Cambodia optimism on temple unsettles Thais

COMMENTARY

Cambodia optimism on temple unsettles Thais

Published: 14 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

'No matter how the World Court's verdict comes out, we are neighbours and should not fight each other," Cambodia's defence minister and deputy premier, Gen Tea Banh said.

"We can [solve problems through] talks. We are supposed to be close friends as both of us are heading for the Asean Economic Community."

He was urging both countries to stay calm while the Preah Vihear territory dispute unfolds.

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kosal
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Discussion 15 : 15 Mar 2013 at 10.4815
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The temple was buit by Khmer, and the temple is situated in Khmer territory.The area surrounding of the temple is clearly belonged to Cambodia. Please check the link below for more detail of the map of 1907. Cambodia used this map in the world court in 1962 case.

http://www.cambodia.org/Preah_Vihear/?history=A+Khmer+Heritage
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whatajoke
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Discussion 14 : 15 Mar 2013 at 05.4014
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I think alot of opinion here is tempered by anti Army sentiment, whilst overlooking the fact that Cambodia's actions have the hallmark of pushy & devious leader who has dominated local politics for 30 years, and plays Cambodia as the poor underdog. Fact remains, they were very lucky to get ownership of it in the first place (due to a quirk of history under powerful French influence), now they're pushing for more land. Look at the map on the front page, most the demilitarised area is in Thailand, above the watershed. Put it this way, if war broke out I would rather be on the high ground. Cambodia defending this temple would be near impossible
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ringmaster
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Discussion 13 : 14 Mar 2013 at 22.2513
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bluebottle D11 Good point but in the late 1980s there was a border war between Thailand and Laos (incidentally based upon the same map underlying the Cambodian–Thai border dispute). The smaller, less equipped Laotian army routed the Thais and the last time I was there, the Laotian flag was flying over Ban Romklao.

I think the Thai military learned their lesson from this. They should only pick on refugees and unarmed protesters. The armies of other nations tend to shoot back.
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spiceman
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Discussion 12 : 14 Mar 2013 at 19.1912
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Khun Blubottle #11, don't you worry, Thai Military is for show only, not for war. I wish the matter concerning that Hindu ruin could be decided over a friendly game of golf, in which Thai generals should have a pretty good chance of bringing home the Trophy.
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bluebottle
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Discussion 11 : 14 Mar 2013 at 16.5711
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Didn't Thailand some moths back make the comment that there military power was far bigger than Cambodia,another good way to start negotiations destined to solve the problem once and for all.A bit like the south recently.Making it clear there is no room for negotiation even before they start,no border changes ,must not inter fear with the constitution.
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Eric
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Discussion 10 : 14 Mar 2013 at 10.3010
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The issue blow up in 2008 when Cambodia registered Prear Vihear temple as World Heritage Site. Wrong statement. Cambodia has all the rights to register the temple as its theirs. It blew up because the PAD in collusion with the DP hatched a plan and hijack the issue as turn that as a patriot act, got the FM to resign and took the country to an unnecessary border war. Ahbisit should be responsible to the deaths, injuries and properties lost as a result of this unnecessary war.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 9 : 14 Mar 2013 at 10.179
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Even though I think the 1962 ICJ decision was ridiculous (in that in went against the agreed-upon border determination, the natural watershed), the court majority said the incorrect French-drawn map was now the legal border in that area. Thailand had agreed in advance to accept the court's decision, and the disputed land is definitely on the Cambodian side of that border. There is nothing to argue over. Thailand lost the land in 1962. Expect the ICJ to confirm that.
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pquinlan
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Discussion 8 : 14 Mar 2013 at 07.518
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It does belong to the Cambodian people. Just read the 1962 ICJ judgement readily available on their website. The ruling is clear and unambiguous.

Until and unless any competent court rules otherwise, the temple and land surrounding it is Cambodian.

Both parties should encourage their people and polity to accept the outcome, no matter what the outcome is.
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drsmith
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Discussion 7 : 14 Mar 2013 at 07.367
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This patch of land is more important to the Thai government than 5,000 innocent Thai's being killed in the south. Something very, very wrong with that thinking.
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wyle
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Discussion 6 : 14 Mar 2013 at 06.026
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The current government seems to believe that the land belongs to Cambodia. They are not putting up much of a fight either on the legal or PR front.
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Cambodia optimism on temple unsettles Thais | Bangkok Post: opinion