Cambodia complains to UN

Embassy staff flown to temple site, more Thai troops sent to border, Security Council told of Thai 'interference'

By Wassana Nanuam and Agence France-Presse

The Cambodian government has launched a diplomatic offensive, complaining to the United Nations Security Council about Thai interference on its soil in the Preah Vihear temple area, where soldiers of the two countries are building up their strength.

Staff of the United States, China, France and Vietnam embassies based in Phnom Penh were also flown by helicopter from the capital to the disputed territory on the border.

The US, China and France are permanent members of the UNSC. Vietnam is council chairman.

The Cambodian government is countering Thailand after the Foreign Ministry briefed Bangkok-based diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the border row with Phnom Penh.

Thai ambassador to the UN, Don Pramudwinai, told Bangkok about Cambodia's decision to turn to the UNSC, said government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat.

The Cambodian representative to the UN informed the UNSC on Thursday in New York about Thai troops intruding on its territory, and cited the 1904 map made by then Siam and France, according to Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote.

Thai soldiers entered Cambodian soil after Thailand was upset about the temple being listed as a World Heritage site, the Cambodian representative said.

But Phnom Penh has not demanded any action from the UNSC, Mr Don said.

The area which the Cambodian government refers to is the 4.6sq km overlapping zone at the foot of the temple mountain, claimed by both countries.

In Preah Vihear, the Chinese and Vietnamese military attaches, along with French and US embassy officials, toured the area and took photos but did not talk to either side and declined to talk to reporters.

"They came here because they don't want to see a confrontation between the troops of both countries. It is useless for both countries if any armed conflict occurs," said Sao Sokha, commander of Cambodia's military police.

At the Thai border, about 300 more Thai troops equipped with grenade and rocket launchers were sent to the Phra Viharn national park yesterday to join about 2,400 soldiers in Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket, a military source said. Thailand has deployed 105mm artillery in the border area.

The army estimated that at least 2,000 Cambodian soldiers are stationed on the Cambodian side, the source said.

The military build-up is underway ahead of talks by Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit and Cambodian Defence Minister Teah Banh in Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo tomorrow to ease the border conflict.

Despite the tense border situation, business continued as usual at the Sa-ngam border pass in Si Sa Ket's Phu Sing district and the Chong Chom checkpoint in Kab Choeng district in neighbouring Surin.

More than 100 Thai tourists went to Cambodia from the Sa-ngam pass to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, which is 130 kilometres from the Thai border.

On Thursday more than 2,000 Cambodians crossed the border to the market to buy staple foods.

At Chong Chom, two Cambodian casinos, O-Smach Resort and Royal Hill Resort, located at the border drew 300 Thai gamblers.

Immigration officer Surasak Srathong said the border confrontation in Si Sa Ket did not deter Thais from going to the casinos.