2 Killed on Thai-Cambodian Border

Source: New York Times

BANGKOK — Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire for about an hour on Wednesday, according to reports from the scene, threatening to escalate a tense confrontation at the border over a disputed 900-year-old mountaintop temple. At least two Cambodian soldiers were reported killed.

Several hundred soldiers from both sides have faced each other at the border since July, when Unesco, the United Nations agency, approved Cambodia’s request to have the temple named a World Heritage Site.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong of Cambodia said two Cambodian soldiers were killed and two wounded. A spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry said seven Thai paramilitary soldiers were wounded. Ten Thai soldiers surrendered to the Cambodians, according to news reports in the capital, Phnom Penh.

The two nations have made claims for decades over the temple, Preah Vihear, which stands at the lip of an escarpment on the border looking out over the mountains of northern Cambodia.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/world/asia/16cambo.html?em

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My worst fears have been realized.

I hold Thailand responsible for this, as they were the nation that rushed troops into the area first. Merely because they were pissed off that the temple was awarded World Heritage Status by UNESCO.

:cry:

on edit: Just in case some readers aren't aware, the temple was determined to be in Cambodian territory by the ICJ back in 1962. Thailand's been pissed off about it ever since. Even though it's a Khmer temple and therefore culturally as well as territorialy Cambodian.

Bad enough to kill is bad enough.

Because the easiest way to access the temple is from the Thai side of the border. Really, Thailand has the best of both worlds here. Tourists pretty much have to enter Thailand to see the temple, which means entrance fees to the country, concession stands, etc. for them. Since the temple is in Cambodian territory, they don't have to spend $$$$ to preserve it!

I've been following this story for months now, and from the very beginning, it seems to be mostly driven by nationalism and rivalry with Cambodia. By why have nationalistic pride in a monument that was not built by your culture, but by the culture of your historic rival?

The whole thing doesn't make any sense on Thailand's part.

That's why I'm firmly on Cambodia's side in this particular situation.

They need it FAR more than Thailand.

We were going to go next month, but the trip has to be postponed.

I hate what money does to people. I want to see Thailand very badly, and the Ankor Watt!!!
I hope this doesn't get any worse. :(


EDIT!!!

Holy crap! I meant Ankor Watt!!!! Not awake yet if anyone read this before my edit!