By Panya Thiewsangwan
The Nation
Published on June 22, 2009
Troops stationed near the Preah Vihear Temple were put on combat alert yesterday after Cambodia expressed disappointment with the Thai government's objection to the site's world heritage listing.
Second Army Area commander Lt-General Wiboonsak Neeparn said Army commander General Anupong Paochinda phoned to check the situation out of concern for a possible attack while insisting Thai troops would not take the offensive.
"But if the opponent opens fire, we have to exercise our right to self-defence and retaliate," Wiboonsak told reporters.
The situation on the ground was still normal as both Thai and Cambodian forces were staying in their respective positions, he said.
The Cambodian commander in the area was contacted to make sure there nothing would be launched from their side, he said.
The border situation has tensed up since late last week when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government remained opposed to the World Heritage Committee's inscription of the Hindu temple as a heritage site last July.
Abhisit said his government has no problem with Cambodia but had raised questions over the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's conduct.
Unesco's decision might violate UN regulations and it created a rift between the two neighbours rather than peace, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban would be dispatched to Phnom Penh soon to clear the issue, he said.
Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti would express the Thai stance on the inscription when he attends the World Heritage Committee's 33rd session in Seville, Spain, starting today.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said last week he regretted Abhisit's stance and considered it a threat to Cambodia's security.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said in Phnom Penh on Saturday that his country "welcomes Thailand militarily, diplomatically, internationally or through peaceful negotiations".
"(But) it (border fighting) has happened twice ... (so) if they want to send their troops to Cambodia a third time, we will welcome them too," he said.
The Nation
Published on June 22, 2009
Troops stationed near the Preah Vihear Temple were put on combat alert yesterday after Cambodia expressed disappointment with the Thai government's objection to the site's world heritage listing.
Second Army Area commander Lt-General Wiboonsak Neeparn said Army commander General Anupong Paochinda phoned to check the situation out of concern for a possible attack while insisting Thai troops would not take the offensive.
"But if the opponent opens fire, we have to exercise our right to self-defence and retaliate," Wiboonsak told reporters.
The situation on the ground was still normal as both Thai and Cambodian forces were staying in their respective positions, he said.
The Cambodian commander in the area was contacted to make sure there nothing would be launched from their side, he said.
The border situation has tensed up since late last week when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his government remained opposed to the World Heritage Committee's inscription of the Hindu temple as a heritage site last July.
Abhisit said his government has no problem with Cambodia but had raised questions over the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's conduct.
Unesco's decision might violate UN regulations and it created a rift between the two neighbours rather than peace, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban would be dispatched to Phnom Penh soon to clear the issue, he said.
Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti would express the Thai stance on the inscription when he attends the World Heritage Committee's 33rd session in Seville, Spain, starting today.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said last week he regretted Abhisit's stance and considered it a threat to Cambodia's security.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said in Phnom Penh on Saturday that his country "welcomes Thailand militarily, diplomatically, internationally or through peaceful negotiations".
"(But) it (border fighting) has happened twice ... (so) if they want to send their troops to Cambodia a third time, we will welcome them too," he said.
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