Preah Vihear Temple: More Friction on the Thai-Cambodian Border

Posted by Mari Nicholson Oct 14, 2008

In the midst of Thailand’s problems with anti-government factions protesting outside parliament, the ugly stand-off at the Thai-Cambodian border continues to exercise the minds of the powers-that-be. This is the ongoing dispute over access to the Preah Vihear temple.

On Monday, the Cambodian Prime Minister warned Thailand that armed clashes were likely to erupt if troops from Thailand continue to trespass over the border.

Last week two Thai soldiers, said by their government to be on their own side of the border, were injured by land mines laid along the crossing which they had been accused of overstepping at a point several kilometres west of the Preah Vihear temple. Tensions have been high since July last when soldiers on both sides faced off only yards apart

The 900 year-old temple of Preah Vihear which sits on a natural escarpment dividing the two nations and in a jungle-clad area that was once home to the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot’s infamous army is still littered with landmines. At the moment, I understand that Thai troops are camped a mere 33 metres from the Cambodian troops

Only 3 days before this, a gunfight broke out between the two sides in which one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded. Both sides blamed the other for what they said were incursions on to their land. The Cambodians have called for more talks and an army commander has confirmed that troops are on high alert.

Meantime, an army spokesman for the Thais, held a press conference yesterday in which he said that Thai troops will remain at the border to protect the country’s sovereignty. They will not withdraw from what they consider to be their territory. Hun Sen has given the troops until tomorrow to withdraw from what he says is Cambodian territory.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing problems the Thai government is facing in Bangkok, this is not a time when they can afford to back down less they be called unpatriotic!