Within more than one week, Thai solders have been invading Cambodian sovereignty and territory at the border-hugged temple, Preah Vihear, since July 15. At the mean time, the general election day will be held on Sunday this week. Most Cambodian people and foreigners in the country and abroad almost forget election issue, by turning into concentrating on the hot event of Thai troop’s encroachment on Cambodia territory.
Until today, the shooting between the both sides did not happen even though Thai troops have not still retreated from Cambodia soil. The solution between the two sides Monday failed as well.
Some Cambodians living near Cambodian-Thai borders are concerned over the weapon row, and some people asked their relatives to come back home, working in capital and provinces bordering Thailand. Though, political parties are still conducting campaign throughout the country until the final stretch and trying to gain politics while the ruling party (CPP) is making its efforts to find peaceful negotiation with Thai incursion into Cambodia.
The Cambodian-Thai military stand-off conflict will not be solved before the arrival of July 27’s national election. And Cambodian government also tries to make the row peaceful in order to make planned election to go smoothly.
Until now, Cambodians in the country are living peacefully and waiting to cast a vote for the party they like. But they still update news on the solution between Cambodia and Thailand.
Thousands of Cambodian people celebrated the Preah Vihear temple across country after the temple was listed as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in Québec, Canada, July 07, 2008. The inscription of priceless temple as world heritage site infuriated a handful of Thai nationalists to claim that Preah Vihear temple belonging to their country. Preah Vihear temple had been ruled as Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in June 15, 1962.
Popularity: 3% [?]
The built up of armforce on both sides of the Preah Vihear Temple would not ease for a while to come even if after the general election in Cambodia [27 July].
It is grateful that there is no exchange of fire between the army and hope it will stay that way until a resolution will be reached.
Thai decision to flex theirmilitary muscles over the issue of Preah Vihear Temple was fuelled by its domestic political crisis when PAD [People Alllied for Democracy] forced the current Thai government to reconsider of join-communique for the enlisting of Preah Vihear Temple as world heritage site, is an excuse to overthraw the legitimate elected democratic government of just 6 - 7 months old who is thought to be a close allied of the fromer PM - Thaksin.
Thailand is one of the well-equipped armforce amongst the ASEAN members’ nation who acquired a naval carrier some 10 years ago.
It is ashamed that Thai decided to intimidate Cambodia with its military muscles instead of looking into solution to solve their domestic and political affairs.
Thanks to the current administration in Cambodia and its people for remained calm and patient, and wish that we continue remaining calm and patient for a while longer as the world community is and will be behind us based on the 1962 ICJ’s decision and let the legal and diplomatic channel works