Dug in between Cambodian forces and a planned PAD rally, the tension is mounting
Writer: Thanida Tansubhapol in Si Sa Ket
Published: 19/09/2009
If they fire at us, we'll have to duck behind the rocks and fire back at them," said a soldier stationed near Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri in the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.
Life is tough for him and his nine comrades these days because they are being pressured by Cambodian soldiers based not far from them.
The pressure will likely increase on Saturday if protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy rally at the Khao Phra Viharn National Park, on the Thai border in Kantharalak district, manage to enter the disputed 4.6 square kilometres of land that both Thailand and Cambodia lay claim to.
A military officer said his Cambodian counterparts have asked about the PAD's movements, but the Thai army has consistently tried to downplay the rally's significance, saying it was an internal matter which had nothing to do with Cambodia.
"We hope the level of severity will not be elevated," he said.
The PAD said the construction of new houses, roads and temples on the Cambodian side showed Thailand is losing sovereignty of the area.
However, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has consistently denied the yellow shirts' claims that the government has turned a blind eye to recent developments in the overlapping area.
The military and security agencies are concerned that tensions along the border could increase as a result of the PAD rally.
Troops are already on tenterhooks around Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri where Thai and Cambodian soldiers are positioned just 40 metres from each other, though they converse and share food.
The officer said the Cambodian government was actively encouraging people to come to Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri every day to offer food to monks, and they would use the road that has just been built from Ban Ko Mui in Preah Vihear province.
Many Cambodian soldiers have also brought their families to settle near the area.
He ruled out fighting as an option to solve the matter.
If all sides are patient and engage in meaningful negotiations the situation will return to normal, he said, adding that the return of tourists to the area would be a win-win situation for the two countries.
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