Thailand To Explain Border Rows With Cambodia To UNESCO

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti is scheduled to visit France next week to meet the secretary-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the director-general of the World Heritage Centre under UNESCO in Paris to explain border rows between Thailand and Cambodia related to the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, a world heritage site, to the UN authorities.

Suwit said on Saturday he would clarify before the UNESCO authorities that Thailand did not invade Cambodia, and that a spate of clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border near the Preah Vihear Temple were, instead, Thailand's attempts to protect national sovereignty, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Suwit revealed that Thailand will also seek a review of the World Heritage Committee's listing of the Preah Vihear Temple for Cambodia, as Thailand has maintained its opposition to the unilateral listing based on the fact that the 11th century temple stands on an unsettled area of Thailand and Cambodia and that a world heritage site management plan proposed by Cambodia covers its vicinity which includes Thai territory.

The Thai minister said that Thailand will, therefore, ask the World Heritage Committee, at its next meeting in Bahrain in June this year, to postpone its consideration of the Cambodian management plan until Thailand and Cambodia conclude their border re-demarcation.

Suwit has met parties concerned in Thailand, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Thai Survey Department, the Fine Arts Department and the Thai World Heritage Committee to gather information in preparation for his trip to Paris next week.

AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press

via CAAI

Cambodia To Request UN a Permanent Ceasefire with Thailand

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011 AKP – Cambodia will request the intervention from the United Nations to ensure a permanent ceasefire with Thailand, said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong on Friday at Phnom Penh International Airport before his departure for the UN Security Council’s meeting to be held on Feb. 14 in New York.

The upcoming UNSC’s meeting is the big loss for Thailand, said H.E. Hor Namhong, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, explaining that Thailand has so far tried to convince the UNSC not to have this meeting.

He said in the meeting he will express Cambodia’s stance in solving the border conflict with Thailand by peaceful means and with the international participation, whether the UN or ASEAN, because the bilateral mechanism does not work anymore.

“I’ll explain to the UNSC’s meeting the cause of the war, the Thai encroachment on Cambodian territory since 2008, and Thailand’s use of cluster bombs during the recent war against Cambodia,” he said.

He further stressed that there will not be a bilateral talk between him and his Thai counterpart before the UNSC’s meeting. The bilateral talk could be possible if there is also the presence of the Indonesian foreign minister, he added.

The Cambodian deputy prime minister said he was informed that as the current Chair of ASEAN, the Indonesian foreign minister is planning to convene an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting [over Cambodian-Thai border dispute]. Cambodia will accept to join the meeting, he affirmed. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHIM Nary

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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Not only a War of Aggression, but also a War to Destroy the Temple of Preah Vihear

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011 AKP – (opinion)A week before deadly fighting erupted in four consecutive days from 04th to 7th February 2011 between Cambodia and Thailand by which Abhisit, Prime Minister of Thailand is widely known as a mastermind who ordered a military exercise at the border close to the Temple of Preah Vihear. A few days later, Abhisit demanded Cambodia to remove its national flag from the KEO SIKHA KIRI SVARA pagoda. It is crystal clear that Abhisit prepared a well premeditated plan to wage a war against Cambodia aimed at occupying the vicinity of the Temple of Preah Vihear or even to destroy the Temple as soon as possible prior to the 35th Session of WHC which will be held in Bahrain in June 2011. The real war started once the Thai armed forces stormed into the area belonging de jure and de facto to Cambodia. Heavy artilleries and cluster munitions were fired by Thai armed forces at the Temple of Preah Vihear and other areas adjacent to the temple, which inflicted serious damages.

It is not important to raise that who fights first and who fights later, but the most important factor related to the deadly fighting is that who creates the causes leading to a real war between the two countries? Why did the Thai armed forces fire artillery at the Temple of Preah Vihear as they are well aware that the Temple is the world heritage site which must be protected and preserved as guaranteed by the Hague Convention of 1954?

In the eyes of the national and international public opinion it is fully aware that some of the causes are firstly, Thailand used its mysterious, unilateral and internationally unrecognized map to keep claiming the area adjacent to the Temple of Preah Vihear, which grossly violated the 1962 ICJ judgment. Secondly, Abhisit ordered a military exercise close to the border without giving any notification to Cambodia in its attempts to occupy the abovementioned area or even to destroy the Temple as soon as possible following the PAD’s pressure on Abhisit.

In 2008, Democrat was the opposition party, by which Abhisit provoked the PAD to protest against the listing of the Temple of Preah Vihear in the world heritage list which brought in the Thai aggression into the sovereign Cambodian territory in the area around the Temple on 15 July 2008. With full support of the PAD, Abhisit promised to retake the Temple of Preah Vihear to Thailand, failed in its efforts to thwart inscription of the Temple of Preah Vihear, failed in its efforts to have joint Management Plan, and later failed in its efforts to derail the Management Plan during the 34th Session of WHC held in Brasilia of Brazil in 2010.

Now Abhisit and Kasit are holding Cambodia hostage in its internal political conflict to divert attention from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, particularly, to push the Democrat winning in the upcoming elections. The real causes of the dispute stem from Thailand’s usage of its mysterious, unilateral and internationally unrecognized map. So far as we learned, it is only recognized by Thailand itself, to keep claiming the area adjacent to the Temple.

In 1962, the ICJ used ANNEX I Map as the basis to rule that the Temple of Preah Vihear and its vicinity are situated in the territory under the Cambodian sovereignty. In its reasoning, ICJ clearly demonstrated the legal validity of frontier line which was drawn on the ANNEX I Map by the French-Siamese Joint Commission and accepted by both parties in 1908. Therefore, there is no doubt that the pagoda, which is situated approximately 300 meters from the Temple, and 700 meters inside Cambodian territory belongs to Cambodia.

The Thai authorities did not raise objection to the construction of pagoda in 1998 along with a market following the peace and political stability achieved throughout the country in Cambodian history. In this sense, the Thai Government can not say that they are not aware of the construction since 1998. For the existence of this pagoda, in 2008, the Thai Governor of Sisaket Province acknowledged that it was built in 1998. It is crystal clear that the legitimacy of the pagoda was not protested by any Thai authorities until the Temple of Preah Vihear was proposed by Cambodian Government to inscribe the Temple on the World Heritage List in 2007 in Christchurch of New Zealand and was officially granted its status in Quebec of Canada in 2008.

By the year 2000, a MOU was signed between Cambodia and Thailand on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary in which neither pagoda nor market were raised or even protested by Thai Government. According to article 1 (c) of the said MOU, both parties agreed to use the maps of the French- Siamese Commission, which were established by the Convention of 1904 and the Treaty of 1907, by which ANNEX 1 Map used by ICJ in its 1962 judgment was included for the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary between the two countries.

Now Thailand’s credibility in its international relations with Cambodia is being watched carefully by the international community, by which Thailand has been seen by the later as a big bully of Cambodia, a small member country of the ASEAN. Given the recent act of aggression of Thai armed forces against Cambodia, Thailand is badly facing with a losing face, image and dignity on the international fora by its claiming to own the area adjacent to the Temple contrary to the international rule of law. In such a very ugly move, Thailand is being exposed as a big bully, an international vigilante that openly defies the international rule of law and acts like Hitler, an international criminal and an anarchist in vanishing the World Order as already stated in the UN Charter.

In the eyes of the national and international public opinion, Abhisit could not make any excuse to reserve its rights of self defense once the Temple already suffered grave damage as the direct result of Thai armed forces’ artillery shelling. Abhisit is clearly aware that the Temple of Preah Vihear is not a military base. On the contrary, the Temple of Preah Vihear is a place for worship and tourism. And at all time there are only a small number of policemen with only light weapons to provide safety to the visitors at the Temple. However, Abhisit could not justify Thailand’s attack at the Temple of Preah Vihear once the Temple is world heritage which must be protected and preserved in the event of armed conflict as guaranteed by the 1954 Hague Convention, which all High Contracting Parties are determined to take all possible steps to protect cultural property.

The Cambodian Mine Action Center’s preliminary report revealed that Thai armed forces fired cluster munitions at the Temple, in which some cluster munitions exploded on the temple grounds and other did not, but those which did not explode will take lives of human being after the fighting ends. This is a real war, not armed clash, which the Thai armed forces’ heavy shelling pounded at the Temple. This is a real war because heavy artilleries and cluster munitions have been fired at the Temple by Thai armed forces under the war waged by Abhisit, and he must be responsible for that.

In this sense, according to the 1954 convention, it is an urgent and most important matter to have the UN Military Observers along with Unesco Assessment Team to visit the Temple of Preah Vihear for its assessment of damages on the spot since the Temple has been granted the status as World Heritage in 2008. With its grave damage, now The Temple of Preah Vihear is really demanding for the international contribution to protect and preserve immediately in conformity with the implementation of the Management Plan which was already submitted to the WHC by Cambodia during the 34th Session of the WHC in Brasilia in 2010. Cambodia gained support in implementation of the Management Plan from the report issued by the World heritage Centre, which serve as the secretariat to the World Heritage Committee.

Therefore, member countries of WHC must take into consideration the urgent matter for protection and preservation of the Temple which is being gravely destroyed by Thai armed forces’ heavy shells. The living soul of the Temple of Preah Vihear is crying for help from UNESCO, one of the most powerful United Nations agencies and the international community for the protection and the salvation of the long-lasting existing cultural heritage of all mankind.

By Long Sokun

Young Researcher on the Case Concerning The Temple of Preah Vihear

(Cambodia v. Thailand) 15 June 1962

(The comments are solely the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Royal Government of Cambodia.)

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Thai Invasion: Letter to President of American Bar Association

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011, AKP–Letter to President of American Bar Association.

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Thai Invasion:Letter to President, Vice President and Secretary General of Japan Federation of Bar Association

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011, AKP – Letter to President, Vice President and Secretary General of Japan Federation of Bar Association.

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Thai invasion:Letter to President,Vice President and Secretary General of International Bar Association

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011, AKP – Letter to President,Vice President and Secretary General of International Bar Association.

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Thai invasion:In four days of recurrent attacks on and around the Temple of Preah Vihear

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011, AKP–In four days of recurrent attacks on and around the Temple of Preah Vihear .

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PM Meets Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen warmly received here on Feb. 11 visiting Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yutaka Banno.

In the meeting, the Japanese state secretary for foreign affairs told the Cambodian premier of his visit to Cambodia, the purpose of which he said is to join the opening ceremony of the construction site of Neak Loeung Bridge and to strengthen and expand the cooperation between Cambodia and Japan as well as between both countries’ private sectors.

H.E. Yutaka Banno highly appreciated the rapid development in Cambodia, Ieng Sophalet, assistant to Samdech Techo Hun Sen told reporters after the meeting.

For his part, the Cambodian prime minister expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation and relations between the two countries, saying that Neak Loeung Bridge is for Cambodia on the one hand, and for the ASEAN-Japan relationship on other hand.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen further said Cambodian economic growth needs the participation from private sector, stressing that more and more Japanese investors have recently come to invest in Cambodia.

The Cambodian premier thanked the Japanese government and people for their contribution in the peace seeking and the development of Cambodia.

On the same day, H.E. Yutaka Banno also met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Hor Namhong. –AKP

Article in Khmer by CHEY Phum Pul

Article in English by SOKMOM Nimul

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Statement by ICAPP Standing Committee on Border Disputes between Cambodia and Thailand

Phnom Penh, Febbruary 12, 2011, AKP–Statement by ICAPP Stading Committee on Border Disputes between Cambodia and Thailand.

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Statement of Press and Quick Reaction Unit

Phnom Penh, February 12, 2011, AKP–Statement of Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Council of Ministers, the Royal Government of Cambodia.

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Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An says exports to Japan increases

Phnom Penh, February 12,20011, AKP – Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An said late Friday that Cambodia’s exports to Japan has increased to $90 million US last year from $40 million in 2009.

Dr. Sok An told Japan’s State Secretary of Foreign Ministry H.E Yutaka Banno that there are now 21 Japanese companies operating in Cambodia ,capitalized at almost $200 million US.

He also said that Cambodia has been implementing the anti-corruption law, which is part of the government’s efforts to improve transparency, good governance as well as to attract more foreign investments.

Cambodia has seen hefty investments in infrastructures, which is one of the government’s priority, to reduce poverty as proven by the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) which, through its poll survey found that 76 percent of Cambodian respondents supported

the government’s policy.

Dr. Sok An requested Japan to assist Cambodia in the newly established National Training Board (NTB) to train Cambodia’s graduates to be ready for employment as well as the National Employment Agency (NEA) in order to enhance its efficiency.

He also recalled the success the 5 world records of the Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).

Dr. Sok An also briefed the diplomat about the Thai’s aggression in attacking Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple from 4 to 7 February, 2011, killing 4 Cambodia’s troops, one policeman, and 2 civilians.

At least 30 Cambodian civilians were wounded by the Thai army’s bombardment, said Dr. Sok An.

More than 3,000 families or more than 10,000 people have become displaced, many of whom are women and children, as a result of Thai army’s shelling into their villages, said Dr. Sok An.

The Deputy Prime Minister also told Japanese deputy foreign minister that Cambodia has petitioned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), seeking the world body to interpret the ICJ’s decision 1962 and to send a fact finding mission and or U.N military observers to monitor the cease fire in the area.

“This is the best solution, which also helps to build trust between Cambodia and Thailand,” said Dr. Sok An.

Cambodia also sought ASEAN’s role in settling the border dispute with Thailand. Cambodia has sent a letter to UNESCO who said they will send its experts to assess the damage sustained by the Preah Vihear temple as a result of the Thai army’s bombardment.

The UN’s legal institution, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had in 1962 ruled that: the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

The court found that Thailand is under obligation to withdraw any military or police force, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory.

Thailand is under an obligation to restore to Cambodia any objects of the kind specified in the Cambodia’s fifth submission which may, since the date of the occupation of the Temple by Thailand in 1954, have been removed from the Temple or the Temple area by the Thai authority, said the ICJ’s Judgment.

by Ek Madra (contributor)

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Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An tells British and Russian ambassadors that the Thais used unconventional arms

PHNOM PENH, February 12, 2011,AKP – Dr. Sok An told foreign diplomats late Friday that Thai troops fired rounds of unconventional shells, comprising cluster bombs and gas shells at Cambodia’s soldiers during their artillery battles with Cambodia between 4- 7 February, 2011.

Dr. Sok An said that extremist Thais, precisely the Yellow-Shirts, had pressured Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to send Thai troops to dislodge Cambodian villagers from vicinity of the temple of Preah Vihear, which cannot be accepted by Phnom Penh.

“So the situation is very dangerous now. We can see Thai Prime minister Abhisit is working to fulfill the Yellow-Shirt’s demand to seize Cambodia’s land,” he said in the meeting.

Dr. Sok An cited Cambodia’s military source saying that Thai military is building up 25,000 troops along the border supported by more than 100 tanks and heavy weapons.

“The situation is very tough, very dangerous. Nobody can tell when Thailand will attack us again,” Deputy Prime Minister told the two diplomats who wanted to learn more about the Cambodia-Thailand border situation.

He said Thai had destroyed Cambodia’s market near the temple before and now they are trying to destroy Cambodia’s territory and property even more.

“Thai troops have seriously damaged our Preah Vihear temple and a Buddhist pagoda,” Dr. Sok An told the diplomats.

He briefed the diplomats about the Thai aggression of attacking Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple from 4 to 7 February, 2011, killing 4 Cambodia’s troops, one policeman, and 2 civilians.

At least 30 Cambodian civilians were wounded by direct bombardments by the Thai army, he said.

More than 3,000 families comprising more than 10,000 displaced villagers, many of whom are are women and children, have been displaced as a result of Thai bombardment of their villages, said Dr. Sok An.

The Deputy Prime Minister told Russian and British ambassadors that Cambodia has petitioned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), seeking the world body to interpret the ICJ’s decision of 1962 and to send a fact finding mission and or U.N military observers to monitor the cease fire in the area.

“This is the best means to reduce tension and to eliminate the war,” said Dr. Sok An, adding that “these actions meant that there is no hostility to either Thailand or Cambodia.”

Cambodia also sought ASEAN’s role in settling the border dispute with Thailand. Cambodia has sent a letter to UNESCO who said they will send its experts to assess the damages sustained by the Preah Vihear temple as a direct result of the Thai shelling.

The UN’s legal institution, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had in 1962 ruled that: the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

The court found that Thailand is under obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory. Thailand is under an obligation to restore to Cambodia any objects of the kind specified in the Cambodia’s fifth submission which may, since the date of the occupation of the Temple by Thailand in 1954, have been removed from the Temple or the Temple area by the Thai authority, said ICJ’s Judgment.

by Ek Madra (contributor)

Publisher arrested

via CAAI

Saturday, 12 February 2011 15:50 Post Staff

David Armstrong, Chairman of Post Media Ltd, publishers of Phnom Penh Post, today expressed deep concern over the arrest of Australian journalist and businessman Ross Dunkley in Myanmar.

Post Media is a sister company of Myanmar Consolidated Media, publishers of the Myanmar Times. Mr Dunkley is Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Myanmar Times, as well as Publisher of Phnom Penh Post.

Mr Armstrong said: “Ross Dunkley was arrested in Yangon under Myanmar's Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act, Section 13(1) on Thursday, February 10 after returning from a business trip to Tokyo.

“Some reports of the reasons for his arrest have been seriously inaccurate. A key point about the arrest is timing. It coincides with tense and protracted discussions Mr Dunkley and the foreign ownership partners in the Myanmar Times have been conducting with local partners about the future direction of the publishing group, ownership issues and senior leadership roles – all this at a time of significant political and economic change in Myanmar.

“Ross Dunkley is being detained in the notorious Insein prison until his next scheduled court appearance on February 24.

“His lawyers in Yangon say Mr Dunkley is confident he can answer any charges or allegations made against him and is looking forward to returning to lead the Myanmar Times group in the exciting times ahead – for the publishers and the country."

ASEAN to discuss Thai-Cambodia skirmishes over shrine dispute

http://news.in.msn.com/

via CAAI

Jaishree Balasubramanian

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 12 (PTI) As tension continues to simmer on the Thailand and Cambodia border over a 11th century Hindu Shiva temple, a concerned Asean grouping has asked all its foreign ministers to meet for an urgent conclave to discuss the Preah Vihar shrine dispute.

The invitations to the foreign ministers have been sent by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, the current Asean chair and the meeting is set to be held on February 22.

While Cambodia has sought an urgent Security Council meeting calling for a UN buffer force to be put in place, Thailand has said the dispute should be resolved bilaterally.

Meanwhile, Thailand has said that more than 20,000 soldiers will be deployed on the Thai-Cambodian border as part of a national defence plan and an incident action plan approved by the army commander, ''Bangkok Post'' quoted army sources as saying today.

The plan is to remain in effect till March 30.

The main entrance of the Shiva temple known as Preah Vihar is officially on the Cambodian side but most of the other parts of the temple spill over to the Thai side.

Officially the foreign ministers have been invited to discuss "regional and international issues," but the purpose of the meeting is clear, senior Asean officials told the Bangkok Post.

The Indonesian foreign minister has met both Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers so far.

He has said that Asean''s role is one that supports bilateral efforts to resolve the conflict.

Recent reports after the border clash a couple of weeks back had said that parts of the temple had been damaged in the recent skirmishes between the two neighbours after Cambodian troops used the shrine as a military base to fire on the Thai soldiers.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has sent a letter to the UN Security Council saying Thailand''s action during the clashes last week with Cambodia was appropriate and is in line with international principles.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both the countries to come up with mechanisms to solve their disputes and end armed confrontation as soon as possible.

US has also called for Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint.

The construction of the first temple at the site began in the early 9th century and continued in the following centuries dedicated to Shiva in his manifestations as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara, online reports said.

The earliest surviving parts of the temple dates from early 10th century, when the empire''s capital was at the city of that name.

In the wake of the decline of Hinduism in the region the site was converted to use by Buddhists.

In 1954, Thai forces occupied the temple following the withdrawal of French troops from Cambodia.

Cambodia protested and turned to the International Court of Justice which later ruled in 1962 that the shrine belonged to Cambodia.

No Cambodian-Thai border commission meeting in later Feb: official

via CAAI

English.news.cn

2011-02-12

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian border chief said Saturday that no meeting of the Cambodian-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) would be held later February.

"There will be no meeting of the JBC later this month," said Var Kimhong, president of JBC. "Now, bilateral mechanism cannot resolve the issue."

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai Foreign Minister, said on Feb. 7 that the JBC was scheduled to meet in the last week of February.

The United Nations Security Council is to hold a meeting on Monday to discuss the Cambodian-Thai border conflict.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya will report to the meeting about the issue. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, whose country is the current chairman of the ASEAN, will also attend the meeting.

The latest clashes between Cambodia and Thailand on Feb. 4-7 had killed at least 8 people and injured 67 on both sides, and tens of thousands of the two countries' villagers nearby the disputed area fled for safe shelters.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that an 11th century temple itself belonged to Cambodia, the row over the 4.6-square-km territory around the temple has never been resolved.

Editor: Lu Hui

Thailand Continue Beating Drums of War as UN Security Council Readies to Meet

via CAAI

Phnom Penh, February 12,2011, AKP–It is sending 20,000 troops to the border, deploying its navy and air force to do aerial surveillance of Cambodian positions and also practiced electronic jamming.

While ASEAN has called on all foreign ministers to gather in Jakarta on 22nd February, and while the UNSC readies to meet on 14th February, Thailand is ratcheting up its antics and contrary to deescalating the tenacious border, is sending more than 20,000 soldiers who will be deployed along the Thai-Cambodian border as part of a national defense plan and an incident action plan.

These actions shows the true colors of Thailand’s diplomacy – while it claims Cambodia is the aggressor in the four days of deadly clashes, Thailand is taking extraordinary provocative measures that has one and only intent – to wage all out war on Cambodia if it fails to convince the international community of its supposed innocence.

By sending two jet fighters in such close proximity to the border was an attempt to do a quick over fly to gather aerial intelligence on Cambodian positions and also try out sensing electronics to pin-point Cambodian SAM positions. This was no accident as claimed later by the Thai authorities. War start on such as mistakes.

In addition, from just infantry fighting, than the air force being threatened to be unleashed against Cambodia, knowing well that Cambodia does not have an air force, Thailand is also deploying is navy.

What does this all mean – deploying tens of thousands of additional troops, arming villagers with shot guns, deploying the air force in such close proximity to Cambodia and deploying its naval forces to Cambodia’s border?

The meaning is only one. That Thailand has lost its plot and is preparing itself for a military onslaught against Cambodia as the world knows that Thailand is to be blamed for the real war all these decades and especially that of the past week.

Thailand, sources well placed in Bangkok say, fears an immense loss of face when it was forced to explain to the international community on the situation, threatened to pull out of UNESCO, warned the UNESCO not to send a inspection team to see up close the damage Thai troops had done to the World Heritage of Preah Vihear temple.

It was hoping against hope that Cambodia would back down from its position to go the UNSC as Cambodia has done previously. This time, Cambodia persisted and its diplomatic offensive caught Thailand by surprise so Thailand had to react in a stupidly and hastily planned diplomatic damage control by claiming to be victims.

Too late Thailand. The world has caught you with your hands in the cookie jar – the Preah Vihear temple.

This time, do the honorable thing by accepting the international community. The time to threaten, use of force and military might over the temple is over in this era of Globalization.

The time for the international community to clearly spell out the ICJ ruling and make Thailand accept it or face sanctions is the only way to resolve this crisis once and for all.

Cambodia has suffered for centuries and decades under Thai oppression and invasion. This stops now.

by T. Mohan, a long time Political Analyst in Cambodia

(The comments are solely the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Royal Government of Cambodia.)

Thai Anti-government Protesters Continue to Rally in Bangkok

http://english.ntdtv.com/

via CAAI

2011-02-11

About 2,000 members of the People's Alliance for Democracy walked from the Government House to the Royal Plaza in Bangkok Friday. It happened as the MPs held a parliamentary vote for a charter amendment on electoral law. The protesters have been camping out there since January 25th.

Although the Thai government imposed the Internal Security Act on Tuesday, police took no action against the protesters, but blocked the road that led to the Parliament House to prevent any disruption by demonstrators.

Also at the heart of the protest, a 900-year-old temple along the Thai-Cambodia border that both countries claim as their own.

The protesters accuse Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of being weak in dealing with Cambodia and have also accused his coalition members of massive corruption.

[Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, People's Alliance for Democracy]:

"The only thing we have is our heart filled with patriotism. We have only our hearts and we need to make it known on stage. That's our objective."

The protesters demanded the government revoke a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2000 with Cambodia. They say Thailand is at a disadvantage from the agreement.

They have also called on the government to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee and push back Cambodians who live along the Thai and Cambodia conflict area.

[Surasak Tosom, Protester]:

"The government said they will do things to benefit the people and the country, but they have not done what they said. So they should step down and let people who have the knowledge and ability do so take their place."

Thailand and Cambodia faced growing diplomatic pressure to end the conflicts over the temple, following the deadliest fighting in years.

The temple sits on a triangular plateau that forms a natural border between Thailand and Cambodia.

Both sides have been locked in a standoff since July 2008, when the temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, which Thailand opposed on grounds that territory around the temple had never been demarcated.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu's Regular Press Conference on February 10, 2011

http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/

via CAAI

On the afternoon of February 10, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu held a regular press conference.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Happy Spring Festival! Welcome to the first press conference in the Chinese New Year. We have the first snow this winter today in Beijing. A timely snow promises an auspicious year. Wish you good luck in the coming year！

This year is the Year of Rabbit, a friendly, peaceful, speedy and smart animal. I sincerely hope you will report on China faster and better in the coming year. My colleagues and I will spare no efforts to provide you assistance and convenience.

Q: Cambodia and Thailand engaged in armed conflicts in their border area lately. What role has China played in easing the tension? It is learned that the Security Council will hold a meeting on 14th to discuss the border situation between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia hopes the UN will send troops to the border area. What is your attitude on the involvement of the Security Council and the UN sending peace-keeping troops to the border area?

A: Both Cambodia and Thailand are friendly neighbors of China. Since the start of the conflicts, China has stayed in close contact with both sides and pushed for settlement of the dispute through consultation between them. China calls on both sides to keep calm and exercise restraint so as to avoid further escalation of the situation.

On your second question, we have taken note of the reports and will stay in communication with all relevant parties.

Q: How do you comment on the latest developments in Egypt? The Chinese Government has sent several planes to take back Chinese nationals in Egypt since demonstrations broke out. Can you update us on it?

A: China has been following the developments in the Egyptian situation. Egypt is a major Arabic and African country and the stability of Egypt concerns the peace and stability of the whole region.

China understands and supports Egypt's efforts to maintain social stability and restore normal order, and holds that the affairs of Egypt should be decided by itself independently without intervention from the outside. China believes Egypt has the wisdom and capability to find proper solutions so as to get through the current tough time.

China cherishes the traditional friendship and strategic cooperation with Egypt, and believes that the friendly relations between the two countries will continue to develop in a sound and steady manner.

The Chinese Government has attached great importance to safety of Chinese nationals in Egypt since demonstrations broke out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities. The Foreign Ministry and the Embassy in Egypt took various emergency measures immediately to provide consular protection and assistance for Chinese nationals. From January 31 to February 3, the Chinese Government sent eight planes to take back over 1800 Chinese nationals in total, including about 360 from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. At present, Chinese tourists and delegations in Egypt have been basically taken back.

We will continue to closely follow the developments in the Egyptian situation and coordinate with relevant departments to protect safety of Chinese institutions and nationals in Egypt.

Q: The DPRK and the ROK held a preparatory meeting ahead of high-level military talks from 8th to 9th and failed to reach an agreement on relevant matters. How do you comment?

A: China always supports reconciliation and cooperation between the DPRK and the ROK. We hope the two sides will keep the momentum of dialogue and contact, meet each other halfway and work together to play a constructive role in improving relations with each other and safeguarding peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Q: It is reported that Brazil and India accused China of its exchange rate policy. How do you comment? And could you comment on China’s relations with Southern Sudan following the Referendum?

A: It is China’s set policy to establish a managed floating exchange rate regime, which is in our long-term and fundamental interests. We will continue to proceed with reform of the RMB exchange rate regime under the principle of independent decision-making. A great many facts have proved that the RMB exchange rate is not the main cause that leads to the trade imbalance between China and the US, nor will the appreciation of the RMB solve the trade deficit issue between the two. We have never intentionally sought a trade surplus, nor has the Chinese Government ever benefited from international trade through so-called exchange rate manipulation. We hope relevant individuals will treat the issue objectively and rationally.

The Southern Sudan Referendum was held smoothly and its results announced officially days ago. China respects the will and choice of the Sudanese people, supports the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and would like to develop friendly relations and cooperation with Southern Sudan on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence.

Q: Wi Sung-lac, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Head of Delegation to the Six-Party Talks arrived in Beijing today. The ROK Government hoped to bring the DPRK uranium enrichment issue to the UN Security Council. How do you comment?

A: Wi Sung-lac, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Head of Delegation to the Six-Party Talks visits China today and tomorrow. As far as I know, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs of the Chinese Government Wu Dawei will meet with him respectively. The two sides will exchange views on the situation on the Peninsula and other issues of common interest.

It is China’s consistent and staunch position to realize denuclearization on the Peninsula through dialogue and consultation and safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia. We hope the parties will work together to create conditions for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, seek to properly address respective concerns through dialogue and consultation and comprehensively implement the various goals set in the September 19 Joint Statement.

Q: You talked about Wi Sung-lac’s visit to China just now and Japan’s newly-appointed Head of Delegation to the Six-Party Talks visited China as well on January 30. With such intensive interactions among the parties, does it mean the Six-Party Talks will resume in the near future?

A: It is a shared aspiration of us all. China will work with other parties toward that goal.

Q: It is reported that the US FBI is investigating attacks carried out by Chinese hackers against major western energy companies. Do you know about it and how do you comment? Second, the US Treasury Department didn’t list China as a currency manipulator in its biannual report on exchange rate policies, but urged the RMB’s speedy appreciation. What is your comment?

A: On your first question, I don’t know about relevant information.

On your second question, I already answered in principle just now. China establishes a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market demand and supply with reference to a basket of currencies. The Chinese Government will continue to proceed with reform of the RMB exchange rate regime.

UNESCO names former director-general Koichiro Matsuura as special envoy on Preah Vihear

via CAAI

English.news.cn

2011-02-12

PARIS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has named its former director- general Koichiro Matsuura as special envoy to address the issue of Preah Vihear, the Paris-based UN cultural branch announced on Friday.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO has informed Cambodia and Thailand about the mission of Matsuura.

Matsuura will "visit Bangkok and Phnom Penh to discuss how the World Heritage site can be safeguarded" and "examine with both sides how to lessen tension and promote dialogue around the preservation of the Temple," according to a statement issued by UNESCO.

Bokova expressed concerns over the protection of the Preah Vihear Temple, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008 but sparked clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, both claiming sovereignty over the antique temple.

Recent military confrontations on the border between the two states have caused deaths and injuries, as well as damages to the temple.

UNESCO called on Cambodia and Thailand to respect the World Heritage Convention of 1972, as both are signatories to the convention.

Editor: yan

Lots of talking but little in the way of diplomacy

via CAAI

By The Nation

Published on February 12, 2011

As the border conflict simmers, both Thailand and Cambodia should withdraw troops from the area and sit down at the negotiating table

All eyes will be on the UN Security Council this Monday when Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Nam Hong present their cases to the 15-member body. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, in his capacity as chair of the Asean Standing Committee, will also make a statement.

Considering the microphone diplomacy, the Monday showdown could very well be a juicy event. Cambodian PM Hun Sen is accusing his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva of committing war crimes, and accusing Thai troops of using cluster bombs against Cambodian civilians and damaging the historic Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. The Thai Army denies the accusations, saying their targets were military.

For a man who used to run with the Khmer Rogue, it appears that the Cambodian leader has gone soft when one takes into consideration his benchmark for what constitutes a war crime. Let's not forget that he has done just about every thing to obstruct the ongoing UN tribunal on former Khmer Rouge cadres charged with crimes against humanity.

At the heart of the problem is the overlapping claim along the Thai-Cambodian border near the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, whose ownership the World Court decided three decades ago in favour of Phnom Penh. It can be said that a time bomb was also put in place because the overlapping disputed area was not ruled upon.

Bangkok has faulted Unesco for exacerbating the sovereignty spat when it declared the temple a World Heritage site in July 2008 despite Thai objections. Today, the two sides continue to claim ownership over the 4.6-square-kilometre areas surrounding the temple. As they beef up the border with soldiers, they also beat the nationalist drum for the ears of their supporters while paying lip service to the need to strengthen bilateral ties.

Sadly, politicians and political groups from both countries milk the situation for their own selfish gain, while at the same time heightening the political stakes and making it harder for either government to come up with any compromise without looking weak.

For the time being, both Thailand and Cambodia are behaving with the same degree of intransigence, stubbornly refusing to budge on how to move this forward. Bangkok wants to settle the dispute bilaterally while Phnom Penh took the matter to the UN Security Council. The two sides talk about settling the matter diplomatically but in fact they are equally as pigheaded when it comes to agreeing on the modality to settle the dispute. Perhaps they want to keep using military means to serve their political purposes but don't have the courage to say so because such talk is unacceptable in this day and age.

If this dispute becomes internationalised, Thailand stands to lose face in the long run, as the 1962 ruling will be amplified and make Thailand look as if it is still crying over spilled milk.

What is lacking is a game plan from the Thai side. Bangkok appears to be reacting to Phnom Penh's every move. At first, Thailand said it would deal with the issue bilaterally. But when Phnom Penh wrote to the Security Council, Bangkok began dancing to the Cambodian tune. And this Monday the two ministers, plus the Asean chair, will be in New York to state their positions.

First of all, Kasit didn't have to write to the Security Council. He should just have stayed the course. In 2008, during the administration of the late Samak Sundaravej, Thailand used diplomatic means to block Cambodia's attempt to reach the Security Council, in spite of the fact that at the time Cambodia's good friend Vietnam was the chair. It was the same issue involving armed clashes along the border.

The ironic thing is that the Samak administration was doing this on the run, as Government House had been taken over by the yellow shirts. The then-administration stood its ground. Kasit, on the other hand, is a retired diplomat, a top one at that. And in spite of the fact that the then-government was unable to even get into Government House, foreign minister Noppadon Patama had just resigned, and deputy premier Sahat Bunditkul was quickly rushed to the Asean ministerial meeting in Singapore, Thailand's message to, and tactics toward, Cambodia, were not confusing.

So what can Kasit tell the Security Council that will make any difference? That Cambodia shot first and fired artillery into civilian territory, forcing thousands to run for their lives? And then what?

Kasit can start by asking Cambodia to respect international norms and to pull its troops back from the border, especially in the disputed area around the temple. Thailand should do the same.

Keep your talismans close, boys

via CAAI

Army says troops need protection against Khmer black magic.

Published: 12/02/2011

Online news: Local News

Si Sa Ket : The Thai army believes it needs the help of talismans to protect itself from Cambodian soldiers.

The chief of the 2nd Army Friday distributed talismans to his troops to help protect them from evil curses which he believes Cambodians are likely to call upon in their fight over disputed border areas.

As a result, soldiers guarding the border with Cambodia are now equipped with arms, life-saving kits - and talismans.

Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon issued assorted talismans to soldiers stationed at the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district to ward off Khmer curses.

"I believe in this and I have to take care of my subordinates in every possible way," Lt Gen Thawatchai said.

Lt Gen Thawatchai is a follower of the late Luang Poo Jiam Atissayo, a respected monk at Wat Intrasukaram in Surin's Sangkha district.

When he was deputy chief of the 2nd Army and was also appointed as commander of the Pattani Task Force in the lower South, Lt Gen Thawatchai also issued amulets and talismans

consecrated by Luang Poo Jiam to soldiers from the Northeast who were deployed in the lower South.

Friday, Lt Gen Thawatchai asked Luang Phor Supat Techapalo, who is also a disciple of the late monk, to give similar talismans including takrud - a small, rolled metallic sheet inscribed with yantra symbols - and Buddha amulets to the soldiers.

The monk was also asked to sprinkle holy water and wrote yantra at military bases to bless them with good luck.

Lt Gen Thawatchai said the talismans are meant to prevent black magic reaching them. Some troops believe the Cambodians are involved in occult practices.

He said the Buddhist amulets and the talismans are also intended to boost soldiers' morale.

An army source stationed at the border said he believed Cambodian troops would perform "some kind of rituals" on Preah Vihear temple to counter the army's distribution of talismans to its troops.

On Aug 1, 2008, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany presided over a ritual at Preah Vihear temple, which raised fears among many Thais, who believed it could bring bad luck to Thailand.

UNESCO designates special envoy for Hindu temple damaged in border clashes

http://wireupdate.com/

via CAAI

By BNO News

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday designated a Special Envoy to address the Preah Vihear Temple which was damaged during recent border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand.

Koichiro Matsuura, former Director-General of UNESCO, was named Special Envoy and will visit Bangkok and Phnom Penh to discuss the safety of the Hindu temple inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Matsuura will examine with both Cambodia and Thailand how to lessen tension between the two sides as well as promote dialogue for the preservation of the 11th century temple.

On Tuesday, UNESCO announced that it would send a mission to assess the damage caused by the recent armed clashes between the two South-East Asian neighbors to the temple. The Preah Vihear Temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List in July 2008.

Cambodian-Thai tensions first escalated in 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the temple, which dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

Last week, fighting erupted between Cambodian and Thai soldiers along the border between Thailand's Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. One Thai soldier, one civilian and at least three Cambodians were reportedly killed Friday and Saturday in exchanges of small arms and artillery fire.

On Saturday, Thailand and Cambodia agreed on a ceasefire both the fighting resumed on Sunday. Each side blamed the other for initiating the shooting. The fire exchange has already caused severe damage to Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called both sides for restraint as clashes resumed on Monday and have continued in recent days. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova called for calm as well.

The Hindu temple was dedicated to Shiva and is composed of a series of sanctuaries linked by a system of pavements and staircases over an 800-metre-long axis. The temple dates back to the first half of the 11th century AD. The site is exceptional for the quality of its carved stone ornamentation and its architecture, adapted to the natural environment and the religious function of the temple.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)

Vietnam did not join military exercise in Thailand

via CAAI

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense denies the information that Vietnam has sent three military officers to join the Cobra Gold military exercises in Thailand, the largest drill in Southeast Asia.

The Ministry confirmed that Vietnam only sent one military attaché to Thailand to attend the opening ceremony.

Earlier, some local and foreign sources had reported that Vietnam and nine other countries - Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Britain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Philippines – sent three personnel each to participate.

The military exercise - which is hosted annually by Thailand as a bilateral effort between the US and Thai militaries since 1982 - attracted full participation of the US, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and, for the first time, Malaysia.

AP news agency quoted Royal Thai Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Piroon Paewpolsong as saying the training this time will be focused mostly on peacekeeping support and stability operations.

Representatives from ten countries - China, India, Brunei, Laos, Russia, South Africa, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates - are also involved in this year's exercise as observers.

No offer to 'mediate', say French

via CAAI

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Published on February 12, 2011

A French offer to provide maps of the disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia has been misrepresented by some Thai media outlets that claimed France had offered to "mediate" between the two countries.

Some columnists even attacked France for poking its nose where it wasn't wanted, leading the French Embassy to clarify the proposal.

"There never was any French offer of 'mediation' in the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, as some media reported," said Alain Gavillet, press attache at the French Embassy.

Yesterday, elements of the Thai media continued to misreport the news and even obtained reaction from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Some columnists wrote pieces attacking the French government for trying to interfere in Thai-Cambodia affairs.

"Pardon ... sorry but please do not poke your nose," wrote Post Today editor Nakarn Laohavilai in his column in the paper.

On Thursday, the Thai Foreign Ministry had already issued a correction regarding the "misunderstanding".

Thani Thongphakdi, director-general of the Department of Information and spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said, "There may have been some misunderstanding about the proposal as France had not offered to mediate between the two countries as some media had reported.

"Rather, France had expressed its readiness to provide access to maps of the region it had made in the early 20th Century should any country wish to study or make copies of them."

A press release from Thani added that Thailand welcomed the offer.

"In fact, Thailand had in the past received good cooperation from Quai d'Orsay, which had given Thai officials access to their archives several times before.

Should there be additional maps that Thailand has not yet examined, it would certainly consider examining such maps without prejudice to its boundary claims."

Khmer-Thai Clashed on the border of Preah Vihear

Peace Holding On Thai-Cambodia Border over Disputed Temple

http://english.ntdtv.com/

via CAAI

2011-02-11

On Thursday, Cambodian officials brought rice and instant noodles to the camps set up along the border with Thailand. Four days of clashes raged between soldiers from both sides around a disputed temple.

Cambodia's prime minister says the clashes constitute an act of war.

Cambodia and Thailand say they are not increasing their military forces on the border and say they’re acting with as much restraint as possible.

But witnesses on the Thai side saw tanks, armored vehicles and fighter jets on the move.

Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for the clashes. The clashes have killed at least three Thais and eight Cambodians. At least 34 Thais and 55 Cambodians were wounded.

Two TV stations have collected donations for the soldiers and refugees at the Cambodian border camp. They set up a foundation on Saturday to help people on the frontline.

More than a thousand refugees fled their homes and stayed at the camp about 20 miles from Preah Vihear temple since the fighting started.

[Mam Seila, Refugee]:

“My children and I went to hide on higher ground. Then I saw about 80 to 90 shrapnel pieces that landed on my house. So, God blessed me and my kids to survive.”

Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen appealed to all local authorities to take care of the refugees and soldiers who were wounded from the fighting.

In Cambodia's northern frontier areas, schools and temples have been turned into shelters for several thousand displaced people.

The reason for the clashes still remains unknown.

The two countries are in dispute over the land surrounding the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

The key is cooperation

via CAAI

Published: 12/02/2011 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

What do the following 9 pairs of countries have in common: Argentina & Brazil; Austria & Hungary; Canada & USA; Costa Rica & Panama; France & Spain; Guinea & Ivory Coast; Hungary & Slovakia; Lithuania & Russia; Zambia & Zimbabwe?

Answer: all are co-hosts of World Heritage sites. In other words, all those pairings have cooperated in applying for and maintaining officially recognised World Heritage sites.

Thailand and Cambodia could be the first Asian countries on that list, if they could find a way to cooperate on the Preah Vihear Temple complex. Twenty people could do the job of administrating and upkeep of the jointly maintained parcel of land.

KEN ALBERTSEN

Chiang Rai

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Of a political stripe

I read Suranand Vejjajiva's comment (BP, Feb 11) with tears brimming _ tears of pity, both for my country and for the man himself.

I heard that the people in England before World War Two were so boisterous you'd think they were on the brink of killing each other. Political gatherings and speeches attacking the government happened on a daily basis. But when World War II broke out, all opponents suddenly became friends and united as one until the country was victorious.

After the war, however, the English came back to the business of being democratically boisterous again. That is democracy.

Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia has just declared war with Thailand: a number of our people and soldiers have been killed. Hun Sen has used lightning-fast diplomacy in trying to embarrass Thailand in front of the world community.

Mr Suranand's comment, despite having been beautifully and descriptively written, was narrow-mindedly political and improper. He has shown no respect for the dead, the injured and the desperately home-forsaken of his own country. He should have learned when to act as a politician and when to act as a Thai citizen.

I dare declare that there are at least two countries in this world that have been ganging up on Thailand (Siam) since 1907 over Preah Vihear. They are still doing it now. No matter what the final outcome of this controversy is, this belief of mine will never change. Look up the history of this region a hundred years past and you will understand how and why. Thailand cannot do anything much because it is still striving to be a good member of the world community _ not because it is fearful or selfish or has done anything wrong in any way. We just want peace and the joy of being called ''the Land of Smiles''. Besides, Buddha has taught us to forgive those who have been bad to us.

CHAVALIT VAN

Chiang Mai

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Access from Cambodia

I have lost count of the number of letters I have read in Postbag over the past few years, claiming it is not possible or very hard to access Preah Vihear Temple from the Cambodian side. This is utter rubbish and I can only assume that none of these people have ever visited Cambodia, let alone travelled to the temple from Cambodia.

If you want to visit the temple from Bangkok you are talking about a 7- or 8-hour journey. About three years ago, Cambodia built a beautiful road from Siem Reap to the temple and since then it has been possible to get there in comfort in around 3 hours. Granted, getting up the hill is not so simple and until recently you were forced to pay a few dollars for a military truck to take you up there if you weren't fit enough to make the climb.

As for Khun Songdej's claim (Postbag, Feb 11) that the surrounding disputed area is vulnerable to military conflict, hello! This is because Thailand decided to escalate the problem, not the Khmers, who seemed happy to finally start benefiting from the tourist dollars the temple would bring.

I can only assume the escalation was because Thai authorities knew fully well that any right-minded tourist would go for the 3-hour Cambodian journey over the 8-hour Thai option.

Blaming Unesco seems to be a typically Thai response: blaming someone else for your own problems.

ALLAN IN KHON KAEN

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The other side's ahead

The Thai-Cambodian border conflict has turned out to be as fascinating as the Chinese epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sam Kok in Thai).

When Cambodia declared that the bloody conflict has become a war between the two countries, it promptly referred the matter to the UN Security Council and requested the deployment of a UN peace-keeping force.

Kasit Piromya, the Thai foreign minister, has suddenly realised that the border dispute is no longer a mumbo-jumbo allegation from the PAD which he has just branded as childish, nor is it a see-saw game as his army colleagues wish to portray _ restraint and retaliate in the same proportional force as the enemy has imposed on us. So Kasit jolted the audience by alleging that France, Russia and India were backing up Hun Sen, whom he now referred to as a ''bully boy''.

No matter how you look at it, the Cambodian side is one step ahead of the Thais.

In The Three Kingdoms, we are told that during the final years of the Su nation when there were no capable generals left, a middle-ranking army officer named Liu Hwa was allowed to be the front man in charging the enemy. Do we even have a Liu Hwa at this very crucial moment?

YINGWAI SUCHAOVANICH

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Let Asean mediate

Under the current situation between Thailand and Cambodia, I can see the advantage of having Asean _ in this case Indonesia as the chair _ to be a mediator. It is time for PM Abhisit and PM Hun Sen to step forward with the Indonesian president and explain to the citizens of Thailand, Cambodia and other Asean members, what they want and whether they represent the true need of their people.

This may be against Thailand's stand on policy regarding this issue, but I can see the benefits. Unlike other international forums, Thailand still has an advantage in this forum as one of Asean's founders and among the few central pillar countries of Asean politically, militarily and economically.

Considering the habitual nature of Asean's non-interference policy, it is still to Thailand's advantage to be able to lobby Asean members to eventually bring the issue back to the bilateral level while showing the world its willingness to collaborate with multilateralism vis-a-vis the international community. Having ministerial-level and commander-level talks may be proper protocol, but these may not lead to a satisfactory result, as we have seen these past few years. We must realise that the final say from the Cambodian side comes not from its generals or Vice-PM, but only its PM.

Equally important, it is necessary to understand the nature of Cambodian politics, politicians and people (as well as Thailand's); we have to bear in mind that we may never be successful in the demarcation process or final discussions even at the head-of-government level.

Thus it is recommended that Thailand propose some form of package deal to Cambodia and convince Hun Sen that we could jointly nominate the temple of Preah Vihear and its surroundings and register them with the World Heritage Committee for the benefit of both nations.

IMPATIENT WORLD CITIZEN

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Sad state of our forests

Re: ''Dept expects forest to gain Heritage title'' (BP, Feb 11). Some facts should be known about the Kaeng Krachan forest complex. Deputy chief of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, says the Kaeng Krachan complex is more fertile than Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai complexes.

This is simply not true. There is hardly any wildlife left in both the Mae Nam Phachi Wildlife Sanctuary and Chalerm Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park after years and years of poaching and degradation by encroachment. A few deer and pigs plus a degraded forest certainly do not constitute World Heritage status.

Ten years ago, Kaeng Krachan had many tigers and loads of wildlife along the Phetchaburi River that flows through the park, but recent reports by rangers are disturbing. Very few tracks have been found of the tiger and it is quite possible there are only a couple left here.

There is a large village of ethnic people living in the northern section of the park and access to the interior is easy for them. After many years of surveys by NGOs and park rangers, there is only one crocodile living in the Phetchaburi River.

There are some elephants and gaur but the banteng have disappeared. Even though this is the largest national park in Thailand, it is probably too late to save this once remarkable forest. Vines have now consumed much of the lower forest and trees are dying.

As for Kui Buri National Park further south, it does have some elephants, gaur and tigers, but these isolated populations are genetically in trouble. Wildlife is still in serious jeopardy as poachers continue to intrude into this forest after these animals, as shown by the recent killing of a tusker elephant in the park. The lower section has been overcome by encroachment and although the local people have been moved out, the forest has been degraded to the point of no return.

Has the World Heritage status helped the other two sites in Thailand? Maybe, but these are also under serious threat from continued intrusion and poaching, and it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel for these beautiful places.

With the present situation and outdated laws and regulations, the department is struggling to protect and save Thailand's natural heritage. The system needs a serious revamp, otherwise Thailand's wild animals and magnificent forests will soon be a thing of the past.

BOB GAURUS

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50-rai plan won't work

Concerning the proposal of the National Reform Committee to restrict property ownership to 50 rai per family (BP, Feb 10), the government needs to think carefully about the economic implications of such a policy.

The proposal clearly has populist appeal: it looks to be ''fair'' and to strike a blow against ''capitalist'' land owners. So far so good. But unfortunately it is also a recipe for the continued impoverishment of those who choose to stay and work on the land.

Small-lot land ownership is a poverty trap: a rural family cannot grow sufficient food or other crops to ever escape a subsistence existence, and the land title allows them to further impoverish themselves by taking out loans they have no prospect of ever being able to pay back.

The choice the government must make is between a countryside of impoverished small landowners doomed to continue falling further behind town and city dwellers in income, welfare standards and security; or allowing the rural sector to modernise, to expand and to improve the returns to those who work on the land.

There is a good example of the latter _ just look at the agricultural reforms in Brazil over the past 15 years. Agricultural production there increased almost four-fold in just 10 years between 1996 and 2006. Farm incomes have increased significantly, allowing more people to stay and work on the land, all thanks to the input of technology, private capital and modern farming techniques which are not possible in a small-holder rural economy.

If the growing income gap in Thailand is to be narrowed, the agricultural sector must be given the same opportunities as the industrial and service sectors to develop and modernise _ not hurt them. The question then is which is preferable: impoverished landowners with a land title but little else, or an agricultural sector which provides improved incomes, lifestyles and opportunities?

YAN FLINT

Khon Kaen

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Subsidising monsters

Can anyone explain the sense behind keeping fuel costs down for those thoughtless members of the Thai population who spend 1 million baht-plus on a monstrous diesel-guzzling SUV that takes up 10 square metres of space?

Millions of ordinary citizens, meanwhile, are doing their best for the community and the earth by riding economical motorbikes, for which they pay nearly 40 baht a litre if they run on standard 91 petrol and, as a result, have to inhale the noxious gases produced by the SUV.

THE ALIEN

Chiang Mai

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Don Mueang is best

What a comparatively pleasant experience it was flying into Don Mueang last week. The air-bridge connected the plane directly to the terminal, instead of de-planing by steps to a bus that takes passengers on a guided tour of Cobra Swamp. The luggage arrived on the carousel in approximately 10 minutes, instead of half an hour or so, and a queue of meter-taxis was parked right outside the terminal. Why can't all airports be like this?

BERNIE HODGES

Songkhla