Cambodian border trade still brisk

http://www.bangkokpost.com/

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Published: 27/04/2011 at 12:39 PM

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Growth continues in exports to Cambodia of automobiles, motorcycles, sugar, textiles, and cosmetics and imports of agricultural products, minerals and wood.

The photo above is of young Cambodian children and their push-carts carrying goods and farm products across the border at the Aranyaprathet checkpoint near Bangkok.

Though it may not contribute much to official trade statistics, this kind of trade is essential to the livelihoods of many lower-income people who live along the border.

The following is part of a larger article which may be read here.

THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT: Business community seeks quick fix to clashes by Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Phusadee Arunmas and Parista Yuthamanop

Businesspeople are calling for a quick resolution to border disputes with Cambodia, warning that continued clashes will hurt border trade and bilateral investment sentiment...

Border trade so far affected only slightly.

...According to the Commerce Ministry, border trade between Thailand and Cambodia last year totalled 55.41 billion baht, up 22.1% from a year earlier, with Thai exports making 51.11 billion baht and imports 4.29 billion, up 72.3%.

Despite sporadic border disputes, Thai-Cambodian border trade keeps rising, up 14.3% between January and March to 16.1 billion baht, including 14.54 billion baht in Thai exports, up 8.9%.

Major exports from Thailand include automobiles, motorcycles, sugar, fabrics and textiles, and cosmetics, while imports are mainly agricultural products, minerals and wood. Thailand also exports fruits and vegetables, food and sugar to Vietnam through Cambodia.

Border trade with Cambodia takes place mainly through Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces, representing up to 90% of the total between the neighbours.

Apart from border trade, Thailand last year invested 31 million baht through the Cambodia Investment Board, where it ranked 15th. Taiwan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Malaysia were the top investors in the country.

From 1994 to 2009, Thailand invested in 81 projects in Cambodia totalling $226.59 million or 7.02 billion baht. Nine projects are hotels worth 4.29 billion baht, followed by investments in the agricultural industry worth 4.35 billion, and garment and textile ventures worth 221 million.

Thai-Cambodian border trade currently represents only 7.1% of total border trade between Thailand and neighbouring countries, while the trade values in the conflict areas in Surin and Si Sa Ket make up 0.2% of total border trade, " said Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai. "Border trade is therefore unlikely to be affected if the clashes are limited only to the two provinces"...

(Source: Bangkok Post, THAILAND-CAMBODIA CONFLICT, Business community seeks quick fix to clashes, 27/04/2011, Nanchanok Wongsamuth, Phusadee Arunmas and Parista Yuthamanop, link)

conflict - an angry disagreement between people or groups ความขัดแย้ง, ความไม่ลงรอยกัน, การต่อสู้, ความขัดแย้ง

business community - all the the businesses in a country, a city or a region

quick fix - some action that can be take quickly to solve a problem

trade - the buying and selling of goods การค้าขาย

trade statistics - official numbers collected and published by the government that describe what goods and how much goods are being bought and sold between countries

brisk - moving quickly

Aranyaprathet - the closest Cambodian border town to Bangkok (only 3 hours away), day tourists now travel to the border town for its markets and casinos, foreign tourists travel to the town to extend their visas in so-called "visa-runs", formerly the important train and border stop between Bangkok and Phnom Penh before the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975 (See Wikipedia)

livelihood - some activity such as a job or a small business that provides you with the money you need to live and support your family การดำรงชีวิต, การครองชีพ, การดำรงชีพ, ทางดำรงชีพ, หากิน, การเลี้ยงชีพ

push-cart - a small vehicle or cart that you push along my hand, also "pushcart" รถเข็น

checkpoint - a place along the border of two countries, where goods and people are checked and inspected before being allowed to enter the country ด่านตรวจ, จุดตรวจสอบ

X calling for Y - group or person X is asking for action Y to be taken

resolution (noun) - the solving of a problem

resolve (verb) - to solve a problem

resolve a problem - solve a problem

dispute - a disagreement or argument between two groups or people

clash - a fight between two groups or people

resolve dispute - solve and end a disagreement or argument between two groups or people

resolution to a dispute - the act of solving a dispute

border - the official line separating two areas, regions or countries เขตแดน อาณาเขต

bilateral - involving two groups or countries สองข้าง, เกี่ยวกับกลุ่มทางการเมืองสองกลุ่ม

investment - taking your money and putting it into projects to make a profit or earn interest (buying stock shares, bonds, real estate)

sentiment - a thought, opinion or idea based on a feeling about a situation, or a way of thinking about something กระแส, แนวความคิด, ความคิดเห็น, อารมณ์ทางความคิด

sentiment - how investors and financial experts feel about the economy, whether it will get better or worse in the near future

sporadic - happening from time to time (but not regularly or with any pattern)

garments - clothes

textiles - cloth for clothes (garments), fabric made by weaving or knitting (See Wikipedia)

fabrics - same as textiles

cosmetics - substances that you put on your face, body or skin which are intended to improve its appearance, such as lipstick, mascara or eye-liner that women (and ladyboys) put on their face to look more beautiful เครื่องสำอาง

Banks claim growth in lending and deposits

Photo by: Sovan Philong

A security guard drives past scaffolding that was put in place to prevent landslides at Bokor Mountain, the future site of a Sokha hotel.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

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Wednesday, 27 April 2011 15:01May Kunmakara

Increased lending from the Kingdom’s 30 commercial banks during the first quarter was largely due to increased demand from the domestic agriculture sector, according to National Bank of Cambodia Director General and Spokeswoman Nguon Sokha.

Lending at the end of March totalled US$3.467 billion, a 4.33 percent increase on $3.323 billion extended by Cambodia’s banks on December 31, 2010, she said.

“We see that our commercial banks are increasing loans and deposits after the crisis,” said Ngoun Sokha, adding new lending “is mainly focusing on the agricultural sector, which has greatly increased compared to other [sectors] and business activities.

“The banking sector has improved in line with the whole economy, resulting in more loan accessibility,” she said.

Lending to the construction and real estate sector has languished behind other sectors, she noted.

Nguon Sokha also pointed to an increase in deposits, which totalled $4.001 billion at the end of March, a 3.23 percent rise from $3.876 billion at the end of December last year.

Canadia Bank Vice President Dieter Billmeier wrote that the bank’s total lending increase 37.74 percent during the first quarter to $562 million by the end of March, while deposits increase 41.12 percent to $948 million.

“The economy and business in Cambodia is growing again with a remarkable pace,” he said.

“As far as our loan portfolio is concerned we have a special focus on agriculture and food processing activities nation-wide. But in general we are serving all other sectors and industries.”

He predicted Canadia Bank and the rest of the banking sector would have a strong 2011.

Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia saw its total deposits grow by 29 percent during the quarter to $296 million, and gross loans and advances increase by 38 percent during the quarter to $145 million at March 31, according to its unaudited figures.

“Our loans are mainly granted to service industry, agriculture and micro-finance institutions,” said Gui Anvanith, general manager and board member.

“We have increased our exposure to the agribusiness sector since we believe that this sector will continue to experience sustainable growth in light of better access to international markets as well as stronger government support,” he said.

Kookmin Bank Cambodia President and Chief Executive Officer Jang Ki-sung said the number and amount of its loans increased by 100 percent and 112.6 percent respectively during the quarter. Kookmin launched its first branch in the Kingdom in 2009.

South Korea-based Hwang DBS Commercial Bank, which began operation in July 2009, has seen number of deposits grow to 1,191 and 154 loans customers as of 31 March 2011.

“This growth was complimented by our ability to reach out to more customers in the housing loan and SME sectors ...,” wrote Hwang DBS General Manger Han Peng Kwang. He added the bank had expanded its domestic reach by adding two more branches last year.

Ngoun Sokha said she expects the domestic banking sector to have a strong 2011.

“Relying on our surveys as well as the economic climate in the region and the world, we are in a very favourable environment to make our whole economy better.”

“It will require more loans, to meet the economy’s needs,” she said.

Banks claim growth in lending and deposits

Photo by: Sovan Philong

A security guard drives past scaffolding that was put in place to prevent landslides at Bokor Mountain, the future site of a Sokha hotel.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/

via CAAI

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 15:01May Kunmakara

Increased lending from the Kingdom’s 30 commercial banks during the first quarter was largely due to increased demand from the domestic agriculture sector, according to National Bank of Cambodia Director General and Spokeswoman Nguon Sokha.

Lending at the end of March totalled US$3.467 billion, a 4.33 percent increase on $3.323 billion extended by Cambodia’s banks on December 31, 2010, she said.

“We see that our commercial banks are increasing loans and deposits after the crisis,” said Ngoun Sokha, adding new lending “is mainly focusing on the agricultural sector, which has greatly increased compared to other [sectors] and business activities.

“The banking sector has improved in line with the whole economy, resulting in more loan accessibility,” she said.

Lending to the construction and real estate sector has languished behind other sectors, she noted.

Nguon Sokha also pointed to an increase in deposits, which totalled $4.001 billion at the end of March, a 3.23 percent rise from $3.876 billion at the end of December last year.

Canadia Bank Vice President Dieter Billmeier wrote that the bank’s total lending increase 37.74 percent during the first quarter to $562 million by the end of March, while deposits increase 41.12 percent to $948 million.

“The economy and business in Cambodia is growing again with a remarkable pace,” he said.

“As far as our loan portfolio is concerned we have a special focus on agriculture and food processing activities nation-wide. But in general we are serving all other sectors and industries.”

He predicted Canadia Bank and the rest of the banking sector would have a strong 2011.

Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia saw its total deposits grow by 29 percent during the quarter to $296 million, and gross loans and advances increase by 38 percent during the quarter to $145 million at March 31, according to its unaudited figures.

“Our loans are mainly granted to service industry, agriculture and micro-finance institutions,” said Gui Anvanith, general manager and board member.

“We have increased our exposure to the agribusiness sector since we believe that this sector will continue to experience sustainable growth in light of better access to international markets as well as stronger government support,” he said.

Kookmin Bank Cambodia President and Chief Executive Officer Jang Ki-sung said the number and amount of its loans increased by 100 percent and 112.6 percent respectively during the quarter. Kookmin launched its first branch in the Kingdom in 2009.

South Korea-based Hwang DBS Commercial Bank, which began operation in July 2009, has seen number of deposits grow to 1,191 and 154 loans customers as of 31 March 2011.

“This growth was complimented by our ability to reach out to more customers in the housing loan and SME sectors ...,” wrote Hwang DBS General Manger Han Peng Kwang. He added the bank had expanded its domestic reach by adding two more branches last year.

Ngoun Sokha said she expects the domestic banking sector to have a strong 2011.

“Relying on our surveys as well as the economic climate in the region and the world, we are in a very favourable environment to make our whole economy better.”

“It will require more loans, to meet the economy’s needs,” she said.

Thailand, Cambodia need to prove their commitment to settle dispute peacefully -- Indonesian diplomat

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2011-04-27

By Cundoko Aprilianto

JAKARTA, April 27 (Xinhua) - Thailand and Cambodia need to prove their commitment they have made in the meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) and the ASEAN ministerial meeting in Indonesia to settle dispute peacefully, an Indonesian official told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

Michael Tene, spokesperson of Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, said that Indonesia is keeping to facilitate efforts for peaceful solution.

"However, we need a political will of both governments and Indonesia keeps trying to push it," said Tene.

He said that Indonesia as the current chair of ASEAN is deeply concerned over ongoing hostilities at their border areas between the two countries.

"We repeatedly ask them to stop these hostilities or this military action and urge them to use force that is in line with vision towards the ASEAN Community by 2015. Indonesia calls for both parties to show courage in putting to the fore the urgent need for cease fire," said Tene.

He said that Indonesia recalled that only barely two weeks ago, at the meeting of the JBC in Bogor of West Java province, Cambodia and Thailand had resolved to address the issues between them through diplomacy, however complex the issues are. "We believe that such diplomatic path must be persevered," he said.

According to Tene, actually there are some progresses of diplomacy between both countries as by early February, there was no hostility occurred.

"At that time, we had a successful mediation," he said.

He said that problem between the two countries should not put obstacle for the bloc to reach the ASEAN Community by 2015 and beyond it.

"We realize that there are threats against the goal of the ASEAN Community, including boundary, continent shelf as well of exclusive economic zone as we still have not yet 'managed' the issues well," said Tene.

However, he said, it does not mean that the issues becoming excuses for the countries to become enemies.

"We must settle the issues through negotiations," said Tene.

He also said that the ASEAN must work hard to achieve the safe and peaceful atmosphere.

"We don't take for granted on issues of peace and security. That atmosphere just doesn't fall from the sky. We must work it for years through diplomacy and negotiations. Thank God, we don't have any conflict for years," said Tene.

The border clash occurring nearby Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in the disputed areas adjacent Thailand's northeastern Surin province early Wednesday morning marked the sixth straight day of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.

The six-day deadly clashes occurring since April 22 result in deaths of soldiers on both sides. Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other to launch a new round of border conflicts.

Editor: Chen Zhi

Clashes spark concern for de-mining groups

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Wednesday, 27 April 2011 14:35 Mary Kozlovski

Landmine experts yesterday expressed concern that ongoing border violence could hamper de-mining efforts, as statistics revealed that casualties resulting from mines and unexploded ordnance dropped slightly in the first quarter of this year.

A total of 61 people were killed or injured from January to March this year, compared with 62 over the same period last year, according to figures from the Cambodia Mine/ERW Victim Information System.

Leng Sochea, deputy-secretary general of the Cambodian Mines Action Authority which collects the data, said yesterday that overall figures were “stable” but ongoing border clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops in the border provinces could affect de-mining efforts.

“People are moving away from this area and maybe some de-miners are moving away,” he said. “If we have no proper measures to take the UXO out of the villages maybe it will ... cause the number of casualties to increase next month.”

According to CMVIS data, there was a 20 percent increase in casualties last month, with 24 people killed or injured compared with 20 reported casualties in March last year.

Heng Rattana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, said yesterday that he was not satisfied with the figures.“The high casualty districts are along the border and the fighting [between Cambodia and Thailand] occurs in those areas,” he said. “This creates a difficult environment for us to work and we decide to cease operations and move to areas further from the border.”He added that CMAC wanted “zero victims”.

The provinces with the most recorded casualties resulting from mines and UXO between January 2010 and March this year are Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, all of which are located on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Earlier this month, United Kingdom-based group Cluster Munitions Coalition said it had evidence that Thailand used cluster munitions – which break up into bomblets that often lie dormant for years before exploding – during border clashes with Cambodia in February. Thailand has disputed that the weapons found are classified as clusters, an opinion anti-landmine groups reject.

Fighting continues

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By Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Phnom Penh/Bangkok

The Cambodian government has confirmed that Thailand's defence minister has pulled out of ceasefire talks that were scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

The two countries have engaged in five straight days of fighting that have left at least 13 soldiers dead and around 50 wounded on both sides.

Cambodia said shots were exchanged early Wednesday at two sites along the contested border.

On Tuesday the Cambodian Defence Ministry announced that Thailand's Defence Minister, General Prawit Wongsuwan, would meet his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh, something Thai media later confirmed.

But on Wednesday Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan told the German Press Agency dpa that Prawit had cancelled his visit, but had given no reason.

"We didn't trust that they would come at all," he said.

The cancellation of the ceasefire talks was a blow to hopes that the border clashes might end. Indonesia, as current chair of the regional Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, has tried to mediate between the two nations.

Part of that effort was a plan to station Indonesian observers along the contested border, but that failed Monday when Thailand objected to certain aspects of the deal.

On Tuesday a Thai government spokesman said Bangkok would agree to Indonesian border monitors, provided Cambodia pulled its troops out of Preah Vihear temple, near another disputed border area around 150 kilometres east of the recent clashes.

Phay Siphan said that condition was unacceptable to Phnom Penh.

"They cannot order us to pull out of our land - it is de jure and defac to Cambodia," he said on Wednesday. "Thailand is looking for an opportunity to invade and occupy our land."

Phay Siphan said Wednesday that troops were exchanging rifle fire around the ancient temples of Ta Moan and Ta Krabei, known in Thai as Ta Muen and Ta Kwai.

He said there was no word on Cambodian casualties, adding that the situation near Preah Vihear temple was quiet.

The clashes started on Friday near Ta Krabei and Ta Moan.

Each side has blamed the other for the fighting over the past six days.

At least eight Cambodians have been killed and 17 wounded, while one is missing. A Thai army spokesman said Tuesday that five Thai soldiers had been killed and 31 injured.

Cambodia said more than 22,000 of its citizens had fled the border region, while Thailand said around 30,000 civilians had been evacuated from their villages.

Thai-Cambodia fighting flares again as talks collapse

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Wed Apr 27, 2011

By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodian troops clashed with heavy artillery for a sixth day on Wednesday near two disputed 12th-century Hindu temples, the Cambodian defense ministry said following a night of shelling that killed a Thai villager.

Talks between Thai and Cambodian defense ministers to end Southeast Asia's bloodiest border dispute in years were abruptly canceled, dashing hopes of an imminent end to fighting that has killed at least 14 people and sent more than 50,000 into evacuation centres.

Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had been expected to meet his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Banh, in Phnom Penh, but he instead was flying to China for previously scheduled meetings.

"We welcome talks but only if Cambodia stops the shooting first," said Thai Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva took a more conciliatory approach, saying talks between defense ministers have merely been "rescheduled."

Many experts say the fighting over territory and sovereignty is fueled by political interests, as each government seeks to discredit the other by appealing to nationalists at home, especially as Thailand prepares for an election due by July.

A change in government could be in Cambodia's interests.

Analysts said the Thai military could also be flexing its muscles to preserve its sizeable stake in Thailand's political apparatus and to satisfy conservative elites at odds with the country's powerful opposition forces.

Thailand says it wants a bilateral solution to the dispute. Cambodia seeks international mediation and independent monitors in the disputed area as agreed by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers in Jakarta in February.

"The two countries appear to be calling for different kinds of talks. Cambodia is calling for ceasefire talks, which Thailand says are pointless," said Surachart Bumrungsuk, a security expert at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

MAJOR TEST FOR ASEAN

Those differences are posing a major test for ASEAN, a 10-member bloc with ambitions to become a regional community by 2015 and a viable counterweight to China's growing clout.

It is also a potential embarrassment for Indonesia, whose foreign minister, Marty Natalegawa, had brokered the U.N.-backed ceasefire pact in February that would have placed unarmed Indonesian military observers along the disputed border.

The Thai army objected and the deal never went through.

Thailand's foreign minister is due to meet with Natalegawa on Thursday in Jakarta.

The latest fighting began early in the morning with heavy artillery near the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, Cambodia's defense ministry said.

Sovereignty over the ancient, stone-walled Hindu temples -- Preah Vihear, Ta Moan and Ta Krabey -- and the jungle of the Dangrek Mountains surrounding them has been in dispute since the withdrawal of the French from Cambodia in the 1950s.

"We are moving people further away from the border because Cambodia is using longer-range weapons," Surin Province Deputy Governor Yutthana Viriyakitti told Reuters.

Before Friday, Cambodian and Thai soldiers jointly patrolled the area largely without incident. Villagers on both sides, many of whom share the same ethnic makeup, would mingle each day.

"We are neighbors and people here want to live in peace," said a Thai villager who identified herself as Samorn. "I don't understand why talks aren't working."

In the Thai town of Karb Cherng, villagers returned to damaged houses and shelled farmland.

Fighting also erupted on Tuesday at Preah Vihear 150 km (93 miles) to the east, scene of intense clashes February 4-7 that killed 11 people. An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia 49 years ago, but both countries lay claim to a 4.6 sq km (1.8 sq mile) patch of land around it.

The temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, a decision fiercely opposed by Thailand on grounds that the land around Preah Vihear was never demarcated.

(Additional reporting by Ambika Ahuja in Bangkok and Sukree Sukplang in Surin. Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Yoko Nishikawa)

Border dispute on 2 temples could negotiate bilaterally: Cambodian PM

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April 27, 2011

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that the border dispute on temples of Ta Mon and Ta Krabei could negotiate bilaterally.

Hun Sen made the remarks at the conference of Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development on Wednesday.

However, Hun Sen said that as the issue of Preah Vihear temple has been raised to the UNSC and ASEAN, so "We have to respect the role of ASEAN, all the negotiations about the disputed border areas near Preah Vihear temple must be with the participation of the third party."

"But for the disputed areas such as Ta Mon temple and Ta Krabei temple, Cambodia and Thailand can negotiate bilaterally," he said.

He called on Thailand for a cease-fire, saying that "Cambodia doesn't want the conflict to spread further." But at the same time the premier stressed that "Cambodia is small, poor and small armed forces, but don't forget that ants can hurt elephant."

Hun Sen, meanwhile, said that "Cambodia will raise the issue in the ASEAN summit next month, so Abhisit (Thai prime minister) and I can negotiate in the ASEAN summit." "Even there is no Cambodia- Thai border issues on the agenda in the ASEAN summit, I will also raise the issue with ASEAN leaders," he added.

The ASEAN summit will be held on May 7-8 in Jakarta, Indonesia. "Cambodia wants to solve all issues peacefully, not use weapons, " Hun Sen said. He said that until Wednesday, Thai troops still launched artillery shelling into Cambodian territory.

The latest in a series of deadly clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have occurred for five straight days from April 22-26 at the 13th century Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province and on April 26 at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, the World Heritage site.

The clashes left at least a dozen of killed and more than 30 injured on both sides.

The fighting has not only cost lives, damaged to the temples, but also forced tens of thousands of civilians of both countries to flee for safe shelters.

Source: Xinhua

Cambodia: Thai threat "tantamount to a declaration of war"

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Apr 27, 2011

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian government on Wednesday condemned Bangkok's threat to use military action to force Cambodian troops from areas that Thailand considers in dispute.

Phom Penh 'considers the above decision of (the Thai) government as tantamount to a declaration of war against Cambodia,' Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said.

On Tuesday, a Thai government spokesman said the cabinet had passed a three-part resolution that focused on military retaliation against claimed Cambodian incursions, diplomatic efforts to arrange bilateral talks, and reviewing all cooperation with Cambodia.

Koy Kuong said the part relating to military action was an unacceptable threat.

'(Cambodia) condemns in the strongest terms Thailand's threat and belligerent actions to use its larger and materially superior military might to take control over the Cambodian territory recognized by the International Court of Justice in its 1962 judgment,' he said.

That court ruling referred specifically to the 11th-century temple of Preah Vihear, the scene of fighting on Tuesday and sporadic clashes since mid-2008. Both countries also dispute other areas of their common border. The court awarded the temple to Cambodia, but did not rule on nearby areas.

Koy Kuong said Thailand's assessment of what constituted disputed areas was based on maps that Cambodia did not recognize.

Wednesday saw the sixth consecutive day of fighting at another disputed border location, which has left at least 14 dead and around 60 wounded on both sides.

Thailand earlier announced its defence minister had pulled out of planned ceasefire talks scheduled for Wednesday in Phnom Penh.

Thai PM denies media report Thailand exits planned ceasefire talks

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BANGKOK, April 27 - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday denied a Cambodian media report that Thailand has pulled out of planned ceasefire talks with Phnom Penh, saying Thailand's defence minister postponed his trip to Cambodia due to his mission to China.

Mr Abhisit said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon cancelled travelling to Cambodia for talks with his counterpart Tea Banh on Wednesday as he is busy on a mission to China from April 27-30. Talks with Cambodia will be rescheduled later.

Gen Prawit said before leaving to China that the Beijing trip was fixed earlier, and denied he was travelling to China to ask for help negotiating with Cambodia. Talks with Phnom Penh will be rescheduled once he returns from China, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit cancelled his daily schedule on Wednesday in order to travel to Surin to visit hospitalised Thai soldiers who were wounded in the border clashes and boost morale of local residents at Ban Khok Klang evacuation centre.

Mr Abhisit's trip follows new of one civilian being killed in Surin's Kap Choeng district.

Shells dropped on about ten villages in Surin and Buri Ram damaging ten homes. Army sources said over 60 BM-21 Grad multiple rockets fell in Thailand.

However, the sounds of gunfire ceased Wedneday and some local residents in Nongkhanna village in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district returned home to remove belongings from their houses. (MCOT online news)

Thai-Cambodian border skirmishes continue for 6th day

Cambodian soldiers load rocket shells in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, April 26, 2011. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday ordered review of overall relations with Cambodia in the wake of border clashes between the two countries. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

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BANGKOK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The border clash occurring nearby Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples in the disputed areas adjacent Thailand's northeastern Surin province early Wednesday morning marked the sixth straight day of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia.

New round of small arms firing erupted near the 13th-century temple ruins at about 5.30 a.m. on Wednesday morning and lasted for thirty minutes, according to Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the Thai army spokesman.

The spokesman told Xinhua over the telephone that Cambodian troops move toward the disputed areas triggered firing which involved exchange of small arms and mortar shelling.

Regarding gunfire exchanges Tuesday's night which flared at around 10 p.m., Col. Sansern said it took place as Cambodia used tanks and heavy arms to attack Thai soldiers in order to capture Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temples, located 150 kilometers west of contentious Preah Vihear temple.

The six-day deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand occurring since April 22 left five Thai soldiers dead and at least 57 injured as well as killed one civilian, according to the spokesman. Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other to launch a new round of border conflicts.

Cambodian PM calls for truce with Thailand

"Cambodia is appealing for a ceasefire," the country's Prime Minister Hun Sen has said

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PHNOM PENH — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday called for a truce with Thailand as border clashes that have left 14 people dead on both sides entered their sixth day.

"Cambodia is appealing for a ceasefire," the premier said in a speech in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, adding that he was ready to hold talks with his Thai counterpart at a regional summit in Jakarta in early May.

Planned truce talks were abruptly cancelled after Thailand's defence minister pulled out of a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart which had been scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

Talks cancelled as Thailand-Cambodia clashes continue

Thousands of villagers have been displaced by the border fighting

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27 April 2011

Troops from Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire again along their disputed border, as the death toll from six days of conflict rose to 14.

The fighting took place near the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, where most of the clashes have taken place.

A Thai spokesmen said a Thai villager was killed by rocket fire on Tuesday.

Each side has accused the other of starting the conflict. Plans for ministerial-level talks today on the dispute were cancelled by Thailand.

"We decided last night to cancel (Defence Minister) Gen Prawit's trip to Phnom Penh today after some Cambodia media reported Thailand agreed to ceasefire talks after it admitted defeat and losses," said army spokesman Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd.

Parts of the Thai-Cambodian border have never been formally demarcated, causing continuing tensions and firing nationalist sentiment in both countries.

There has been sporadic fighting in recent years. Clashes took place three years ago in the run-up to a general election in Cambodia, and this latest outbreak of violence comes with the Thai government due to call an election in coming weeks.

The renewed fighting began on Friday, near two disputed temples that lie in a jungle area that both sides claim.

On Tuesday clashes were also reported 160km (100 miles) further east at the hill-top temple of Preah Vihear, a flashpoint for the dispute.

Cambodian officials said Wednesday's fighting began in the early morning and continued for several hours.

Thousands of villagers have been displaced by the fighting, in which eight Cambodian and five Thai soldiers have been killed.

Border casinos claim recent custom drop

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Wednesday, 27 April 2011 15:00Sieam Bunthy

Casino owners along the Cambodia-Thailand border yesterday noted a sharp drop in business since clashes again broke out between the two countries near Oddar Meanchey province.

Chea Kea, owner of the Mongkodpich casino in the border province of Pailin, said that customer traffic had fallen significantly since the fighting began in February and restarted on April 22.

“Since early February I have lost more than $100,000 per month, and visitors to the casino are down 40 percent since the most recent fighting,” he said.

Most of Mongkodpich’s customers are Thai citizens, he said.

Officials at the O’Smach international border gate in Oddar Meanchey said that the area’s two main gambling centres – Royal Hill Casino and O’Smach Resort Casino – also had suffered declines for the same reasons.

“Since Thailand closed their border [at O’Smach] on April 22, there aren’t many customers coming to the casinos because 99 percent of those who come to play are Thai,” said Nguy Cheang, deputy director at the O’Smach gate.

He said he expects business to return to normal once the gate is reopened and the conflict subsides.

Loem Heng, owner of Royal Hill Casino Loem Heng agreed, saying that Thai customers will cross the border once the fighting has stopped.

“It is normal when there is a problem like this,” he said. “We know that when the gate is opened there will be business again.”

He declined to discuss the size of the casino’s loss.

Sources at O’Smach Resort reiterated that operations had slowed since the fighting began.

The casino could close if the conflict grows any worse, said a company official requesting anonymity.

Officials at the Choam and O’Smach border points yesterday confirmed the two gates remained closed since the restart of fighting in April.

Talking Finance: Understanding bank lending

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Wednesday, 27 April 2011 15:00Anthony Galliano

Firms around the world depend on several sources of capital to finance their businesses. The stock market provides long-term equity financing, the bond markets provides debt financing, and the bank market provides loans. Cambodia will soon have an equity and bond market, but historically, businesses have been financed through owner’s equity and bank borrowing.

Thus banks play an extremely vital role given the absence of alternatives. Understanding how banks evaluate loans and their decision-making process is extremely helpful for potential borrowers. Banks strongly prefer companies with an operating history and with several years of profitability. Therefore obtaining financing as a start-up company may be difficult. The bank will have lending policies based on the local market regulations and the bank’s own rules and procedures.

Lending to certain industries may be restricted for reasons such as the impact to the environment or for moral reasons. Banks will also diversify their lending portfolio by applying lending limits per industry. Local regulations must be adhered to. For example, a bank may only lend 20 percent of its capital to a single borrower, this being known as the single borrower lending limit.

Cambodia’s lending rates have improved over the last decade, yet interest rates are still perceived as higher than international market rates. How a bank prices a loan is based on several factors. The “cost of funds” is generally what a bank has to pay its depositors. This is greatly influenced by supply and demand. If the market is flush with deposits, interest rates on deposits will be lower. They will also be lower if banks restrict lending as there is less need for deposits.

If banks are actively lending and require deposits, then rates on deposits will be higher. Lending costs are also influenced by the banks’ own operating costs and the risk on the borrower. Longer tenors are priced higher as the risk on long-term loans is greater than short-term loans.

An unprepared borrower is normally its greatest enemy. There must be a clear purpose for the loan, and the uses of the requested borrowing amount must be coherently explained and verified if possible.

How the loan will be repaid and in what timeframe must be substantiated. The character of the borrower is a very important aspect of the lending decision. The history of the owners and management will weigh heavily. The competitive position of the borrower in its industry is another key determinant.

Cambodian banks, almost without exception, lend on a secured basis. Thus the value and quality of collateral pledged influences the amount the bank will lend.

Policies of banks vary. Occupied land may be given a collateral value of 50 percent of its market, building 40 percent, and vacant land less. Land and building are immovable collateral and strongly preferred.

The loan documents will include covenants. Affirmative covenants require the borrower to take certain actions, such as filing of financial statements and maintaining insurance. Negative covenants restrict the borrower from doing certain things such as taking on additional debt. These should be reviewed with scrutiny as they can lead to events of default which allow lenders to demand repayment in advance of the due date of the loan.

The complexities of obtaining a loan and satisfying the bank’s requirements are demanding. A well prepared borrower will be in a much better position.

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Anthony Galliano is Chief Executive Officer at Cambodian Investment Management. anthonygalliano@covenantim.com

Postgrads with designs on future

Photo by: Pha Lina

Construction problems could be minimised with more consultation with local people, discovered engineering graduate Oung Ponnaka while studying for a master’s degree in Australia.

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Wednesday, 27 April 2011 15:00 Roth Meas

Meet the new breed of educated Cambodians dedicated to rebuilding the Kingdom and improving the lives of its people – postgraduates who have returned from their studies in Australia.

Scholarships from the Australian government have enabled about 440 Cambodians to undertake further university study in Australia over the past few years, according to Ambassador Penny Richards.

Health, rural and international development, HIV and AIDS, social services, environment, finance, management and education are the sectors which will benefit from the scholarship programme.

Recent postgraduates agreed that their new skills would help redevelop Cambodia across all sections of society, at a gathering to honour their achievements at the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh.

Twenty-five returnees met with embassy officials at the event.

Typical of the new breed is Oung Ponnaka, 40, who is the technical chief of the Department of Rural Development in southeast Svay Rieng province.

He sees fundamental challenges ahead in development, particularly in building roads, bridges, irrigation projects and other infrastructure in the provinces.

An engineer who gained his bachelor’s degree at the Institute of Technology in Cambodia, Oung Ponnaka studied for a master’s degree in technology at Swinburne University in Australia.

Construction projects here often run into opposition from local people, he finds, because many engineers design projects without consulting the intended users, he says.

“Because the people are the [intended] users of our construction projects, we have to design them to fit their needs. Many Cambodian engineers think of themselves as technicians, so they feel they should decide priorities. But we should listen to the people too,” says Oung Ponnaka.

Photo by: Roth Meas

Postgraduate So Thea, second from left, was among previous graduates from Australia to meet Ambassador Penny Richards in Phnom Penh.

Part of the problem, he feels, is that the Cambodian education system is not based on group discussions, so graduates are not used to consulting other people on their projects.

“But in Australia, students learn to work in groups and discuss the consequences of construction, so engineers have the chance to integrate their ideas together,” he explains. Allowing local people to have their say on projects that affect them could cut protests and allow effective solutions, he feels.

Cambodia’s forestry industry and its treasure trove of hardwoods inspired So Thea, 42, to complete his PhD in biological science at Murdoch University.

His four years of study focused on forestry and the problems of illegal logging in Cambodia, while he searched for ways of making timber plantations sustainable.

His mission is to conserve Cambodia’s forests for the next generation, especially by studying ways to replant valuable native hardwoods such as kronhoung, beng, socrom and kokoh.

“These valuable timbers are vulnerable to illegal logging, [and] take up to 50 years to grow to maturity,” he says. As vice chief of the Forest Research Institute in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, his task is to increase replanting schemes in order to conserve the timber.

A tree with a trunk thicker than one metre could be at least 250 years old, he explains. “To lose a tree like that is a big [loss]. It’s [encouraging] that the Cambodian government is interested in forestry.”

As part of his research, So Thea visited Western Australia and Thailand to study forestry techniques.

Ambassador Penny Richards says the scholarships were provided to give Cambodians the skills and knowledge to contribute to the long-term development of Cambodia.

She told the postgraduates: “Now that you have returned to Cambodia, we look forward to seeing the contribution you will make in your various ministries. Australia is committed to promoting higher education as a means of improving the economic and social development of Cambodia.”

Most students returned to their successful careers in government, private sector and non-profit organisations, she said.

This year, Australia will award up to 50 scholarships to Cambodian students undertaking master’s degrees.

Further information about scholarships is available at www.australiaawards.gov.au.

DAP News. Breaking News by Soy Sopheap

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13 Thai community radio stations ordered closed, 3 media workers arrested, for airing lese majeste speech

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 09:23 DAP-NEWS/By colleagues

Government authorities raided 13 radio stations in Bangkok and nearby provinces, shutting down 12 of them, for allegedly airing a speech by an opposition leader that was considered defamatory to the royal family, media reports said April 27.

The "Bangkok Post" said officers from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Crime Suppression Division, along with local police, brought court warrants to the community radio stations and confiscated their equipment. Three radio station personnel were arrested.

The "Bangkok Post" quoted Royal Thai Police spokesman Major General Prawuth Thawornsiri as saying that the raid was carried out upon the orders of ISOC after the stations were accused of airing a speech made by Puea Thai Party Member of Parliament Jatuporn Prompan on 10 April 2011 which was deemed defamatory to the monarch. Jatuporn is now facing lese majeste charges.

Seven of the stations were operating in Bangkok.

"The Nation" said that four of the 13 stations were run by the Red Shirts. Two of these were identified as 105.40 MHz channel and the 96.35 MHz "Red Skills" station, both in Pathum Thani, a province adjacent to Bangkok. A disc jockey from the former and the head of the latter were arrested, but both have posted bail of THB75,000 (USD2,500) each.

The third media personnel who was arrested was identified as Lek Suphan, who is program host of the 105.75 MHz "Ruam Jai Thai" channel. He was arrested from the station’s studio in Lat Phrao, Bangkok.

According to "The Nation", some 300 Red Shirt protesters barred policemen from entering the compound of FM 89.85 Kon Thai Huajai Diew Kan station in Bangkok's Sai Mai district.

At the height of the political crisis last April, the government declared a state of emergency on 7 April, which was followed by the shutting down of satellite-broadcast television stations and numerous community radio stations, most of which are run by the Red Shirts.

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Superpower should turn satellites to monitor border fighting, PM Hun Sen

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 07:15 DAP-NEWS/By Vibol

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday said that the superpower should turn their satellites to monitor the border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand, and they could observe troops who started to open the fighting firstly.

Thailand has accused Cambodia of fighting first. I want the public to know that Cambodian troop have not invaded neighboring countries. Thai troops invaded Cambodia under Bangkok leadership to seek support from yellow shirt group, Samdech Hun Sen said in the congress of the women association of peace and development in Phnom Penh. “That is a cruel act and has behavior of terrorist, he stresses. Not all Thais are bad, he said, adding that we have shortened the border issues.

“The world superpower like China, US, India, and Russia should use their satellites to observe the border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand. They will know who has started to fight first,” he stresses. We are small country; we could not fight against big one like Thailand. The world can judge,” he said, adding he supported the new analysis in herald tribune about the fighting. Border fighting left dozen of soldiers from both side dead and nearly 20 injured after 6th day of fighting.

Samdech stresses he planned to raise border issues at ASEAN summit in Indonesia if Indonesia who gets the mandate from UN Security Council could not deploy their observers at the border areas. Indonesia could send their observers to Cambodia first, we already prepared for them. Feb 22, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to accept the Indonesia observers, but so far, Indonesia could not do it because Thai troops have opposed that measure.

He added: Thai troops used heavy weapon during the fighting and it forced hundreds of local families to flee home for safety. He also urged local authorities to take care of refugees to avoid communicable disease. He said, “Electricity supply from Thai side has cut off due to fighting,”

Samdech noted we welcome border negotiation between Cambodian and Thai PMs but it could do at upcoming Asean summit if Indonesia could not send observers. Cambodia respected the role of ASEAN for the border deal, he explained. “Thailand needs to follow the term of reference, he said, adding that we already kept maximum restrain as our friendly countries asked but Thai troops always invaded our territory like Tamoan and Ta Krapey temples. The temple of Preah Vihear, Thai troops invaded Cambodia on July 15, 2008 using own map after Cambodia enlisted the temple with world heritage site.

AKP - The Agence Kampuchea Press

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National Defense Ministry’s Statement over Situation at the Frontline

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – The Spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense issued this morning a statement to update on the situation at the frontline.

The following is the full statement:  

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Cambodia-Thailand Border Dispute: Cambodia Reacts Against Thai Cabinet’s Resolution

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has in a statement reacted against Thai cabinet’s resolution, considering it as tantamount to a declaration of war against Cambodia.

The full statement dated Wednesday reads as follows:

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Cambodian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Note to Thai Embassy

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has sent a diplomatic note to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh regarding further violation of Cambodian territorial integrity by Thai armed forces on Apr. 25-26.

The following is the full diplomatic note dated Apr. 26:

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Statement of the Spokesman of the Office of the Council of Ministers over Thai Aggression

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – The following is the statement of the Spokesman of Press and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office of the Council of Ministers dated Tuesday:

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RCAF Support U.S. Secretary of State’s Press Statement

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – The following is the statement of the Spokesman of Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense dated Apr. 26:

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Cambodia, Thailand To Meet in Phnom Penh for Ceasefire Talks

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense H.E. Tea Banh has accepted his Thai counterpart’s proposal to discuss the ceasefire between the two countries in Phnom Penh, according to a statement of Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense.

The full statement dated Apr. 26 reads as follows:

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RCAF Is Not Trained to Invade Other Countries

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – “The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) is not indoctrinated, trained and equipped to invade neighboring countries and has no history of doing so,” stressed the Ministry of National Defense in a statement on Monday.

The full statement reads as follows:

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Information Minister: Human Trafficking Is a Serious Human Rights Violation

Phnom Penh, April 27, 2011 AKP – The Royal Government of Cambodia has regarded human trafficking as a serious form of human rights violation, Minister of Information H.E. Khieu Kanharith told a workshop to raise media’s awareness about human trafficking held here yesterday at Sunway Hotel.

The Cambodian information minister also expressed the royal government’s strong determination to combat human trafficking, stressing that laws on combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation have been set up and many mechanisms have been established at national and sub-national levels.

It is a modern slavery that the world has been facing, said H.E. Khieu Kanharith.

The increasing demand of labor force and the increasing revenue people can have in fast developing countries as well as local development gap between rural and urban areas are the main encouraging factors for risky migration and vulnerable human trafficking and exploitation, he added. –AKP

By KHAN Sophirom

No Justice in the Killing Fields

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By JAMES A. GOLDSTON

Published: April 26, 2011

NEW YORK — More than 30 years after the murderous Khmer Rouge were driven from power in Cambodia, the U.N.-backed effort to bring justice to the victims of the killing fields stands on the brink of ignominious failure due to political interference from the Cambodian government and the indifference of the international community.

A hybrid court, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, has spent over $200 million since it was set up in 2003 with both international and local judges and prosecutors. It has tried only one person: Kang Kech Eav, or Duch, the head of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison complex, who is appealing his conviction for crimes against humanity, murder and torture.

Now Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has taken an axe to further proceedings. In power for over 25 years, Hun Sen has repeatedly and publicly declared that the court should try only one more case (case “002” in court parlance), against four detained senior ex-Khmer Rouge leaders, all of whom are in their late 70s or 80s.

As for five additional unnamed suspects, whom the court’s pre-trial chamber approved for investigation, Hun Sen bluntly informed U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon late last year that they would not be “allowed” to go forward.

The reason offered is the supposed threat any additional trial would pose to peace in Cambodia. Others suspect that the prime minister is simply enforcing a pact he long ago cut within his ruling Cambodian People’s Party that none of its ex-Khmer Rouge members would ever be tried or otherwise exposed for crimes they committed, no matter how serious.

Other actors have their own reasons for acquiescing in this. Donors want to save money and are anxious for the court to wind up operations.

Having invested more than a decade in negotiations to launch the court and keep it alive, the United Nations finds it hard to walk away now. It is institutionally committed to the court, even though in 2002, then-secretary general Kofi Annan recommended against U.N. involvement in a tribunal which he rightly believed lacked adequate protections against precisely the kind of political interference that is blocking the additional cases.

Mr. Annan was compelled by pressure from the United States, Australia, France and Japan to accept the present flawed structure (the International Criminal Court is limited to prosecuting crimes that were committed after it was established in 2002).

Court officials are thus caught in a trap. The fearful Cambodian staff must respond to political pressures. Even international staffers feel constrained to focus their efforts on making the most of case 002, given the unlikelihood of any further trials.

As a result, the right course of action — allowing all cases currently before the judges to proceed through to completion — now seems unattainable. Advocates of impartial justice are faced, as they have been throughout the morally tainted history of this tribunal, with a choice of lesser evils.

One option under discussion would involve deception. According to various sources, court officials might “gracefully” dispose of the additional five suspects, for example, by presumptively finding that none of them are among those “most responsible” for Khmer Rouge crimes, as the governing statute requires. Such a move would implicate the court in a political decision to halt proceedings.

Unfortunately, this is where things seem to be headed. By their own awkward admission, the Cambodian and international judges responsible for investigating the additional cases have restricted their staff to desk review; no field investigation is underway. This month the deputy national co-prosecutor reaffirmed there would be no further prosecutions. The fix, it seems, is in.

A preferable, if still distasteful, alternative, would be to honestly horse-trade abandonment of the additional cases in exchange for a guarantee of total government cooperation, and full donor resources, for case 002.

The United Nations and the Cambodian authorities should openly declare that the hybrid court will cease operations after conclusion of case 002 due to government objections and the lack of continued funding. As part of the squalid bargain, the government should publicly commit itself to lifting its illegal veto of the pending witness summonses and comply swiftly with any other court order or request.

Even with these conditions fulfilled, victims of the Khmer Rouge will be cheated of the more comprehensive accountability further trials would have produced. And every Cambodian will know that all the will the international community could muster was not sufficient to create a truly independent court. It’s time for the U.N. to end the charade.

James A. Goldston is the executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative. In 2007–2008 he was coordinator of prosecutions at the International Criminal Court.