Thai officials on Tuesday said the country would defend itself from any Cambodian "use of force," while expressing "surprise" at Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ultimatum to remove its troops from a disputed border area or face a "large-scale conflict."
"If Cambodia does resort to the use of force in accordance with its so-called ultimatum, Thailand will have to exercise its right of self-defence as provided under the Charter of the United Nations," said the Thai Foreign Ministry in a statement issued to the press.
After meeting Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat in Phnom Penh on Monday, Hun Sen told reporters that he had warned the Thais to withdraw their troops from a disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border or face fighting.
"They must move tonight or tomorrow. If they don't, there will be fighting," he said.
Thailand's foreign ministry expressed "surprise" at Hun Sen's fighting words, noting that it went against the "sprit of neighbourliness" between fellow members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Although Thailand and Cambodia are fellow members of ASEAN, the two neighbours have a long history of animosity.
Thailand and Cambodia nearly came to blows over the Preah Vihear temple in July this year, shortly after UNESCO named the ancient Hindu temple a World Heritage Site despite Thai objections.
The temple, the object of disputed claims between Thailand and Cambodia since the 1950s, was granted to Cambodia by a ruling of the International Court of Justice in 1962.
But land adjacent to the temple compound, including its main entrance on the Thai side, remains under dispute.
Both sides beefed up their troops in the area, situated about 400 kilometres north-east of Bangkok, after some ultra-nationalist Thais crossed into the disputed zone in a show of protest against the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s ruling.
The border conflict was calmed in late August when both sides agreed to settle the matter through bilateral talks held by a joint border committee.
The talks have been hampered by repeated claims of incursions into Cambodian territory and by Thailand's chaotic domestic political situation.
Thailand's current government under the People Power party (PPP) has had four different foreign ministers in four months - Noppadon Pattama, Dej Bunnag, Saroj Chawanavira and the current one, Sompong.
Cambodia has been pressing to have the border spat settled by a regional or international body, but Thailand has insisted it could be handled bilaterally.
The Thai Foreign Ministry acknowledged that Thai troops had undertaken a "de-mining effort" in the disputed area around Preah Vihear, which the Thais call Phra Viharn.
"We are also conducting investigations to verify whether the landmines in the area are old mines or recently deployed in the violation of the Ottawa Mine Ban Convention," said the ministry in a statement.
Source: Bangkok Post
Thought: Thailand is having a tough time at the moment.
Cambodia threatens Thailand with war
Cambodia threatens Thailand with war
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
It was reported this afternoon that the Thai's have pulled back from their positions, they blinked. Pete 
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Are the Cambodians even capable of such action? I would be surprised. You see them in ragged uniforms with old RPGs on the TV. Not very convincing.
Might just be 'all gas and no trousers'.
Maybe the Thais think it's not the right time to complicate everything with another issue, the plate is a bit full at the moment. They(Thais) are probably thinking "Later, next time, we'll deal with this one in a while".
Don't think it's done with yet. A bit nationalistic from the Cambodians though, they might smell that it's a good time to try to pile on the pressure.
Might just be 'all gas and no trousers'.
Maybe the Thais think it's not the right time to complicate everything with another issue, the plate is a bit full at the moment. They(Thais) are probably thinking "Later, next time, we'll deal with this one in a while".
Don't think it's done with yet. A bit nationalistic from the Cambodians though, they might smell that it's a good time to try to pile on the pressure.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
The news has now reversed itself. Thailand is now beating the drum and denies the previous withdrawal report. Pete
PeteGovernments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Mabye they saw your first post Pete. 
Might be a very 'fluid' situation this one, to say the least. Nobody wants to lose 'face' here.
It will certainly be an interesting outcome as neither can really afford to let it go south under the present situation.
Maybe a third party will have to come in and settle it so no 'face' is lost.
We'll see.
Might be a very 'fluid' situation this one, to say the least. Nobody wants to lose 'face' here.
It will certainly be an interesting outcome as neither can really afford to let it go south under the present situation.
Maybe a third party will have to come in and settle it so no 'face' is lost.
We'll see.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
Bush only has 99 days left, but more than enough to stone age Cambodia?spitfire wrote:Mabye they saw your first post Pete.
Might be a very 'fluid' situation this one, to say the least. Nobody wants to lose 'face' here.
It will certainly be an interesting outcome as neither can really afford to let it go south under the present situation.
Maybe a third party will have to come in and settle it so no 'face' is lost.
We'll see.
Seriously though, a war is always a good distraction when the home front isn't doing too well. Gear up the economic war machine, hip hip and all that. Pete
PS: I firmly recall over the past few decades here, the Democrats always came to power when they also came to power in the USA. Once the Republicans did, the tide turned. Strange these things?!
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Actually, just within the last 10 days I've seen the first Cambodia tourism commercial, I think either on CNN or BBC. Only 30 seconds, but not bad. Angkor Wat, nice beaches, green, green, green everywhere. No shots of any city life as I recall. Petehhfarang wrote:Hasn't Cambodia always been in the stone age?Bush only has 99 days left, but more than enough to stone age Cambodia?
Last edited by PeteC on Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
In a recent tv interview of some of the Cambodian troops at the site they said they were getting sick of waiting to fight the Thai troops as they had been promised new uniforms and especially good boots like the Thais wore if they were to engage in a shoot out.
Some of them then went on to admit to having traded food face to face and sharing a laugh with the Thai troops while waiting around.
Some of them then went on to admit to having traded food face to face and sharing a laugh with the Thai troops while waiting around.
Complexity is so simply overrated
-
The understudy
- Ace
- Posts: 1293
- Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 12:16 pm
- Location: Hua Hin, Bangkok, Berlin, L. A. rotating
Hi ther Y'all
I can remeber soneones comment that am Airforce Base with some F - 16 Falocns are just 20. Min Flight away from Prea Vihar Temple. would be interesting to see them in air combat with Cambodian French Made Mirage Fighter Jets in Dog fight over the Thai/Cambodian border area!
Seriously a third and negciating party had to come in and do some serious nefociating work right here. It must not be the French (naturally Combodian friendly) nor a Thai friendly country. this coutry that would come in should look back @ the facts and decide on a possability of Joint Prea Vihar Temple. Over the other temples in disputes shiuld be discussed in another commission!!!!!!
Your's The understudy!!!
I can remeber soneones comment that am Airforce Base with some F - 16 Falocns are just 20. Min Flight away from Prea Vihar Temple. would be interesting to see them in air combat with Cambodian French Made Mirage Fighter Jets in Dog fight over the Thai/Cambodian border area!
Seriously a third and negciating party had to come in and do some serious nefociating work right here. It must not be the French (naturally Combodian friendly) nor a Thai friendly country. this coutry that would come in should look back @ the facts and decide on a possability of Joint Prea Vihar Temple. Over the other temples in disputes shiuld be discussed in another commission!!!!!!
Your's The understudy!!!
Hi The Understudy,
That airforce base is in Korat(Wing 1) and they're still taking off all the time. If it was a dogfight then they(Thais) would probably use their F-15s as they are more suited to dogfighting(F-16s are a multi-role plane). However, in Korat, when they fly over it's hard to tell which ones are Thai and which are American because there are a lot of joint pratice operations at this time of year. Those French Mirages(they might only have Russian Migs) are a bit old now, probably not much of a match for the Thais in the air, that's if the Cambodians can get their planes in the air for more than a few minutes.
Certainly won't be the French that do the 'peace making' as they're the ones that scewed up the maps in the first place, which is what the Thais were upset about before. It'll possibly be the UN(if a third party is requested) as they also have helped create this mess by sticking their long noses into it in the past.
Not sure if the Thais are too bothered about the temple itself, think its the actual boarder they're concerned about as I think the entrance area to the temple is on Thai soil according to the French maps(which at present are internationally applicable, I think) which the Cambodians are using. Cambodians want the entrance and the Thias are non-plussed about it, to say the least. Don't think they're going to hand over any Thai soil.
The Thais believe the old traditional maps should apply and not those of colonialist occupiers from the past.
Think all this still applies but there might be other factors now aswell(apart from what Buksi mentioned in the OP), not certain, might be more to it. That's what I'm aware of at present.
That airforce base is in Korat(Wing 1) and they're still taking off all the time. If it was a dogfight then they(Thais) would probably use their F-15s as they are more suited to dogfighting(F-16s are a multi-role plane). However, in Korat, when they fly over it's hard to tell which ones are Thai and which are American because there are a lot of joint pratice operations at this time of year. Those French Mirages(they might only have Russian Migs) are a bit old now, probably not much of a match for the Thais in the air, that's if the Cambodians can get their planes in the air for more than a few minutes.
Certainly won't be the French that do the 'peace making' as they're the ones that scewed up the maps in the first place, which is what the Thais were upset about before. It'll possibly be the UN(if a third party is requested) as they also have helped create this mess by sticking their long noses into it in the past.
Not sure if the Thais are too bothered about the temple itself, think its the actual boarder they're concerned about as I think the entrance area to the temple is on Thai soil according to the French maps(which at present are internationally applicable, I think) which the Cambodians are using. Cambodians want the entrance and the Thias are non-plussed about it, to say the least. Don't think they're going to hand over any Thai soil.
The Thais believe the old traditional maps should apply and not those of colonialist occupiers from the past.
Think all this still applies but there might be other factors now aswell(apart from what Buksi mentioned in the OP), not certain, might be more to it. That's what I'm aware of at present.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
Don't forget the new Grippens(sp), they're at Korat also per my source down here. I think Ubon Air Base is actually closer to where the problem is, but I'm not sure what aircraft are kept there. Petespitfire wrote:Hi The Understudy,
That airforce base is in Korat(Wing 1) and they're still taking off all the time. If it was a dogfight then they(Thais) would probably use their F-15s as they are more suited to dogfighting(F-16s are a multi-role plane). However, in Korat, when they fly over it's hard to tell which ones are Thai and which are American because there are a lot of joint pratice operations at this time of year. Those French Mirages(they might only have Russian Migs) are a bit old now, probably not much of a match for the Thais in the air, that's if the Cambodians can get their planes in the air for more than a few minutes.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Sound of gunshots heard along Thai-Cambodia border
Sound of several gunshots were heard near the disputed area at Preah Vihear area along the Thai-Cambodia border in Si Sa Ket province at about 2.45pm.
The area is in the heart of border tension between Thailand and Cambodia which was flared up after Cambodia's premier threatened to open war if Thai troops were not withdrawn from the area.
Both Thai and Cambodian troops were deployed along the border in Si Sa Ket following Hun Sen's threats. The Thai army vowed to retaliate if attacked.
Cambodia's commander Bun Thean told AFP, "Cambodian and Thai troops are opening fire at each other now."
Source: The Nation
Sound of several gunshots were heard near the disputed area at Preah Vihear area along the Thai-Cambodia border in Si Sa Ket province at about 2.45pm.
The area is in the heart of border tension between Thailand and Cambodia which was flared up after Cambodia's premier threatened to open war if Thai troops were not withdrawn from the area.
Both Thai and Cambodian troops were deployed along the border in Si Sa Ket following Hun Sen's threats. The Thai army vowed to retaliate if attacked.
Cambodia's commander Bun Thean told AFP, "Cambodian and Thai troops are opening fire at each other now."
Source: The Nation
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
