Thai Paper Urges Citizens To Pay More Attention to Border Issue

Phnom Penh 27 January 2011-- Reaksmei Kampuchea in Khmer language

A Thai newspaper, citing its Thai military source along the border, says that over the past few days Cambodian reinforcement troops have been sent to Prasat Ta Moan and Prasat Ta Krabei temples, and that now Thailand wants its citizens to think more about the border just in case territory would be lost to Cambodia.

Thailand's Khom Chat Loeuk newspaper on 25 January quoted a Thai military source along its border as saying that the situation at Prasat Ta Moan is tense because Cambodia has sent many reinforcement troops there. Apart from beefing up troops at the border, Cambodia has also been building road almost reaching Prasat Ta Moan Thom and has also dug several trenches there. Cambodia recently deployed 300 soldiers close to Prasat Ta Moan Thom and stationed border defense troops only 500 meters from the temple.

The above source also said that at Prasat Ta Krabei, many Cambodian citizens traveled there for leisure while only few Thais visited the place. Also at that temple Cambodia has deployed many soldiers with no less that 50 stationed there. Cambodia has built a road almost reaching this temple, while Thailand has also been trying to build a road. Earlier, to reach Prasat Ta Krabei, one has to walk three kilometers. Now, however, the road has been built with only another one kilometer to the temple.

The above newspaper added that appeal should now be made to urge many Thais citizens to visit Prasat Ta Moan and Prasat Ta Krabei to contest the ownership of the two Cambodian temples. It also appealed to Thai citizens to stop quarreling and turn to vigorously think about the border.

Cambodian officials said that no matter how loud they [the Thais] shout, what belongs to Cambodia remains Cambodia's.