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Saturday 23 May 2009

Cambodia is still waiting for an answer from Thailand for compensation

A village tried to salvage his belongings in the rubble of the burnt market.

Source: Radio Free Asia
Reported in English by Khmerization

Cambodian officials said that Cambodia is still waiting for an answer from Thailand in regard to a $2.1 million compensation it had lodged 0n 11th May against Thailand for the destruction of 264 stalls during the fighting on 3rd April, reports Radio Free Asia.

Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Cambodia wants to give Thailand time to think over the compensation claim, but he did not specify how long Cambodia can wait. He said: "Because we want to give them more time to think over among the Thai leadership first."

According to media reports, Thailand had already verbally rejected the compensation claim by stating that those stalls and market were built inside Thai territory.

But Mr. Var Kimhong, chairman of Cambodian Border Committee, claimed that those stalls were built inside Khmer territory. He said: "It is not very difficult to understand. The Thais claimed that the territory is theirs, but they have to show ownership documents to prove that that territory is theirs."

Mr. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, said that Cambodia's stance regarding border disputes with Thailand is very weak. He said: "(Our government's) stance is very, very weak. (The government) is very scared of Thailand."
Mr. Moeung Son, chairman of the Khmer Civilisation Foundation who lodged the same compensation claim on behalf on victims a few weeks before the government's claim, said that he will send another letter to the Thai embassy very soon to request for the payment of the compensation. He said if the Thai government refuses to pay, he will take the matter to the international stage or to the UN for help.

He said: "if they did not respond to our request one week before 7th July, the date of our anniversary celebration, we will absolutely make a complaint to the UN."

Cambodia claimed that during the armed clashes on 3rd April, Thai troops deliberately shelled the market and a village located near Preah Vihear temple, destroying 264 stalls and made 319 families homeless.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The Thais will never pay. Cambodia need to be a bit forceful and tough in their push for a compensation claim. I have a feeling that Thailand will try to stop Cambodia from building another market at the same spot.