Abhisit demands Cambodia pullout [-Abhisit's last bravado?]

Changing of the guard: National police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree visits border patrol officers in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province yesterday. He plans to deploy the units in the disputed area with Cambodia in place of soldiers following the International Court of Justice’s order for a demilitarised zone to be set up on the common border. (TAWATCHAIKEMGUMNERD)

22/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is demanding Cambodia withdraw its soldiers from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple before Indonesian observers enter the zone.

In response to a report that Cambodia wants Indonesian observers to enter the disputed area before its military pulls out, Mr Abhisit said yesterday Thailand was standing firm on its original demand that Cambodia withdraw its troops first.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Monday that Thailand and Cambodia should withdraw their soldiers from the disputed area and let observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) deploy pending its consideration of a Cambodian petition concerning ownership of the area.

"If Cambodia wants to cite the court order to bring observers there right away, Cambodia must withdraw its troops first," Mr Abhisit said.

"Cambodia is the party that filed the petition with the court and the court told Cambodia to withdraw its troops right away."

Mr Abhisit demanded that Cambodia enter talks with Thailand as the two countries' stances on troop withdrawals were still different.

He said Cambodia had not yet contacted Thailand about talks.

Mr Abhisit said the Foreign Ministry would take three to four months to prepare Thailand's opinion on Cambodia's request for the ICJ to interpret Cambodia's ownership of the area near Preah Vihear temple.

The Thai opinion will reach the international court in time so that the ICJ judges can give their ruling before five of the 15 justices are replaced by next February, he said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday called for a fair withdrawal of troops by both sides and urged Cambodia to discuss the issue with Thailand.

He also said the effects of the ICJ's order were too extensive for the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) to handle.

Meanwhile, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said his troops remained in the disputed area pending negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia.

National police chief Pol Gen Wichean Potephosree visited border areas in Si Sa Ket province yesterday to prepare for the future deployment of border patrol units in place of soldiers in compliance with the ICJ's demilitarised zone order.

He said police had withdrawn from border areas with Cambodia in 1978 to make way for soldiers and they would have to review their database on border areas and revive relations with their Cambodian counterparts.

People living near the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces conducted evacuation drills yesterday.

The drills were aimed at ensuring that people in the area can be evacuated effectively in the event of any further border clashes.

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[Thai] 2nd Army: No troop withdrawals

18/07/2011
Bangkok Post

There will not be any immediate troop withdrawal from the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple, regardless of the decision due today from the International Court of Justice, Army Region 2 spokesman Prawit Hukaew said on Monday.

Col Prawit commented ahead of the International Court of Justice's scheduled announcement at the Peace Palace in The Hague, due to start at 3pm Thailand time.

The ICJ will rule on Cambodia's request tthat it order Thai troops withdrawn from the disputed area around the ancient temple immediately and unconditionally.

"No matter what the ICJ's ruling is, troops of Army Region 2 will remain in the area [around Preah Vihear] to protect the land and sovereignty of our country.

"The army will wait for instructions from Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha [the national army chief]," the spokesman said.

He said if the court ruled in favour of Cambodia and the Cambodian army attacked the Thai side, the Thai army would be ready to retaliate.

"The number of Thai troops in the area is adequate to deal with any situation that might occur along the Thai-Cambodian border," Col Prawit added.

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Thai opposition wins landslide election victory

mark mackinnon

BANGKOK— Globe and Mail Update

Published Sunday, Jul. 03, 2011 8:44AM EDT

Last updated Sunday, Jul. 03, 2011 10:51AM EDT

Less than fourteen months after the Thai military crushed mass protests in the centre of Bangkok by red-shirted supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a political party lead by his sister has won a landslide election victory.

With more than 90 per cent of the votes counted, the Pheu Thai party headed by Yingluck Shianwatra, a political neophyte who took over first her brother’s business empire and then his political machine, looked set to win an outright majority, leading in 261 seats out of 500. The ruling Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was a distant second, leading in 162 seats.

Thai women cheer first female prime minister

By Ploy Ten Kate

BANGKOK | Sun Jul 3, 2011 10:54am EDT

BANGKOK (Reuters) - After six prime ministers in six years of sometimes bloody political upheaval, Thais might be excused for shrugging their shoulders about voting in number seven.

But this time there's one big difference. The new prime minister will be a woman, the first to hold the position in Thailand.

Yingluck Shinawatra, a 44-year-old businesswoman who wasn't even in politics two months ago, is poised to get the top job after the stunning election victory of Puea Thai (For Thais), whose de facto leader is her brother, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yingluck, known as Pou (Crab), the nickname her parents gave her, has never run for office or held a government post, so she has a lot to prove to show she can run the country.

But some Thais, especially females, want to give her the benefit of the doubt and see this as a big step for women in a country where they have struggled for equal representation in government.

"I've always wanted to have the first lady prime minister," said Areerak Saelim, 42-year-old owner of a sunglass shop in a Bangkok market.

"I've seen too many men failing to run the country. Maybe this time, things will be different. What women are -- and men aren't -- is meticulous. I'm pretty sure she can do the job based on her age and successful career."

Yingluck has promised to revive her brother's populist policies and raise living standards among the poor, vowing to pursue national reconciliation to end a six-year political crisis, without seeking vengeance for her brother's overthrow by the military in 2006.

"More and more women are capable, knowledgeable and can actually get the job done these days," said Yaowalak Poolthong, first executive vice-president of Krung Thai Bank Pcl.

"I don't think gender should be an issue, limiting who can or can't do the job."

MAN BEHIND THE WOMAN

But some wondered whether she was her own woman.

"It's obvious who she represents," said Puttasa Karnsakulton, a 37-year-old clothing shop owner.

Thaksin, a twice-elected prime minister who is now living as a fugitive from Thai justice in Dubai, has said he wants to come home, and one of Yingluck's policies is an amnesty for political offences.

"I can't accept it if having the first female prime minister means she'll come in to benefit one person. There are doubts in my mind that this is simply a woman in front of a man," Puttasa said.

Puea Thai's plan to give each province 100 million baht ($3.2 million) to support the income-generating activities of women's groups has left some women's rights advocates skeptical.

"Who is to decide who will get the money? Will this be just a one-off handout? Will it work as a revolving fund?" asked Sutada Mekrungruengkul, director of the Gender and Development Research Institute.

Siriphan Noksuan, associate professor at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, said it was far too early to say what kind of leader she would be.

"People know she's a political novice," Siriphan said.

"But they also trust that she will have an army of pundits and economic advisers behind the scene to help her."

For now, she can bask in her victory after a campaign that left defeated Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, a career politician, struggling from day one.

Abhisit doesn't have the common touch. Yingluck, a wealthy businesswoman, and Thaksin, a billionaire former telecoms tycoon, do.

"In some way, I feel like I can connect with her and her brother even though we're poor and have nothing," said Malai Jiemdee, a maid from Nakhon Ratchasima province. ($1 = 30.795 Baht)

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Thailand opposition wins key election

Yingluck Shinawatra: "The first priority is the economy"

Continue reading the main story

THAILAND'S TROUBLES

• Q&A: Thailand election
• New faces, old names
• Polling in pictures
• Thai military's political past

The party allied to ousted and exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra has won a major victory in Thailand's general election, provisional results show.

With most votes counted, outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has conceded victory to his rival, opposition leader Yingluck Shinawatra.

Ms Yingluck, who will become Thailand's first female prime minister, said there was "a lot of hard work ahead".

She is the younger sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a coup in 2006.

With 92% of votes counted, Ms Yingluck's Pheu Thai party had won 260 seats, giving it a majority in the 500-seat parliament.

"It is now clear from the election results so far that the Pheu Thai party has won the election, and the Democrat Party concedes defeat," Mr Abhisit said on national TV.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Rachel Harvey BBC News, Bangkok

---

The longer the campaign went on, the more the momentum seemed to be with the opposition.

But few predicted the margin of victory would be as decisive as it now appears.

Yingluck Shinawatra has never run for political office before but her family name energised a support base still loyal to her older brother.

This result is a clear rejection of the military's intervention and a bitter disappointment to outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Both main parties campaigned on the need to move beyond the bitter divisions and bloodshed of recent years. That will only happen if the final official result is accepted by all sides.

"I will give the chance to Yingluck, the first woman to form a government," he added. "I want to see unity and reconciliation. The Democrats are ready to be in opposition."

After Mr Abhisit admitted defeat, Miss Yingluck was cautious in her response. She thanked Mr Abhisit and said she would wait for the official results to be declared.

"I don't want to say it is victory for me and the Pheu Thai party but people are giving me a chance and I will work to my best ability for the people," she said at her party headquarters.

"I would like to reiterate that we are ready to deliver on all of the policies that we have announced. There is a lot of hard work ahead."

She said her party officials had been in talks with the smaller Chart Thai Pattana party with a view to forming a coalition.

"In the future there are more parties expected to come and work with Pheu Thai," she said.

'Much work ahead'

Mr Thaksin told the BBC from his self-imposed exile in Dubai that it was clear the Thai people had voted for change.

"They want to see reconciliation, we want to have reconciliation," Mr Thaksin told the Newshour programme.

All parties will have to respect the voters' decision, he said.

Mr Thaksin, whose government was toppled in a military coup in 2006, said the military should also "be listening to what the people think".

Asked whether he would now be returning to Thailand, the former prime minister said he was in "no hurry".

"I want to see reconciliation really happen," he said. "I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem."

The past few years have seen street protests, airport closures and clashes between the supporters of the two main groups, which our correspondent says have tarnished the country's economy and reputation for being a bastion of democracy in south-east Asia.

Last year, protesters shut down parts of Bangkok for two months in a bid to force the government to resign. When the army stepped in to clear the capital's streets it degenerated into violence, leaving 91 people dead.

Continue reading the main story

Thailand's troubles

• Sept 2006: Army overthrows government of Thaksin Shinawatra, rewrites constitution
• Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin People Power Party wins most votes in election
• Aug 2008: Mr Thaksin flees into exile before end of corruption to trial
• Dec 2008: Mass yellow-shirt protests paralyse Bangkok; Constitutional Court bans People Power Party; Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
• Mar-May 2010: Thousands of pro-Thaksin red shirts occupy parts of Bangkok; eventually cleared by army; dozens killed

• In pictures: Thailand votes

Many of the red-shirt demonstrators were supporters of Mr Thaksin.

More than 40 parties fielded 3,832 candidates for the 500-seat lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives.

In a two-tier system of voting, 375 legislators will be elected by constituency, while 125 candidates will be chosen from lists according to the proportion of votes each party receives nationwide on a separate ballot. There are some 47 million eligible voters.

Ms Yingluck is a political novice and analysts say her popularity seems to rest on the fact she is campaigning on the policies of her brother, who many believe is Pheu Thai's real leader.

He is living in Dubai to avoid a corruption conviction.

With Pheu Thai's win all but confirmed, analysts say all eyes will once again be on the military, which has regularly intervened in the political process. Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday stressed that he would stay neutral.

Thailand has had 18 attempted or successful military coups since democracy was established in 1932.

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Thais start voting in crucial general election

Yingluck Shinawatra voted early in Bangkok

Continue reading the main story

Related Stories

• Profile: Yingluck Shinawatra
• Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra
• Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva

People are voting in a general election in Thailand, billed as a test of the nation's fragile democracy.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrats face a tough battle against the Pheu Thai party, which is allied to ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra and led by his sister, Yingluck.

Thailand has endured six years of often bloody political protests and there is tight security for the vote nationwide.

About 170,000 police officers have been deployed outside polling stations.

Last year, protesters shut down parts of Bangkok for two months in a bid to force the government to resign. When the army stepped in to clear the capital's streets it degenerated into violence, leaving 91 people dead.

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Rachel Harvey BBC South East Asia Correspondent

---

Bangkok came to a respectful halt just as polls opened. The national anthem is played every morning at 0800, and people tend to stop in their tracks and listen.

Today it felt like a musical pause for reflection ahead of what is undoubtedly a crucial poll. Voting is in theory mandatory, though no one is fined or imprisoned for failing to cast their ballot.

But people I've spoken to really do see this election as a crucial test of Thailand's fragile democracy, so there's expected to be a high turnout.

One 89-year-old lady in a wheelchair told me she had never in her life missed a chance to vote, though she had lost count of precisely how many times she had exercised her democratic right.

Heavy rain is forecast later in the day, which might present logistical challenges, especially in rural areas. So voters are being urged to cast their ballots early if possible.

Many of the red-shirted demonstrators were supporters of Mr Thaksin, whose government was toppled in a military coup in 2006.

Wounded democracy

The BBC's Karishma Vaswani in Bangkok says Sunday's election is a chance for Thais to end years of political uncertainty.

The last few years have seen street protests, airport closures, and violent clashes between the supporters of the two main factions of Thai politics, our correspondent says.

The country's image and economy have both suffered, its reputation for being a bastion of democracy in south-east Asia has been severely tarnished, she adds.

More than 40 parties are fielding 3,832 candidates for the 500-seat lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives.

In a two-tier system of voting, 375 legislators will be elected by constituency, while 125 candidates will be chosen from lists according to the proportion of votes each party receives nationwide on a separate ballot. There are some 47 million eligible voters.

Despite the wide variety of parties, only the Democrats and Pheu Thai are believed to have a realistic chance of capturing an outright majority. Opinion polls point to a win by Pheu Thai.

Yingluck Shinawatra was one of the first to vote at a school in Bangkok. She smiled and showed her ID card to television cameras before casting her ballot.

Our correspondent says Ms Yingluck is a political novice, and her popularity seems to rest on the fact she is campaigning on the policies of her brother, who many believe is Pheu Thai's real leader.

He is living in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid corruption conviction, and has made it clear that he is keen to return to his homeland.

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How the voting system works in Thailand, and why this election is so important

At a rally in Bangkok late on Friday Ms Yingluck said: "Please give a chance to this woman to serve the country. Please give a chance to this woman to bring reconciliation back to this country."

She urged a "free and fair election" and said she was confident of winning an outright majority.

Continue reading the main story

Thailand's troubles

• Sept 2006: Army overthrows government of Thaksin Shinawatra, rewrites constitution
• Dec 2007: Pro-Thaksin People Power Party wins most votes in election
• Aug 2008: Mr Thaksin flees into exile before end of corruption to trial
• Dec 2008: Mass yellow-shirt protests paralyse Bangkok; Constitutional Court bans People Power Party; Abhisit Vejjajiva comes to power
• Mar-May 2010: Thousands of pro-Thaksin red shirts occupy parts of Bangkok; eventually cleared by army; dozens killed

Mr Abhisit has said a vote for Pheu Thai is a vote for Mr Thaksin, and pointed out the party's own slogan was "Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai does".

At his final campaign rally, he said the country must "get rid of the poison of Thaksin".

"As long as Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai has to do it - to find ways to give Thaksin back his seized 46bn baht ($1.5bn)," he added.

If Pheu Thai wins, analysts say all eyes will once again be on the military, which has regularly intervened in the political process. Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday stressed that he would stay neutral.

Our correspondent says there is a lot at stake.

Whoever wins will have to bring a divided nation back together again, and try to heal Thailand's wounded democracy, she adds.

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Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is the English-born, Oxford-educated 46-year-old leader of Thailand's Democrat Party.

Young and photogenic, though not known as particularly dynamic, he has a reputation for "clean politics".

His government faced major protests in 2010 which paralysed parts of the capital and left more than 90 people dead.

Distinctly upper-class, Mr Abhisit hails from a wealthy family of Thai-Chinese origin. Both his parents were medical professors.

He was born in the British city of Newcastle in August 1964 and educated at England's top public school, Eton. He then went on to gain a degree in politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at Oxford University.

Mr Abhisit's support is drawn mainly from southern Thailand and from Bangkok's educated middle-classes. He has had less success in attracting the support of working class and rural Thais.

In 1992, Mr Abhisit joined Thailand's oldest party, the Democrats, and at the age of 27, entered parliament as one of its youngest ever members. Having tried and failed to become party leader in 2001, he eventually got the post in 2005.

Championing a raft of populist policies, Mr Abhisit campaigned under the slogan "Putting People First".

The Democrat Party failed to win power in national elections in 2007 - the first since the military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Instead, Mr Thaksin's allies won.

Months of political pressure by anti-Thaksin protesters followed, including a week-long sit-in at Bangkok's two airports, which shut down air traffic and crippled the tourism industry.

In December 2008 the Constitutional Court found the ruling party, led by Mr Thaksin's allies, guilty of electoral fraud and banned it.

This enabled Mr Abhisit to form a new government and become the next prime minister without calling elections.

At age 44, he became the country's youngest prime minister in more than 50 years.

Anti-corruption platform

While not entirely ditching the liberal reforms of "Thaksinomics" - a term used to refer to the economic set of policies of the exiled former leader - Mr Abhisit has argued for a more statist approach.

Mr Abhisit opposed the Thai military when it overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra

Among other things, Mr Abhisit has advocated free healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and free education, including textbooks and milk for nursery-school children.

He has also been a consistent campaigner against corruption.

When Mr Thaksin called a snap election in February 2006, Mr Abhisit's campaign pitch was that he was "prepared to become a prime minister who adheres to the principle of good governance and ethics, not authoritarianism".

Later that year, he opposed the military when it overthrew Mr Thaksin in a coup.

"We cannot and do not support any kind of extra-constitutional change, but it is done. The country has to move forward and the best way forward is for the coup leaders to quickly return power to the people and carry out the reforms they promised," he said at the time.

He also said he expected high standards of probity from his party and any government he led.

Going beyond the current transparency rules for Thai MPs, he said he would require all future Democrat Party representatives to declare their assets and any involvement in private companies. Currently, those measures apply only to cabinet members.

However, that has not shielded his government, or party, from corruption allegations, including claims of a cover-up of illegal donations by a petrochemical firm.

Academic experience

Before entering parliament, Mr Abhisit had a brief academic career. After Oxford, he taught at Thailand's Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Later, he returned to Oxford to study for a Master's degree. He then taught economics at Thammasat University before studying law at Ramkhamhaeng University.

Mr Abhisit's family is a circle of accomplished individuals. One of his two sisters is a professor of child psychology, while the other is a leading Thai author.

Mr Abhisit's wife is a dentist-turned-mathematics lecturer at Chulalongkorn University. They have two children.

Among the chinks in the Abhisit armour are his failure, so far, to win the popular vote and the impression that his good looks tend to outshine his sometimes rather bland political pronouncements.

His government has faced major protests; the first in 2009.

A year later, in March 2010, Mr Abhisit was spirited away to a barracks when red-shirted opposition protesters marched on Bangkok, denouncing him as an illegitimate leader because he came to power through a parliamentary agreement rather than a fresh election.

In May that year, a military crackdown brought an end to the demonstrators' occupation of the city's commercial district.

More than 90 people died in the course of the protests, which hit the economy hard.

The prime minister may find that only the popular mandate of a national election win will ultimately silence his critics.

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'Pretty, rich and smart' woman to be Thailand's first female PM?

Yingluck Shinawatra reaches out to shake hands with supporters after speaking at a rally during her election campaign on June 29, 2011 in Burirum, Thailand. (Paula Bronstein / Getty Images)

Thursday, June 30, 2011
By Warangkana Chomchuen
NBC News

BANGKOK, Thailand – Less than a week before Sunday’s general election, opinion polls unanimously suggest that Thailand is likely to get the first female prime minister. Only a few months ago she was nowhere near the political limelight. But it’s not that hard to see why Yingluck entered into politics with a bang and is rising quickly to the country’s top job.

Her last name is Shinawatra. She shares it with her older brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, the two-time elected prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, and is now living as a fugitive from Thai justice in Dubai.

Thaksin picked his sister over other candidates to lead the Pheu Thai, or “For Thai,” party that he founded originally as Thai Rak Thai. This nepotism, to some people’s disdain, turned out to be a brilliant move on Thaksin’s part.

Despite little political experience, the 44-year-old business executive has generated as much buzz as a veteran politician: Yingluck has monopolized covers of major political weekly magazines for weeks. Thousands gathered to wait under the blazing sun to see her on her campaign tour.

“I know you love my brother Thaksin,” she cooed in northern dialect to an animated crowd of supporters in Chiang Rai. “I wonder if you could also love me, Thaksin’s little sister?”

At another appearance in a northeastern province, a group of a hundred schoolgirls rushed to greet her after her helicopter descended. They squealed as they pushed to get close to her, busily snapping photos from cell phones while holding up one index finger to show support for her party, which is No. 1 on the ballot.

‘Pretty, rich and smart’

Yingluck embodies the “suai, ruai, keng” – a Thai description of “pretty, rich and smart” woman.

She looks youthful, confident and at ease. Cameras love to capture her ceaseless smiles.

Her clout and celebrity aura match those of her major rival, Abhisit Vejjajiva, prime minister and leader of the ruling Democrat Party.

They are equally presentable: under 50, well-educated, and successful in professional and personal life (married with kids), which differentiate them from other candidates.

But while Abhisit’s Oxford education, wit, charm and impeccable British-accent English translate well with elites and the Bangkok middle class, these qualities often alienate him from residents of rural parts of the country, who make up the majority of the vote.

He may exude confidence and poise at international forums or during interviews, but when mingling with crowds, he’s stiff, appearing uneasy before his constituents.

Yingluck, on the other hand, is easier to connect with. Her provincial upbringing and self-made success at her family-run telecommunications and real estate companies make her likeable. Thai people feel that she and her brother understand the hardship and grievances of the poor.

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Thaksin’s clone

Her supporters are aware she’s a political novice. But they also trust that she has an army of top-notched political pundits and economic advisers lurking behind the scene to support her and even coach her public speaking.

Her shrewdest campaign manager is Thaksin, the actual de facto leader of the party. He called Yingluck “my clone” and the Pheu Thai party readily responds by using a slogan, “Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai implements.”

Yingluck isn’t the first Thaksin’s proxy premier candidate.

Thailand had two prime ministers who acted as Thaksin’s proxies, but they didn’t last very long.

Cantankerous Samak Sundaravej was forced by court order to resign overa conflict of interest linked to his cooking show on TV. His successor, Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin’s brother-in-law, had to step down after a constitutional court found his party guilty of electoral fraud.

By appointing Yingluck, Thaksin makes it clear that this election is about him. It’s his biggest battle yet against the country’s old power – the military and royal establishment – who tried to uproot him.

Reconciliation, not revenge

One of Yingluck’s Facebook profile pictures is that of her wearing a red hijab next to a Muslim woman who snapped their picture from her Blackberry.

The picture was taken during her campaign trail in the Islamic south, the Democrat’s political stronghold where Thaksin, leader from the north, could never quite penetrate.

The picture bodes well with Pheu Thai’s PR scheme to promote Yingluck as a baggage-free, fresh face leader who can heal the divisive country.

But her imminent victory at polls is making the military and the 2006 coup makers jittery.

Her Pheu Thai party says it will issue a blanket amnesty for all its allies and rivals charged in relation to the 2006 coup, which could pave the way for Thaksin’s whitewashing and triumphant return.

After all, Thaksin is the man the coup makers have put tremendous efforts in different devising to get rid of.

Critics fear the military will be tempted to stage another intervention. Thaksin’s return will be a big blow that can change the political landscape and dynamics of power in a significant way.

Yingluck tries to ease the fear by saying her first priority is the people’s wellbeing and moving the country forward, not one man’s fate.

But so far, she has never clearly stated her political opinions or standpoints. She lets Thaksin handle all the tough talks, in-depth interviews with foreign media from abroad. At home, she chooses to stick to scripts and keep her messages simple.

Besides her commitment to continue her brother’s populist policy legacy – i.e. free tablet PCs to a million school children, a wage hike, and low interest loans to villagers – it’s hard to say what kind of leader she will be.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t appear to bother her supporters, who remember what it was like when Thaksin ruled.

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Thailand's case to ICJ years in the making [... or it could be much sooner]

Phikulkaew: Worked away quietly

4/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Senator for Phitsanulok Phikulkaew Krairiksh, who chairs the Senate committee on foreign affairs, has played a key role in finding a solution to the Thai-Cambodia border dispute.

She was involved in preparations to defend the country's position at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after Cambodia asked it to interpret its 1962 ruling on sovereignty over the disputed land near Preah Vihear temple.

The panel has studied the border conflict for some time although its work has gone unreported by the media.

Ms Phikulkaew discussed the panel's work with NAUVARAT SUKSAMRAN.

What has the panel done to help the Thai legal team which gave testimony to the International Court of Justice?

Ambassador [to the Hague] Virachai Plasai assessed the situation and believed the issue would eventually end up with the ICJ.

The ambassador came under political pressure and asked to be transferred to The Hague. That happened to be the right move as he helped to prepare the country's legal team.

It took more than two years to put together the legal team and gather all the necessary information, but we worked together quietly.

Why hasn't the panel tried harder to bring information to the public? People have been fed confusing information about Preah Vihear that raised fears that Thailand would lose territory.

We might have run into problems had details of our preparations and information to be presented to the court been released. The lawyers could have been lobbied [by the other side].

The government in 2003 supported Cambodia's unilateral bid to register the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site.

However, the cultural side of the issue must also be taken into account. People on both sides of the border have been crossing back and forth for a long time. They are so culturally related they are almost like family.

Nobody ever thought that we would one day have to be separated by fences. This is about civilisation and all sides learning to live together in harmony.

The Preah Vihear issue also concerns the internal affairs of both countries. It is a game to woo voters and to maintain the hold on power by politicians in Cambodia.

The committee has presented the information it collected to the French senate. What was the result?

When we provided them with the information, they seemed to have more understanding. Apart from France, we have also explained to lawmakers of other countries which are members of Unesco and the ICJ. Most of them agree with the committee's position that Thailand and Cambodia should jointly develop the temple and the disputed areas surrounding it.

However, they said Thailand had done too little to explain the issue to foreign organisations.

So what should we do?

This is our weakness. Cambodia is better prepared to put its case to the world. The government must set up a central agency comprising representatives from all the agencies concerned to explain the issue to foreign countries.

How do you think the International Court of Justice will rule?

This is a fresh move by Cambodia to complete the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site.

Cambodia is acting with a new determination and new ambition.

Read More

Yingluck [Shinawatra] pledges war on poverty, drugs

BOLD SHOWING: Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters at the Chiang Mai 700 Years Stadium as she hits the campaign trail in Chiang Mai, her hometown.

WARM HOMETOWN WELCOME BRINGS PRIME MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE TO TEARS

22/05/2011

Aekarach Sattaburuth

Bangkok Post

CHIANG MAI : Pheu Thai will put money back into voters' pockets and drive out illicit drugs in 12 months, says its drawcard Yingluck Shinawatra.

Launching her campaign in her hometown of Chiang Mai yesterday, Ms Yingluck revived many of the well received policies pursued by her elder brother, Thaksin, when he was prime minister.

They were accompanied by bold promises which gave the launch a sense of theatre which some observers said has been lacking from rivals' campaigns so far.

In an address to about 15,000 supporters, she said Pheu Thai would tackle poverty and drugs, and make Thais happy again.

"How have you been?" she asked party faithful, fighting back tears as she thanked voters for the warm welcome she received.

Ms Yingluck, the party's candidate for prime minister, launched her campaign at the Chiang Mai 700 Years indoor stadium before a crowd drawn mainly from Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, which are Pheu Thai strongholds.

A businesswoman who shot to prominence after Thaksin anointed her as his preferred prime ministerial candidate, Ms Yingluck's visit to Chiang Mai recalled a similar high profile one by Thaksin, soon after he became prime minister in 2001.

She addressed the crowd in northern dialect with a shaky voice, tears welling in her eyes.

"I never expected that my trip back home this time could be so impressive. You have given me such a warm reception _ but how much grander would it be if my brother came himself?" asked Ms Yingluck, who took to the stage about 6pm.

Pheu Thai has pledged an amnesty for Thaksin, whose government was overturned by the 2006 coup, and who fled overseas after he was convicted of political corruption.

"Have you been happy during the past four to five years? I'm told that your happiness and money in your pockets have disappeared.

"The Pheu Thai Party is worried about it. We have to solve people's problems and bring back their happiness. We'll revive our policies from the past and implement them.

"We'll announce a new war on drugs. We'll root them out from society in 12 months.

"We'll also announce a war on poverty. Poverty will be gone in four years. We'll make sure the 30 baht universal healthcare scheme works again.

"We'll also increase the village fund to two million baht for each village," said Ms Yingluck.

She wanted moral support from fellow northerners and knew they would help her party win all 10 seats in the province. Ms Yingluck said she would like to visit southern provinces _ traditionally a Democrat stronghold _ but the trip would have to await confirmation from the party's staff that they would be ready to accommodate her.

Pheu Thai expected to win more than half the House seats in the July 3 election, and would welcome other parties if it chose to form a coalition government.

Ms Yingluck's entourage included non-MP leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, and list candidates Chalerm Yubamrung and Natthawut Saikua.

Mr Chalerm and Mr Natthawut, a former leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also addressed the crowd.

Somchai Preechasilpakul, a law lecturer from Chiang Mai University, said Ms Yingluck possessed the common touch, and had shown she was able to get on with people from all walks of life.

Before her campaign launch, Ms Yingluck and other members of the Shinawatra family paid homage to the shrine of late family members at Rongtham Samakkhee temple in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district.

Ms Yingluck also took her team to visit voters at Warorot Market, a major fresh market in Chiang Mai.

Somchai Wongsawat, a former prime minister and Ms Yingluck's brother-in-law, said initially he was worried whether businesswoman Ms Yingluck could handle her role as a political leader, as she is a relative newcomer to politics.

However, after watching her perform, he was confident that she would be a success, said Mr Somchai.

Meanwhile, Surapong Towijakchaikul, a former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Mai, said Pheu Thai was confident it would win at least eight out of 10 seats in the province.

The party was less confident in two constituencies where Noraphon Tantimontri from the Democrat Party and Krai Daptham from the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party were standing, as they were strong candidates.

Mr Surapong said Pheu Thai's chances of winning those seats was 50%.

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Sourn Serey Ratha broadcasts his message on the Thai Yellow Shirt's ASTV channel. Why does he use a platform that holds hatred against Khmer?

Dear Readers,

Please find below a broadcast by Sourn Serey Ratha on the Yellow Shirt ASTV channel. In our opinion, while his message against the Hun Xen's regime sounds reasonable, his use of the Yellow Shirt's platform, a group that maintains hatred against Cambodians in general, is unreasonable and a poor decision. In the long and arduous road to democracy, the enemy of one's enemy is not necessarily one's friend.

Nevertheless, we leave it up to you to judge Mr. Sourn Serey Ratha's decision.

Thank you,

KI-Media team

http://www.manager.co.th/vdo/defaultrun.aspx?NewsID=5540000058763

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PM: Cabinet to appoint committee to contend with Cambodia's appeals to World Court

http://www.mcot.net/

via CAAI

BANGKOK, May 1 -- The Thai cabinet will be asked this Tuesday to appointing a committee to counter an appeal lodged by Phnom Penh government to the World Court to clarify its 1962 ruling about the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which sits on the disputed border with Thailand, as clashes between the two neighbouring countries continued.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday during his weekly TV and radio address--held for the last time before he dissolves the lower house and call for a general election--that he would ask the cabinet during its weekly meeting this Tuesday to formally appoint a committee to counter Cambodia appeals to the International Court of Justice.

The Phnom Penh foreign ministry last Friday said it had made a request “for an interpretation of the Court’s judgment … concerning the temple of Preah Vihear which was prompted by Thailand’s repeated armed aggression to exert its claims on Cambodian territory.”

According to the statement, 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.”

In 1962, the court ruled that the 11th century Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding the area.

Mr Abhisit assured Thais that although the House of Representatives would be dissolved, expected sometime in early May, his caretaker government would continue to perform its duty in order to “protect Thailand’s benefit and sovereignty.”

The prime minister added although the border conflict is prolonged, it will not affect his planned House dissolution and the upcoming election, as the army can do its job and control the situation.

If the situation remains as it is during the next couple days where no heavy weapons have been used during the clashes, Mr Abhisit said, local residents earlier evacuated to temporary shelters will be allowed to return to their homes.

Meanwhile, Col Prawit Hukaew, spokesman of Second Army Region Command, said two minor clashes continued Saturday near Ta Kwai temple in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district.

The first skirmish occurred at 7.00 p.m. after a number of Cambodian soldiers patrolling near Ta Kwai temple opened fire at Thai soldiers, forcing Thai soldiers to retaliate and fired back. Both sides exchanged gunfire for a short period.

Col Prawit said both sides clashed again at 9.45 p.m. and this time only machine guns and hand grenades were used. The fighting lasted until about 11.00 p.m.

Casualties of both sides were still unknown, he said.

Soldiers of the two countries have been fighting near the temple since April 22 with each side claiming to be attacked by the other first. (MCOT online news)

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http://www.mcot.net

via CAAI

SURIN, April 30 – Ten Thai soldiers were wounded in clashes at Thai-Cambodian border in Surin on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Among ten injured soldiers, one soldier, 1st Lt. Kosit Songsaengkajorn suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his back and was transferred to a military hospital in the capital of Bangkok.

It was the second night that the border clash reoccurred since a cease fire was agreed by Thai and Cambodian field commanders.

Cambodian troop were armed with recoilless rifles and rocket- propelled grenades (RPG), while Thailand used artillery to respond the attack.

Four soldiers were wounded in the border clash near the Ta Kwai temple. The clash occurred around 7.30 pm and ended at around 10 pm on Friday while the second clash erupted at 5 am Saturday and lasted at about one hour. Six soldiers were wounded in the morning clash.

In adjacent province of Buriram, Thai villagers living near the clash site between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the disputed border continued to evacuate to three key temporary shelters – two schools and a temple – in Ban Kruat district of Buriram province bordering Cambodia.

About 4,650 villagers are now staying at the three shelters after some men had returned to their homes believing that the fighting which had begun since April 22 would stop.

A similar situation was seen at another shelter housing Thai evacuees in Tambon Prasat which is close to the border as the number of evacuees has dwindled to about 40 yesterday compared to 100 earlier. The sound of intermittent gunfire could be heard, as this centre is less than 20 kilometres away from Ta Muen Thom temple, the scene of fighting between soldiers of the two countries. (MCOT online news)

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Thailand To Fight Cambodia’s World Court Appeal

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/

via CAAI

Published : April 30, 2011

Thailand is willing to fight its case in the World Court to resolve the border dispute after Cambodia appealed to the court’s 1962 ruling about the ancient Preah Vihear temple, according to Thai Minister of Foreign Affair

Cambodia’s appeal in the World Court was made after the Cambodian government issued a statement that had requested “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.”

“We especially want clarification about the vicinity around the temple. Thailand is using unilateral maps to claim our territory,” a Cambodian government spokesman told Agence France Presse news agency.

Thai foreign ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi denied the accusation made by Cambodian government, stating that it was simply Cambodia’s opinion.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, although its primary entrance lies in Thailand.

Mr. Thongpakdi believed the Cambodian troops intrusion beginning last Friday was to pave the way for Cambodia to bring the issue to the International Court of Justice.

“The Thai foreign ministry is well prepared. Legal advisors have been hired to handle the case, but we continue to believe that the border dispute should be solved at the bilateral level,” the Thai spokesman said.

“What Cambodia is doing means it overlooks the importance of regional cooperation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),” Mr. Thongpakdi added.

Mr. Thongpakdi believed that the court will forward the document to Thailand soon.

“However it may take year or two, or more, for the court’s consideration. We still must see whether the court will accept the case or not,” he said

The historic Preah Vihear temple has been a point of contention between two neighboring countries as the boundary through the surrounding grounds is not demarcated. This is the border where occasional military clashes claimed numerous lives.

The latest skirmish erupted last Friday near Ta Kwai temple in Surin’s Phanom Dong Rak district and the fighting spread to nearby Si Sa Ket province, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of local residents for their safety.

The Thai army reported Cambodian troops first fired on Thai soldiers and that Thailand was obliged to retaliate to protect the country’s sovereignty

Report By: Mcot

Photo By: Mthai

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Thai war games intended to intimidate Cambodia? Thai supreme commander considers Cambodia as Thailand's ENEMY

Navy forces fire an Exocet missile from the HTMS Ratcharit, a fast-attack boat, during regularly scheduled military exercises in the Gulf of Thailand near Sattahip. Whilst watching the exercises, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara said that Thai forces were “resolute” in protecting the country’s sovereignty.

Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara returns salutes as he boards the HTMS Chakri Naruebet to watch naval exercises off Sattahip.

Thai Supreme Commander rules out negotiations with Cambodia at Sattahip war games

Friday, 29 April 2011
By Patcharapol Panrak
From Issue Vol. XIX No. 17
Pattaya Mail (Thailand)

Presiding over the Royal Thai Navy’s annual training exercises in Sattahip, Thailand’s top military commander ruled out negotiations with Cambodia until that country’s forces cease hostilities in the latest rounds of deadly border clashes.

Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara said during an April 22 speech at Sattahip Naval Base that Thai forces were “resolute” in protecting the country’s sovereignty and will not hesitate to attack Cambodia forces if necessary. “Negotiations are not in the plans if our enemies choose to disrupt peace in our country,” he said.

Navy forces fire an Exocet missile from the HTMS Ratcharit, a fast-attack boat, during regularly scheduled military exercises in the Gulf of Thailand near Sattahip. Whilst watching the exercises, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara said that Thai forces were “resolute” in protecting the country’s sovereignty.

Ten people were killed in the first three days of heavy artillery exchanges near Ta Kwai temple in Surin. Thailand accuses Cambodia of trying to seize both Ta Kwai and nearby Ta Muen temple in a move similar to its occupation of the disputed Preah Vilhear temple about 160 km from the latest fighting.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both sides to agree to an immediate cease fire, but Thai leaders say their Khmer counterparts are trying to escalate the situation in order to force international involvement in border disputes Thailand wants solved bilaterally. Hoping to provoke international outrage, Cambodians have claimed Thais are using air strikes and chemical weapons on their military, which is about 25 times smaller than Thailand’s. Thai leaders denied both.

Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara returns salutes as he boards the HTMS Chakri Naruebet to watch naval exercises off Sattahip.

In Sattahip, Songkitti said 15,000 villagers have been evacuated from the battle zone. He said he hoped hostilities would cease soon, but also has been asked to approve the dispatch of five more battalions to the area to protect the two temples.

At his Sattahip war games appearance, the supreme commander certainly did his best to show of the might of Thai forces.

Part of Thailand’s naval fleet underway in formation during naval exercises in the Gulf of Thailand last week.

From a perch on the helicopter deck of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, Songkitti watched as Navy forces fired an Exocet missile from the HTMS Ratcharit, a fast-attack boat. Other exercises included anti-aircraft firing, artillery practice with live rounds and joint sorties by Royal Thai Navy and Air Force F-16s.

Navy commander Adm. Kamthon Pumhiran said the war games were a previously scheduled, annual exercise put on to better integrate the operations of various naval units.

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The following article by the Pattaya Daily News is RACIST and PREJUDICED against Cambodia!

Human Shield, An Animal Tactic Of Cambodia Army

April 29, 2011
Pattaya Daily News (Thailand)

KI-Media note: Thailand's accusation of Cambodia using human shield could be wrong as Cambodian soldiers' families usually follow them to the front.

Cambodian soldiers have brought women and children to the border, using them as a human shield against Thai forces, according to a report by the 2nd Army’s Suranaree Task Force.

The task force report said that about a week before the latest series of border clashes began in Surin on Friday, Cambodian soldiers started to move civilian families – mostly women and children – into seven spots:

1. 5 families to Sam Tae area;
2. 15 families to Ta Thao pass and Hill 400, where a military base is located;
3. 7 families to a community at the foot of the staircase to the Preah Vihear temple;
4. 8 families to a military base at Phu Makhua;
5. One family to the Phra Phalai pass;
6. 985 families to the Sa-ngam pass; and
7. 20 families to the Tamaria stream.

A source at the Suranaree Task Force said Cambodia is using the human shields to prevent Thai attacks. If casualties are inflicted on these civilians, Cambodia could protest or condemn Thailand internationally, to raise the Thai-Cambodian conflict to the world forum.

The source claimed as many as 22 Cambodian soldiers were killed and 80 wounded in heavy fighting on Sunday. One of the dead was a colonel and son of a former Khmer Rouge leader.

About 30 Cambodian soldiers were killed in the clashes on Friday and 10 on Saturday, according to the source.

Thai soldiers suffered five killed – three on Friday, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, the source said.

Credit by: www.khaosod.co.th

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Thailand troops on Cambodia border

http://tvnz.co.nz/

via CAAI

Thursday April 28, 2011
Source: Reuters

Thai troops in Cambodia - Source: Reuters

Thailand has dispatched troops to a disputed area on its border with Cambodia today after clashes erupted for the seventh day near two 12th-century Hindu temples, the Thai army spokesman said.

The reinforcement followed a night of shelling that killed a Thai soldier and wounded seven. Fighting ended after dawn but troops on both sides remained on high alert.

"We are putting more troops in the area preventively because there has been tension for several days now," said Colonel Prawit Hukaew, a regional army spokesman.

"But we remain firm that we will not attack first and we are responding to reinforcement by Cambodia."

Each side has blamed the other for starting new rounds of fighting. At least 15 people have been killed and more than 50,000 evacuated from their homes during clashes in the jungle of the Dangrek Mountains.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in his first public comments on the conflict yesterday, called Thailand's premier a "thief" whose government committed "terrorism".

But he said he was willing to discuss the clashes in one-on-one talks with Thailand and planned to raise the issue with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and other Southeast Asian leaders during a summit in Indonesia on May 7-8.

Thailand said it would welcome border talks within an existing bilateral framework, but only after fighting stopped. A meeting between the Thai and Cambodian defense ministers was cancelled today.

Sovereignty over the ancient, stone-walled Hindu temples, Preah Vihear, Ta Moan and Ta Krabey, and the jungle of the Dangrek Mountains surrounding them has been in dispute since the withdrawal of the French from Cambodia in the 1950s.

In Karb Cherng border village, which was damaged in the fighting, houses were abandoned and shops shuttered. Police patrolled the empty town for remnants of unexploded ordnance.

On a road nearby, eight Thai army tanks were seen moving into the mountains.

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Border photo on Thailand side

A patient injured during the clashes is transferred to a safer hospital in Surin Province, Thailand, April 26, 2011. The gunfire exchange between Cambodian and Thai troops over the disputed border area at the 13th century Ta Moan temple and Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province still continues as of 9:40 p.m. on Tuesday, said Pich Sokhin, the governor of Oddar Meanchey province. (Xinhua/Lin Ning)

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Thai-Cambodia clashes continue into fifth day [-Thai gov't discussing about war with Cambodia: Prayuth]

26 April 2011

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday ordered a review of bilateral relations with Cambodia as border clashes continue to spread in the neighboring countries for the fifth consecutive day.

Both countries have confirmed clashes near the Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday, which is around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of the Ta Krabey temple, where fighting has continued, but no reports of casualties have been released in the latest clashes.

At least 12 soldiers from both countries have been killed during the the recent clashes, which continues to worsen. On Monday, clashes erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple in Thailand's eastern Surin province, causing about 25,000 residents to evacuate the area.

Previously, Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had suggested the government to review its relation with Cambodia at the weekly Cabinet meeting, while Thailand's National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha had stated that the government was currently discussing whether or not to go to war with Cambodia over the disputed border.

On Tuesday, Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the cabinet passed a three-part resolution disclosing retaliatory militarily action to push Cambodian soldiers out of the disputed area; diplomatic efforts to bring Cambodia back to bilateral talks; and all ministries are to review work plans and mechanisms involving cooperation with Cambodia.

Both Cambodia and Thailand claim the 4.6 square kilometer area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on their shared border, which has never been formally established. Cambodia requested Indonesian observers to mediate in the conflict but Thailand denied.

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.

Clashes resumed in February as both nations claim the lands surrounding the ancient Hindu Temple, which has been damaged due to the conflict. The Preah Vihear temple dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

In 2008, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding universal value. It is considered an outstanding example of Khmer architecture and consists of a complex of sanctuaries linked by pavements and staircases on an 800-metre-long axis.

Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to meet in next month's ASEAN summit, which is scheduled to take place in Indonesia. In addition, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya also has an appointment to meet with ASEAN chairman Marty Natalegawa on Thursday.

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Thai, Cambodia troops clash close to Preah Vihear temple

BANGKOK, April 26 (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodia troops clashed on Tuesday near Preah Vihear temple, about 150 km (93 miles) to the east of where they have fought for four straight days, the Thai army said, the first sign the conflict may be spreading to other poorly demarcated border areas.

Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the two sides fought with short-range rockets and guns near the 11th-century Hindu temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment claimed by both Southeast Asian neighbors.

(Reporting by Ambika Ahuja. Editing by Jason Szep)

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Thai-Cambodia border calm after 4 days of clashes though atmosphere still tense

April 25, 2011
The Associated Press

BANGKOK - Thai and Cambodian military officers say the border between their two countries is calm after four days of clashes that have killed at least 12 soldiers.

Thai army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Tuesday that the latest flare-up Monday night lasted around three hours.

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheat confirmed that account. But he says the situation is tense and troops are on high alert.

The fighting is centred around two crumbling stone temples from the Khmer Empire and is rooted in a long-running dispute over where the border should be drawn. The conflict has fueled deep nationalistic fervour in both countries for decades.

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