Sunday, 3 August 2008
Thai troops occupy 2nd temple on Cambodian border
Thai soldiers camp out outside a Cambodian Buddhist temple which Thai have occupied close to a famed Preah Vihear temple complex in Preah Vihear Province near Cambodia-Thai border, Cambodia , Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Cambodia said Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008 Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site along on their border, a new twist in an ongoing armed standoff that nearly led to clashes between the neighbors last month.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) 
Thai soldiers camp out next to the trenches outside a Cambodian Buddhist temple where Thai have occupied near a famed Preah Vihear temple complex near Cambodia-Thai border, Cambodia , Preah Vihear Province, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Cambodia said Sunday Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site along on their border, a new twist in an ongoing armed standoff that nearly led to clashes between the neighbors last month.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) In the photo you will see the troops from both sides sitting and chatting together. I hope every standoff in the world will be like this.
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah arrives at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah (L) and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen listen to national anthem of their countries during Sheikh Nasser's welcoming ceremony at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008. Sheikh Nasser is in Cambodia for a three-day official visit.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA) 
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Naser Mohammed al-Sabah (L) and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen stand while listening to the national anthems of their countries during a welcoming ceremony for al-Sabah at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)
Cambodian muslims hold the national flags of Kuwait and Cambodia during a welcoming ceremony for Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Naser Mohammed al-Sabah at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)
Muslim women wave Cambodian and Kuwait national flags during a welcoming ceremony for Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008. Sheikh Nasser is in Cambodia on a three-day official visit.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, left, greets Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, center, upon his arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, August 3, 2008. Al-Mohammed arrived here for a three-day visit.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah waves upon his arrival at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008. Sheikh Nasser is in Cambodia on a three-day official visit.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)
Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah (L) arrives at Phnom Penh international airport August 3, 2008. Sheikh Nasser is in Cambodia on a three-day official visit.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)
Husband charged
Second-degree murder in death of Deang Huon
edmontonsun.com
Sun, August 3, 2008
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
City cops say they have charged the husband of Edmonton's 16th homicide victim of the year with second-degree murder.
The victim, 40-year-old Deang Huon, was found by police in the bedroom of an apartment suite at 10955 106 St. Wednesday after relatives asked authorities to check on her well-being.
It wasn't immediately known how long the woman had been dead when the cops found her.
The Cambodian couple has lived at The Kent apartment complex since 2000 and neighbours say the suspect and the victim are both well-liked by everyone.
Landlord Allan Thompson, who also lives in the building, was shocked over his tenant's death. He described the suspect as "peaceful" and the couple's relationship as "loving towards each other."
About half of the tenants in the building are also Cambodian and knew the couple well, he added, saying they're more confused than scared. Newer tenants, however, are unsettled.
"The tenants have been phoning me and the people who know Sok are mystified. They're not worried," he explained.
Thompson was renovating one of the building's suites when police arrived with a woman he identified as the couple's niece.
He opened the door for them, but didn't learn police had discovered a body until a man was taken into custody.
Police have not said how the victim died.
Narin Sok, 49, is slated to appear in court on Aug. 6.
edmontonsun.com
Sun, August 3, 2008
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
City cops say they have charged the husband of Edmonton's 16th homicide victim of the year with second-degree murder.
The victim, 40-year-old Deang Huon, was found by police in the bedroom of an apartment suite at 10955 106 St. Wednesday after relatives asked authorities to check on her well-being.
It wasn't immediately known how long the woman had been dead when the cops found her.
The Cambodian couple has lived at The Kent apartment complex since 2000 and neighbours say the suspect and the victim are both well-liked by everyone.
Landlord Allan Thompson, who also lives in the building, was shocked over his tenant's death. He described the suspect as "peaceful" and the couple's relationship as "loving towards each other."
About half of the tenants in the building are also Cambodian and knew the couple well, he added, saying they're more confused than scared. Newer tenants, however, are unsettled.
"The tenants have been phoning me and the people who know Sok are mystified. They're not worried," he explained.
Thompson was renovating one of the building's suites when police arrived with a woman he identified as the couple's niece.
He opened the door for them, but didn't learn police had discovered a body until a man was taken into custody.
Police have not said how the victim died.
Narin Sok, 49, is slated to appear in court on Aug. 6.
Thailand's Samak Replaces Ministers After Protests (Update1)
Bloomberg.com
By Rattaphol Onsanit and Daniel Ten Kate
Aug. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej removed five ministers and announced six new appointments following months of street protests and a series of court rulings that forced out key members of his cabinet.
Samak transferred Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan to the Industry Ministry, while Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee kept his position, according to a statement from the Royal Palace in Bangkok today. Chaiya Sasomsup, who was forced to step down as health minister after the Constitutional Court said he failed properly to disclose assets, replaces Mingkwan.
The overhaul of what Samak has called an ``ugly'' cabinet is aimed at calming anti-government protesters who say he is a proxy for former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, deposed in a 2006 coup. Three ministers, including Thaksin's former lawyer and a prominent anti-coup campaigner, have quit over legal rulings since Samak formed his government six months ago.
New cabinet members include Kowit Wattana, a former police chief who briefly joined the junta after the coup before falling out with the leadership. He replaces Chalerm Yoobamrung, a former police captain who escorted Thaksin from the airport when he returned in February after 18 months in exile.
The shuffle comes after consumer confidence dropped for three straight months and the benchmark SET Index dropped almost 23 percent since street protests began May 25. Thailand's currency was the worst performer in Asia over the same period, declining about 4.3 percent against the dollar.
Samak Foe
The protests against Samak are led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a former Thaksin business associate who fell out with the ex- premier in 2005 and led demonstrations that preceded the coup. His group has vowed to continue protesting until Thaksin is convicted on corruption charges.
``We are in need of a capable economic team,'' said Ekachai Chongvisal, who helps oversee $2.3 billion at Tisco Asset Management Co. in Bangkok, before the announcement today. ``The problem with the government at the moment is that there seems to be a lot of talk and not much action, so whoever comes in must push forward.''
Surapong, the finance minister, faced pressure to resign after a court ruled July 28 that the former premier's administration illegally created a lottery. Surapong was one of three ministers who also served in Thaksin's administration. The others are Labor Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemart, who also stayed in cabinet.
`Not Budging'
``The three ministers have said they're not budging, so Samak would need a lot of courage to actually replace them,'' said Prudhisan Jumbala, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Samak appointed Tej Bunnag, a former ambassador to the U.S., as foreign minister on July 26. He replaced Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin's former lawyer who quit July 10 after the Constitutional Court ruled that the cabinet acted beyond its power in approving a joint statement backing Cambodia's attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple as a United Nations World Heritage site.
Protests stemming from the decision prompted Cambodia and Thailand to deploy 1,500 soldiers to the area for two weeks before they agreed to a troop withdrawal on July 29. Tej, who has also served as an adviser to the office of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Principal Private Secretary, led the Thai side in the latest round of negotiations.
Royal Connection
``The new foreign minister is a palace connection, which signals that the palace is seriously concerned about this Thailand-Cambodia territorial dispute,'' said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Tej is an ``immaculate choice'' and his appointment is ``a big credit to the Samak government,'' he said.
Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, is revered as a symbol of stability in the nation of 66 million people, many of whom hang his portrait in their homes. As a constitutional monarch, the 80-year-old king is head of state while the prime minister and parliament govern.
The opposition Democrat Party has said it plans to impeach members of Samak's government.
The prime minister won a parliamentary confidence vote last month with 63 percent support.
A ruling by the Supreme Court that a former executive of Samak's People Power Party bought votes in last year's election could lead to the dissolution of the party. The party denies wrongdoing.
Cambodian, Kuwait to discuss gas, oil exploration cooperation
www.chinaview.cn
2008-08-03
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here Sunday for a three-day official visit to discuss gas and oil exploration cooperation with Cambodia, said a senior official.
Officials from both sides will discuss the possibility of cooperation for oil and gas exploration in the kingdom and sign a trade agreement, a protocol of investment protection and cooperation, said Hor Nam Hong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In addition, the visit of Kuwaiti premier will bring more investors and tourists to Cambodia, especially from the Middle East, he added.
According to the schedule, the prime ministers from both sides will hold talks here on Monday, while other officials and investors convene another meeting at the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, Mao Hal Vannal, secretary of state of the Civil Aviation Authority of Cambodia, told Xinhua that the two countries still mull opening direct flight in their middle-term cooperation plan.
A dozen foreign drillers are exploring oil and gas in off-sea Cambodia. Oil reserves there are estimated at billion barrels.
Editor: An
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here Sunday for a three-day official visit to discuss gas and oil exploration cooperation with Cambodia, said a senior official.
Officials from both sides will discuss the possibility of cooperation for oil and gas exploration in the kingdom and sign a trade agreement, a protocol of investment protection and cooperation, said Hor Nam Hong, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In addition, the visit of Kuwaiti premier will bring more investors and tourists to Cambodia, especially from the Middle East, he added.
According to the schedule, the prime ministers from both sides will hold talks here on Monday, while other officials and investors convene another meeting at the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, Mao Hal Vannal, secretary of state of the Civil Aviation Authority of Cambodia, told Xinhua that the two countries still mull opening direct flight in their middle-term cooperation plan.
A dozen foreign drillers are exploring oil and gas in off-sea Cambodia. Oil reserves there are estimated at billion barrels.
Editor: An
Hun Sen's wife hosts huge Preah Vihear temple ritual
The Bangkok Post
Saturday August 02, 2008
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany yesterday hosted a huge ritual at the Preah Vihear temple to bless the country with good luck and to give it power against the backdrop of a dispute with Thailand over the area surrounding the temple.
The ceremony, chosen to coincide with a solar eclipse yesterday, was attended by about 1,000 people, including high-ranking officials, priests and experts in rituals. The ritual started at 9.30am.
Far from softening its stance on the temple after it was declared a World Heritage site by Unesco, angering Thailand, Cambodia is flaunting the site.
"We have all been preparing for Bun Rany's arrival. We have no security concerns because as a World Heritage site, the temple is a tourist destination, not a war zone," Preah Vihear Deputy Governor Ka Lean said by telephone.
Although Bun Rany is the wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen, she is a powerful political force in her own right.
Her presence was expected to boost the morale of Cambodian civilians and military on the border near the temple.
Thailand sent troops into what it maintains is disputed land, but Cambodia declared the area to be its sovereign territory more than two weeks ago in a move that severely strained diplomatic relations.
The Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple raised fears among many Thai people, who say it could bring bad luck to Thailand.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders last night led thousands of their supporters in a rival ritual to protect the country and block any ill-effects from the Cambodian one. Many Thais believe some Cambodians have expertise in black magic.
Thai people in Si Sa Ket and nearby provinces who heard about the Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple persuaded others to wear yellow, a colour they say will help the country stave off the effects of the ceremony.
One resident said that it was also a full moon last night and Cambodian people believe it was a sacred day - a good day for holding a ritual. BANGKOK POST and DPA
Saturday August 02, 2008
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany yesterday hosted a huge ritual at the Preah Vihear temple to bless the country with good luck and to give it power against the backdrop of a dispute with Thailand over the area surrounding the temple.
The ceremony, chosen to coincide with a solar eclipse yesterday, was attended by about 1,000 people, including high-ranking officials, priests and experts in rituals. The ritual started at 9.30am.
Far from softening its stance on the temple after it was declared a World Heritage site by Unesco, angering Thailand, Cambodia is flaunting the site.
"We have all been preparing for Bun Rany's arrival. We have no security concerns because as a World Heritage site, the temple is a tourist destination, not a war zone," Preah Vihear Deputy Governor Ka Lean said by telephone.
Although Bun Rany is the wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen, she is a powerful political force in her own right.
Her presence was expected to boost the morale of Cambodian civilians and military on the border near the temple.
Thailand sent troops into what it maintains is disputed land, but Cambodia declared the area to be its sovereign territory more than two weeks ago in a move that severely strained diplomatic relations.
The Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple raised fears among many Thai people, who say it could bring bad luck to Thailand.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders last night led thousands of their supporters in a rival ritual to protect the country and block any ill-effects from the Cambodian one. Many Thais believe some Cambodians have expertise in black magic.
Thai people in Si Sa Ket and nearby provinces who heard about the Cambodian ritual at the Preah Vihear temple persuaded others to wear yellow, a colour they say will help the country stave off the effects of the ceremony.
One resident said that it was also a full moon last night and Cambodian people believe it was a sacred day - a good day for holding a ritual. BANGKOK POST and DPA
Cambodia, Thailand in standoff over second temple
By SOPHENG CHEANG
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia said Sunday that Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site along on their border, an escalation of an ongoing armed standoff that nearly led to clashes between the neighbors last month.
Maj. Sim Sokha, a Cambodian border protection unit deputy commander, said about 70 Thai soldiers on Thursday occupied the 13th century Ta Moan Thom temple in a northwestern border region of Cambodia.
Thailand contends the temple is located in disputed territory.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat denied the Cambodian report of troop movements.
The temple is several hundred miles west of the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, where Cambodian and Thai soldiers have been locked in a standoff for three weeks in a dispute over nearby land.
He said Thai soldiers have been deployed in an 80-yard radius around the temple grounds and have prevented Cambodian troops from entering. About 40 Cambodian soldiers are in close proximity to the Thai troops, he said.
"They (Thai troops) said they will pull back only when the issue near Preah Vihear temple is resolved," Sim Sokha said Sunday by telephone from Oddar Meanchey province, about 290 miles northwest of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
He said the Cambodian soldiers have been given orders to exercise restraint and wait for the government to try to resolve the issue with Thailand.
Khieu Kanharith, the chief Cambodian government spokesman, said he was aware of the new troop movement but was unable to give details. He said his government will try to solve the issue through peaceful means.
Although it is not as well known as the Angkor or Preah Vihear temples, Ta Moan Thom is part of the architectural wonders of the ancient Khmer empire.
It was built in the 13th century as a rest house along a road linking the ancient Angkor city with what is currently northeastern Thailand, said Chuch Phoeun of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture.
The border dispute erupted last month near the Hindu-style Preah Vihear when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations by Thais near the temple.
About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand remain at a pagoda near the temple complex, despite a tentative agreement reached by foreign ministers last Monday to redeploy them in an effort to ease tensions.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia said Sunday that Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site along on their border, an escalation of an ongoing armed standoff that nearly led to clashes between the neighbors last month.
Maj. Sim Sokha, a Cambodian border protection unit deputy commander, said about 70 Thai soldiers on Thursday occupied the 13th century Ta Moan Thom temple in a northwestern border region of Cambodia.
Thailand contends the temple is located in disputed territory.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat denied the Cambodian report of troop movements.
The temple is several hundred miles west of the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, where Cambodian and Thai soldiers have been locked in a standoff for three weeks in a dispute over nearby land.
He said Thai soldiers have been deployed in an 80-yard radius around the temple grounds and have prevented Cambodian troops from entering. About 40 Cambodian soldiers are in close proximity to the Thai troops, he said.
"They (Thai troops) said they will pull back only when the issue near Preah Vihear temple is resolved," Sim Sokha said Sunday by telephone from Oddar Meanchey province, about 290 miles northwest of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
He said the Cambodian soldiers have been given orders to exercise restraint and wait for the government to try to resolve the issue with Thailand.
Khieu Kanharith, the chief Cambodian government spokesman, said he was aware of the new troop movement but was unable to give details. He said his government will try to solve the issue through peaceful means.
Although it is not as well known as the Angkor or Preah Vihear temples, Ta Moan Thom is part of the architectural wonders of the ancient Khmer empire.
It was built in the 13th century as a rest house along a road linking the ancient Angkor city with what is currently northeastern Thailand, said Chuch Phoeun of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture.
The border dispute erupted last month near the Hindu-style Preah Vihear when UNESCO approved Cambodia's application to have the complex named a World Heritage Site. Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had backed the bid, sparking anti-government demonstrations by Thais near the temple.
About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand remain at a pagoda near the temple complex, despite a tentative agreement reached by foreign ministers last Monday to redeploy them in an effort to ease tensions.
Thai troops occupy 2nd temple on Cambodian border
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia says Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site along the border of the two countries — a new twist in an ongoing armed standoff that has nearly led to clashes between the neighbors.
A Thai foreign ministry spokesman says he is not aware of the latest confrontation.
Maj. Sim Sokha of the Cambodian border protection unit said Sunday that about 70 Thai soldiers have been occupying the 13th century Ta Moan Thom temple since Thursday. The site is located on a northwestern region of Cambodian border with Thailand.
The temple is several hundreds miles west of 11th century Preah Vihear temple, where Cambodian and Thai soldiers have been locked in a standoff for three weeks in their dispute over land near the temple.
A Thai foreign ministry spokesman says he is not aware of the latest confrontation.
Maj. Sim Sokha of the Cambodian border protection unit said Sunday that about 70 Thai soldiers have been occupying the 13th century Ta Moan Thom temple since Thursday. The site is located on a northwestern region of Cambodian border with Thailand.
The temple is several hundreds miles west of 11th century Preah Vihear temple, where Cambodian and Thai soldiers have been locked in a standoff for three weeks in their dispute over land near the temple.
Kuwaiti PM arrives in Cambodia for official visit
www.chinaview.cn
2008-08-03
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here Sunday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
Hun Sen hosted a red-carpet ceremony at the Phnom Penh International Airport to welcome the Kuwaiti premier.
During his visit, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is scheduled to hold talks with Hun Sen and Chea Sim, President of the Cambodian Senate, said a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Editor: Sun Yunlong
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here Sunday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.
Hun Sen hosted a red-carpet ceremony at the Phnom Penh International Airport to welcome the Kuwaiti premier.
During his visit, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is scheduled to hold talks with Hun Sen and Chea Sim, President of the Cambodian Senate, said a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Editor: Sun Yunlong
Government faces tough task over sea border
The Bangkok Post
Sunday August 03, 2008
Seminar told of Cambodian dealsBy Anucha Charoenpo
The government should be prepared to deal with some powerful countries over the long-standing border conflicts with Cambodia, a seminar was told yesterday. Pratheep Chuen-arom, former chief of staff at Sattahip Naval Base who has monitored disputed sea boundaries between the two nations, said the Cambodian government had granted permission to some big companies from France, the United States, China and England to explore for gas and petroleum in the disputed waters covering about 26,000 square kilometres.
The disputed waters are near Thailand's Koh Kud off Trat province and Koh Kong province of Cambodia.
Vice-Admiral Pratheep said this means Thailand will have to deal with these countries when negotiating the overlapping sea territory.
These countries, he added, were ready to extend their support to Cambodia if border conflicts between Phnom Penh and Bangkok rage on or escalate into a crisis.
Speaking at the seminar on the conflict of overlapping zones between Thailand and neighbouring countries organised by Rangsit University, the retired naval officer said the US had already flexed its military muscle and shown support for Cambodia by mooring a guided-missile destroyer at a pier in Kampong Som province.
He urged the government to come up with strategies to foster ties with these powerful countries under the framework of sovereignty and economic development.
''If Thailand carelessly handles the issue of the Preah Vihear temple, the country might lose other parts of its territory, including disputed waters in the Gulf of Thailand,'' he said.
Thanom Charoenlaph, a former director-general of the Hydrographic Department and a senior adviser to the Thailand Institute of Marine Affairs Development, proposed the two countries hold further talks to discuss the overlapping sea territory.
Admiral Thanom wants to set up a joint development area committee to solve the problem. The committee should be similar to the Malaysian-Thai joint development area, which has been active in gas exploration and development.
The retired officer said the two countries once held talks in 2001 when Surin Pitsuwan was foreign minister to work on the matter, but not much progress had been made.
Ex-ambassador Sompong Sucharitkul, who now acts as dean of Rangsit University's faculty of law, said he wanted the two countries to look at law issues carefully to deal with the disputed territorial waters.
Mr Sompong said a joint organisation should be established to oversee the matter and there should be a law to deal with the issue as well.
Sunday August 03, 2008
Seminar told of Cambodian dealsBy Anucha Charoenpo
The government should be prepared to deal with some powerful countries over the long-standing border conflicts with Cambodia, a seminar was told yesterday. Pratheep Chuen-arom, former chief of staff at Sattahip Naval Base who has monitored disputed sea boundaries between the two nations, said the Cambodian government had granted permission to some big companies from France, the United States, China and England to explore for gas and petroleum in the disputed waters covering about 26,000 square kilometres.
The disputed waters are near Thailand's Koh Kud off Trat province and Koh Kong province of Cambodia.
Vice-Admiral Pratheep said this means Thailand will have to deal with these countries when negotiating the overlapping sea territory.
These countries, he added, were ready to extend their support to Cambodia if border conflicts between Phnom Penh and Bangkok rage on or escalate into a crisis.
Speaking at the seminar on the conflict of overlapping zones between Thailand and neighbouring countries organised by Rangsit University, the retired naval officer said the US had already flexed its military muscle and shown support for Cambodia by mooring a guided-missile destroyer at a pier in Kampong Som province.
He urged the government to come up with strategies to foster ties with these powerful countries under the framework of sovereignty and economic development.
''If Thailand carelessly handles the issue of the Preah Vihear temple, the country might lose other parts of its territory, including disputed waters in the Gulf of Thailand,'' he said.
Thanom Charoenlaph, a former director-general of the Hydrographic Department and a senior adviser to the Thailand Institute of Marine Affairs Development, proposed the two countries hold further talks to discuss the overlapping sea territory.
Admiral Thanom wants to set up a joint development area committee to solve the problem. The committee should be similar to the Malaysian-Thai joint development area, which has been active in gas exploration and development.
The retired officer said the two countries once held talks in 2001 when Surin Pitsuwan was foreign minister to work on the matter, but not much progress had been made.
Ex-ambassador Sompong Sucharitkul, who now acts as dean of Rangsit University's faculty of law, said he wanted the two countries to look at law issues carefully to deal with the disputed territorial waters.
Mr Sompong said a joint organisation should be established to oversee the matter and there should be a law to deal with the issue as well.
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