti-riot police who are in full gear also set up barricades. The Thai TV reporter reported that the blockage is the last stop and now that the protesters could break it, they are now marching to the temple.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/19/headlines/headlines_30112586.php

This **** will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

[Ngairo]

This sh*t will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

Amen

[Stramash]

This sh*t will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

Amen

coming soon...

Kunny sorts out the Middle East.

[iBatch]

This sh*t will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

Amen

coming soon...

Kunny sorts out the Middle East.

and Iain taking care of the explosive's bill

[Stramash]

This sh*t will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

Amen

coming soon...

Kunny sorts out the Middle East.

and Iain taking care of the explosive's bill

if that means I get to blow things up, then bring it on...

[iBatch]

This sh*t will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

Amen

coming soon...

Kunny sorts out the Middle East.

and Iain taking care of the explosive's bill

if that means I get to blow things up, then bring it on...

someone just got dumped by a Middle East *****...

oh poor thing..

[Stramash]

This sh*t will never ever end.... untill i can afford a bomb i will explode all the idiots and the temple itself... so everyone happy.

Amen

coming soon...

Kunny sorts out the Middle East.

and Iain taking care of the explosive's bill

if that means I get to blow things up, then bring it on...

someone just got dumped by a Middle East b*tch...

oh poor thing..

I know; no more surprises finding out what she's wearing under her burqa...

:wink:

[Mister Moobs]

Why can't they just settle it by making it a neutral zone and share it?

Be easier than fighting over it.

[LakeGeneve]

Why can't they just settle it by making it a neutral zone and share it?

Be easier than fighting over it.

Unfortunately, there is too much ignorant nationalistic passions at stake now. And it makes it harder to resolve politically when pollies are using the issue in an opportunistic and grubby manner to target which ever govt is in power - remember what happened to the Foreign Minister in the previous govt last year.

The problem is that successive Thai and Cambodian administrations have not prioritised demarcation using the Joint Border Commission (JBC) vehicle. Go back earlier in the thread and you can read how many areas of the Thai/Cambodian border are yet to be demarcated (and don't forget the Laos and esp Burmese borders). The much delayed and prolonged process of demarcation is going to be fraught with huge implications once the maritime border (where there are oil/gas deposits) is attempted to be demarcated. Given the temperment in which this dispute has been dealt with, one can foresee martime conflict between both navies unless people start being a bit more maturity. The JBC has met a few times this year but with little progress as for example both govts cannot even agree on the name for the temple. And obviously there are strong historical prejudices at play for both sides.

Frankly, for this particular 4.6km zone (see earlier map) both govts should agree that the Int Court of Justice (also known as the 'World Court' for disputes between states), should hear and determine the matter. This is where all international border disputes which cannot be settled between states are decided. However, due the recent politics surrounding last years World Heritage listing (a completely seperate issue) and that many Thais still think that a Khmer built temple was 'stolen' many them in the 1962 ICJ decision, it is most likely that a Thai govt could not politically agree to this dispute being heard by the ICJ. The ICJ hears many international boundary cases every year, it is a normal process for states to engage in.

Some Thai academics and international observers have called for the 4.6km zone to be made Peace Park until demarcation is completed. There are some precedents for this and I have mentioned the coastal zone of dispute between Peru and Chile as an example. The sensible thing to do in the immediate future would be for both govts to gradually decrease their troops, keep all civilians out of the area and invite a small international force (UN ideally but it could be an ASEAN force) to patrol the zone.

However as recent years and other issues have shown, Thai authorities have a high reluctance to allow international/UN authorities into the country to intervene or provide assistance on any issue as it would be a tacit acknowledgement that Thailand cannot resolve the issue herself (Just look at the South - which no one in BKK cares about - as it is crying out for an international peacekeeping force).

Personally, I am very pessimistic about this issue. The ongoing inability to maintain objectivity means that future armed conflict between both states highly likely if not is inevitable. It is the scale and duration that will be contingent on wiser heads prevailing in the midst of crisis.

[LakeGeneve]

For those outsdie Thailand who have not seen the press, yesterdays PAD protest ended up in some biffo with the riot police and then local residents attacked the PAD; dozens were injured, at least one shot. The PAD didn't make it to the temple zone. Most Thai papers are today carrying front page pics of one local resident swinging a machete whilst trying to take out a few PAD protesters.

All in all a great day of stupidity all round. :roll:

GOVT DECLARES MARTIAL LAW AS VILLAGERS, POLICE CLASH WITH PAD; YELLOW SHIRTS TO READ SOVEREIGNTY DECLARATIONSI SA KET : Dozens of protesters, police and villagers were injured in fiery clashes near the border with Cambodia yesterday as a protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy spun out of control.

The government declared martial law as PAD supporters, in a protest over sovereignty, met unexpected resistance from hundreds of Si Sa Ket villagers who blocked their path. The PAD was trying to march to a disputed border area close to Preah Vihear temple. Stick-wielding protesters clashed repeatedly with riot police and villagers who were trying to keep them out.

Nearby, soldiers set up barricades to stop the PAD reaching the border area disputed with Cambodia. They reinforced the Khao Phra Viharn national park office in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket. But the government was forced to declare martial law after protesters were able to break through barricades to reach the military-controlled area.

The clashes between PAD protesters and villagers left scores of people on both sides injured, including two people in a critical condition. Sert Piewkhao, 26, a local villager, was shot in the neck while PAD supporter Promsak Ritkraikul, 44, was hit in the eye by slingshots.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/24153/pad-protest-ends-in-bloodshed

[LakeGeneve]

For the few who may be interested, there is an interesting opinion piece in todays Post by the highly respected political science academic Arjan Thitinan. It is worth reading anything he writes as not only does he know all palyers on the political scene, he was also the one who conducted the govt review of the Thai Military a number of years ago and proposed comprehensive reforms (still not yet enacted).

Extract:

What the PAD protesters have done near Preah Vihear bears a number of ramifications. In the short term, it diverted the spotlight from the reds. In the longer term, however, it may well turn off some of the rank-and-file yellows and the pro-Establishment non-yellows who are pro-coup and anti-Thaksin. This dilemma was reflected in the absence of the PAD's main leadership who did not join the protest in Si Sa Ket province. Instead, a second-tier leader spearheaded the march.

Thai-Cambodian relations will not benefit from the PAD's posturing. The bilateral relationship has deteriorated steadily since the torching of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh in early 2003. Historical tensions run deep on both sides. The bilateral spat and occasional armed skirmishes will cast a cloud over the upcoming Asean summit next month. It will also expose yet another dimension of Asean's structural impotence and operational inefficacy, notwithstanding the problematic Asean Charter. The Thai-Cambodian stand-off will thus have to be resolved bilaterally. Nationalist sentiments that verge on xenophobia, chauvinism and irredentism must be kept at bay.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/24318/right-wing-pad-must-not-resort-to-irredentism

[CiaranM]

For the few who may be interested, there is an interesting opinion piece in todays Post by the highly respected political science academic Arjan Thitinan. It is worth reading anything he writes as not only does he know all palyers on the political scene, he was also the one who conducted the govt review of the Thai Military a number of years ago and proposed comprehensive reforms (still not yet enacted).

Extract:

What the PAD protesters have done near Preah Vihear bears a number of ramifications. In the short term, it diverted the spotlight from the reds. In the longer term, however, it may well turn off some of the rank-and-file yellows and the pro-Establishment non-yellows who are pro-coup and anti-Thaksin. This dilemma was reflected in the absence of the PAD's main leadership who did not join the protest in Si Sa Ket province. Instead, a second-tier leader spearheaded the march.

Thai-Cambodian relations will not benefit from the PAD's posturing. The bilateral relationship has deteriorated steadily since the torching of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh in early 2003. Historical tensions run deep on both sides. The bilateral spat and occasional armed skirmishes will cast a cloud over the upcoming Asean summit next month. It will also expose yet another dimension of Asean's structural impotence and operational inefficacy, notwithstanding the problematic Asean Charter. The Thai-Cambodian stand-off will thus have to be resolved bilaterally. Nationalist sentiments that verge on xenophobia, chauvinism and irredentism must be kept at bay.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/24318/right-wing-pad-must-not-resort-to-irredentism

good article .... can only see this incident losing support for the PAD, although it is interesting that it wasn't supported by the main leadership !!!

[Neo]

Damn those Cammies!!!

8)

[iBatch]

Damn those Cammies!!!

8)

ahem...

last week ya asked A cammy gal for hand in marriage.. if i still remember correct