Monday, 07 December 2009
By Cheang Sokha
Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Saturday warned Cambodians living along the border with Thailand not to cross unlawfully into the neighbouring country, following a series of arrests and shootings.
“Do whatever you want in our territory, but do not cross onto [Thai] soil,” Hun Sen said during the opening of construction on National Road 68 in Oddar Meanchey province.
Hun Sen’s comments follow numerous reports of clashes between Cambodian illegal loggers and Thai soldiers in recent months. In September, 16 Cambodian loggers received jail terms from a Thai provincial court, and in a separate incident, Oddar Meanchey officials claim 16-year-old Cambodian logger Yon Rith was burned alive by Thai soldiers.
Despite these incidents, the premier stated again that the military clashes along the border will not resume. “The policy of using the armed forces is out of date now, and it is in contrast to the will of the people of the two countries.”
By Cheang Sokha
Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Saturday warned Cambodians living along the border with Thailand not to cross unlawfully into the neighbouring country, following a series of arrests and shootings.
“Do whatever you want in our territory, but do not cross onto [Thai] soil,” Hun Sen said during the opening of construction on National Road 68 in Oddar Meanchey province.
Hun Sen’s comments follow numerous reports of clashes between Cambodian illegal loggers and Thai soldiers in recent months. In September, 16 Cambodian loggers received jail terms from a Thai provincial court, and in a separate incident, Oddar Meanchey officials claim 16-year-old Cambodian logger Yon Rith was burned alive by Thai soldiers.
Despite these incidents, the premier stated again that the military clashes along the border will not resume. “The policy of using the armed forces is out of date now, and it is in contrast to the will of the people of the two countries.”
2 comments:
people shall be aware of illegal crossing the border will always involve risks, in particular, during the tension between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
Hun Sen's call for all Cambodians to stop crossing the borders is easy said than done. People don't just cross the borders because they wanted to cross the borders. They crossed the borders because there is no works in Cambodia to earn a living to feed their family. If Hun Sen is genuine he should find ways to create jobs in Cambodia so Cambodians will stop crossing the borders to Thailand. Stop the corruption so govt. can collect more revenue to create jobs or pay some small welfare check to the very poor.
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