Hun Sen Blasts Thais Over Temple Remarks

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 12 January 2010

Prime Minsiter Hun Sen on Tuesday warned Thai officials to surrender their ambitions to “invade” Cambodian land near Preah Vihear temple.

The premier was referring to comments made by the Thai Foreign Ministry Monday that claimed a pagoda near Preah Vihear temple, where troops from both sides have amassed since July 2008, belonged to Thailand.

The military standoff along the border has seen several skirmishes over the past 18 months, killing at least seven soldiers.

“Thailand, you are invading my country, and Cambodia cannot tolerate your invasion,” Hun Sen said, speaking at a graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Education. “This is an invasion and an insult that we cannot tolerate.”

Parallel to the border confrontation, Thailand and Cambodia are embroiled in an ongoing diplomatic row over the appointed of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser to Hun Sen.

Both sides have withdrawn their ambassadors and other diplomats in the dispute.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Monday Thailand would not engage in “normal” relations between the two countries as long as Thaksin retained his position.

“Kasit Piromya should stop talking about conditions for the return of the ambassador to Cambodia,” Hun Sen said Tuesday. “The presence of the charge d’affaires is enough.”

In July 2008, Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a high escarpment overlooking the Cambodian plains, was granted Unesco World Heritage status under Cambodian management.

The approval sparked protests in Bangkok and led to the deployment of troops on both sides to areas around the border, including the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, which is claimed by both sides.

A Thai court last week declared an agreement between Cambodia and Thailand that led to the listing of the temple as a World Heritage site should be canceled.

Borders and temples remain lightning rods for politics and nationalism on both sides.

In 2003, a Cambodian mob sacked and razed the Thai Embassy and other Thai businesses in a night of Phnom Penh rioting, after unconfirmed rumors a Thai actress had claimed the famed temples of Angkor Wat should belong to Thailand.

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Red-shirts unveil 'war' plan

• Published: 13/01/2010 at 03:57 PM
• BangkokPost.com
  

A meeting of key members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has approved a planned "war" on the bureaucracy, UDD core leader Natthawur Saikua said on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Natthawut told a press conference that on Friday Suporn Atthawong and Arisman Pongruangrong will go to the Royal Forestry Department and demand it resurvey the block of land on Khao Yai Thiang owned by privy councillor Surayud Chulanont.

Gen Surayud had reported the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) that he owned only 21 rai of land, but Mr Natthawut said he believes the former premier is occupying a bigger area of land than he had admitted.

On Jan 17, Mr Suporn will visit the Crime Suppression Division to file a complaint against Gen Surayud, accusing him of encroaching on a forest reserve.

On Jan18, key members of UDD will go to the Office of the Privy Council to submit an open-letter detailing the unlawful occupation of the land on Khao Yai Thiang by the former prime minister.

After that they will visit the Department of Special Investigation to file a complaint with the agency demanding legal action be taken against Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga for negligence of duty. The UDD has accused the minister of trying to delay their petition for a royal amnesty for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

On Jan 21, UDD supporters will go to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary and ask for a explanation of the process for submitting a petition by the red-shirts.

On Jan 23-24, the UDD will hold a mass gathering of red-shirts at Khao Soi Dao golf course in Chanthaburi province. The red-shirts claim the 400 rai golf course, which had encroached on the Khao Soi Dao forest reserve, is owned by the president of Privy Council Prem Tinsulanonda. The rally, aiming at taking back the nation’s asset, will be peaceful, he said.

Mr Natthawut said the people were disappointed with Gen Surayud’s decision not to return his questionable land on Khao Yai Thiang to the state unless he is directed to do so by the Forestry Department.

“Gen Surayud is the chairman of the Foundation for the Protection of Khao Yai Forest, but his decision shows that he wants to keep his ownership of the block of land on Khao Yai Thiang,” he said.

The UDD leader called on the Forestry Department to remeasure the land in dispute.

“If it is found that the land area is larger than 21 rai, then Gen Surayud will face charges of forest encroachment and falsely reporting his assets to the NACC," he said

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