Cambodian soldiers load ammunition near Preah Vihear temple after a brief clash with Thai troops early February 5, 2011. REUTERS/Pheara
By Ambika Ahuja
updated 2/6/2011
BANGKOK REUTERS— Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Sunday, witnesses said, the third flare-up in three days in an ancient feud over territory surrounding a 900-year-old Hindu temple.
The latest fighting occurred despite Thailand's announcement of a ceasefire on Saturday following clashes in the area that killed at least five people on Friday and Saturday.
A witness said about 20 rounds went off in the vicinity of a 4.6-sq-km (two-sq-mile) contested area around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, on a jungle-clad escarpment overlooking northern Cambodia and claimed by both Southeast Asian neighbors.
"We are receiving reports of fresh shooting right now. But there is no report of casualties," said Thai army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd.
In Phnom Penh, a Cambodian government spokesman said the cause of the latest clash was not clear while a pro-government television station said Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was "hungry for war."
Although sporadic clashes in the area are not unusual, it is rare for the two sides to fight over consecutive days.
The United States has called on both sides to show restraint.
The Association of South East Asian Nations, a regional forum of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, said on Saturday the deteriorating situation was undermining confidence in the region and would affect its economic recovery.
The area of the clash is remote with scattered villages on the Thai side and little development on the Cambodian side.
THAIS PROTEST
A Thai village school director in the area said about 2,500 people had been moved away from their village to safety.
On Saturday, Thai and Cambodian troops fought with rocket-propelled grenades and guns for about 25 minutes in a clash that killed one Thai soldier, before reaching a truce and agreeing not to reinforce troops.
That followed an intense two-hour clash in which three Cambodians, including two soldiers, and a Thai villager were killed on Friday, the first fatalities in the militarized area since a Thai soldier was shot dead on January 31, 2010.
The fighting is the latest episode in on-again off-again tension between the neighbors.
Relations with Cambodia have also become a bone of contention in long-running hostility between Thai political factions.
Pro-establishment Thai "yellow shirt" activists have accused their main rival, ousted former populist premier Thaksin Shinawatra, of colluding with Cambodia to Thailand's detriment.
The "yellow shirt" protesters are demanding that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit take a tougher line against Cambodia.
Up to 4,000 of the protesters gathered outside Abhisit's offices on Saturday, criticizing his government for its handling of the dispute and calling for his resignation.
The Thai Foreign Ministry has accused Cambodia of engaging in "an act of aggression (in) violation of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity." Cambodia has accused Thailand of invasion and filed a complaint with the U.N. Security Council.
The temple, known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, sits on land that forms a natural border and has been a source of tension for generations.
The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962 but the ruling did not determine the ownership of the scrub next to the ruins, leaving considerable scope for disagreement.
By Ambika Ahuja
updated 2/6/2011
BANGKOK REUTERS— Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Sunday, witnesses said, the third flare-up in three days in an ancient feud over territory surrounding a 900-year-old Hindu temple.
The latest fighting occurred despite Thailand's announcement of a ceasefire on Saturday following clashes in the area that killed at least five people on Friday and Saturday.
A witness said about 20 rounds went off in the vicinity of a 4.6-sq-km (two-sq-mile) contested area around the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, on a jungle-clad escarpment overlooking northern Cambodia and claimed by both Southeast Asian neighbors.
"We are receiving reports of fresh shooting right now. But there is no report of casualties," said Thai army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd.
In Phnom Penh, a Cambodian government spokesman said the cause of the latest clash was not clear while a pro-government television station said Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was "hungry for war."
Although sporadic clashes in the area are not unusual, it is rare for the two sides to fight over consecutive days.
The United States has called on both sides to show restraint.
The Association of South East Asian Nations, a regional forum of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members, said on Saturday the deteriorating situation was undermining confidence in the region and would affect its economic recovery.
The area of the clash is remote with scattered villages on the Thai side and little development on the Cambodian side.
THAIS PROTEST
A Thai village school director in the area said about 2,500 people had been moved away from their village to safety.
On Saturday, Thai and Cambodian troops fought with rocket-propelled grenades and guns for about 25 minutes in a clash that killed one Thai soldier, before reaching a truce and agreeing not to reinforce troops.
That followed an intense two-hour clash in which three Cambodians, including two soldiers, and a Thai villager were killed on Friday, the first fatalities in the militarized area since a Thai soldier was shot dead on January 31, 2010.
The fighting is the latest episode in on-again off-again tension between the neighbors.
Relations with Cambodia have also become a bone of contention in long-running hostility between Thai political factions.
Pro-establishment Thai "yellow shirt" activists have accused their main rival, ousted former populist premier Thaksin Shinawatra, of colluding with Cambodia to Thailand's detriment.
The "yellow shirt" protesters are demanding that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit take a tougher line against Cambodia.
Up to 4,000 of the protesters gathered outside Abhisit's offices on Saturday, criticizing his government for its handling of the dispute and calling for his resignation.
The Thai Foreign Ministry has accused Cambodia of engaging in "an act of aggression (in) violation of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity." Cambodia has accused Thailand of invasion and filed a complaint with the U.N. Security Council.
The temple, known as Preah Vihear in Cambodia and Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, sits on land that forms a natural border and has been a source of tension for generations.
The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962 but the ruling did not determine the ownership of the scrub next to the ruins, leaving considerable scope for disagreement.
4 comments:
Do not let the stupid media take photo of our soldier condition and strategic place.
Thais never show their soldier location, donot be stupid for the expense of Khmer soldiers
Thailand Plan:
1. use ground force to take control at staircase to go up Preah Vihear. and to cut supplies of Khmer soldiers
2. Use poison gas to suffocate or Kill Khmer soldiers.
3. Use Para trooper to take control Preah Vihear..
That is they ultimate goal...
I think Cambodian shooting a lot
it may be run out of ammunition
Hun sen bring some more. Thai Bring a lot you see it. lost because run out of bullet and no
food
12:12 PM, wow..you're a fucking genious there duffus. Very fucking simple plans, isn't it. Thank god, you're not a military decision maker, otherwise, you'll be dragging your own Siem dog troops to hell. The fucking problem with that is, it's not as simple as you've planned it. Poison gas my ass. That weapon is prohibit under Geneva convention. I hope Thailand is aware of that. Thailand dares using that shit on Cambodian troops. Thailand dares to create all type of new shit for itself. You know what they say, "You have one, I will also have one." Don't think you're getting away with this shit. A pussy Thailand can't win a fight with little Cambodia and resort to a coward and dirty tactic by using chemical warefare? I believe that's WMD there duffus. It would be very stupid of Thailand to have such thought. Having that weapon and using it will make the world turn against Thailand. Do you think it worth it? Take your head out of your ass.
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