Thai-Cambodia border clashes spread [triggering by Cambodian troops firing at Thai F-16s jets that flew over Cambodian territory]

By Tim Johnston in Bangkok
Financial Times
Published: April 26 2011

Clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border have spread to a second location, increasing the danger that the fighting might develop into a full-scale conflict.

At least 12 soldiers have been killed in five days of clashes between troops stationed on the disputed border between the two countries, making this their most violent confrontation in 20 years.

The recent round of fighting began on Friday near two ancient Khmer temples which are claimed by both sides, and sporadic exchanges continued through the weekend and on into Monday in the remote Dangrek mountains, 320km east of Bangkok.

It is unclear what started the latest round, with sides have blaming each other for encroaching across the border.

On Tuesday, the fighting spread to the territory surrounding the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, 150km to the east and the scene of clashes in early February in which 10 people died. Despite a brief exchange of artillery and automatic rifle fire, there were no immediate reports of casualties.

“Three F-16s flew over our territory and our troops fired at them, it lasted about half an hour,” said Phay Siphan (pictured), a spokesman for the Cambodian council of ministers.

Thai military officials described the incident as “a misunderstanding”.

“Cambodian soldiers saw Thai F-16 fighters flying along the border, but this was a normal patrol by the air force,” said Lt Col Siriya Khuangsirikul, a spokeswoman for the Thai military. “They opened fire using both small arms and heavy arms and Thai forces retaliated in proportion.”

Appeals for peace from Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, and attempts to negotiate a ceasefire by Marty Natalegawa, the foreign minister of Indonesia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, have so far had little effect.

The long-running border dispute stems from ambiguities in colonial-era maps, but the potential for violent confrontation has been amplified in recent years by nationalists on both sides of the border.

Some analysts believe the powerful Thai military could be stoking the disagreement in the hope of derailing general elections which are expected to be held in late June or early July.

“A lot of the army’s reason for getting prestige and money is tied with border disputes,” said Chris Baker, who has written a number of books on Thai politics. “There is a chance that this could escalate if the army thinks they can benefit from doing so, and they don’t want an election.”

Others believe that Cambodia wants to internationalise the dispute in the hope that Thailand would be pushed into third-party arbitration on the border, a case the authorities in Phnom Penh believe they can win.

After the February clashes, Mr Natalegawa appeared to get agreement from both governments to place Indonesian monitors on the border, but Thailand’s military objected and the plan has since stalled. Mr Natalegawa had planned to visit the two capitals on Monday, but cancelled his trip without giving a reason.

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