Did Thai soldiers seize Preah Vihear Temple? Thailand-Cambodia conflict could be ‘moving towards war’

The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia threatens to escalate as fighting between the troops of both nations continued on Friday. Amid this, reports began to circulate that Thai soldiers had captured the disputed Preah Vihear Temple and Wat Kaeo Sikha Khiri Svara, a part of the Preah Vihear Temple.

News reports that appeared in the Thai news outlet ‘The Nation’ said that heavily armed Thai troops “secured the perimeter of the regained territory”.

The report sparked tensions as the temple, which lies inside the Cambodian territory, is a disputed property. France, which once occupied Cambodia, drew a map placing the Preah Vihear Temple within the Cambodian territory, which Thailand (then known as Siam) initially accepted but later objected. Underlying the dispute is the fact that it lies in a disputed region. The conflict escalated in 2008 and 2011 after  Cambodia successfully registered Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thailand opposed it as it would legitimize Cambodia’s control over the surrounding territory.

However, within an hour, both Cambodian and Thai authorities came forward to refute the rumours.  Thai Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Richa Suksuwanon issued a clarification that reports about seizing the temple were fake, stating that the “army's military operations were carried out only to respond to military targets, support the fighting, and areas that Cambodia had encroached upon.”

Thailand accuses Cambodia of “spreading fake information” that Preah Vihear Temple was damaged by Thai attacks.  

Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata too rejected reports that the Thai Military had taken over the Preah Vihear Temple and Wat Keo Sikh Kiriswara. “These territories remained under the control of Cambodia,” she said.

Soon after, ‘The Nation’ retracted the reports about seizing the temple.

‘Moving towards war’

Over 16 people have died and thousands evacuated amid warnings from Thai  Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai that the conflict could "move towards war".

As clashes continue in 12 locations across the disputed border, Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster bombs within its territory. Phnom Penh’s accusations are that Thailand was “resorting to brutal tactics it employed in 2011,” where it used cluster munitions.

Thailand has so far not responded to the allegations, though it had admitted to using them in the 2011 clashes.

Cluster bombs are weapons that explode in mid-air to release a large number of small bomblets over a wide area. Used to target personnel and vehicles, they are a concern due to the high number of unexploded submunitions.

The conflict

Thailand accuses Cambodia of employing drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border before carrying out attacks. Soldiers on the Thai side attempted negotiations by shouting, but were unsuccessful, Thailand's National Security Council said, adding that Cambodian soldiers opened fire at around 08:20, forcing the Thai side to retaliate.

However, Cambodia claims that Thai soldiers initiated the conflict by violating a prior agreement by advancing on a Khmer-Hindu temple near the border and placing barbed wire around its base.

 

 

World