Thailand Fact Sheet: Temple of Ta Kwai (Cambodia)

1. Background

1.1 The Temple of Ta Kwai (Ta Krabey in Khmer) is an archeological site situated on the Dangrek Range within Surin Province in northeastern Thailand. It is located between the Boundary Pillars No. 21 and No. 22, some 13 kilometers to the east of the Ta Muen Temple Complex and 150 kilometers to the west of Phra Viharn Temple.

1.2 The boundary in this area is in accordance with the Treaty between Siam and France dated 23 March 1907 and the Protocol concerning the delimitation of boundaries annexed to the said Treaty, which provide for the use of the watershed on the Dangrek Range as the boundary, as well as the Procès-verbal d'abornement of 1908-1909 and 1919-1920.

1.3 The area adjacent to the Temple of Ta Kwai is part of the areas to be surveyed and demarcated by the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC), which was set up in 2000 to be responsible for the joint survey and demarcation of the entire stretch of the land boundary between the two countries. Based on the JBC's agreed Terms of Reference and Master Plan, its Joint Survey Team will begin work to identify the exact location of the Boundary Pillars from No. 22 to No. 1 after its current work in Trat Province is completed.

1.4 Over the years, Thai and Cambodian military personnel in the area around the Temple of Ta Kwai have maintained close contact and good cooperation. In particular, there is an understanding between them to conduct joint patrols in the area.

2. Recent Developments

2.1 On 3 August 2008, a Cambodian military unit of about 30 men had encroached into Thai territory in the area of the Temple of Ta Kwai. Following discussions between the military of both sides at the local level, the said Cambodian unit withdrew on 6 August 2008.

2.2 On 6 September 2008, however, the Thai local authorities in Surin Province reported that more than 70 Cambodian armed troops had intruded into Thai territory and entered and occupied the Temple of Ta Kwai and its vicinity. The Thai side informed the said Cambodian troops that they were in Thai territory and requested their immediate withdrawal from the area, but the request was disregarded. With a view to safeguarding the Temple, which is located within Thai territory, a Thai paramilitary group of approximately 35 men were deployed into the area.

2.3 In this connection, the Commanding General of the Second Army Region held consultations with his Cambodian counterpart from 13-14 September 2008. Tensions have since eased with troops on both sides redeployed away from each other. Currently, no troops from either side are in the Temple. However, both sides agreed to maintain a small number of troops in the area.

2.4 Both sides agreed to keep their line of communication open.