Police Briefly Hold Thai Temple Protesters
The detention of three Thai opposition members was followed by the intrusion of Thai authorities into Cambodian territory, officials sa
Cambodian border police briefly detained three Thaidemonstrators at Preah Vihear temple Tuesday, a move that was followedby a crossing of Thai border police into Cambodian territory, a top Cambodianspokesman and a border authority official said Tuesday. Thai officials denied their patrols had crossed intoCambodian territory. Cambodian police detained three protesters, who were membersof the opposition Thai Democrat Party, after they entered Preah Vihear temple Tuesday morning,said Hang Soth, chairman of the Preah Vihear National Authority. The three were released after three hours, Hang Soth said. More than 40 Thai border police entered Cambodian territoryaround 11:30 am, occupying a pagoda about 200 meters from Preah Vihear temple,Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said Tuesday. Hang Soth confirmed Thai authorities occupied the pagoda. Hecould not confirm whether the Thai patrol remained there. Thai Maj. Gen. Kanok Netakawesana, the regional armycommander, told the Associated Press Tuesday the soldiers remained on Thaisoil, close to a disputed area. Thai Embassy spokesman Chaturont Chaiyakam said late Tuesdayreports of the border-crossing were a "rumor." Cambodian soldiers on the border have been ordered not toshoot at Thai troops, Hang Soth said. Tuesday's incident came at a time of increased tensionbetween the two countries over the temple, which was last week added to a UnescoWorld Heritage list under Cambodia'srequest.