Soldier killed, 5 hurt in border clash

[Flashermac]

 

 

ANALYSIS: The Abhisit government is facing new pressure to allow third-party observers a say over conflict

 

 

 

[color:red]The fresh border clashes in Surin province have bolstered Phnom Penh's position that a solution to the border dispute with Cambodia will be impossible without the involvement of a third party.[/color]

 

The five-hour engagement, which took place yesterday at Ta Kwai and Ta Muen temples in Phanom Dong Rak district in the northeastern province were the first to erupt between Cambodia and Thailand in almost three months.

 

The fighting, which killed four Thai soldiers, comes as the two countries have failed to reach a deal on the role of Indonesian observers to be dispatched to the border near the disputed Preah Vihear temple, located near neighbouring Si Sa Ket province.

 

Bangkok, particularly the Defence Ministry and the army, is reluctant to welcome the group of observers who work on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

 

They were proposed in a bid to put an end to the border tension between the two countries after the bloody armed fighting in early February.

 

The Thai position is to resolve the problem solely with Cambodia.

 

It fears that bringing in outsiders will make the issue complicated and put the country at a disadvantage.

 

Thailand is worried that bringing in observers will be a first step for others to involve themselves in the border issue.

 

Phnom Penh, however, has called for the international community to step in. The Cambodian government is eagerly waiting for Jakarta to send observers to the disputed area near the temple.

 

After yesterday's clashes, the Thai government quickly tried to play down its consequences and insisted that it could be a one-off incident. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the close proximity of troops between the two countries was the cause of the fighting.

 

"Whenever you have troops stationed near one another, there is always a likelihood of a clash breaking out," the prime minister said.

 

But the Cambodian government thought otherwise and quickly exploited the clashes to call for the attention of the international community including the United Nations Security Council and Asean.

 

In a letter to Security Council president Nostor Osocir, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong linked the fighting to Thailand's reluctance to accept the role of the Indonesian observers to monitor the border situation.

 

The clashes worried Indonesia, which chairs the 10-member Asean until the end of this year, as it had already tried to broker talks between Thailand and Cambodia at a meeting in Jakarta on Feb 22.

 

"Indonesia, as current chair of Asean, strongly calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia," Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said.

 

[color:red]Cambodia hopes the fighting will result in more pressure on Thailand to accelerate the approval of terms of reference for the dispatch of Indonesian observers to the border.[/color]

 

[color:red]Although the government played down the fighting, the army believes the clash was intentionally designed to fulfil Cambodia's goal of having observers from Indonesia sent to the disputed area and for more involvement of Asean.

[/color]

Nevertheless, the border clash this time was not in favour of Cambodia alone.

 

It underscored the Thai position that the dispute at Ta Kwai and Ta Muen is a long-term consequence of the 2008 listing of the Preah Vihear temple by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as a World Heritage site.

 

"The Thai side informed both Unesco and the World Heritage Committee that the inscription of Preah Vihear by Cambodia would lead to clashes and loss of life among people from both countries," Natural Resources Minister Suvit Khunkitti said.

 

"My warning has come true. I will inform Unesco and WHC [the World Heritage Committee] of the truth of the situation.

 

"The only way to settle the conflict is to demarcate the boundary.

 

"Once that is done, the misunderstanding and clashes will go away," he said.

 

Thailand and Cambodia are locked in a conflict over management of the area surrounding Preah Vihear, a condition set by the WHC after the temple was listed as a World Heritage site.

 

The two countries quarrelled about the issue at the WHC meeting last year in Brazil as Thailand insisted that the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area must be demarcated before talks on management can begin.

 

Cambodia, however, wanted to see the management plan approved as soon as possible.

 

Another casualty from yesterday's clash could be border trade, which will suffer if the clashes carry on.

 

Niyom Wairatpanich, of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said trade at Chong Chom in Surin's Kab Choeng district and O-Samet of Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province, worth one billion baht a year, would be in jeopardy if tension continues in neighbouring Phanom Dong Rak, he said.

 

Other border trading posts along the border could be affected as well.

 

Border trade between Thailand and Cambodia through land and water transport amounts to 80 billion baht a year, with Thailand having a huge trade surplus of 76 billion baht.

 

 

 

This seems on the mark

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

"the army believes the clash was intentionally designed to fulfill Cambodia's goal of having observers from Indonesia sent to the disputed area and for more involvement of Asean."

 

Exactly as I have believed myself. All done to try to force the Thais to accept 3rd party observers. Deliberate provocations by Hun Sen and his son/army and others to force the issue, with no concern to the loss of life and destruction of property and trauma caused to the civilian population. Hun Sen is a slimebag.

 

 

[Flashermac]

 

He was originally an commissioned officer in those nice folks the Khmer Rouge.

[shygye]

Cambo Side

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said the fighting broke out after Thai troops fired on their Cambodian counterparts around 6 AM on Friday near Ta Krabey temple, about 15 kilometres from Ta Moan temple in Oddar Meanchey province.

 

“We did not start this fight,†Phay Siphan said. “We cannot accept this act. It is not what Cambodia wants, and it affects our Ta Krabey temple.â€

 

“They are trying to take advantage by fighting and encroaching on Cambodia. They have breached the principles of our agreement in Indonesia,†Phay Siphan added, referring to talks between the two sides following their clashes in February in which they agreed to accept Indonesian military observers to preserve the fragile ceasefire at the border. These observers have yet to arrive due to Thailand’s hesitance to grant them final approval.

[Flashermac]

 

Access from Cambodia - up the cliff!

 

v_ylcd7BLAM

[Flashermac]

The Thais say it is on their side of the border, which it would seem to be from it overland access without climbing up any damned cliff.

 

 

http://www.hotsia.com/surin/prasat%20ta%20muean.shtml

 

 

Kq6iLi5LSGw&feature=related

 

 

[Flashermac]

Another good STRATFOR analysis:

 

 

<< In 1962, the U.N. International Court of Justice ruled that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, though the border around the temple has never been completely demarcated. However, Cambodia is militarily weaker than Thailand in the contested areas and always pursues third-party involvement in the dispute so as not to be overwhelmed by force in those areas.

 

Mediating this dispute is a daunting challenge for Indonesia, which lacks the authority to force the issue as well as the pressing national prerogatives of the two parties in the dispute.

 

The situation is also complicated by Thailand and Cambodia’s internal situations. Thailand is facing elections, in May at the earliest, and the political situation is an uncertain one. The border dispute has been a sticking point for various groups and factions that have been pressuring the government. The Thai king’s deteriorating health adds even more uncertainty. With the Thai army growing increasingly critical of the Cambodians and Indonesians since the cease-fire, and with it effectively in control on the border, there could well be more flare-ups if the situation worsens.

 

[color:red]On the Cambodian side, nationalism is always a way to boost Prime Minister Hun Sen’s leadership, and Cambodia is no doubt willing and ready to exploit a neighbor consumed by intense factional politics.[/color] >>

 

 

 

http://www.stratfor.com/memberships/192518/analysis/20110422-flare-fighting-thailand-cambodia-border

[Flashermac]

Another soldier killed in border clash

 

 

 

One soldier was killed in the latest clash between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border in Surin province this morning, army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

 

Col Sansern said the fighting erupted about 6am and stopped about 11.25am. He assured that local villagers evacuated to various evacuation centres are safe from the battle.

 

Army Region 2 commander Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn insisted Thai troops had not made any artillery fire into Cambodian territory as was reported by the media. Thai soldiers had to return fire because Cambodian troops fired first, he said.

 

Four Thai soldiers were killed in the border clash on Friday morning.

 

 

Bangkok Post

 

 

[Flashermac]

Border clash resumes

 

 

A clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers took place this morning on the Thai-Cambodian border near Ta Kwai temple in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province, Thai TBS television station reported.

 

The two sides began to exchange fire with dividual rifles, mortars and artillery pieces at about 9.45am.

 

No casualties were reported.

 

It was still not clear which side started the firefight this morning

 

---

 

Bangkok Post, Sunday morning

 

[Flashermac]

More bloodshed feared

 

 

 

Fears of full-scale bloody battles along the Thai-Cambodian border grew yesterday as both sides began to deploy heavy artillery.

 

Tensions continued to escalate in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district after a new round of border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops yesterday, the third in three days.

 

Both sides were bringing in reinforcements right along the border including heavy weaponry, heightening fears that war could be looming.

 

Yesterday's clashes started at about 10am and stopped at about 6pm near Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in Surin. Three more Thai soldiers were injured.

 

Four Thai soldiers have been killed and 27 injured as of yesterday since fighting first broke out on Friday.

 

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said six Cambodian soldiers were killed in fighting and 13 injured during the previous two days.

 

Thai authorities said no civilians were killed or injured during the fighting, the first clashes between the two countries since February. They said thousands of villagers in the area have been evacuated to safety. The situation caused Thai soldiers to close Chong Jom border pass in Kab Choeng district of Surin and Chong Sa-ngam border pass in Phu Sing district of Si Sa Ket yesterday.

 

The latest border clashes prompted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call a video conference with local authorities in Surin where the clash took place and those of adjacent Buri Ram province yesterday afternoon to update the situation

 

The premier insisted border clashes broke out because Cambodian troops had invaded deeply into Thai territory and started firing at the Thai troops first. He said Thai soldiers had to fight back to defend the country' s sovereignty and to protect their lives.

 

Thai soldiers responded only when it was necessary and aimed only at military targets to prevent any harm to Cambodian civilians, he said.

 

Lt Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, 2nd Army commander, told the conference that reports on Cambodian radio revealed that Cambodia suffered heavier injuries and weaponry damages.

 

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha also said he put soldiers on standby around the clock and infantry soldiers and paramilitary rangers were mainly responsible for present border operations. To end the border conflict, Prime Minister Abhisit said he would seek a chance to talk with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen at the upcoming 18th Asean Summit scheduled to be held in Jakarta between May 7 and 8.

 

"I will ask him to help take care of the Thai-Cambodian border and solve the problem through existing bilateral mechanisms," Mr Abhisit said.

 

Asean and the United Nations expressed their immediate concerns shortly after the latest border fighting.

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Thailand and Cambodia to take immediate measures for a ceasefire.

 

Mr Ban said he believes the dispute cannot be resolved by military means and urged the two countries to engage in serious dialogue.

 

Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan also wanted the two countries to turn to the negotiating table.

 

"The world and Asean is alarmed by the new outbreak of violent and fatal clashes along the Cambodian-Thai border," Mr Surin said.

 

"The appeal for restraint and a quick return to the negotiating table will become louder from other Asean members and dialogue partners.

 

"I can only add to that my voice to call for a peaceful solution to a long simmering tension between our two Asean member states."

 

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa, as the incumbent Asean chairman, would today leave Jakarta for Bangkok to discuss the current Thai-Cambodian border situation with him.

 

Mr Kasit will visit Surin to observe the situation today. He will then meet with Mr Marty at Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel at 7pm. Before meeting with Mr Kasit, Mr Marty will travel to Phnom Penh to meet with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong.

 

Mr Kasit said he would have talks with Hor Namhong to discuss the border problem over the next four to five days.

 

Thailand had also clarified the latest border situation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) that the situation was not related to Unesco's World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting in Paris in June.

 

 

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