Cambodians Plan “Day of Anger” against Thailand

UPDATE : 13 July 2010

Source: Thai-Asia network

Rong Chhun, Presindent of Cambodian Labor Confederation (CLC).

The Thai military and locals along the Thai-Cambodian border are bracing for the Cambodian Labor Confederation's plan to hold an event called the “Day of Anger” with over 10,000 Cambodians expected to turn up to show solidarity over the border dispute with Thailand.

Manager Online has reported that Cambodia's largest labor assembly, Cambodian Labor Confederation, or CLC, has affirmed it will hold the “Day of Anger” event on Thursday.

The event is a gesture against Thailand's alleged encroachment on the Cambodian border. The chosen date of the event coincides with what Cambodians believe to be the anniversary of the alleged incident two years ago.

CLC President Rong Chun released a memo on Monday calling on all members of the Cambodian society to take part in the event. Over 10,000 people are expected to join the gathering.

The “Day of Anger” will begin with a rally at Cambodia's old parliament building in Phnom Penh before moving to the Independence Monument where attendants will celebrate their patriotism.

The assembly plans to demand the Thai government respect its treaties and contracts with Cambodia by withdrawing military forces from the border.

They are also expected to call on Thailand to honor its agreement to allow Cambodia to register the Preah Vihear temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The CLC has earlier attempted to stage such a march, but has continually been barred from doing so by the Cambodian authorities.

In Thailand, soldiers remain at their stations along the Thai-Cambodian border but no special preparations have been made ahead of the “Day of Anger”.

Despite fears by Thai locals, the military has assured that it is maintaining peaceful dialogues with its Cambodian counterparts and has assured that no untoward incidents will take place.