Cambodian people go to visit Preah Vihear
The 21 July negotiation between Cambodia and Thailand over the Preah Vihear dispute failed. While, people are afraid of war or fighting, some people tell their relatives to be careful, buy some things to store at home. This is normal as Cambodia is running a national election and the Preah Vihear issue has made people even more fear. However, I have noticed that some other people wish to visit Preah Vihear temple and the disputed areas.
Government officers, armed forces, journalists, researchers, and others visited Preah Vihear, and some of them are planning to visit Preah Vihear. They do this because they want to bring foods and supplies to soldiers and people living there. They also want to encourage soldiers and to see the actuality in Preah Vihear.
Visiting Preah Vihear is good and the better is for scholars and stakeholders hold small meetings or informal meetings to discuss about border dispute and give comments to the Royal Government of Cambodia for the national interest of Cambodia. It is the visiting Preah Vihear at Table where possible solutions may be found. I have heard that some people had do this and the others discuss through email, sms and blog.
More or less, the more you talk the more you understand the history of Cambodia, Preah Vihear and solutions for the border dispute. I think today some just know that Thai is wrong and there should be a good solution with no war. Some just questioned why Thai soldiers come to Cambodia’s territory. The talk may let them know more detail.
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:36
I think it is useful to hold a round table talk about the Preah Vihear issue, as this would, like you said, shed a light on our country’s history, especially as it concerns Preah Vihear, to our people, who at present may not be in the know about this delicate and complex issue. I wish to visit the border area, too, but maybe next month. I hope by then the border dispute should have been solved, non-violently. I also agree with you that perhaps it’s high time we come face to face (Thailand and Cambodia) and deal with our border demarcation issue, get it straight, so we will not have similar border dispute in the future - save our people from further heartache and fear.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:36
I am going to contact with some of my friends if they could share some thing about Preah Vihear. They know about politics, history, laws and others. They may help. If I could arrange a meeting, I would announce in my blog. Thanks,
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:36
Dear friends,
The tension at Preah Vihear temple and border make me to read this blognews. I deeply appreciate your back and forth comments to exchange ideas for better. I want to share also my idea and knowledge but my english is so poor which can make scandal when I make comment. However, I am an archaeologist and then anthropologist. Sokthy, I am interested in your arranged meeting. I want to share my knowledge concerning with culture, archaeology, history and so on. I can do in Khmer. I am sorry.
Currently, I am also one of the four editors of a Khmer language website for Khmer culture: http://www.khmerenaissance.info
If you all don’t see that I am useless for culture please take a look at our website. It will give much more than Preah Vihear.
Sincerely,
Vireak
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:36
Hi Sokthy and Vireak,
The Khmer Renaissance website is superbly well done, and its subject matter, the Khmer Culture, is quite appropriate to bring to the forefront. I always have very high regard for Khmer language websites that focus on pressing and important issues, and Khmer Renaissance, among few other websites, is one of them.
As for the border dispute, this morning I read a news article online which reported Thai Prime Minister Sundaravej as saying that the border tension will cool after our Sunday election. From what I gather, the border tension has been brought to world attention as a political maneuver to benefit Thailand’s beleaguered ruling party, as well as to benefit the Cambodian People’s party during this election, as this tension has stired up Khmer solidarity behind the government and at the same time take the focus off of the ongoing election campaign throughout the our country.
I am confident, regardles of what military escalation has taken shape lately, that both sides will resolve this border issue peacefully. I am only saddened by the fact that Cambodia has to put up with Thai’s brazen disrespect of Khmer sovereignty, intentionally overstepping their bounds.