Grand News Asia

BREAKING NEWS >> Wednesday November 12, 2008 11:36 (BangkokPost.com) - Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat will visit Cambodia on Wednesday to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border row following the Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting earlier this week.……………………………………………………………………. It is a matter of following to the letter and respecting the spirit inscribed In the “purpose” of the United Nations Charter By Pancha SeilaThe “purpose” of the charter of the United Nations called for member nations to respect international treaties and agreements. The Joint Border Committee (JBC) which both Cambodia and Thailand have referred to in all their communications and talks was established under the 2000 MOU signed between Cambodian and Thai governments, and said 2000 MOU decides to utilize the map drawn by the French-Siam mixed commissions established under the French-Siam 1904 Convention and the French-Siam 1907 Treaty.It should not be any other map to be brought into the talks on the demarcati...

Bangkokpost.Com BREAKING NEWS >> Wednesday October 29, 2008 03:43 Parliament approves Cambodia border talks Lawmakers at the joint parliamentary session last night gave negotiators authority to hold talks with Cambodia to demarcate the land boundary in the disputed area between the two countries. The endorsement is needed under the constitution ahead of the proposed talks of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) with Cambodia on Nov 10. Any agreement emerging from the JBC's negotiations also needs parliamentary approval. What is the catch? By Pancha Seila Reading news in Bangkokpost.com brought me to my years of high school when I read “Le Prince” by Macchiavelli. I wondered why Thais kept coming back again and again and hit Cambodians with tricks and deception.They were shouting out loud to the world so that the world can hear them very well that Thai joint parliamentary session though after verbal brawl “gave negotiators authority to hold talks with Cambodia”, but “any agreem...

(BangkokPost.com) Monday 27, October 2008 “He (Information Department director-general and Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat) said the Thai side has clear evidence and is ready to clarify all issues relating to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute on any stage. ”CAN THAIS DO IT TO SHOW THEIR SINCERITY? By Pancha Seila The “dispute” was created by Thailand’s vicious and orchestrated military invasion and occupation of the Keo Sekha Kiri Swara on July 15, 2008. I strongly believe that the Cambodian government has all the proofs and evidences to show to the world the militarist agenda of Thailand. The border between the two countries had been delimited by the works of the mixed franco-siamese commission on the delimitation of the boundary line under the 1904 Convention and 1908 Treaty between France, the protectorate power acting for Cambodian interests, and Siam. Only very recently, Thailand behaving the same manner as the Nazis and the Fascists during World War II drew a UNILATE...

'A matter of time' oup fears are rife and some believe it is just a matter of time before the tanks are again on Bangkok streets. h ttp://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=131604&p=2 A comment byPancha Seila, 25, October 2008 It is Thailand's political way of life Investors, scholars, and ordinary citizens in Bangkok should not be surprised. The military coup is the political way of life in Thailand, when the institution of the armed forces is independent and not under the command of the elected government. The Thai institution of the armed forces, whether Thailand has a civilian or a military government does not change the character of Thailand regime, which is a militarist regime. Militarist regime, whether it is Nazi or fascist behave alike. Internally, it is a dictatorship and internationally, it is imperialist arrogant and belligerent. In the 21st Century, the militarist regime is obsolete. It does not know how to solve complex national problems, but...

Thailand has Long Built itself into a Dangerous Militarist Regime We, the People of Cambodia, aspire to live in peace and in good neighborliness within our national boundary line, desire to establish friendly and mutually respected relations with our neighbors within the spirit of regional integration and harmonization, wish to cooperate on equal footing for steady economic growth and development with all the people of the world, cherish the unimaginably immense values of our national culture and rich heritage, participate in global and international outreach for security, safety and well-being of all the people of the world.We felt strongly that we are compelled to launch this urgent, sad and desperate appeal for help and ask for your fairness, understanding, wisdom and zeal to exert the firmest and the strongest pressure on the government and the military forces of the Kingdom of Thailand so that they must cease immediately their repeated military aggression and occupation of the ter...

October 22, 2008 Since early July 2008, the sounds of boots shook Dangrek Mountains that has become the border line between Cambodia and Thailand since 1907. The blood was already spilling. The cause was the drawings of this border line. It all began in last July 7 when UNESCO decided to inscribe the temple of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage List. A decision contested by Thailand whose army has since had increased incursions into Cambodian territory. What was happening suddenly between these two countries that belong to the same Indian civilization and are so close by culture and religion? It is an old rivalry that should be a worrisome because it has been simmering during a protracted course of a long history between the two countries. The decline of the Angkorian empire in the thirteenth century allowed the Siamese empire to expand at the expense of the Khmer country. Prior to the Thirteenth century the Angkorian empire covered almost all Thailand today. It was France, while a pro...

តាំងពីភាពអន់ថយនៃអាណាចក្រភពអង្គរនាសតវត្សរ៍ទី ១៣ ដែលគ្របដណ្ដប់ប្រទេសថៃ ទាំងមូលនាពេលបច្ចុប្បន្ន នេះប្រទេសសៀមតាំងពី ពេល នោះមក គេមិនបានស្រាកស្រាន ក្នុងការវាតទឹកដី នៃប្រទេសខ្មែរឡើយ ។ ប្រទេសបារាំង ដែលមានអំណាចជាអាណាព្យាបាលកម្ពុជា ជាអ្នកបញ្ចប់នយោបាយវាតទី នេះ គឺនៅឆ្នាំ ១៩០៤ ដោយ ប្រទេសបារាំង និង សៀម បានចុះហត្ថលេខាលើអនុសញ្ញា ដើម្បីកំណត់ព្រំដែនរវាងកម្ពុជា និងសៀម ឱ្យបានចប់ សព្វគ្រប់ ។ នៅឆ្នាំ១៩០៧ សន្ធិសញ្ញាបរាំង-សៀម បានប្រគល់ខេត្ដខ្មែរ ៣ ពីការកាន់កាប់របស់សៀមមកឱ្យកម្ពុជាវិញ ។ សន្ធិសញ្ញានេះបានគូសបញ្ជាក់យ៉ាងច្បាស់បន្ថែមទៀតនូវអនុសញ្ញាឆ្នាំ ១៩០៤ ពាក់ព័ន្ធនឹងបែបបទកំណត់ព្រំដែន និង ការបេះបង្គោល។ នៅឆ្នាំ១៩០៨ គណៈកម្មការរួមបរាំង-សៀម ដែលកើតចេញពីសន្ធិសញ្ញានេះ មានតួនាទីកំណត់ ព្រំដែននៅក្នុងជួរភ្នំដងរ៉ែក ហើយបានកំណត់យ៉ាងច្បាស់ថា ប្រសាទព្រះវិហារ និង តំបន់ជុំវិញប្រសាទ ស្ថិតនៅក្នុងទឹកដី កម្ពុជា តាមរយៈផ្ទាំងផែនទីភ្នំដងរ៉ែក ។ ដោយទទួលបានការការពារអស់ពេលយ៉ាងយូរ ពីអាណាព្យាបលបារាំង ប្រទេសថៃ បនទទួលស្គាល់ខ្សែបន្ទាត់ ព្រំដែន រួម នៃកិច្ចព្រមព្រៀង រួមគ្នានេះ ។ នៅឆ្នាំ១៩២៥ ប្រទេសបារាំង និង សៀម បានចុះហត្ថលេខាលើសន្ធិសញ្ញា មិត្ដភាព ដែ...

Doctor en Estudios de Khmer Desde principio de julio, las montañas Dangrek, que cruza la frontera entre Camboya y Tailandia desde 1907, resuenan los sonidos de botas. La sangre ya estaba fluyendo. Por la causa del rastro de esa frontera. Todo empezó I: 7 de julio cuando la UNESCO decidió inscribir el templo de Preah Vihear en la lista de Patrimonio de la Humanidad. La decisión contestada de Tailandia cuyo ejército ha sido aumentado las incursiones en territorio de Camboya. Qué va a pasar, de repente, entre estos dos países que pertenecen a la misma civilización Indiana y están tan cerca de la cultura y la religión? Una vieja rivalidad que debe preocuparse precisamente porque se trata de un curso a lo largo de 1a historia. La declinación del gran imperio Angkor en el siglo XIII facilita la expansión del imperio Siamese bajo la expensas del país de Khmer. Antes del siglo XIII, el imperio de Angkor abarca casi la totalidad de lo que hoy es Tailandia. Fue Francia, al mismo tiempo el poder ...

Doctor of Khmer studies ตั้งแต่อาณาจักรภพ Angkor ได้รับความทดถอยในศตวรรษที่๑๓ ดินแดนของอาณาจักร Angkor ครอบคลุมประเทศไทยทั้งหมด ณ ปัจจุบันนี้ แล้วตั้งแต่นั้นมาสยามไม่คอยยุติการขยายดินแดนของตนมายังประเทศเขมรเลย ประเทศฝรั่งเศสเป็นผู้ปกครองกัมพูชา และเป็นผู้ยุติการขยายดินแดนนี้ โดยฝรั่งเศส และไทย ได้ลงนามในอนุสัญญา ในค.ศ.๑๙๐๔ เพื่อกำหนดพรมแดนกัมพูชา-ไทยให้เสร็จสิ้น ในค.ศ.๑๙๐๗ สนธิสัญญา ฝรั่งเศส-สยาม คือสยามได้คืน ๓จังหวัดที่ตนบริหารให้แก่เขมร แล้วสนธิสัญญานี้ได้แสดงอย่างชัดเจนเพิ่มเติมอีกว่า อนุสัญญาในค.ศ.๑๙๐๔ คือเกี่ยวข้องการกำหนดพรมแดน และการทำหลักเขตแดน ในค.ศ.๑๙๐๘ คณะกรรมการร่วมฝรั่งเศส-สยาม ที่เป็นผลมาจากสนธิสัญญานี้คือมีหน้าที่กำหนดพรมแดนบนแถวเขาพระวิหาร และได้กำหนดอย่างชัดเจนว่าปราสาทพระวิหาร และพื้นที่รอบปราสาทตั้งเหนือดินแดนของกัมพูชา โดยอ้างจากแผนทีเขาดงรัก โดยกัมพูชาได้รับการป้องกันเป็นเวลานานจากฝรั่งเศสที่เป็นผู้ปกครอง ประเทศไทยได้ยอมรับเส้นเขตแดนร่วมในข้อตกลงร่วมกันนี้ ในค.ศ.๑๙๒๕ ฝรั่งเศส-สยามได้ลงนามในสนธิสัญญามิตรภาพ ในมาตรา ๒ แจ้งว่า “ภาคีลงนามยอมรับ และรับร้องความเคารพซึ่ง...

Finally, Thailand has admitted that Thailand has been the cause for the delays of talks between Cambodia and Thailand to resolve the disputes between the two countries along the border. Whether they were intentionally or not, they were deceitful, despicable. The display of arrogance is obvious. Sovan Chanratana was absolutely correct when he suggested that Mr. Virachai Plasai pretended to be ignorant about international laws and international map. Actually he buried his head in the sand of Thai "UNILATERAL MAP". Come to think of it, Thailand and Mr. Virachai Plasai have probably thought that the glorious historical time for Thailand must be under the era of Nazism and Fascism when Thailand took possession of the Northwest provinces of Cambodia, including Preah Vihear under the 1941 Treaty. The saying holds true that old habits are hard to shake off. That is why Thailand drew the UNILATERAL MAP no different from the Nazis and the Fascists who drew unilateral maps of Germany an...

Docteur en etudes khmeres Depuis début juillet, les monts Dangrek que sillonne depuis 1907 la frontière entre le Cambodge et la Thaïlande résonnent de bruits de bottes. Le sang a déjà coule. En cause, le trace de cette frontière. Tout a commence I: 7 juillet Bernier quand 1'UNESCO décide d'inscrire le temple de Preah Vihear sur la liste du Patrimoine de l'Humanité. Une décision contestée par la Thaïlande dont l’armée, depuis, multiplie les incursions en territoire cambodgien. Que se passe-t-il, tout a coup, entre ces deux pays qui appartiennent a la même civilisation indienne et sont si proches par la culture et la religion ? Une rivalité séculaire qui devrait inquiéter précisément parce qu'elle s'inscrit dans un cours long de 1'Histoire. Depuis que s'est amorce le déclin du grand empire angkorien, au XIIIe siècle englobait la quasi totalité de ce qu'est aujourd'hui la Thaïlande, le pays des Siamois n'a cesse de s'élargir aux dépens du pays d...

by Pancha Seila Because of the peculiar way the "democratic constitution processes" work in Thailand, it is expected that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat had already solicited the negotiation framework and the rights to commit Thailand from Thai parliament otherwise whatever Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said to his counterpart the Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Decho Hun Sen would have to be sanctioned by the Thai parliament. Under this peculiar Thai "democratic constitution processes" words by Thai statesman are mere promises and more than often empty promises, unless Thai parliament sees no reasons to oppose and reject those words. In the United States of America, when it comes to foreign affairs Congress does not have the right to interfere, only for the budget appropriation. But in the case of Thailand, Thai "democratic constitution processes" are political tools used by Thais to get the upper hand with its neighbours when dispute arises. How mu...

by Pancha Seila "It is believed that the postponement resulted from concern that the meeting, if held according to the original schedule, won't be able to reach any agreement to settle the border dispute focused on the 11th century Preah Vihear temple without a negotiation framework approved by the Thai parliament." http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=131516 Unless Thailand changes the negotiation framework, meaning the party to the negotiation is able to sign documents with Cambodian counterparts, seating at the negotiation table with Thailand is like seating with a bunch of deaf. Thailand's "constitutional democratic processes" gave no rights to the negotiators. What Thailand said at the negotiation table is mere promises, and most of the time empty promises. Cambodia needs to keep money to buy foods, medical supplies, and guns rather than wasting time and money speaking with deaf Thai negotiators.

by Pancha Seila The ministry of Foreign Affairs of the kingdom of Thailand makes it sound like Thailand is a saint, having no landmines, knowing nothing about landmines. If it is so why, Thailand has Thailand Mine Action Center(TMAC). What's for? Could Thailand has a generous heart to institute and to establish TMAC with well equipped and well trained personnel for Somalia and other landmine hot spots of the world? I don’t think so! Thailand cannot even come to term with itself, with the government, no different than the "jockey" who can or cannot ride "the horse," which is Thailand, depending on the "will of the owner," who is the Thai Armed Forces and the person who exercises effective control on the Thai Armed Forces. In this map of Thailand politics where is the place of Thai people? Could it be just instrument of politics for the "jockey," "the owner of the horse," or "the Armed Forces," and especially the person who...

by Pancha Seila Let's hope that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat make goods on his words. Sadly, he is just a "jockey" like any other Prime Minister of Thailand. He has his hands tied, like any other Prime Minister of Thailand. First he must secure the blessings from the owner of the "horse" and simultaneously he must know to mount the “horse” Second, Thai Armed Forces which are completely independent from the government, any government of Thailand, is ready to cause trouble, and could be causing many troubles to Thailand Prime Minister, for instances drawing UNILATERAL MAP, no different from the Nazis and the Fascists during World War II and then claim sovereignty over Cambodia's land, intruding into territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia under the pretention of protecting three Thai nationals who crossed the boundary illegally on July 15, 2008, at any time when the owner of the "horse" lifts a finger. If the area of the Cambodian territory w...

By KIN Phea As a member of the United Nations and a signatory to various international treaties as well as a good neighbor with Thailand, Cambodia always makes good cooperation and takes a peaceful approach to all problems including the border problem with Thailand based on international laws and bilateral negotiations with the ultimate aim to achieve friendly and stable borders with Thailand. This has been proved by the fact that though Thailand had sent armed soldiers to many points along the border, Cambodia has been patient and opted for flexible measures in order to prevent gunfire. The difficulties in conducting negotiations with Thailand and Thailand’s unwillingness to negotiate prompted Cambodia to seek intervention from the international community while the international community insisted that both sides continue bilateral talks on the current conflict. On one hand, the Thai side keeps on using very kind and open diplomatic words in order to convince the international communi...

by Pancha Seila “Furthermore, it appears to reflect a blatant disregard for Thailand’s constitutional democratic processes, which may be different from Cambodia’s but equally deserving of respect.” H.E Frutakul Virasakdi When Thailand’s constitutional democratic process allows a Thai administrative court to annul an agreement signed between Thai government and Cambodia, in this case June 18 Joint Communique signed by Thai Foreign Minister, H.E. Noppadon Patterman and H.E. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in charge of the Council Ministers of Cambodia, and when H.E Frutakul Virasakdi permanent secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Thailand implied that Cambodia must respect Thai administrative court decision as well, H.E. Frutakul Virasakdi shows Thailand true color of arrogance and condescendence with regard to Cambodia, which is absolutely unacceptable. Isn’t it an imperialistic arrogance and condescendence to impose its own constitutional processes on a neighbouring coun...

by Pancha Seila Here is my comment: A military putsch is a tradition and a way of political life in Thailand, as the military is NOT under the government, and His Majesty the King is the most powerful politician, "the owner of the horse;" and "the Prime Minister and his government constitute the jockey," so that the jockey simultaneously (1) must know how to mount the horse, which is the country or the people and (2) must be allowed to ride the horse by the owner. It cannot be one without the other. The military cannot change the jockey without the blessing of the owner. So far the PAD continued to have fun, sling-shooting the jockey, any jockey, from Takshin to Samak and now Somchai. After all Thailand has had past decade of economic prosperity to afford the traditional pass-time. Thai military, for the past six to eight months, has been a passive spectator vis-à-vis Thai politics, but an active aggressor against Cambodia, trampling the spirit of General Border Com...

The two countries claims jurisdiction on territory which had been demarcated as being under Cambodian sovereignty by an international treaty between Siam and the then French Indochina in 1904 and 1907. This fact was recognized in a number of subsequent treaties and conventions in the 1920's, 1930's and after the second World War. It is only after the independence of Cambodia in 1953 that Thai troops occupied what has been Cambodian territory particularly in the area of the sacred site of Preah Vihear. To resolve the situation Cambodia seized the International Court of Justice to arbitrate the conflict. In its judgment of June 1962, the Court ruled that the Temple and its surrounding areas were situated within Cambodian territory. It based its decision on the existence of a map it considered to be an integral part of the Treaty settlement between Indochina and Siam. This map clearly shows that the Temple and a 4.6 square kilometers area adjacent to it are Cambodian territory. Th...

On October 15, 2008 at 14:15 Thai troops started attacking the Cambodian troops at three different places deep inside the Cambodian territory: 1. At Prolean Intry (Eagle Field), approximately 1,120 meters South of the International boundary line between Cambodia and Thailand. 2. At the area of Phnom Troap, 1,600 meters South of the International boundary line between Cambodia and Thailand. 3. In the vicinity of Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, approximately 300 meters West of the temple of Preah Vihear and approximately 700 meters from the international boundary. ___________________________________________ At Preah Vihear area Latest News from PREAH VIHEAR area October 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM Thai military had requested for demining of the area of Pralean Entry ( Phnom Troap area), but the request has been denied by the Cambodian military. A military regional level meeting between Cambodia and Thailand is scheduled to be held after 15, October 2008. Changes ar...

By Avudh Panananda The Nation Published on August 17, 2010   A vast number of Thai citizens may find that the Preah Vihear Temple controversy causes feelings of wounded pride, but dwelling on the past will only bring grief and misery to all parties concerned. Thailand must come to terms with its past and move forward instead of trying to right an "unrightable" wrong. Cambodia too must learn to overcome pettiness to be an understanding neighbour. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1962 that the temple was on Cambodian land. And Unesco's World Heritage Committee agreed to list the temple as a World Heritage site in 2008. What is the urgency to stir up an international dispute over the site management plan for a temple that has survived the elements since the 11th century? It is regrettable that Ayuth Panananda, like Abhisit Vejjajiva and his people in Thai government, keeps on engaging in Thailand’s wholesale malicious campaign of intoxication by writing...