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Heng Sinith / AP
A Cambodian Buddhist monk walks toward the Cambodia's 11th century Hindu Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday.
BANGKOK, Thailand – It’s not so much High Noon as High Farce at the Thai-Cambodia border.
The current border spat would be almost laughable if it were not for the suffering it’s inflicting on villagers on both sides of the disputed frontier, thousands of whom have been forced from their homes.
The conflict ostensibly is about the ownership of an 11th century temple called Preah Vihear, described by UNESCO as an “outstanding masterpiece of Khmer architecture.”
But in reality it has more to do with the sorry state of Thai politics than an ancient Hindu relic.
Arguing over a 1962 decision
The area in dispute was quieter Tuesday after four days of skirmishes between the Thai and Cambodian armies that are reported to have killed several people and damaged the very temple they claim to hold so dear.
Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict.
DAMIR SAGOLJ / Reuters
A Cambodian soldier polishes his boots at the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia on Tuesday.
The two countries have argued over their border for years, though the World Court was supposed to have put the temple dispute to rest in 1962 when it was awarded to Cambodia.
Thailand grudgingly accepted the ruling, but the two countries have continued to squabble over land surrounding the temple.
The spat would probably have remained low key had the issue not been embraced by Thailand's "yellow shirt" nationalist movement, whose more hard line members are demanding Thailand take the temple – and much else – by force.
‘Yellow shirts’ take center stage, again
The yellow shirts are formally known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), they are middle-class denizens looking to protect their own interests – a vocal minority in a country where most people are poor farmers.
They shot to prominence when they led street protests in 2008 that were instrumental to bringing down the then-Thai government (remember the occupation of Bangkok’s airports?).
The current Thai administration of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva owes its existence to them, and there are strong links between the yellow shirts and members of his party (the foreign minister is a former yellow shirt supporter).
In 2008, the yellow shirts were backed by Thailand's royalist elite and the Bangkok middle class. More recently, its influence has waned and the movement has split. The border agitation is being led by a nastier rump, which is organizing fresh anti-government protests – in effect, turning on the government it helped create.
Heng Sinith / AP
A Cambodian Buddhist monk, center, stands with other refugees who fled from disputed border, as they sit on roadside about 12 miles east of the famed Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia on Tuesday.
Even before the current flare-up, the yellow shirts sent their own supporters on provocative incursions across the border.
The prime minister, though now an object of their scorn, appears unwilling to stand up to them, though their border crusade seems to enjoy little popular support. Instead, he has been upping his own nationalist rhetoric.
This may be partly realpolitik. The red shirt opposition movement supposedly vanquished in an army crackdown last year is back on the streets with large protests, the size of which have shaken Abhisit and his army backers.
Elections are due later this year, and Abhisit may think wrapping himself in the flag is a useful electoral tactic.
Army may flex its muscles
The army itself is the real power in Thailand, its clout enhanced by last year’s red shirt crackdown. Some 89 people died during the upheaval.
The royalist yellow shirts have had strong links to the army, which now has a new commander who isn't shy in his contempt for elected politicians.
It’s significant that the Thai army began an artillery barrage last Friday just as Thailand's foreign minister was sitting down for talks in Cambodia.
There have been dark murmurings about the possibility of yet another military coup, a "coup to end coups," as one newspaper described it. That's dangerous mumbo-jumbo to most people, but the fact that some are taking it seriously is a sad reflection on Thailand's politics.
It’s against this background that the border drama is being played out.
The yellow shirts are threatening to take their protests to the border Friday, though local Thai village leaders have made it known they are not welcome.
Cambodia waits it out
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen appears to be enjoying himself. He is a veteran political street-fighter, always happy to pick a fight with his bigger neighbor.
He is now calling for outside intervention, apparently aware that the weight of international law appears to be with Cambodia.
Thailand has often been applauded for its deft and low key diplomacy. Not this time, and the kingdom risks being labeled as a petulant regional bully, its prime minister in thrall to yellow-shirted extremists and an unaccountable army.
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Last time Cambodia neighbor have it internal problem and spill over to Cambodia and mess Cambodia up...The Vietnam/American (depend of what side of the ocean on you live on) War...This time Thailand internal conflicts is spilling into Cambodia..But this time the World watch and we know we have truth on our side.
Do ya miss me yet? - Pol Pot
Marleng, you're an idiot.
Ahh, more peaceful religion. They should just take some time off and go rape some alter boys (or their equivalent).
Adam, you're a Canadian.
I don't know what you're inferring. I am a dual citizen; Canadian-American.
Marleng clearly has a sense of humor and Adam, who is Canadian, does not. How strange. But Bob, what kind of comment calls someone out for being Canadian, unless it is your contention that only Americans can comment on conflicts in Southeast Asia?? Unless Adam is from Newfoundland or something. Then it would be totally understandable.
Kevin, you are being redundant. Unless you meant Altar boys instead of alter boys.
Bob I get it, you're using the exact same sentence structure I used when addressing Melang, only you are accusing me of being Canadian. Maybe equating being an idiot or a Canadian as one in the same? Ha! Well played, well played.
Doug, thank you for pointing out my error. I usually spell fairly well, but I blew that one. I did mean "altar boy".
I still hope you were able to enjoy the sarcasm.
Adam, and your a Canadian, so I guess that makes us even eh?
I guess so.
A balanced article from MSNBC for a change. Here are a few more FACTS.
In Thailand the 'Yellow Shirt' nationalist are using this temple dispute for political gain. They are the ones fanning the flames and one of their Leaders has been JAILED in Cambodia for 8+year due to his violating the border. The'Yellow Shirts' are using this to try to unseat the current Thai PM, who is mainly supported by the Thai Military/Royals. IMO the Military is pulling Abhisit's strings and have been from the start, the 'Yellow Shirts' were just pawns being USED.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/220087/the-plague-of-fanaticism.
1. In 1867, Franco-Thai treaty renouncing Thai suzerainty over Cambodia, and leaving Siam for the control of Battambang, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meancheay provinces, which officially became provinces of Thailand.
2. In 1904, a map was made which showed the temple as being within Thailand's boundary.
3. In 1907 the Thai-Cambodian border was mapped by the French on behalf of a bilateral border commission. However, the subsequent map showed Preah Vihear Temple as being in Cambodia.
4. Upon Cambodian Independenceand the French withdrawal in 1953 Thailand occupied Preah Vihear Temple in 1954.
5. In 1962 the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Netherlands, awarded ownership of Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia, stating that the 1907 map clearly showed Preah Vihear as being in Cambodia. Thailand objected as the map did not follow watershed line, which had been the agreement of the bilateral border commission.Thailand eventually reluctantly handed over the temple and limited surrounding areas, but has never withdrawn from the surrounding land, in contravention of the 1962 ICJ judgment, claiming the border has never been officially demarcated.
6. Since the temple was listed as a World heritage in 2008, Thai and Cambodian troops have faced off in the area and deadly skirmishes have erupted on several occasions.
The temple complex sits at the top of a cliff, and is still only easily accessible from the Thai side. Decades of conflict in Cambodia delayed any practical decisions on the temple, which for years was a stronghold of Khmer Rouge guerrillas and many areas around the are still littered with landmines. Several soldiers from BOTH sides have been killed/injured due to these.
The Thais argued that while the ICJ had awarded the temple to Cambodia, it had not ruled on the surrounding land, which also contains a number of important archaeological sites connected to the temple. The Thai foreign minister who negotiated a joint agreement concerning the temple, with Cambodia, Noppadol Pattama, was forced to resign in July 2010.
IMO - Only a joint Thai-Cambodian World Heritage site makes sense.
Best to blow up temple,so there would be nothing left to fight over!
Your claim a joint heritage site makes sense, of course senseless. The temple belongs to Cambodia and the Thais have no valid claim to the temple. While the boarder dispute certainly does need to be settled to prevent further violence, it won't be done until Thailand gets its internal political situation stabilized, as this article so well details. Also, you forgot to mention the Japanese ally tried to annex a good portion of Cambodia after WWII, but was forced to give it up by the French, in order to gain admittance to the UN
Where you get your facts? The Temple BELONGS to Cambodia. If you want to know the truth about the history of the Temple, make sure you don't go to Thailand or read Thai books and media.
its a temple, built imo for the peace of mankind to worship..... who says either has to own it? why can't both countries share it, enjoy the beauty of it, and take enjoyment in the fact that it was built? to me this is utter nonsense to say the least. just something for both sides to b!tch about and use as an excuse to kill each other over, and should be ashamed in each other for doing so. some countries need to just grow the f^ck up imo.
as far as the temple belonging to anyone, it belongs to all mankind who wish to enjoy it, not make a stink over something they care nothing about other than a political reason to shoot at eachother.... shame on these people, shame!
Yellow Shirts are Thailand Teabaggers.
It is time to say, "Excuse my French!@"
RE: AC Robertson
"2. In 1904, a map was made which showed the temple as being within Thailand's boundary", but you have failed to mention that this particular map was unilaterally done by Thailand, and was never included as part of any Treaty nor Agreements between the two county. However, Thailand has signed a Franco-Siam Treaty that used Annex I that showed the land belongs to Cambodia. Hence, there is no "disputed land" because those land belongs to Cambodia as per the Treaty.
It is not only a matter of the land, but it is also a matter of principle! If someone comes up to you with a map indicating that half of your house belongs to them, would you accept and give up half of your house that you've rightfully own? The answer for any right minded person is NO!
So, to argue that it is best to let both countrie joint management of the site is absurd! Thailand has been reluctant to involve a third party because it does not have solid legal evidence to back its claim for the land.
The 1904 map was not recognized by any body except Thai government alone. The same as many maps before 1904 used by Cambodia had shown many parts of Thailand to be belong to Cambodia but did not recognize by Thailand. So stick to the current map that both countries have agreed upon at the UN, plus the court ruling of 1962 that award the temple to Cambodia, then thing will be ok. Oh! by the way the court did not explicitely award the surounding land to Cambodia but Thailand should not play dump to think that they has the right to it, because the UN map clearly shown that it belong to Cambodia as well.
you want a joint cambodia-thai world heritage site? youre making me laugh. the rats (thai's) want to put their name infront of everything. please.
Sadly, this is no more than a political chess game. The Temple, it's self, is a POTENTIAL economic site, nothing more. Any gains will be mostly for locals and their governments. The national implications, for both countries, is limited. I think the "yellows" are just trying to wrap themselves, in the Thai flag, tighter than the "reds". Who can out "country" the other. Sound familiar, GOP?
I have visited many temples and 'World Heratage' sites in Thailand, few charge entrance fees, though donations are accepted. They are maintained well and preservation is on-going, to preserve the sites.
In Cambodia, my wife and I visited the temple complexes at Angkor Wat. We had to pay $50+USD for a 3+day Government pass and the guides were extra. The sites themselves were poorly maintained and damage from the large numbers of tourist was evident everywhere. We will not be returning to this area.
Personnely they will have to finish removing the land mines from the Preah Vihear area, prior to my taking my family there..
You clearly on thai side for this matter but it okay that you been brain washed when you visited thailand I mean after all thailand is like american tourist country..and I don't think cambodian country need someone like you to visit there anymore,Cambodian only accept people with generosity not rude people, after all cambodian country is not wealth like other country so don't disgrace cambodia. And I sure wish cambodian people would put that landmine along the border to keep thais out. Oh and i notice you been living in thailand no wonder all your comment sound like one of those moron who don't know anything about khmer empire.
I wouldnt count on American intervention on this one.
NO money in it.
As it has been described in Hindu literature, we live in a "Kaliyug" era where deception and evil will take hold. This is a perfect example.
me personally, being it is a temple of peace, if i had a say in it, it would be to have it as a neutral ground, no man owns it, but lets share in the upkeep, for all to enjoy, wil you be my brother, or my enemy?
AC Robertson..... Your story is without merit since the educated Thai people know that you are nothing but gunslinger hired by Thaksin Shinawatra, the most corrupt and self made multibillionaire and former Thai prime minister. You and Thaksin will gain immensely if Cambodia annexes the ground surrounding the temple, and the sea mass redrawn. This sea mass contains hugh reserve of natural gas and petroleum. This is his and your goal and not the temple! Your writing of half truth was nothing but half lie and it was done under the name of news reporting. Your intention is to defame the self sacrificed yellow shirt movement, overthrow the Thai government and help reshape the thinking of the world toward your corrupt boss.
Another delusional Poo Dee 'Yellow Shirt' that is willing to make Political Points with others people lives...
I suggest you read the article in the BKK Post about fanaticism. see http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/220087/the-plague-of-fanaticism.
Thaksin was removed from power, because he had become a Political threat to the Royals and the Military Leadership.
You're absolutely correct. The civilians on both sides of the boarder are suffering greatly for a cause that neither really care about.
In your earlier post about the entrance fees. I must disagree. The Thais are not worried about Cambodian temples. The entrance fees for Angkor Wat are supposed to help restore the complex, but I'll give you that the corruption is Cambodia probably takes a fair portion that should go to the maintenance of the temples.
I heard they discovered oil in the area. The Americans will be there soon.
I feel very sorry for the locals and the children no home to go to, no where to live, I travel alot to SEA in these country when you poor no one wants to know or have anything to do with them. They get walk pass, step over, look down upon etc.. Very sad indead. In their country the ones with power don't care because these people and children are dispendable in reality. Money does pay a massive part in these part of the world, anywhere really, but then I guess everyone knows that.
people should know that from the begining cambodian troops fired rockets to thai villagers (only this is a crime already). hunsen (cambodian pm) simply wants to get more power from the dispute. he act to neighbor country. thai yellow shirt group only does to their leader in thailand; no harm what so ever to cambodian pm.
the bottom line is cambodian army is the one who initiate the fire!!!
How can you be so sure which side initiated the fire? Because your government/army told you so? There are propaganda on both side; I certainly reluctant to believe everything that is coming out of Cambodia.
However, how can you believe in the Thai government/army when they've repeatedly denied that their soldiers were captured in the previous clashe and in this one? But there are video on the internet that proves that their denials are in fact lies. You just need to look hard enough and use logic to find out the truth from both sides.
I agree with Reader in Chicago. The redshirts are a desperate joke backed by Thaksin, who is friendly with the Cambodian leadership. Thaksin will do anything to try to worm his way back into Thai politics. He is an inflammatory demagogue who sold off Thai assets for his personal aggrandizement. He paid the redshirt demonstrators (I saw them lining up for money and heard it with my own ears) and Abhisit was extraordinarily patient with them before he was forced to take action, especially since Thaksin-backed thugs were imitating Thai police and shooting people. These current redshirt protests the author talks about are insignificant. I've seen them. There's nothing that unstable about Thai politics now, compared to many other countries. It's a free country and a democracy. The redshirts continue to attempt to destabilize, but everyone knows it for what it is. Thaksin is the evil here. He is a wannabe dictator willing to ruin the country to seize it. He promised his top henchmen governorships of provinces during the big demonstrations. And no, don't refer me to some editorial in the Bangkok Post. Your whole tone in your article is unprofessional and clearly shows your bias. You make Thailand sound like some pitiful place, which clearly it is not.
The border dispute that has KILLED dozens of people. Is a direct result of the actions of the "yellow shirt' Leadership and Abhisit.
Trying to drag Thuksin or buying of votes, into it is as pathetic, as the Yellow Shirt Leadership.
BTY - I live in Thailand and have seen the Thai Military in action and talked with the soldiers, after their actions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. I have family that work for the Thai Government and POLICE.
While Thailand is a great place to live, if you are away from BKK and southern Thailand. The current POLITICS of Thailand is a 'Three Ring Circus'. And I have personnel seen BOTH the Reds and Yellows receive their money for voting. It is a common practice and has been going on for DECADES. Similar to the Democrat & Republican - get out to vote campaigns in the USA...
What a pack of lies. I think your yellow shirt is blinding you.
Yellow shirt faction, red shirt faction... does anyone else find it ironic in this case that a Buddhist monk's clothing is orange?
You make some very valid points. Thailand's political debacle and the resultant deaths of many innocents people is a sad thing indeed. Despite expansionist objectives, the Temple is obvious Khmer. Thailands only interest in the Temple is for commercial purposes.
Kudos to Ian Williams. This concise summary of the current situation is as good (i.e. accurate) as anyone's likely to find.
I for one wish to say that we (Thailand) should just give up that temple. As much as its significance in culture, history, and pride (questionable), the damage of the conflict outweighs any gains that may arise from it. Its one of those cases where I just want it to get done and over it with.
As long as the rest of the border stays the same (And by that I mean both sides won't be making any claims in the future on any other parts of the boarder), I'd accept the loss just for the fact that I'm totally fed up with the dispute already.