A Change of Guard

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Friday 12 February 2010

Heightened military tensions at Ta Moan Thom temple

By Khmerization
Source: everyday.com and RFA

The military situations at Ta Moan Thom temple, which heightened on 5th February and reached tension point on 8th, had become very tense again on 10th after Thailand sent its troops to re-occupy the temple after its troops were withdrawn on the afternoon of the 8th, reports everyday.com.

Col. Neak Vong, commander of division 42 based at Ta Moan Thom temple area, said Thai troops, armed with machine guns and heavy weapons, re-occupied the temple and had taken up positions around the temple compound. He said Cambodian troops were deployed only about 40 metres from the temple fence. He said the situation is very tense but no armed clash had erupted yet, but he cannot say whether clashes can be avoided.

In another development, Gen. Srey Doek, commander of the Preah Vihear areas, said Thailand had deployed no less than 8,000 troops along the borders from O'Chak Chreng near Preah Vihear to the Emeral Triangle on the Cambodia-Lao-Thailand borders. He said Cambodian side had also strenghtened its forces but said there is no eruption of armed clashes yet.

At Ta Krabey temple, wich is located about 13-14 kilometres from Ta Moan thom temple, there are reports by Radio Free Asia that 6 Thai soldiers came in on Thursday 11th February and attempted to occupy the temple, but were asked to leave by Cambodian troops. "They were all armed with 4 AK-47 riffles and one machine gun. Their aim was to come and hurl abuses at us. They came to about 50 metres from my front line troops and we chased them out from the area", said an officer from Battalion 421.

At Choam Sra-Ngam near O'Smach, Koh Santepheat reported that on 9th February about 200 yellow-shirted Thai protesters, equipped with sleeping gear such as blankets and mosquito nets, had come in many vehicles and attempted to set up camps at the Choam Sra-Ngam checkpoint. The report said that the attempt was botched when Thai troops and police stopped them 5 kilometres from the checkpoint. The report said the yellow-shirted protesters attempted to occupy a spot where a Thai company installed an illegal border marker but it was destroyed by Cambodian troops because it was planted inside Khmer territory. As on 10th February, those yellow-shirted Thai protesters had returned home.

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