Thailand Reinforces Forces and Weapons; Preah Vihear, Ta Moan, Thmar Don, Ta Krabei on High Alert

Phnom Penh 9 February 2011 -- Reaksmei Kampuchea -- Summary version

From dawn to dusk on 8 February 2011 the situation along the over 800-km Cambodian-Thai border remained calm but Cambodian troops at Preah Vihear, Ta Moan, Thmar Don, and Ta Krabei remained vigilant and ready to fight at all times, while Thailand increased forces and weapons. Confusion among the people living along the border continues, even though some border passes, closed earlier, remained open.

At 2000  in the night of 7 February 2011, Thai troops sneakily fired 80-mm mortar shells into Cambodian territory at Chak Chraeng near Preah Vihear temple. At 2100 the same night, 7 February, Thai troops fired another shell into Cambodian territory. Cambodian troops, however, continued to be restrained and did not fire back.

On 8 February 2011, in the borer areas from Preah Vihear temple to the border in Oddar Meanchey province -- a sensitive area -- Thai troops had dispatched troops and weapons reinforcements toward the Cambodian border. Red-capped Thai troops kept increasing along the border in Oddar Meanchey province.

Cambodian troops were in a ready-to-fight situation while nearly all the Cambodian people along the border have already left their houses.

Further away, west and southwest of the northern province of Oddar Meanchey, according to the Reaksmei Kampuchea report in Cambodian:

The border situation from Pailin to Banteay Meanchey province remained calm today [ 8 February] but citizens were still confused. In Pailin and Battambang, many Cambodian citizens working in Thailand have gradually returned with some saying that there is no more work to do. Some others, however, said they were afraid of war breaking out along the border making it difficult for them to return."

Poipet international border gate and other border points remained open with usual activities.

In the districts of O Chreuv, Svay Chek, and Thmar Puok, the situation was slightly less tense. At some border points, border crossing was normal, especially the transport of cassava and paddy to Thailand, and goods, vegetables, fruits, foodstuff, and utensils to Cambodia. Border points in number one zone continue to be closed, however, while the border point at Chokchey village near border post # 46 was reopened for paddy to be taken to Thailand, but with no goods back from Thai side.

Boeng Trakuon pass, which the Thai side closed on 7 February, was now reopened.

According to reports from Thailand, however, the Thai authorities suggested to people living in Kouk Thyoung district opposite [Cambodia's] districts of O Chreuv, Svay Chek, and Thmar Puok, to leave for safe areas.

At Prasat Ta Moan, Thmar Don, and Ta Krabei temples, the situation remained at the highest alert. Today [ 8 February], Princess Sirinthorn traveled by helicopter to visit Thai people at the border in Surin province.

In Kap Choeng district of Surin province, a few kilometers from O Smach of Cambodia, Thai tanks and artillery were concentrated as though in a state ready to fight.

A delegation led by "Lim Sidenin, state secretary at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport," handed over food and financial assistance from the Ministry to "Senior Gen Kun Kim, joint commander at  Preah Vihear temple battlefield; and two-star Gen Kheng Sumet, deputy chief of the command post of  PreahVihear temple battlefield and also commander of Samdech Decho's Siem Reap engineering unit."