Foreign military attaches successfully visited Khmer-Thai disputed zone despite threats from the Thai military

17 foreign military attaches posed for a photograph in front of Cambodian Army headquarter at Pram Makara.

By Khmerization
Sources: CEN and Kampuchea Thmey

Seventeen military attaches from 12 embassies in Phnom Penh had successfully visited the so-called Khmer-Thai disputed zone on Thursday 3rd March, despite threats and an attempt by the Thai military to thwart that visit.

The 17 foreign military attaches arrived in the area at 11:30 a.m and were received cordially by Gen. Neang Phat, Deputy Minister of Defence, Gen. Nim Sovath, Director of Department of Foreign Affairs and Maj-Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander of Royal Cambodian Army and son of Prime Minister Hun Sen. The group made a 2-hour tour of the area, including visiting Cambodian Command Headquarter at Pram Makara (5th January), visiting all the 5 Gopuras that have sustained damages by Thai shells as well as visiting Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda, also damaged by Thai shells.

Gen. Srey Doek, commander of the Preah Vihear command, said the Thai military threatened to disrupt the visit. He said when the group arrived, the Thai military presented them with a letter of protest, saying that Thailand would not allow the delegation to travel across the 4.6 sq. km2, including Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak, which deemed to be a "disputed zone". The letter said that Thailand will only allow the group to travel across the area only if 5 Thai soldiers are allowed to accompany the group.

Gen. Srey Doek said the Cambodian side ignored the Thai request and sent a letter of reply rejecting the Thai demand by warning that if the Thai side open fire, the Cambodian side will retaliate in self-defence.

The group had visited Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvarak pagoda, the staircase of the Preah Vihear temple, the 3rd, 4th and the 5th Gopuras which had sustained substantial damages from Thai artillery shells during the armed clashes on 4-7 February. They also had a chance to see the cluster bombs left by the Thai artillery shells.