Violence Erupts over Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

Adriana Vaca
10-07-08

This past Wednesday a Cambodian soldier was killed after a gunfight erupted between Cambodian and Thai forces over a border dispute.
The dispute is over the land surrounding the Cambodian temple Preah Vihear, which was declared a World Heritage Site in July by UNESCO, at which time this disagreement was reignited. The disputed territory doesn’t include the actual land on which the temple rests, which was awarded to Cambodia in 1962, but rather the point of easiest access to it. Thailand argues that it lies on their soil, and the map used by Cambodia was outdated.
Both countries have had troops in place ever since UNESCO’s decision. The fighting ensued after Thai forces disregarded Cambodia’s ultimatum to be out of the area by Tuesday.

Although a spokesman for the Thai army said he expects the conflict to be resolved through negotiation and not force, there are plans in place to evacuate Thai citizens from Cambodia (which would require Cambodia’s permission to cross the border), which by itself might pass as a mere precaution to ensure their citizen’s safety, but coupled with the fact that Thailand’s entire fleet of fighter jets has been placed on standby, I doubt that Thailand expects any negotiations with Cambodia to conclude peacefully.

To venture my own opinion, I think it might be easier on everyone if Thailand would cede the territory before the violence escalated. I understand that the (Thai) government would probably face internal conflict over such a decision, especially since the opposition is already pressing for them to take a harder line, but the disputed territory is only 1.8 kms2 which doesn’t, in my opinion, seem like a grave enough matter to start a conflict over, especially since Cambodian villagers living near the temple are already starting to abandon their homes out of fear for their lives.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/15/thailand.cambodia.gunfire/index.html