Preah Vihear Temple

by **rickfarang** » July 29, 2008, 3:01 am

It seems quite clear that the reason for the recent flare-up was grandstanding for the Cambodian elections.

by **westerby** » July 29, 2008, 3:32 am

rickfarang wrote:It seems quite clear that the reason for the recent flare-up was grandstanding for the Cambodian elections.

How do you mean, because the Cambodians tried to have it listed as a UNESCO Heritage site?

by **Guns482** » July 29, 2008, 7:17 am

Actually I got my information from the nation 28th July 2008, where it was stated that over this matter Thailand has few freinds internationally. Try reading the press.
before offering comments.
i never comment on supposedly facts presented by others, however ifi find them incorrect, I may reply with another fact and let the information speak for itself.

And for information it is a Hindu temple, which has been stated before but seems to have be lost in following posts.

by **BobHelm** » July 29, 2008, 8:38 am

Originally consecrated as Hindu, it became Buddhist during the Angor dynasty and is a reminder for Cambodians of the last flowering of Khmer greatness, ended by a 15th century Thai invasion.

The Guardian

by **rufus** » July 29, 2008, 12:09 pm

"Personally I think both Countries should share the site and the cost of maintaining it."

Why? The UN has clearly stated it is on Cambodian soil. It has nothing to do with Thailand.

by **Aardvark** » July 29, 2008, 12:29 pm

The Tourists all make their way to the site on the Thai side, there's a 700ft drop on the Cambodian side. Why should the Thai govt. put the infrustructure in place and not get anything for it ??

by **BobHelm** » July 29, 2008, 12:51 pm

The Hague court judged that it was part of Cambodia, not the UN. Infact even after declaring the site a World Heritage site UNESCO stated:

"has no implications for any ongoing negotiations concerning the boundary between the two countries and does not prejudice the rights of both governments to reach an amicable settlement of the disputed boundary."

Cambodia has clearly demonstrated its inability to manage World Heritage Sites with its actions over Angkor Wat which is now owned by a private individual.

As a matter of fact, to meet the WTO requirements, Cambodia has basically marketized its economy. Through bidding, the one with better means will win. The winner in exploitation of Angkor is Mr. Sokong, a Viet-originated businessman. At Dong Thap province, everyone know him as Sau Cot. Under the Pol Pot regime, he fled here. In early 1990s, Sau Cot returned to Cambodia and engaged in petroleum.

by **Laan Yaa Mo** » July 30, 2008, 11:44 pm

From the Nation Newspaper, it seems that Cambodia wanted the current dispute with Thailand over this former Hindu temple to be resolved through the United Nations.

Thailand wanted it to be settled in bi-lateral talks.

The United States and AESEAN (I do not know if all of the states or just some of them) advised Cambodia that it would make more sense to try and settle the dispute bi-laterally in the first instance.

The advisers, in other words, sided with Thailand, not Cambodia in seeking a solution to the troop build-up.

The main point is to end the threat of violence.

Since the court in the Hague recognised the temple as belonging to Cambodia in 1962, it is extremely doubtful if the Cambodians will want to have joint ownership with Thailand even if the Thais were willing to foot the bill.

by **BKKSTAN** » July 31, 2008, 5:31 am

It is always dangerous to have opposing troops facing each other with ignorant civilians mucking about acting out their Nationalism,but this whole issue is being used by both Cambodias leaders that are in the throws of an election and the opposition to the present gov't in Thailand!

Once the Cambodian president has won his election,his goal accomplished,the troops will be backed off and then it will only be a political football in Thailand!

The dispute about the land around the temple is not the big problem!The problem is related to which border lines will be enforced.By the acceptance of the French border lines granting Cambodians claims here could effect offshore rights in the Gulf and possible oil reserves that both countries claim now!

by **thalenoi** » July 31, 2008, 8:29 am

BobHelm wrote:It is a Buddhist temple, both countries are majority Buddhist and it should be open to all to worship/visit.

I think it was a Hindu temple built during the Khmer empire which was most on to day's Thai territory.

by **Aardvark** » April 23, 2011, 7:10 am

More clashes of Troops Yesterday on the Border with some loss of Life....http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... hai-troops

by **wazza** » April 23, 2011, 6:09 pm

This latest clash wasnt even at or near the temple, another border incursion / mistake / provocative action , both sides blaming each other.

They cant even have the border well marked, due to the landmines in this area.

Poor mans Korean incident.

Thailand refusing to allow the Indonesian monitoring team into the area no matter what.

by **JimboPSM** » June 27, 2011, 9:39 am

Some rather pathetic breaking news from "The Nation" as the run-up to the election continues to take its toll on the international image of Thailand:

Thailand leaves World Heritage Convention

Thailand has withdrawn from the World Heritage Convention to protest against the World Heritage Committee's decision to consider Cambodia's management plan of Preah Vihear Temple.

Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation negotiating with the World Heritage Committee in Paris, announced at 11:55 pm Saturday, that his delegation had informed the World Heritage Committee that Thailand resigned as a member country to the convention.

Suwit, the natural resources and environment minister, said the Thai delegation had to make the move after the committee ignored Thailand's concern that the consideration of the management plan would complicate Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
"They ignored it and they did not care about our sovereignty and territory," Suwit said.

Original article: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Th ... 58738.html

There is an article worth reading on the Al Jazeera website on "Who does the Preah Vihear temple belong to?" - it can be found here:

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/fe ... 28802.html

As an aside, I have found that much of the reporting on Al Jazeera is far more thorough and objective than much of the western media where, regrettably, standards in general continue to decline.

by **Aardvark** » June 27, 2011, 10:36 am

An interesting Article Jimbo ! What a shame that the Army wants to make it a Political Football. Who knows what will happen after the Election ??

Preah Vihear Temple