By Pongpat Traipipat
The Nation on Sunday
Si Sa Ket
Published on July 10, 2011
The Thai military has vowed to fight to protect the country's sovereignty if they are pressured to withdraw from the border areas following reports that the Cambodian army has reinforced troops and heavy weapons along the border.
Reports doing the rounds say there are Cambodian troops fully equipped with tanks and cannons pointing at the Thai borders not far from Preah Vihear in tambon Sao Thong Chai of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.
The Thai military has been following the Cambodian troop movements closely after Cambodia's celebration of its successful application to list the temple as a World Heritage Site, although it has yet to fully develop the temple due to the border dispute with Thailand.
Both countries have reinforced troops at the disputed 4.6 kilometres area amid reports that the Unesco World Heritage Convention will require Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed zone on July 18 when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its verdict.
Phnom Penh has asked the court to clarify the scope and meaning of the 1962 ruling on Preah Vihear. As it awaits the interpretation, it has also asked the court to set provisional measures forcing Thailand to withdraw its troops, banning them from any military activities in the area or taking any action that could violate Cambodia's rights.
Although Thailand had earlier walked out of the World Heritage Convention with the intention of quitting as a member of the committee, the resignation is not official without a written document.
Colonel Thanasak Mitrapanont, Ranger Force Regiment 23's Special Task Force chief, said he had been instructed to lead his unit to protect the country's sovereignty and safeguard Thais to the best of his ability.
Banyong Tangsuk, a village head of Ban Phumisarol, said the locals had high hopes that there would not be a repeat of skirmishes that took place in February, as they were confident in the Pheu Thai Party. "The party is believed to be in negotiations with Cambodia. At least they will have respect for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra because he served as its economic adviser for some time,'' he said.
However, Banyong said he was a bit worried that if the formation of the new government was delayed there could be border clashes.
"We hope peace really returns to the border area. Locals have to face the unfortunate fate from the Thai power struggle. We wish for peace but we also do not want to lose our territory. At the same time we do not want war,'' he said.
The Thai military has vowed to fight to protect the country's sovereignty if they are pressured to withdraw from the border areas following reports that the Cambodian army has reinforced troops and heavy weapons along the border.
Reports doing the rounds say there are Cambodian troops fully equipped with tanks and cannons pointing at the Thai borders not far from Preah Vihear in tambon Sao Thong Chai of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.
The Thai military has been following the Cambodian troop movements closely after Cambodia's celebration of its successful application to list the temple as a World Heritage Site, although it has yet to fully develop the temple due to the border dispute with Thailand.
Both countries have reinforced troops at the disputed 4.6 kilometres area amid reports that the Unesco World Heritage Convention will require Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed zone on July 18 when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its verdict.
Phnom Penh has asked the court to clarify the scope and meaning of the 1962 ruling on Preah Vihear. As it awaits the interpretation, it has also asked the court to set provisional measures forcing Thailand to withdraw its troops, banning them from any military activities in the area or taking any action that could violate Cambodia's rights.
Although Thailand had earlier walked out of the World Heritage Convention with the intention of quitting as a member of the committee, the resignation is not official without a written document.
Colonel Thanasak Mitrapanont, Ranger Force Regiment 23's Special Task Force chief, said he had been instructed to lead his unit to protect the country's sovereignty and safeguard Thais to the best of his ability.
Banyong Tangsuk, a village head of Ban Phumisarol, said the locals had high hopes that there would not be a repeat of skirmishes that took place in February, as they were confident in the Pheu Thai Party. "The party is believed to be in negotiations with Cambodia. At least they will have respect for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra because he served as its economic adviser for some time,'' he said.
However, Banyong said he was a bit worried that if the formation of the new government was delayed there could be border clashes.
"We hope peace really returns to the border area. Locals have to face the unfortunate fate from the Thai power struggle. We wish for peace but we also do not want to lose our territory. At the same time we do not want war,'' he said.
9 comments:
this propaganda news from thailand news media (the nation)..
it was silly news.,, by the nation
they always, take side- biased.
khmer soliders, has not moved or reinforce,, they were staying still inside khmer territory..
however, thailand,afraid of verdict by ICJ on July 18 ,2011- so they try to find the way to reinforce thier soliders...
stop playing trick, like childish
F.U, thailand king never smiled
I agree with your comment above! Our soldier remain in their bunker never moved an inch...Thailand is trouble maker!
Can anyone tell me what kind of Thai's tank is this..?? Is that an old BTR?
M-113
Don't worry new Chinese Anti-tanks will take care...
khmer govrnments, need to bring adhisit administration to UN war crimes , by using illegal weapons
such clusters...
I am in agreement in taking Abhisit administration to UN for war crime by using cluster bomb.
It might be difficult to prosecute Thailand for using cluster munitions given that at the time of their deployment Thailand had not signed the Convention on these weapons. That was one of the reasons why Thailand refused to sign the Convention: it gives her immunity from prosecution or liability for using the controversial weapons. I understand that Cambodia also refrained from signing this agreement because Thailand's refusal to sign. Although, it must be said that Cambodia had not used these munitions during the clashes within the last 2 years. Recently, reports indicate that the two countries are moving towards observing this ban.
Nevertheless, this does not excuse the Thais for using such controversial weapons.
Cambodia should, however, press for maximum compensation from the Thais for the damages inflicted upon Preah Vihear because the monument is a listed World Heritage and Unesco flag was flying at the time of the fighting. Damages can easily be studied to verify if they had been caused by recent conflict or left-over from Cambodian civil war.
Cambodia must keep all physical evidence to substantiate her claims.
Kouprey
Koprey is right! Cambodia must press for maximun compensation from the Thais for damages...
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