Preah Vihear temple (top) and its beautiful surrounding areas (below).
Khmerization’s Editorial
We have seen yet again Thailand is trying to muscle its way into achieving the upper hand in the issue of Preah Vihea temple. The using of the Thai army to warn Cambodia of the issue of the disputed areas around Preah Vihear temple is a bullying designed to intimidate Cambodia. Thailand’s stand over and strong armed tactics had been employed as its effective weapons in dealing with Cambodia over disputed areas in the past. The bullying had been working toward Thailand’s advantages and was successful in intimidating Cambodia into agreeing to something that they would have otherwise objected to.
The issue of Preah Vihear had been a thorny issue since the International Court of Justice in The Hague handed the ownership of the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Since the loss of that court case, Thailand felt that it had been outsmarted by Cambodia- hence the start of its obsession to take revenge on Cambodia, including employing stand over and strong armed tactics to achieve its aim.
Thailand’s bullying over Cambodia must be stopped. Cambodia’s territories in many areas along the borders between the two countries had been encroached and robbed by Thailand since time immemorial. Preah Vihear was a Khmer temple, built by Khmer king and was located in Khmer territory. Before Thailand sent its army to occupy the temple in 1958 the territories surrounding the temple were Cambodian territories. Cambodia had made a mistake by not asking The International Court of Justice to judge on the border demarcation. However, a good and a sensible neighbour would have respected the reality and a fait accompli- that is, Preah Vihear and its vicinity belong to Cambodia.
Cambodia must be firm with Thailand over the issue of Preah Vihear. Cambodia had been making too many concessions to her neighbours regarding the border issues many times before. It is time we stand up to protect our territorial integrity and national interests. In saying this, armed conflicts must be avoided at all costs and diplomatic solutions must be actively sought. Cambodia must never agree to a Thai proposal for a joint management of the Preah Vihear site. Agreeing to it would be like agreeing to share half of the fruits from your farm with a stranger.
Cambodia must lobby the international community over this issue. Cambodia must explain our case and historical facts clearly to countries that sympathised with our cause. Failure to do so, Cambodia will end up losing a diplomatic war over the issue of this national treasure of ours.//
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Below is an article from the Thai point of view.
Thai army warns dispute over Preah Vihear could have repercussions
By WASSANA NANUAMThe Defence Ministry is concerned about Cambodia's tough stance on seeking World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear, the ancient Khmer ruins on the Thai-Cambodian border. Defence Ministry spokesman Pichasanu Putchakarn said Cambodia has ignored the government's suggestion the two countries jointly propose the historical site for Unesco listing.If Cambodia does it alone, it is feared that Thailand may lose its land around the ancient sanctuary, which has yet to be demarcated, he said.''Thailand has to think of its national interests. We may protest to the Cambodian government through diplomatic channels and try to explain to other countries that Thailand has tried to cooperate with Cambodia in requesting the World Heritage listing of the sanctuary together.''But Cambodia went ahead with the request unilaterally. We may also have to condemn Cambodia if the country still tries to do it alone,'' he said.There was a possibility the dispute could affect diplomatic relations between the two nations, he said.Thailand and Cambodia each assert sovereignty over some areas around Preah Vihear, known as Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand.The World Court has judged the ancient ruins as being part of Cambodia. However, the two countries have not come to a demarcation agreement on some immediate border areas around the sanctuary.Lt-Gen Pichasanu said the World Heritage listing could lead to the disputed areas being annexed by Cambodia which, he said, has tried to rally international support for the sanctuary to be given Heritage status.He said the issue was significant and therefore warranted immediate government attention.Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas felt the new government should put the issue on the national agenda, he said.The country should also prepare for unrest which could arise from the dispute, which could provoke military hostilities along the border.Second Army commander Sujit Sithiprapa said the army has notified Cambodian authorities it would like them to stop paving a road to the entrance of Preah Vihear because it could disturb the disputed area.Because the sanctuary is perched atop a hill, entry has to be made from a point on the Thai side of the border.The road's construction should be put off until the two countries have settled the demarcation issue, Lt-Gen Sujit said.He said Cambodian soldiers had been deployed along the border zones leading to the sanctuary.He had ordered his troops deployed to police the border as well.Despite this, soldiers from the two countries retained close ties.Gen Boonrawd voiced concern over a possible confrontation, saying top-levels discussions were needed to resolve the issue amicably.
Khmerization’s Editorial
We have seen yet again Thailand is trying to muscle its way into achieving the upper hand in the issue of Preah Vihea temple. The using of the Thai army to warn Cambodia of the issue of the disputed areas around Preah Vihear temple is a bullying designed to intimidate Cambodia. Thailand’s stand over and strong armed tactics had been employed as its effective weapons in dealing with Cambodia over disputed areas in the past. The bullying had been working toward Thailand’s advantages and was successful in intimidating Cambodia into agreeing to something that they would have otherwise objected to.
The issue of Preah Vihear had been a thorny issue since the International Court of Justice in The Hague handed the ownership of the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Since the loss of that court case, Thailand felt that it had been outsmarted by Cambodia- hence the start of its obsession to take revenge on Cambodia, including employing stand over and strong armed tactics to achieve its aim.
Thailand’s bullying over Cambodia must be stopped. Cambodia’s territories in many areas along the borders between the two countries had been encroached and robbed by Thailand since time immemorial. Preah Vihear was a Khmer temple, built by Khmer king and was located in Khmer territory. Before Thailand sent its army to occupy the temple in 1958 the territories surrounding the temple were Cambodian territories. Cambodia had made a mistake by not asking The International Court of Justice to judge on the border demarcation. However, a good and a sensible neighbour would have respected the reality and a fait accompli- that is, Preah Vihear and its vicinity belong to Cambodia.
Cambodia must be firm with Thailand over the issue of Preah Vihear. Cambodia had been making too many concessions to her neighbours regarding the border issues many times before. It is time we stand up to protect our territorial integrity and national interests. In saying this, armed conflicts must be avoided at all costs and diplomatic solutions must be actively sought. Cambodia must never agree to a Thai proposal for a joint management of the Preah Vihear site. Agreeing to it would be like agreeing to share half of the fruits from your farm with a stranger.
Cambodia must lobby the international community over this issue. Cambodia must explain our case and historical facts clearly to countries that sympathised with our cause. Failure to do so, Cambodia will end up losing a diplomatic war over the issue of this national treasure of ours.//
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is an article from the Thai point of view.
Thai army warns dispute over Preah Vihear could have repercussions
By WASSANA NANUAMThe Defence Ministry is concerned about Cambodia's tough stance on seeking World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear, the ancient Khmer ruins on the Thai-Cambodian border. Defence Ministry spokesman Pichasanu Putchakarn said Cambodia has ignored the government's suggestion the two countries jointly propose the historical site for Unesco listing.If Cambodia does it alone, it is feared that Thailand may lose its land around the ancient sanctuary, which has yet to be demarcated, he said.''Thailand has to think of its national interests. We may protest to the Cambodian government through diplomatic channels and try to explain to other countries that Thailand has tried to cooperate with Cambodia in requesting the World Heritage listing of the sanctuary together.''But Cambodia went ahead with the request unilaterally. We may also have to condemn Cambodia if the country still tries to do it alone,'' he said.There was a possibility the dispute could affect diplomatic relations between the two nations, he said.Thailand and Cambodia each assert sovereignty over some areas around Preah Vihear, known as Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand.The World Court has judged the ancient ruins as being part of Cambodia. However, the two countries have not come to a demarcation agreement on some immediate border areas around the sanctuary.Lt-Gen Pichasanu said the World Heritage listing could lead to the disputed areas being annexed by Cambodia which, he said, has tried to rally international support for the sanctuary to be given Heritage status.He said the issue was significant and therefore warranted immediate government attention.Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas felt the new government should put the issue on the national agenda, he said.The country should also prepare for unrest which could arise from the dispute, which could provoke military hostilities along the border.Second Army commander Sujit Sithiprapa said the army has notified Cambodian authorities it would like them to stop paving a road to the entrance of Preah Vihear because it could disturb the disputed area.Because the sanctuary is perched atop a hill, entry has to be made from a point on the Thai side of the border.The road's construction should be put off until the two countries have settled the demarcation issue, Lt-Gen Sujit said.He said Cambodian soldiers had been deployed along the border zones leading to the sanctuary.He had ordered his troops deployed to police the border as well.Despite this, soldiers from the two countries retained close ties.Gen Boonrawd voiced concern over a possible confrontation, saying top-levels discussions were needed to resolve the issue amicably.
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