Thailand, Cambodia clash at border for 9th day

By THANYARAT DOKSONE and SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press © 2011 The Associated Press
April 30, 2011, 12:29AM

BANGKOK, Thailand — Troops from Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire at the countries’ contested border again Saturday, marking the ninth straight day of clashes that have left at least 16 people dead and displaced nearly 100,000.

Cambodian Col. Suos Sothea said the shooting took place around dawn near the Ta Krabey temple. A Thai soldier on the other side of the frontier gave a similar account, saying the fighting lasted about half an hour. No casualties were reported.

CAMBODIA: Rural poor most at risk from rabies

Photo: Contributor/IRIN Hundreds of people die of rabies in rural Cambodia

KAMPOT, 1 April 2011 (IRIN) – Yinn Siet, 65, recalls in horror when a snarling dog bit her husband four years ago. Before he died, the farmer hallucinated and convulsed. “He barked like a dog,” she said. “We put a chain on him and locked him up.”

He had contracted rabies, a virus that kills nearly all victims who develop symptoms.

Yinn could not afford to bring her husband to the capital Phnom Penh, the only city in Cambodia that has a centre offering free treatment.

Even if she had, it would have been too late.

He left behind his family of seven, who are struggling to make ends meet through farming. 

Intensity of fighting on border eases

ARMY ENCOURAGED, BUT CLASHES CONTINUE

• Published: 1/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Bangkok Post

The military believes the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border is improving despite fighting continuing on the border near Surin for a ninth day.

Second Army Region spokesman Prawit Hookaew said that although the clashes have not yet ended, encouragement can be taken from the fact that the exchanges of gunfire have lessened in intensity and heavy weapons have not been deployed in the past few days.

Thai biz in Cambodia not suffered from border clashes

Sunday, 01 May 2011
By  NNT

BANGKOK, 30 April 2011  – The majority of Thai businesspeople in Cambodia have not been affected by the Thai-Cambodian border clashes, according to the Minister of Commerce.

Ms Pornthiva Nakasai said she had checked with the Thai commercial counselor attached to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh and found that Thai business activities were carrying on normally despite a series of artillery exchanges at the Thai-Cambodian border.

According to the minister, most of the Thai businesses in the neighboring country are located opposite the northeastern Thai provinces of Sa Kaeo and Trat while the clashes usually take place in Surin and Buri Ram.

“Pouch Chor Soth” a Poem in Khmer by Thorn Sambo

Cambodia is a culinary chameleon

Published 12:05am Saturday, April 30, 2011
By Connie Anderson

My daughter has been traveling again, and this time, shares her area of greatest interest—Asian cooking, so enjoy – Connie Anderson

After 17 job interviews, and before going to China, where, if you are an assiduous reader of this column, you will know I have been multiple times, I decided to treat myself to something new. While winter was still trundling along stateside, I spent two weeks in February in sunny Cambodia.

Thailand, Cambodia clash at border for 9th day

By THANYARAT DOKSONE and SOPHENG CHEANG,
Associated Press –Sat Apr 30, 1:29 am ET

AP – An injured Thai soldier rests at a hospital bed after clashes between Thai and Cambodia in Surin province,

BANGKOK, Thailand – Troops from Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire at the countries’ contested border again Saturday, marking the ninth straight day of clashes that have left at least 16 people dead and displaced nearly 100,000.

Cambodian Col. Suos Sothea said the shooting took place around dawn near the Ta Krabey temple. A Thai soldier on the other side of the frontier gave a similar account, saying the fighting lasted about half an hour. No casualties were reported.

The fighting that began April 22 has killed 15 soldiers on both sides and one civilian, and is the worst between the countries in three years.

Thailand and Cambodia have clashed six times since 2008 over the border, where several crumbling ancient Hindu temples sit atop cliffs and in jungles mined in wars past. The land has been disputed for more than half a century, but analysts say domestic politics on both sides is driving the conflict.

45,200 Cambodian evacuees flee home due to clashes with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, April 29 (Xinhua) — The eighth day of armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops over disputed border areas had forced other 11,200 Cambodian people to flee homes, bringing the total number of evacuees to 45,200 by Friday evening, said a senior government official.

New skirmishes on Thai-Cambodian border

By Michelle Fitzpatrick (AFP)

A Thai soldier recovers a rocket following an exchange of fire between Thai and Cambodian soldiers near the tense border

PHNOM PENH — Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire on their disputed border for a ninth straight day on Saturday, both sides said, casting doubt on efforts to end the countries’ bloodiest conflict in decades.

The latest hostilities at two ancient temples on their shared jungle frontier erupted just hours after Cambodia announced a second truce in as many days, although Bangkok denied knowledge of a new peace deal.

Thai, Cambodian troops break cease-fire

From Kocha Olarn, CNN

April 30, 2011 — Updated 0934 GMT (1734 HKT)

Cambodian soldiers on guard near the Cambodia-Thailand border on April 28, 2011

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) — Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire near a disputed temple Saturday despite a cease-fire agreement between the two nations.

The brief rounds of fighting near the Ta Kwai temple involved small arms weapons, said Col. Prawit Hukaew, a regional Thai army spokesman. It started late Friday into early Saturday.

Thailand, Cambodia break truce – media

15:45 30/04/2011
REUTERS/ Stringer

Thailand, Cambodia break truce - media

Thai and Cambodian have exchanged gunfire near a disputed temple despite a cease-fire agreement between them, local media reported on Saturday.

A century-old conflict between the two states over the ownership of several 11th century templeswas reignited last year and boiled over on Friday.

Guest Commentary: Empowering women key to healing Cambodia

By Micah Greenstein,
Special to The Commercial Appeal
Memphis, Tennessee
Posted April 30, 2011

Rabbi Micah Greenstein shares a meal with students of the Harpswell Foundation’s leadership center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Courtesy Micah Greenstein

Since I returned from Phnom Penh in January, I’ve been asked, “What’s a nice Jewish guy like you doing helping Buddhist and Muslim girls in Cambodia?” My usual response: “Because this is what Jews are called to do.”

Each of the world’s great religions suggests a fundamental problem with the world and a solution to that problem. For Judaism, the predicament facing the world is brokenness — the absence of shalom. Judaism’s solution? Being God’s partner by healing this broken world whenever and wherever possible.

Indonesian team waits for nod from Thailand, Cambodia

By Sri Wahyuni, 
The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
Sat, 04/30/2011 

An Indonesian observer team to the Thai-Cambodianborder dispute was forced to delay its departure as both countries have not agreed on terms of reference (TOR) for the team’s duties and responsibilities.

Speaking in Yogyakarta on Friday, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro (pictured) said there were a number of issues that remained to be hammered out in the TOR, which stated the readiness of Indonesia to send observers, including the number of the observers to be deployed, to what extent and in how many spots.

“The dispute has expanded to as far as 150 kilometers to the east of the initial area. This of course has to be considered in the TOR,” Purnomo said after delivering opening remarks at the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials Meeting (ADSOM) Plus
on Friday.

Ninth day of Thai-Cambodia border clashes despite truce

Thai soldier patrolling, 28 April 2011 The latest violence on the disputed Thai-Cambodian border erupted on 22 April

BBC Asia-Pacific

Troops from Cambodia and Thailandhave exchanged fire across their disputed border for a ninth consecutive day.

Officials from both sides said Saturday’s fighting took place near the Ta Krabey temple – one of three claimed by both countries. No casualties have been reported [One Thai soldier was killed and 4 wounded. No news of casualty on the Cambodian side was reported].

Sixteen people have been killed in the latest clashes, part of a long-running dispute between the two countries.

Cambodia seeks ICJ clarification on disputed temple

By Supalak Ganhanakhundee
The Nation (Thailand)
Publication Date : 30th April, 2011

Aerial view of Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to clarify its 1962 ruling over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as its military clashes with Thailand continued after a truce.

“The submission of this request has been prompted by Thailand’s repeated armed aggression to exert its claims to Cambodian territory, on the basis of its own unilateral map that has no legal basis,” said a Cambodian foreign ministry statement issued yesterday (April 29).

Cambodia to respect ceasefire despite alleged Thai mortar fire

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Phnom Penh (DPA)-Cambodia on Friday said that Thailand had broken a ceasefireagreed the day before by militarycommanders and endorsed by politicians in both countries, but that it would respect the deal.

Cambodia rejects arrangement for deployment of observers on disputed Cambodian-Thai border

April 30, 2011
Xinhua

Cambodia has rejected arrangement for the deployment ofIndonesian observers to the disputed borderarea near Preah Vihear temple becauseThailand has proposed a location in Cambodian territory for observers on its side, Cambodian foreign minister Hor Namhong (pictured) said Saturday.

The rejection was in response to the 5th modified terms of reference (TOR) submitted byIndonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, current rotating ASEAN chair, on April 28, for Indonesian observers to be deployed in the disputed border areas in order to monitorceasefire.

Thailand, Cambodia Spat Gets Ugly

April 30, 2011
By William Lloyd-George
The Diplomat

According to Michael Montesano of the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies in Singapore, the temple dispute all came about as a result of ‘cheap politics’ by the People’s Alliance for Democracy – otherwise known as the Yellow Shirts – in 2008 to reduce support for then Prime Minister Shinawatra Thaksin

Domestic politics could be pushing leaders of the two countries to more intense conflict as thousands flee border fighting.

PRASAT, THAILAND – It was a typical night for Wanchai Jongkot and his family. After working all day in the paddy fields, he sat down with his wife and two daughters to eat dinner – the main meal in his household. Before he could take his first bite, flashes illuminated the night sky, followed by deafening explosions.

Thai-Cambodian border dispute heads to Hague as commanders meet again

Deadly skirmishes overnight on the Thai-Cambodian border broke a tentative cease-fire, but army commanders are holding talks again today as Cambodia simultaneously took the case to The Hague.

By Simon Montlake, Correspondent / April 29, 2011

Bangkok, Thailand

Thai soldiers ride a pickup during clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, on Friday, April 29. A brief cease-fire between the two countries broke down Friday, shattering hopes for a quick end to the border conflict as the two sides exchanged fire for an eighth day. Wason Wanichkorn/AP

As army commanders held talks today on the Thai-Cambodian border after six days of clashes that have left 16 dead in the worst fighting in nearly three years, Cambodian officials simultaneously opened a new diplomatic front in the battle for an 11th century Khmer temple.

Cambodia’s government said Friday it has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to clarify its 1962 ruling that awarded the temple to Cambodia, a request prompted by Thailand’s “repeated armed aggression to exert its claim to Cambodia’s territory.”

Hundreds of troops from both nations have been camped out around the temple for years. After repeated deadly skirmishes and with United Nations and regional mediators repeatedly stifled in their attempts to negotiate a permanent cease-fire, Cambodia’s bid to take the case back to The Hague after 50 years injects a new note of uncertainty into the border crisis.

IN PICTURES: Preah Vihear temple battle

Deadly gunfights early Friday broke a tentative truce agreed on late Thursday, with each side blaming the other for firing first. Thai military spokesman Col. Samsern Kaewkamnerd said the overnight exchanges of artillery and small arms fire killed one Thai soldier and injured four others, but he downplayed it as “sporadic clashes.”

Thai, Cambodia cease-fire breaks; toll rises to 16

By THANYARAT DOKSONE and SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press

PRASAT, Thailand (AP) – Thai and Cambodian troops broke a brief cease-fire and clashed for an eighth day Friday, shattering hopes of a quick end to a long-running border conflict. The death toll rose to 16.

The fighting eased shortly after dawn and guns were silent the rest of the day as nearly 100,000 displaced residents on both sides waited to see if the worst skirmishes in years between the two Southeast Asian neighbors might finally end.

Cambodia appeals to world court

29th April 2011
Source:  echonews

Fighting has broken out between Thai and Cambodian troops a day after six soldiers were killed.

CAMBODIA said on Friday it has asked the World Court to clarify a 1962 ruling about an ancient temple on its disputed border with Thailand as clashes between the neighbours entered an eight day.

The request “for the interpretation of the Court’s judgment … concerning the temple of Preah Vihear” was prompted by “Thailand’s repeated armed aggression to exert its claims to Cambodian territory”, the foreign ministry said.

A clarification by the court was of “the utmost necessity… in order to peacefully and definitely settle the boundary problem between the two countries in the area”, it added.

Hopes for an end to the bloodiest fighting between the neighbours in decades appeared to have been dashed after fresh clashes broke out hours after a ceasefire deal was struck on Thursday.

Thailand, Cambodia fighting resumes despite ceasefire deal

Fri, Apr 29 – 4:54 AM

PHANOM DONGRAK, Thailand (AP) — A brief ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia broke down Friday, shattering hopes for a quick end to the border conflict as the two sides exchanged fire for an eighth day and the death toll rose to 16.

Field commanders agreed to the truce in a meeting at the disputed border Thursday. But Cambodian Col. Suos Sothea said the Thai army fired artillery shells into Cambodia again today and small arms fire crackled anew around the Ta Krabey temple, which lies in a disputed zone along the frontier.

Weaver Ants… on the Menu (Ang-krang)

Sam Rainsy Party Plans Screening of Chea Vichea Film

Friday, 29 April 2011
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

Photo: Courtesy of the Producers of "Who Killed Chea Vichea?" A scene from the documentary "Who Killed Chea Vichea?" Chea Vichea, a popular Cambodian union leader, was assassinated on January 22, 2004 in Phnom Penh

The Sam Rainsy Party has scheduled a screening of a controversial film about slain labor leader Chea Vichea at its party headquarters for International Labor Day, May 1.

“Who Killed Chea Vichea?” is sharply critical of a police investigation that followed the 2004 murder of the activist and the subsequent jailing of two men widely considered innocent.

Cambodia, Thai Commanders Reach Cease-Fire Agreement

Friday, 29 April 2011
Brian Padden, VOA | Jakarta, Indonesia

Photo: AP An injured Thai soldier on a stretcher is helped to board a helicopter to be transferred to a hospital following the clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, April 28, 2011.

Cambodia and Thailand moved closer to ending the fighting on their border with reports of a cease-fire agreement. Indonesian officials have worked to mediate in the dispute, which has left at least 15 people dead and forced thousands on both sides of the border to flee their homes.

After seven days of trading artillery fire, Cambodian officials said military commanders in the field had reached a cease-fire agreement. 

Thai-Cambodian border clashes continue

Ceasefire fails to hold as one Thai soldier killed and four wounded in fighting near ancient temples.

• Reuters
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 29 April 2011 08.27 BST
• Article history

A Thai soldier rests in a hospital on the border between Thailand and Cambodia where clashes are continuing. Photograph: Sukree Sukplang/Reuters

One Thai soldier has died and four wounded in further clashes on a disputed stretch of border between Thailand and Cambodia, a Thai military spokesman said, as a newly agreed ceasefire failed to hold.

At least 16 people have died in the fighting over the past week, centred on ancient temples at two points on the border.

Thai regional army commander Thawatchat Samutsakorn told Reuters four soldiers were wounded during two clashes involving guns and grenades, which he said had been started by the Cambodian side.

Cambodian, Thai battlefield commanders agree ceasefire again

PHNOM PENH, April 29 (Xinhua) — Cambodian and Thai battlefield commanders on Friday agreed to a ceasefire again after the earlier ceasefire was broken, according to the statement of Cambodian Ministry of Defense. The statement said that Neak Vong, deputy commander of Cambodian brigade 42 at Ta Moan temple, and Dul Yadeth, field commander of Thai border regiment, held talks at O’smach border checkpoint at Friday noon after the eighth day of armed clashes at early Friday morning.

Thai-Cambodian border clashes break brief ceasefire as death toll rises

At least 16 dead in violence that has caused nearly 100,000 villagers to flee disputed area.

• Associated Press
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 29 April 2011 16.56 BST
• Article history

A Thai child who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at an evacuation center in Surin province, northeastern Thailand. Photograph: Wason Wanichakorn/AP

Thai and Cambodian troops broke a brief ceasefire and clashed for an eighth day, shattering hopes of a quick end to a long-running border conflict that has forced nearly 100,000 villagers to flee. The death toll rose to 16.

Fighting erupted in the morning and again briefly Friday night, both countries’ troops said as displaced residents on each side waited to see if the worst skirmishes in years might finally end.

Thai, Cambodia cease-fire breaks; toll rises to 16

By SOPHENG CHEANG, THANYARAT DOKSONE

Wason Wanichakorn / AP An injured Thai soldier rests at a hospital bed after clashes between Thai and Cambodia in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Thursday, April 28, 2011. Artillery fire boomed across the Thai-Cambodian frontier for a seventh day Thursday as fierce border clashes erupted again between the two neighbors. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

PRASAT, Thailand — Thai and Cambodian troops broke a brief cease-fire and clashed for an eighth day Friday, shattering hopes of a quick end to a long-running border conflict that has forced nearly 100,000 villagers to flee. The death toll rose to 16.

Fighting erupted in the morning and again briefly Friday night, both countries’ troops said as displaced residents on each side waited to see if the worst skirmishes in years between the Southeast Asian neighbors might finally end.

Cambodia: Pope Wojtyla, the image of a free man, says apostolic vicar to Phnom Penh

Mgr Schmitthaeusler, in Rome for John Paul II’s beatification, stresses the late pontiff’s plea to “be free” and to “experience love as a gift”. The Church in Cambodia remembers him with affection. Thanks to him, Buddhist religious leader have a “positive view” of Catholicism. Bearing witness to …

By Asia News
Friday, April 29, 2011

Rome – John Paul II was a “symbol and image of a free man”. Because he was free, “on several occasions he brushed aside official protocol”. He met many leaders, like Fidel Castro and General Jaruzelski, and bore witness to his faith, said Mgr Olivier Michel Marie Schmitthaeusler, apostolic vicar in Phnom Penh, as he spoke about the late pope.