Troop Numbers Rise Along Thai Border
About 380 Cambodian soldiers have moved to the border near Preah Vihear temple, matched by another 200 Thai soldiers. (16 July 2008)
Cambodian and Thailand both have increased thenumber of troops along the border near Preah Vihear temple, but officials saidWednesday there was "no tension" between the two sides. Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told reporters that Cambodia had 380 soldiers near the border, whereThailandwas keeping about 200 troops. Cambodian authorities said Tuesday more than 40 Thaisoldiers had crossed into Cambodian territory following the detention of threeThai demonstrators at Preah Vihear temple. The temple, which perches on a high cliff in a disputedborder zone, has been the focus of rising nationalist furor on both sides,following its inclusion on a Unesco World Heritage protection list earlier thismonth. Long Sovann, deputy governor of Preah Vihear province, saidWednesday the situation was "normal" and both sides were "quiet." Keo Sen, Preah Vihear's O'Chhouv district governor, saidWednesday Thai troops were digging positions along the border. Meanwhile, the two countries are seeking to establish acommittee to prevent further incidents, after Thai Prime Minister SamakSundaravej phoned Defense Minister Tea Banh, Khieu Kanharith said. On Wednesday morning Prime Minister Hun Sen met with topgovernment officials from the ministries of Defense, Interior and ForeignAffairs to resolve the issue. Thailandhas denied its troops entered Cambodian territory. "Itis true that we introduced a few paramilitary personnel into the border areawithin Thai territory [Tuesday]," Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman TharitCharungvat said in a statement. "But this is only to ensure that the current protests by agroup of Thai people in the area, about their beliefs on territorial claims, bedone in an orderly manner." Both sides have troops staying together in a pagoda nearPreah Vihear temple, but there is no tension between them, Khieu Kanharithsaid. Khieu Kanharith called on Cambodian citizens to remain calmover the issue and urged journalists to report "carefully" and"not pour gasoline onto the fire."