15/10/2008 / CAMBODIA - THAILAND
"This conflict isn't as
simple as it seems. In 1962, the United Nations International Court of Justice decided
that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. But the temple is not
really the real problem. What the Thai refuse to recognise, is the whole map of
the region drawn up by the UN.
The real reasons behind the clash between Cambodia and Thailand
Photo taken on the Preah Vihear temple site by "Pixellent".
Cambodia and Thailand are verging on war. It's thought that the bordering countries are fighting over a lost temple in the deep forest. Our Observer in Phnom Penh tells us what's really at stake.
Around the ancient Preah Vihear temple today, gunshots between Cambodian and Thai soldiers can be heard. Tensions between the countries have grown steadily worse over the past few months, until Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened on Monday to turn the area into "a life and death battle zone".
Contributors
"The temple is just a smokescreen for wider problems"
Sok Phay Sean studied international relations in Singapore. He currently lives in Phnom Penh.
"This conflict isn't as
simple as it seems. In 1962, the United Nations International Court of Justice decided
that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. But the temple is not
really the real problem. What the Thai refuse to recognise, is the whole map of
the region drawn up by the UN.
In effect there are two maps. One of them, dated 1904, was the basis of an agreement between France and Siam [former name of Thailand]. That one benefits the Thai. But there's also another, drawn up three years later by the French, which was used for the 1962 UN map. The question is: which of the two maps is correct? It's very important because 27,000km2 of ground rich in natural resources, particularly gas, changes hands depending on the border. So the temple is just a smokescreen for wider problems.
Between 1993 and 2003 relations between Thailand and Cambodia were good. But everything went downhill after there was a rumour going round in Phnom Penh that the Thai wanted to claim Angkor Wat, our most famous temple. Who knows where the rumour came from, but it had to find its way up to the political circles in Cambodia. At that time, in 2003, Thai businesses had quite a hold in Cambodia. It's possible that Hun Sen wanted to make Vietnamese integration a more favourable idea - as he has strong links with that country - by creating an anti-Thai feeling.
In general Cambodian people think that the conflict was started by the Thai military, and that fuels their nationalism. In my opinion, I think that an external mediator is needed. France, for example, could play a role, because Cambodia was one of their colonies and it was France that drew up the frontier agreements in 1904 and 1907. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations also needs to intervene, to avoid both countries launching military offensives on each other."
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That's new for me, thanx
Submitted by golan7m (not verified) on Sat, 18/10/2008 - 13:00.Thank you for the information. I'm quite far from all this issue and I didn't know about this anti-Thai felings.
Unregistered user
How sad and how unecessary
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 16/10/2008 - 09:09.Once again we see nations going to war over the most ridiculous of matters. How very very sad. Have we not got enough wars in the world? No one ever wins. Does no one look at history anymore or learn from it. Does no one use their brains to find peaceful resolutions? Has England and USA benefitted in anyway with the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan...of course not; just death, economic disaster, waste of massive amounts of money that could have done something positive and world condemnation; a complete mess that we will never win.
I hoped the world had grown up over the last 50 years but alas it seems people have learnt nothing and act like arguing children. War ruins countries, lives and takes generations to get over. There will be no winners here only losers. Thailand's economy is going to collapse soon if everybody does not pull together and start acting sensibly. The world recession is hurting but with unnecessary protests, anger and now this conflict, I can see the country collapsing if someone sensible does not do something. I hope not, I pray it does not, but the writing is on the wall for anyone with a brain to see. Everyone will suffer and for what. This is so sad and so unnecessary. This is a conflict nobody needs and it will not get anyone anywhere. Just sadness, economic disaster and misery for the poor people of both countries. I only hope the leaders have the intelligence to realise this. The wise one will be the leader who backs down. He won't be a coward but he will save lives, save the economy and be the one that people will ultimately respect. My heart goes out to Thai people and Cambodian people. Nobody should suffer. I hope mediation can resolve this. To make matters even more crazy Cambodians and Thai's are so closely linked as so many Thai's are either from Cambodia, are Khmers or are a long line of generations of them from generations back. The people are all so closely linked. As too there are many Thai's there. They are neighbours and should not kill each other. Look at how silly the rest of the world has been regarding wars and for what !!! I hope Thailand which is such a lovely country, can look to its Buddhist faith and do what it has always been so good at, avoid conflict. I will say a prayer tonight for all concerned.
Unregistered user
How sad and how unnecessary
Submitted by Linda (not verified) on Fri, 17/10/2008 - 04:10.Thank you for your concern over the dispute. You really show your intension to the peace. Cambodia really wants a peace as it used to experience the civil war for decades, betterly understand the war will destroy humanity. But, the government may have no options when the battle was initially provoked by Thai government. How would you react if you were a leader of one country, while your country is invaded ? considerably noticed, fighting will not help rescue the situation and reach the solution, but it sometimes shows our reaction and nationalism. I think that our government will sit and talk for solution as long as Thai side show its real desire to corperate with. As you saw in the media, for over two months, negotiation did not help the problem.
Unregistered user
Socheth, You May Be Wrong!
Submitted by Sochenda (not verified) on Thu, 16/10/2008 - 07:24.Thailand may draw its own map recently, but Thailand has always claimed and prefered to using the 1904 map rather than 1907 one. If the 1904 is not benefiting Thailand, why has Thailand preferred to using the 1904 map than the 1907 map should there be a mediator?
Unregistered user
Sok Phay Sean, you may missed understand about the two maps
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 16/10/2008 - 05:40.1904 and 1907 maps are the real map that the Cambodia government used for the negociation with Thai. Not 1904 Map benefits the Thai. The thai nowadays used their newly draw map by their own interrest without internationally recognition. This new map is the one that benefits them.
Socheth,Cambodian.
Unregistered user
Thanks for the comment!
Submitted by Sean Sok Phay on Thu, 16/10/2008 - 08:36.Hi Socheth,
As far as my knowledge is concerned, our government officially recognizes the 1907 map and the 1962 ICJ Verdict. Your statement on Thailand is drawing and using its own map could be discerned as an accusation and heresy. I have several discourses with Thai people and their general public often refer their border demarcation to the 1904 map. This clearly reveals that the 1904 map could be a way for solution if both governments don't feel that the 1904 map will only benefit Thailand as you stated.
Sean Sok Phay
Thai-Cambodian conflict
Submitted by Eric Coggins (not verified) on Wed, 15/10/2008 - 21:49.Sometime before the Cambodia's 2003 election, the Thai singer Phkay Pruk (Morning Star) claimed that Angkor Wat belonged to Thailand. Later, in a campaign rally in Kampong Cham, Prime Minister Hun Sen repeated the rumor in order to churn up national pride and backing for his candidacy. This led to a riot in Phnom Penh at which time the Thai Embassy and other Thai owned businesses were attacked and burned.
Unregistered user