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Thailand and Cambodia in second temple row
Cambodia yesterday said that Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site on their border in an escalation of an ongoing armed standoff that nearly led to clashes between the neighbours last month.
- AP
- Published: 23:35 August 3, 2008
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Cambodia yesterday said that Thai soldiers are occupying a second temple site on their border in an escalation of an ongoing armed standoff that nearly led to clashes between the neighbours last month.
Major Sim Sokha, a Cambodian border protection unit deputy commander, said about 70 Thai soldiers on Thursday occupied the 13th century Ta Moan Thom temple in a northwestern border region of Cambodia.
Major Taveesak Boonrakchart, a spokesman for the Thai army in the disputed area, denied the allegations of an incursion. He said troops from both countries have been in the area for years.
July dispute
The temple is several hundred kilometres west of the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, where Cambodian and Thai soldiers have been locked in a standoff for three weeks in a dispute over nearby land.
Sim Sokha said Thai soldiers have been deployed around the temple grounds and have prevented Cambodian troops from entering. About 40 Cambodian soldiers are in close proximity to the Thai troops, he said.
"They [Thai troops] said they will pull back only when the issue near Preah Vihear temple is resolved," Sim Sokha said by telephone from Oddar Meanchey province, about 470km northwest of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. He said the Cambodian soldiers have been given orders to exercise restraint and wait for the government to try to resolve the issue with Thailand.
Khieu Kanharith, the chief Cambodian government spokesman, said he was aware of a new troop movement but was unable to give details.
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