7 replies to this topic

[gaz]

Saw this thought would post it may be of intrest to others.

Cambodia in threat to Thailand

Thailand has vowed it was ready to respond militarily if attacked by Cambodia after its smaller neighbour issued an ultimatum for Thai troops to pull back from disputed border territory.

Thailand moved more troops to an area nearby late on Tuesday, but strictly as a defensive measure, said a senior Thai army officer.

"The troops on both sides have retreated slightly" but remained only "about 100 meters apart," said General Viboonsak Neepan, the Thai Army commander for the region. "We have sent more troops to be stationed near the area but only enough to resist (an attack). We will not attack first," Viboonsak said. He did not specify how many troops were sent.

Despite increasingly heated rhetoric - including a description by Cambodia's prime minister of the contested land as "a life-and-death battle zone" - hostilities did not break out, although the two countries disagreed on what had actually happened and who backed down.

A Thai Army spokesman had earlier denied a claim by a Cambodian general that Thailand's soldiers had moved back.

Thailand's prime minister said his country's troops had been on their own territory all along.

"If there is a problem, we will use peaceful means with an emphasis on negotiations," said Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. "I want to insist that we will use peaceful negotiations. We will not be an invader. We will not use violence." Somchai is also under intense political pressure at home from anti-government militants seeking his resignation.

The dispute was a continuation of one that arose between the two neighbours earlier this year over the land around Preah Vihear, an 11th century temple and landmark long claimed by both countries but awarded to Cambodia by the World Court in 1962. Sovereignty over some of the land around the temple has not been clearly resolved

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Tuesday morning that Thai troops had tried a day earlier to advance into Cambodia's territory but Cambodian soldiers "waved them back and said, 'If you want to die, keep coming'."

http://news.uk.msn.c...mentid=10137209

[Phil Lander]

I thought you were pissing off.

[gaz]

just keep to the topic and dont get personal already had a word with kilome about it and just stick to topic forums getting to way to personal latley if stick to topic then no problem and enough of the banter kilome is right and lets all try to get along ok if u have some input then please post otherwise rather just keep the personal stuff out of the fourm ok if gets to personal most likely the threads will be deleted. im sure u all will agree. and if u comment just comment about the topic ok so i think it time to put all our difrences aside and just keep to the topics i agree 100% with kilome. i cant say what was said but just try to get along ok. everyone has a right to post no one can force another bm to leave the forum weather they posts bs or not that is up to the mods to decide.

[gaz]

heres a developing story on news today may intrest people going to thailand or others

Thai, Cambodian troops exchange gunfire on border: Cambodia
PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AFP) — Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire Wednesday along their border, a Cambodia army commander said, as a row over a disputed patch of land appeared to be escalating.

"Cambodian and Thai troops are opening fire at each other now," Brigadier General Bun Thean told AFP from the scene.

"Our troops prevented Thai troops from entering our territory, but they started to open fire at our troops right away," he said, adding there was "heavy gunfire" at two areas near Preah Vihear temple.

Reporters with local Thai television confirmed they witnessed both sides exchanging gunfire.

Thai government and military officials could not be reached immediately for comment.

Cambodia had earlier said that 500 Thai troops were massing near a disputed patch of land near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, while Thai television showed images of tanks heading to the area.

"They are coming near now. They are just about 50 to 60 meters (165 to 195 feet) away from the area," Bun Thean said.

No Thai officials were available to confirm any fresh deployment of troops, but Thailand's Channel Seven -- a military-run television station -- also reported Wednesday that both sides had reinforced soldiers in the area.

Tensions between the neighbours flared again this week after failed talks on Monday aimed at cooling a months-long stand off over land near Preah Vihear, a United Nations cultural heritage site which is in Cambodian territory.

On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum to the Thai side after he accused 84 Thai soldiers of entering one of a handful of disputed areas -- leave before midday or risk conflict.

Cambodian officials insisted that the troops did leave before the deadline, but Thailand's foreign minister said they were standing their ground.

Witnesses along the border said the situation was a little calmer on Wednesday, despite the increase in troops.

The situation is calmer. Nothing has changed yet," Cambodian Brigadier General Yim Pim told AFP.

The spat between the neighbours first flared in July after Preah Vihear was awarded World Heritage status by the UN cultural body UNESCO, angering some Thai nationalists who still claim ownership of the site.

The situation quickly escalated into a military confrontation, with up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops facing off for six weeks, although both sides in August agreed to reduce troop numbers in the disputed area.

http://afp.google.co...NCnS10exiTCqEKQ

[Drift Spunk]

I suppose you wouldn't go there to do a visa run...

[gaz]

Updated today so far

Shots exchanged on Thai-Cambodian border
http://www.guardian....iland-cambodia1

[gaz]

heres an update this afternoon on news
Thai and Cambodia temple dispute spills over into deadly fighting

http://www.timesonli...icle4949166.ece