VUTHASURF

Last week, I just took my time to help set up new blog (My Community & World) for Cambodian-Australian man who I met him on live chat for nearly one year, but never met face to face. He is regular reader of my blog and he has always left comments on my blog.

In fact, I am not specialized in IT, even developing code or stuffs, but I just like to use it hahaha. And I learned how to set up blog on my own or sometime, I always need assistance from my friends.

As estimated that there are thousands of Cambodian bloggers have been created in the last 3 years, but some are active and some is not. Most of them like to share something about their own personal, photos or social issues. On the other hand, they dare not to talk something more about politics.

Even though, the Cambodia government does not censor the online news or opinion but they do not like to talk about it. To this point, Cambodian people have no full rights to express their concerns, opinion, idea or thoughts in this circumstance.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Following the clashes between Cambodian-Thai troops near Preah Vihear temple on October 15 by leaving three Cambodian and one Thai troop dead and more injured, the ancient Preah Vihear temple had been damaged by rocket during skirmish.

Meanwhile, Cambodia complained to UNESCO about the damage of a staircase and a sculpture done by Thai rockets to the ancient temple during the fighting, which was recognized by the World Heritage Committee held in Quebec.

In the statement on Monday, Thai foreign ministry denied Cambodia claims that Thai solders had damaged the temple with rocket fire. And that Thai troops only used only fired rifles by accusing Cambodian troops of firing rockets during the clashes.

Preah Vihear temple was recognized by the 21 member World Heritage Committee and related organizations on July 2, during the meeting in Canada. Therefore, the damage was done by troop standoff, UNESCO has obligation to preserve and take care of the temple and find justice for Cambodia.

What Thailand rejected the damage is opposite to the truth, because Thai troops have entered into Cambodia soil since mid-July. And Cambodian solders have been protecting temple from occupying by Thai soldiers. Fighting between the both sides is that Thai troops opened fire over the Cambodian soil, where Cambodian troops were stationed at around the temple. And Thailand is the part of the responsibility for the damage of Cambodian temple during the skirmish.

The 900-year-old Hindu temple had been awarded by the International Court of Justice to be on Cambodia side of the border in the 1962 but easy access can only be made from Thailand.

In January 2003, Cambodian mobs went on rampages, burning the Thai embassy and destroying Thai-owned business around the capital of Phnom Penh, fueled by false rumors that a Thai pop starlet had claimed that Angkor Wat temple, which is one of the most important symbols in Cambodian society, belonged to Thailand.

Popularity: 41% [?]

You will see Amsam Chek Ang [peered banana is grilled over fire] which most Cambodian people like making and sell them on the shoulder of the street, especially in rural areas.

Popularity: 41% [?]

Nowadays, Cambodian citizens need peace, need the good society, rebuild economy and live together with family; no need war anymore because they have gone through the years of civil war in their own country. The civil war ended more than one decade after 1993 national election. Even though there are still some instabilities in society and political issues happening in the country but it does not gravely affect the people’s livelihood.

Cambodians need to protect their own heritage, territory, sovereignty from invading the neighboring countries. If there is loss of territory, it means there are losses of Cambodian Nationality.

After the incursion of Thai troop into Cambodia territory on 15 July, 2008, Cambodian young youths volunteered to join in local commune soldiers in provinces along Thai-Cambodian border in order to protect the territory which has been invaded by Thai troops. Last week, there was a skirmish between the both sides leaving soldiers more dead and injured.

Oddar Meanchey governor said that there are between 500 to 1,000 young men to have joined in all five of the province’s districts in order to bolster the nation’s defense in case of attack from Thailand along border standoff.

Now, it is not time for Cambodia authority to push or encourage Cambodian young youths to join in army in order to protect country by waging war. What is important is that the both countries have to respect their own sovereignty each other. The border disputes have to be solved peacefully by law. Each country cannot use heavy weapon to occupy other country illegally.

In reality, Thai troops is entering into Cambodia territory illegally and demanding some temples as its ownership by a handful of Thai nationalists. What they did is not reasonable. Thai troops have to withdraw from Cambodia.

Popularity: 48% [?]