The Bangkok Post
Published: 2/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Troop reductions are crucial to easing tensions along the border with Cambodia near the Preah Vihear temple, the 2nd Army commander says.
Lt Gen Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said the two countries should reduce the numbers of soliders deployed in the area to a level where neither country has an edge.
“I am afraid violence might occur if we do not talk,” he said.
Border tensions flared again after the Thai government renewed its opposition to Unesco listing the temple as a World Heritage site on Cambodia’s behalf.
The issue was addressed by Lt Gen Wibulsak in talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Lt Gen Chea Mon, at the border adjoining Surin’s Kap Choeng district.
Lt Gen Wibulsak refused to comment on Thailand’s opposition to the temple’s listing other than to say: “We do what we are supposed to do. That is to protect our sovereignty.”
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for informal talks in Phnom Penh on Saturday. Mr Suthep said Hun Sen supported attempts to ease tensions.
But the Phnom Penh Post yesterday quoted Hun Sen as warning Thailand against violating Cambodian airspace.
“I told the Thai deputy prime minister and minister of defence frankly to be careful and not fly across the border into Cambodian territory,” Hun Sen told graduates at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
“I am afraid that I won’t be able to control the shooting if the soldiers on the ground lose patience.”
Cambodia had no intention of confronting Thailand but had the right to protect its territorial sovereignty, the Phnom Penh Post quoted him as saying.
“We are waiting to shoot because we are not invading [Thailand]. Cambodia is not showing muscle, but to defend the nation we will play it until the end,” Hun Sen said.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said relations remained strong despite Hun Sen’s aggressive words.


Summary and Response

The Preah Vihear temple is very beautiful ancient remains. But now, Preah Vihear temple is a big conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Both of countries have a good relationship for a long time and now, the relationship of both are not stable because border conflict around the Pearh Vihear temple.

The Preah Vihear temple is conflict both of countries between Thailand and Cambodia for a long time which are not solve yet. It’s become a big conflict when International Court of Justice has decided that Preah Vihear temple as a Would Heritage site on Cambodia but Thai Government oppose for this request that are cause of border tensions flared again. Pearh Vihear temple belongs of both countries, the entrance site belongs in Thailand and structure’s Pearh Vihear belongs in Canbodia too.

In my opinion, this conflict was started from border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia which are big problem. According to Cambodia request UNESCO to list the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Cambodia’s site and Thai Government oppose this request to make border tension again. So, I think the Preah Vihear sould belongs for both countries. Cambodia should talk with Thailand before asked UNESCO because it does will not become big conflict and both of countries have a good relationship and neighborhood countries. This a big problem have affect directly to both countries and economic too.

Finally, Thailand and Cambodia have a good relationship and neighborhood countries for a long time. So, Thai Government and Cambodian Government should solve this conflict carefully because it can reduce a strongly conflict and can become to be a good relationship and good economic of both countries as well.


Miss Tirawan Siriwannangkul Sec:6911 No.29