KI Media: “PM [Abishit] doorstep interviews” plus 24 more

On 2 March 2011, at 16.05 hrs., Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave an interview to reporters regarding the progress on the cases of Mr. Veera Somkwamkid and Ms. Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, who were found guilty and jailed in Cambodia. The Government let the families and lawyers make the decisions, but there are minor problems as there are 2 assisting teams.

With regards to the different directions of the 2 teams, as one asked for a royal pardon while Mr. Karoon Sai-ngam filed an appeal to fight the case, the Prime Minister said that he must first inspect the filing as it is not possible that the 2 sides can file at the same time. When asked as to whether who was assigned by Mr. Veera to handle the case, between the lawyer from the Thai Patriots Network or his family, the Prime Minister said that the day that Mr. Veera's family visited, Mr. Nataporn Toprayoon, the lawyer, also came and asked the Government to help coordinate. This is to create the transfer of authority so that they can meet Mr. Veera in Cambodia. After that the Prime Minister acknowledged the coordination of the meeting but has not yet received news from Mr. Karoon.

When asked as to whether the disunity will delay the solutions to the problems, the Prime Minister stated that it might be confusing when there are many teams. Mr. Karoon has not received any authority and has no right to file anything to the court. However, it is unknown if authority was earlier transferred.

On the UNESCO issue, the Prime Minister said that Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, special representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), who after having discussions with Cambodia had traveled back to Thailand on 1 March, had met the Prime Minister again to report about the meeting in Cambodia and to follow-up on the views of the Thai Government. Mr. Matsuura will report the information to the Director-General of UNESCO and the director will then make proposals for the 2 countries to reconsider. The goal is to reduce tension in the UNESCO-related process regarding the Preah Vihear Temple area.

When asked as to whether the Prime Minister will "reclaim" protest areas, the Prime Minister responded that nobody seized the area and he does not want to fight with anyone. The supervision of security around houses is normal and citizens can travel freely, despite some road closures in certain times. When citizens file complaints, security forces are reminded to cause minimal disruption. Even though the Government allows protesters to assemble, they must also open the roads for people to travel. The Prime Minister said it was difficult to understand why this issue became a problem, and he believed that someone always wanted to provoke conflicts, which is something undesirable.

H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister, responded to media enquires regarding the upcoming Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) meeting, scheduled for 7-8 March 2011 where he admitted that the meeting may not be able to conclude a settlement on the disputed area of Thailand claimed by Cambodia. As for the situation along the Thai - Cambodian border, the Prime Minister indicated that this issue maybe considered by Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) or the Regional Border Committee (RBC).

On the issue of sending observers to the disputed area, which may be delayed, the Prime Minister stated the need to clearly define the scope, scale, and area where the observers can operate. The Prime Minister said that Indonesia recognized this problem and Thailand has sent a letter to Indonesia explaining Thailand's concern. Thailand indicated that both Thailand and Cambodia must agree in defining the area and scope for where the observers can carry out their duties otherwise it may lead to further problems and dispute in terms of settlement claims. In this connection, the Prime Minister stated the need for a bilateral mechanism to find mutually agreed framework. However, the Prime Minister indicated that the said proposal is not intended to delay the process of moving forward and Thailand will move quickly to find a resolution to the border problem. The Prime Minster also answered questions regarding the protest by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The Prime Minister also thanked the PAD for agreeing to police's request to open some areas on Ratchadamnoen for traffic and public to pass through and said the negotiations between the protestors and the authorities went smoothly. He also said that reopening traffic for the public had been the government's goal all along and he hoped that the PAD will consider opening the area for traffic to pass through on a permanent basis. The Government also hoped that the protestors will consider opening the area around Phitsanulok Road for traffic to pass through while the authorities will continue in their efforts to try and open all areas for all traffic to pass through. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that protesters should allow citizens to travel back and forth with ease while the police have the responsibility to oversee the areas where the protests are taking place. The Prime Minister also responded to questions from the media on the opposition party's move in filing a motion of no confidence against the government tomorrow, including filing a motion to remove several cabinet ministers. He questioned whether or not the censure debate will only create further division in society because as the censure debate will again focus on the protests took place between March-May last year, an issue that has already been debated on. The Prime Minister said that the opposition had the right to open a debate on the government's conduct as long as it's within the scope of the Constitution. The Government of course will defend and explain its conduct, but the Prime Minister stated that citizens expect the upcoming debate to focus on substantive matters and issues of public interest and concern. In this connection, the Prime Minister said that he will wait and see how the debate will be carried out. He further stated that the opposition also had a responsibility to the public on issues they planned on raising during the debate.

On the issue of whether or not the increase in price of goods, which has affected the livelihood of citizens, may lead to the downfall of the government, the Prime Minister said the government had put in place policies and measures to ease the burden on citizens, even though problems do remain. However, it is clear that the government has made every effort in trying to help people such as fixing the price of diesel and LPG. Meanwhile, the Government is trying to resolve the problem with regards to the shortage of supply of palm oil. The Prime Minister acknowledged that there may have been deficiencies, but is confident that government will be able to explain the situation to the public.

At the same time, when asked about holding a general election in the current environment despite protests in areas where Prime Minister has made official visits, the Prime Minister said that more investigation is needed. Furthermore, those behind such protests intended to hinder the work being carried by officials or is meant to intimidate candidates during an election campaign goes against the basic principles of democracy. Thus, such cases may have to raise with the Election Commission (EC). A campaign of interference and intimidation being carried by a political party against another political party is also considered wrong. The Prime Minister said that there has not been any violent incidence the past 2-3 days, but also stated that there maybe certain groups who do not want to have elections, yet the Prime Minister personally believes that the country must move towards holding elections in order to reduce the political tensions.

The Thai government is outraged by a visit from foreign attaches to the disputed border areas in Cambodia, an army source says.

But the source said: "If we open fire, this will play into the hands of Cambodia and it will show the world that we started the fight."

Cambodian troops have taken foreign military attaches on a visit to Preah Vihear temple and the surrounding disputed border area in what is seen by Thailand as a violation of an agreement made in 2000 between the two countries governing the disputed border site.

The army source said Cambodian troops yesterday led a group of military attaches from 12 countries from Phnom Penh to visit the temple.

The military attaches came from the US, France, Russia, China, Japan, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Burma, Vietnam and Laos.

The source said they were visible to Thai troops through binoculars on the other side of the border on the mountaintop of Pha Mo I Daeng.

"The Suranaree task force has written to the Cambodian side to protest [against the] move, which violates an agreement governing the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area also claimed by Thailand," the source said.

"Their visit did not have permission from Thailand."

The source said Cambodia claimed it had a plan to take the military attaches to visit Cambodia's Viharn province to inspect disputed border areas on Thursday and Friday.

The areas included Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda sitting in the disputed area near the 11th century Hindu temple, as well as other surrounding disputed areas claimed by Cambodia.

The source said the military attaches could be seen visiting Preah Vihear temple.

The source said the move by the Cambodian side was an act of defiance and could only reignite border tensions.

In another development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government was "trying every means" to secure freedom for Thai Patriots Network co-ordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon.

A Cambodian court on Feb 1 convicted the two to eight and six years in jail respectively for spying and illegal entry into Cambodian territory.

This is the message for the White-Out Day which will take place this Friday, March 4, at the Independent Monument which represents the liberation movement from French Colonization in 1950s. The invitation was announced on Facebook by Nate Sovatha.

From the invitation page, it reads:

The whole idea of the gathering is simply to celebrate the fact that internet access in Cambodia is better compared to other countries with strict media censorship laws:

Insisting that this event is not a demonstration, and avoiding mention of current uprising in several Arab states, the organizer of the event warned participants not to use the activity for political purposes. More importantly, realizing the potential reaction from the government and understanding that the laws in Cambodia require permit for such gathering at a specified location namely Freedom Park, the organizer emphasized the non-political character of the gathering:

As of this writing, there are 31 Facebook users who have confirmed their attendance. However, the event will definitely attract more internet users who are likely to attend the gathering without confirming participation on Facebook.

Even if it is non-political, such event organized through social media networks, may spark reaction from the government which recently denied that it ordered the blocking of certain websites that are leaning towards the opposition or viewed as critical to the government; and also government leaders have publicly condemned commentators who are comparing Cambodia to the situation in Egypt and Tunisia.

The count down begins to the White Out Phnom Penh's Independence Monument. Will the participants of this non-political event get arrested?

The natural resources sector has the potential to generate billions of dollars in revenues that can be used for poverty reduction and sound investment. For decades, however, management secrecy has allowed corruption to thrive in countries such as Angola, Cambodia, and Guinea. According to Nigeria's own corruption agency, up to $400bn of oil money has been stolen or wasted over the past 50 years. And in Libya, in particular, we now see a population rising against rulers whose control has been financed by the immense revenues they manage, and mismanage, in secret.

Ending this problem and letting new democracies flourish will, of course, not be easy. The resource curse undermines the investment climate, raises costs for companies, threatens energy and mineral security, and consigns millions of citizens in resource-rich countries to poverty. But evidence suggests that transparency in extractive industries can play an important role.

In 2002, I helped to launch the Publish What You Pay coalition, a global network of civil society organisations that has advocated for better management of oil, gas and mining revenues, and worked to ensure monies received are invested in schools, hospitals and poverty reduction. The coalition recruits oil companies, which then pledge to reveal what they pay to the governments and leaders of the states in which they operate, allowing them to be held accountable. In Liberia, this approach has seen moves towards new transparency standards, including openness on payments and contract terms – amazing progress in a country better known for former president Charles Taylor's macabre violence and blood diamonds.

There are further positive signs from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, an alliance to improve standards of transparency on a voluntary basis. Azerbaijan's credit rating improved in part because it played a constructive role in the initiative. This week, after the first democratically held elections in its history, Guinea rejoined the initiative too, because its leaders know that with EITI membership comes a better investment climate.

Now, governments that regulate stock markets are going one necessary and long-awaited step further, in establishing mandatory listing rules. In July 2010, the US passed the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires all oil, mining and gas companies registered in the US to report payments to foreign governments, both by country and by project. Companies as diverse as PetroChina, BHP Billiton and BP will have to comply. Similarly, Hong Kong recently improved the disclosure of its companies' payments as a condition of listing on its exchange.

The French and UK governments have also indicated support for new European oil and mining rules. EU revenue transparency legislation could build on US plans to move towards a new global transparency standard. The London Stock Exchange is one of the world's most important financial markets, hosting more than £1,000bn worth of oil, gas and mining capital. It should follow others' lead and change its rules too.

All of these measures hold great promise. Africa is the new frontier for investors in the natural resources sector, holding a 10th of the world's oil reserves, 40 per cent of its gold and significant reserves of other minerals vital for modern industrial economies. The Middle East, meanwhile, could soon develop a string of prosperous democracies. Those promoting greater transparency in the natural resources industries are helping to reinforce powerful historical forces, which will unlock transformational sums of money to improve the lives of millions of people in some of the most fragile countries in the world.

A group of military attaches of 12 countries on Thursday paid a two-hour visit to Preah Vihear temple and surrounding areas to see the damages caused by mortar and artillery shelling during the deadly clashes early last month between the Cambodian and Thai troops.

The team of military attaches from 12 embassies in Phnom Penh included the United States, France, Russia, China, Japan, Canada, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia and Australia.

Cambodian four-star general Neang Phat, secretary of state of the Ministry of Defense, led the group during the visit.

The group was welcomed at the temple by four-star general Chea Dara, deputy commander-in-chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces for Preah Vihear Direction, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen' s eldest son Hun Manet, deputy commander of the Headquarters of Infantry.

"Cambodia wanted the military attaches to see with their own eyes the damages caused by Thai shelling in the recent war," Chea Dara said during the delegation visit.

He has ushered the delegation to see craters, cracks, broken pieces of Preah Vihear temple caused by Thai artillery shelling.

"At the behest of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian troops vow to defend our territory from any invasion of Thailand," he said.

"Cambodia has never invaded into other countries, we want a border of peace and cooperation, but if they invade into ours, we have to exercise self-defense rights."

The visit followed a similar visit by military attachs to the Thai side of the border on Feb. 21, organized by Thai Defense Ministry.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday that 414 shells of mortar and artillery fired by Thai troops which had fallen on the temple in the war on Feb. 4-7.

Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict just a week after Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as the World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

The conflict is due to Thai claim of the ownership of 4.6 sq km of scrub next to the temple, which resulted in a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

The latest clashes on Feb. 4-7, with a barrage of artillery shells unleashed on both sides of the border, had claimed the lives of soldiers and civilians on both sides and also caused tens of thousands of the two countries' villagers near the disputed areas fleeing for safe shelters.

BANGKOK, March 3 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday defended his government's action after being criticised for failure to provide sufficient help to two Thailand Patriots Network activists jailed in a Cambodian prison on espionage charges, saying that it is now coordinating with the detainees and their families to decide the next move.

The Thai premier made his remarks attempting to clarify the matter to the House of Representatives after the government was blamed for being negligent or even purposely ignoring giving help to free Veera Somkwamkid, Thai Patriots Network coordinator, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon.

A Cambodian court on Feb 1 ruled that the duo were guilty of espionage, illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone. Mr Veera was sentenced to an eight-year jail term and a 1.8 million riel (US$450) fine while Ms Ratree was handed a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel (US$300) fine. An appeal could be filed within 30 days.

Mr Abhisit explained that there are only two solutions left; appealing the court verdict or asking for royal pardon, but the problem is , he said, that the two detainees have two legal teams which have different approaches to fighting the case.

The premier said his government has directly coordinated with the detainees and their families to determine their decision so that help from the government could proceed.

Mr Abhisit added there are also some difficulties in helping Mr Veera and Ms Ratree as they face three charges and more severe punishment than the five Thais who were already released and returned to Thailand as they faced only illegal entry and trespassing in a military zone.

The premier earlier admitted that renewed Thai-Cambodian border tension has affected the legal proceedings to help the two Thais jailed in Cambodia.

"We must be cautious in addressing the case because if we misjudge, the opportunity will not return," stated Mr Abhisit.

"Please be assured that the government will by all means get the two Thais freed and bring them back home," he said.

Permanent-Secretary for Foreign Affairs Theerakul Niyom on Wednesday confirmed Mr Veera and Ms Ratree are not appealing their sentences in the Cambodian court, adding that seeking royal pardon is individual decision.

Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, one of the five Thais convicted for illegal entry by the Cambodian court and returned to Thailand, said Mr Veera's health is now deteriorating and his family wants him to seek a royal pardon from the Cambodian king as they believed it was the way to bring him back to Thailand as soon as possible.

Mr Panich's remark contrasts to that of the Thailand Patriots Network which earlier insisted that the pair appeal the verdict as they were arrested in Thai territory.

Cambodia on Thursday celebrated the 13th national cultural day by calling for a national solidarity to protect and uplift national cultures against any cultural wars.

The celebration was held at the capital's Chaktomuk Hall with some 1,000 participants, who are mostly artists from across the country.

It was under the theme: "Cambodia, the kingdom of cultures, everything for the safety of cultures".

Speaking at the event, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the event is vital to encourage a national unity to maintain, protect and develop the country's cultural heritages.

"This year's theme aimed mainly at eliminating every campaign causing cultural war against Cambodia," said the premier, adding " at this point, I referred to Thai's attacks on our Preah Vihear temple."

"Take this opportunity, I'd like to call on our compatriots and all line ministries and institutions to join forces and closely cooperate to achieve the theme,"he said.

The premier said, "during the war on Feb. 4-7 between Cambodian and Thai troops, 414 shells of mortar and artillery fired by Thai troops had fallen on Preah Vihear temple, the World Heritage site."

On 3 March 2011, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, responded to media enquiries regarding news reports that the Cambodian Prime Minister's spokesperson had quoted Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Special Envoy, as saying that "Thailand has intention to ask UNESCO to de-list the Temple of Phra Viharn," as follows:

1. The issue of de-listing of the Temple of Phra Viharn was neither raised by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva nor by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya during their respective meetings with the UNESCO Special Envoy on 25 February 2011. In fact, when the UNESCO Special Envoy himself mentioned this issue, Prime Minister Abhisit responded that "no one is talking about de-listing". In addition, after his meeting with the UNESCO Special Envoy, the Prime Minister also stated publicly to the media that Thailand recognized Phra Viharn Temple's outstanding universal value as an important archaeological site that should be open to visitors from around the world.

2. Thailand's position towards the inscription of the Temple of Phra Viharn is a matter of public record, namely, as long as the boundary issue remains, other activities regarding the Temple of Phra Viharn should be postponed, including the consideration of the management plan, until the boundary negotiation under the Thai-Cambodian Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) is concluded as to create a conducive environment for a durable solution.

3. Thailand reaffirms its readiness to fully cooperate with Cambodia and the international community in finding a mutually satisfactory solution regarding the Temple of Phra Viharn issue. In this regard, during his meeting with the UNESCO Special Envoy, Prime Minister Abhisit reiterated that Thailand had extended an invitation to Mr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, to visit Thailand to discuss pending issues with the relevant Thai authorities at the earliest opportunity. The UNESCO Special Envoy expressed his strong support for both countries to continue their bilateral dialogue.

Marines, Sailors conclude training in Cambodia — Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit successfully ended training exercises with the Cambodian military during a ceremony held March 1.

The ceremony, run by Cambodian service members, included traditional Cambodian music, food, and a gift for every Marine and Sailor present.

While the time spent in Cambodia training was short, the Marines accomplished their mission of sharing knowledge with Cambodian service members.

"It was fun training with the Cambodian military," said Lance Cpl. Jeremiah F. Thain, with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st MEU. "The language barrier was hard, but we were still able to share a lot of valuable skills."

During the training, the Cambodians were taught about crew-served weapons, small arms, improvised explosive device and mine detection, combat life saving skills, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and mortar systems.

"The training the Marines were able to do with the Cambodian forces is extremely important on two levels," said 1st Lt. Walker Huey, the executive officer for Headquarters and Service Company, BLT 2/5. "The first is this training helps everyone become more proficient as riflemen. The second is it's important at a strategic level to ensure that we continue to foster and develop cooperation between our two nations."

As the training wound down and the celebration of a successful exercise began, it was clear that Cambodian and the U.S. forces had become closer.

"We've built upon the foundation laid by earlier bilateral missions," said Huey. "Because of this, Cambodia and the United States will continue to foster mutual friendship."

In the end, when the training and ceremony had concluded, friends had been made by both sides.

"I have really enjoyed my time here in Cambodia," said Thain. "I made a lot of good friends, and I hope I can come back sometime and teach them even more."

The 31st MEU visited and conducted bilateral training as part of the U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Cooperation program with the Kingdom of Cambodia. The program provides a unique and dynamic opportunity for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Cambodia's leader is urging Indonesia to send observers to his country's disputed border with Thailand, even if Bangkok doesn't consent.

Acting for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indonesia brokered an agreement last month under which military observers will be sent to the border to enforce a cease-fire. The truce was imposed after deadly clashes erupted over disputed land surrounding an 11th century temple.

Prime Minister Hun Sen says he proposed Sunday that Indonesia send observers to inspect at least 14 places and stay for at least 12 months. He was responding to an Indonesian request for plans for implementing the truce from each country; Thailand has not responded.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday appeals to Indonesia to urgently send its observers to Cambodian border side if Thailand is still reluctant to accept.

"I appeal to Indonesia, if Thailand hesitates to receive observers, please, sends the observers urgently to Cambodian side at the disputed border areas next to Preah Vihear temple," Hun Sen said during the celebration of the 13th national cultural day at Chaktomuk Hall.

The premier said that ASEAN chair, Indonesia, on Saturday had sent Cambodia and Thailand the terms of reference including procedures of control and obligation of Indonesian observers at the disputed areas.

"We replied the Indonesia's request not later than 24 hours, and provided 14 points to Indonesia to observe, and we will open further if necessary," he said. "The observers will be for 12 months and will extend further."

"Up to now the Bangkok government said that its foreign minister and defense minister have not met each other on this issue, and its army chief said the observers will not be allowed to observe inside, just in limited areas," said Hun Sen.

"If Thai does not receive observers, Cambodia will receive alone," he said.

The premier reiterated that there will be no any negotiation with Thailand bilaterally on border disputed area.

"I confirmed that if you (Thai) want to negotiate, you have to ask Indonesia, the ASEAN chair, to convene the meeting. No negotiation with you bilaterally," said Hun Sen.

"We continue to negotiate with Thailand only in the cooperation of economics, trades, investment, tourism and so on, but the border disputed area, must be the participation of the third party, " he said.

Hun Sen also said that he has never expected that Thai leaders asked UNESCO to de-list Preah Vihear temple from the World Heritage List.

"I have never expected that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, dare to ask Koichiro Matsuura, the special envoy of UNESCO, to de-list Preah Vihear temple from the world heritage site," he said.

"At first I just thought they opposed only the temple's management plan, but the special envoy met me on Feb. 28, and told me Thai leaders ask UNESCO to de-list the temple."

Hun Sen said "414 shells of mortar and artillery fired by Thai troops which had fallen on the temple in the war on Feb.4-7. "

"This was is a real war. It was not only the war to invade Cambodian territory, but war to destroy culture," he said. "It was the worst disgraceful act by Thai government."

Preah Vihear Temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.

The conflict has occurred just a week after the inscription due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, since then periodic clashes have happened between the two nations' troops, resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

3 March 2011 – The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) today unveils our monthly Trial Monitoring Project newsletter – our latest tool for the promotion of fair trial rights in the Cambodian Legal System.

'Trial Monitoring & the Promotion of Fair Trials' is a newsletter that, from March 2011, will be released on the 8 day of each month. The newsletter will include information gathered as part of the CCHR run Cambodian Trial Monitoring Project and will keep stakeholders up to date with activities undertaken by Project staff and with the status of fair trial rights within the Phnom Penh Capital Court of First Instance and the Kandal Municipal Court.

The Newsletter's theme will vary month by month, depending on the Projects' findings and will include a focus on high profile cases and key human rights issues such as freedom of expression and women's rights at trial.

Should you wish to find out more about the Newsletter or the Fair Trials Monitoring Project please contact:

For now, there will be no more armed clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Asean, led by its current chair, Indonesia, can be proud of its achievement in bringing the grouping's two stubborn members to the negotiating table. Asean's mediation efforts are commendable. But they may be inadequate in the search for a long-lasting solution to this persistent thorn in Thai-Cambodian relations.

Already, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed that the Thai Army will not withdraw any troops from the border, even though Indonesia is in the process of sending a team of observers to the disputed area. Abhisit's firm position is likely to see a similar firm response from his Cambodian counterpart, Prime Minister Hun Sen.

That suggests the situation will remain fragile. It will also remain highly dangerous if Thailand continues to produce an incoherent policy vis-a-vis Cambodia.

Analysts have been unable to figure out why armed clashes broke out on February 6, just a few hours after the two countries' armies agreed on a temporary ceasefire. There are so many possibilities, which have led to so much speculation.

But one thing is quite certain: There is likely to be a collision involving the policies endorsed by the Thai Foreign Ministry and the Army. The two agencies have apparently adopted two different approaches.

There is nothing new about the above situation. In the past, as Thailand was concerned with the threat posed by ethnic insurgents operating in Burma, the military often expressed its impatience with the Foreign Ministry's "spongy" approach. Similarly, as the Foreign Ministry became more interested in trading with Burma during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, the military, particularly those units stationed in the north, were more concerned about the flow of illegal drugs, weapons and refugees from Burma into Thailand.

In the context of the Thai-Cambodian conflict, it is evident that the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic approach failed miserably in preventing the armed clashes. Its failure was understandable: Cambodia was more than willing to reject anything proposed by the yellow-shirt member turned foreign minister Kasit Piromya. There is a lack of trust between Hun Sen and Kasit.

Since the coup of 2006 the military has invaded politics and resumed a dominant role in the foreign policy domain. The military has taken new initiatives, particularly in redefining the faces of enemies, reinventing new threats to national security and reinvigorating its own power through the defence budget augmentation. For these purposes, the Thai Army has nominated Cambodia as Thailand's most worrying external threat.

With this prevalent perception of the situation, the Thai military has shown little interest in promoting a working relationship with Cambodia. The devious campaign by the Thai Patriots' Network, the nationalist faction in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), is particularly crucial here. The PAD faction has encouraged the Thai public to give consent to a military option in dealing with the border issue. Undoubtedly the PAD's encouragement has helped deepen the military's position in the political realm and in the country's aggressive policy toward Cambodia.

While the Foreign Ministry has tried hard to keep the channels of communication open with Cambodia, these attempts are frequently incapacitated by the military and non-state actors, such as the PAD, the Thai Patriot Networks and the Santi Asoke sect. Together they have transformed Cambodia into national enemy number one.

Painting Cambodia in this way has further complicated the work of the Foreign Ministry. Today, the military continues to assert the right to pursue its own foreign policy while invoking the trump card of national security.

A military-influenced foreign policy can be exceedingly treacherous. By nature, the military has been taught to make war, not peace, and to accumulate arms, not friends. The term "diplomacy" has never been in the Thai military's dictionary. It is doubtful if the majority of Thai soldiers really understand the content and structure of international politics. Most importantly, in the case of Thai-Cambodian relations, which have been shaped by distorted memories of the past, the question of whether they actually comprehend the devastating effects on the bilateral ties caused by fabricated history remains critical.

It was reported that some Thai soldiers deployed along the border complained of Abhisit's seemingly hopeless approach toward Cambodia, and that they decided to fire artillery into the Preah Vihear Temple to demonstrate their frustration as much as their bravery. To a great extent, the PAD has been successful in stirring up a sense of nationalism. Some Thai generals truly believe they are indeed fighting against a national enemy. In other words, for them, a war with Cambodia would be legitimate.

At this point in time, the only role left for the Foreign Ministry to play is to fix problems created by the military and the irresponsible nationalist elements in the PAD. Making enemies is easy. But to rebuild trust can take decades.

The Foreign Ministry has been put in an awkward position: With the Thai military on its shoulder, it is unable to promote a serious dialogue with Cambodia, or to reassure Cambodia of Thailand's sincerity so long as Kasit is still in charge.

Like other families of stampede victims on Diamond Bridge, Leung Porn's family decided to hold the 100-day ceremony last weekend at a Buddhist clergyman's suggestion.

Leung Porn's wife, Tor Sophal, was one of the 353 victims killed in the stampede on the bridge during last year's water festival.

Leung Porn, who is 54 and now the single father of three children, said the ceremony will help his wife rest in peace.

"The ceremony is to stop her soul from wandering and help her reincarnate," he said in an interview. "I pray for her to be reborn in a better life, one not as miserable as this one."

Leung Porn is a farmer and motorcycle taxi driver from a small town in Kampong Speu province, Chbar Mon. His wife had been a commune council member and the main breadwinner of an extended family of 10 people.

"I wonder where she will be reborn," Leung Porn said. "I still want to know in what direction, what province and what village she will be reincarnated." He began to cry. "I love my wife so much," he said.

Leung Porn was with his wife on the bridge on the night of Nov. 22, 2010. They had decided to walk along the bridge at the end of the Water Festival, along with many others. They found themselves trapped amid thousands of people, all sandwiched onto the small platform, pushing from two directions and unable to move either way. The crush of bodies began suffocating some, and when panic ensued, many where crushed to death.

Leung Porn said he survived by maneuvering his body to keep his chest from being crushed. He was separated from Tor Sophal and in the crush of bodies was helpless to save her.

"I was hopeless for my wife at the time, because I myself was nearly half dead," he said. "When I saw my wife lying dead, I was confused and speechless."

Tor Sophal's ashes now sit on a shelf in the house, for the whole family to pray to. In the aftermath of tragedy, they received about $12,000 from the government and other donors. Some of that was spent on her funeral and subsequent ceremonies. The rest remains in savings.

"Even though you gave me gold too heavy to carry, I didn't need it," he said, looking at his teenage son, whose head was shaved in mourning. "I would have taken my wife back instead."

Leung Porn said he will no longer allow any of his family members to go to Diamond Island, or even to the Water Festival, for fear of another disaster.

"I've advised my children and grandchildren not to go there," he said. "If they want to celebrate the event, I tell them to celebrate at home with the family. I'm afraid, and I swear I'll never go again."

Perhaps, he said, he would be willing to visit a memorial stupa for the dead if it is built near the bridge. And he wants the authorities to ensure such a tragedy doesn't happen again.

For now, 100 days later, he remembers his wife and is sorry he had not done more for her when she was alive.

"I am regretful that I could never afford to treat her to a big meal in a restaurant," he said.

A delegation of foreign military attaches is scheduled to visit Preah Vihear temple Thursday, military officials said.

Cambodia says the 11th-Century temple was damaged by Thai artillery in border clashes in February and has asked Unesco to assess the damage. Thai officials maintain Cambodia has troops close to the temple, putting it at risk to future damage.

The military delegation will include 19 representatives of foreign countries including the US, China and Japan and will last for two days, said Chhum Socheath, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

The defense attaches will meet with Cambodian frontline commanders before touring as many areas along the border as possible, Chhum Socheath said. This will include strike sites where Cambodian officials say cluster munitions were used by Thai soldiers.

"They will see the reality, and from what they see they will have their own views," he said. "I think a visit to Preah Vihear temple at this time will be very productive."

Intense clashes between the two side Feb. 4 through Feb. 7 left at least 10 people dead and sent villagers fleeing for safety.

Both sides have since agreed to a ceasefire and a monitoring mission from Indonesia, the current head of Asean, but Thailand has said it does not condone a Unesco inspection of the temple while military tensions remain high.

Cambodian military officials on the border said they have been put on heightened alert for the military delegation's visit.

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Sophany Bay had her last look at her daughter's corpse some 35 years ago. Her child died under the Khmer Rouge and was being taken away for burial in a shallow grave in Takeo province.

Now an American, Sophany Bay is filing as a complainant in the upcoming Khmer Rouge tribunal for four regime leaders. She says she wants to have a monument erected, one where she can keep a photograph of her youngest daughter and where she might engrave the names of her two other children lost to the regime.

Sophany Bay is among 41 Cambodians in the US who are filing as civil parties with the UN-backed court, which expects to hold a trial in Phnom Penh later this year for leaders Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith.

She met with some 50 other Cambodian-Americans in San Jose, Calif., this weekend to discuss possible reparations the court might undertake to help assuage the trauma of the Khmer Rouge period.

"My filing the complaint to the Khmer Rouge tribunal is for nothing but justice," she told VOA Khmer in an interview. "I want real and clear justice, not a fake one, like that of a show trial. I want justice for my three children, who died unfairly."

Nou Leakhena, executive director of the Applied Social Research Institute, who helped organize Saturday's meeting, said the goal is to "seek a common understanding from victims before we present a [reparation] request to the court."

"If the court does not recognize what they ask for, we will still go ahead with what the survivors want because we see this as a crucial step for their mental healing," she said.

Nou Leakhena is organizing a series of similar meetings in collaboration with the Center for Justice and Accountability. The forums are a way to update Khmer Rouge survivors on the progress of the tribunal as well as to find an agreement on reparations.

"We are hoping to really gather as much information as we can," said Andrea Evans, the center's legal director. "Then we're going to go to other communities around the United States also and really gather as much as we can so that when we go to court we are in a better position to advocate for what the communities want from here."

At Saturday's meeting, at a San Jose pagoda, some who gathered brought photographs of loved ones who perished under the Khmer Rouge. For a few, the painful memories of that time remain fresh, and they burst into tears as they remembered the lost.

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Opposition leader Sam Rainsy made a routine trip to Washington last week, in an effort to bolster support from his US base ahead of elections in the near future.

However, with uprisings sweeping the Arab world, Sam Rainsy also used his visit to push US officials to revisit America's relationship with Cambodia's government.

Sam Rainsy, who remains in exile and faces 12 years in prison if he returns to Cambodia, met with US State Department officials, legislators and think tanks in Washington, urging them to pay close attention to Cambodia's electoral process.

Opposition lawmakers say the ruling party is able to use its virtual monopoly on broadcast and print media to further its own political goals years ahead of elections, that the electoral process remains skewed for the ruling party, and that threats to opposition activists and other dissidents remain commonplace.

"If all four issues are not properly addressed, the upcoming elections are useless," he told VOA Khmer in an interview. "There is no need to have election observers, because the result is already known now. This happens through fraud, faking names, eliminating voters, and cheating on voters list prepared by the ruling party. They have ensured their victory already."

Sam Rainsy maintains that criminal charges against him are politically motivated and pursued by biased courts that will prevent him from leading his party in local elections in 2012 and national elections the following year.

Aside from election worries, Sam Rainsy said he also warned US officials of deep-seated human rights and economic issues that could lead to uprisings like those in the Middle East in recent weeks.

"Once the poor cannot benefit from development, and when the poor are getting poorer and poorer, there will be uprisings, as in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya," he said. "Cambodia is the same."

The US should rethink its policy of "stability," he said, "and whether that stability comes should be in a democratic country or a dictatorial one."

"We should not value stability under dictatorial rule because sooner or later there will be a burst of rage," he said.

Christopher Howes, a 37-year-old British mine-clearing expert, was kidnapped and killed by former Khmer Rouge rebels in March 1996 when he was working to clear mines in north western Cambodia.

Last week, an appeals court in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh upheld 20-year prison sentences for three men accused of committing the murder, as well as a 10-year prison sentence for a fourth man who was involved in the kidnapping.

Mr Howes, who worked for the international mine-clearing charity the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), was abducted along with around 30 Cambodian colleagues near Angkor Wat, the historic temple complex, and taken to a Khmer Rouge base in Anlong Veng. Mr Howes was told he could leave to fetch a ransom, but refused to leave his co-workers behind. The Cambodian workers were eventually released, but Mr Howes and his translator, Houn Hourth, were killed.

The exact facts surrounding the disappearance of Mr Howes, originally from Somerset, and his translator did not emerge until many years after the event. Two of the four men accused of killing the pair rose to significant positions of power after the end of Cambodia's civil war, with one becoming an army general and another becoming a prominent civil servant. The group were finally tried and convicted in 2008.

On hearing the verdict, Pat Phillips, Mr Howes' sister, said: "My father Roy Howes and I had hoped with all our hearts that the sentences handed down by the Municipal Court would be upheld, and we are both hugely relieved to hear that the men convicted of killing my brother Christopher and his friend Houn Hourth remain in prison today.

"We'd like to pass our sincere thanks to the court for ensuring that the men guilty of their murder have not escaped justice, and especially the lawyers working on our behalf and staff from the British Embassy in Phnom Penh, who have shown us unwavering support throughout this process."

Lou McGrath OBE, chief executive of MAG, said: "I am hugely pleased and relieved for Chris and Houn's family, who continue to show true honour in diligently ensuring justice for their murders is upheld. MAG will never forget Chris, or the sacrifice he made for the people of Cambodia, and I too am grateful to the Municipal Court Judges who overturned this appeal."

The Khmer Rouge were the followers of the ruling party of Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Working under their leader Pol Pot, they were responsible for the execution of hundreds of thousands of people, and continued to function as a guerrilla movement for several decades after the regime was overthrown.

Mr Howes was awarded one of the highest awards for bravery, the Queen's Gallantry Award, posthumously in 2001.

The two Thai nationalists jailed in Cambodia on espionage charges have had a change of heart and will not contest their convictions, their attorney said on the last day for appeal yesterday.

"They decided days ago not to file an appeal against the verdict," an official at the office of Ros Aun, the attorney, told The Nation via telephone. "The case is final."

Activists Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were sentenced by the Phnom Penh Capital Court of First Instance on February 1 to eight and six years imprisonment respectively.

They had 30 days to file an appeal.

They were arrested along with five other Thais, including Democrat lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth, on December 29 while inspecting a disputed border area near Sa Kaew's Ban Nong Chan village.

Veera had initially vowed to keep on fighting for justice on grounds that Cambodia had no authority to try him and he had been arrested on Thai territory.

Panich said relatives of his clients have submitted a request for a royal pardon.

"The royal pardon is the only channel now to free them," he said.

Veera should be released as soon as possible as he was not in good health, he said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had said earlier that the activists could not seek a royal pardon until they had served two-thirds of their terms.

However the case was still mired in confusion yesterday as the colleagues of the two from the Thai Patriot Network (TPN) said they would file an appeal.

TPN's Karun Saingam said he just returned from Cambodia and learned that Veera and Ratree would lodge an appeal to carry on their struggle in court. The pair would never ask for a pardon from the Cambodian king, he said, but noted that he did not actually meet the two detainees during his visit to Phnom Penh.

The TPN has been camping out near Government House for more than two months to protest the government's stance in the conflict with Cambodia. They want the government to put pressure on the other side to free the activists, rather than allow the Cambodian court to judge them.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Karun was not authorised to make an appeal for the two activists.

"If any party really cared about Veera and Ratree's fate, we should respect their decision," he said.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over their boundary for a long time. Border skirmishes near Preah Vihear Temple erupted early February claiming some 10 lives, including those of three civilians on both sides.

Thai villagers living near Preah Vihear Temple are now familiar with Cambodia's BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, used in the border conflict with Thailand. The weapon can release 40 rockets at a time and these missiles can reach as far as 40 kilometres away.

The Thai army has its own teeth. It has the DTI-1 multiple rocket launchers jointly developed by the Thai Defence Ministry and China. With a shooting range of 60-180km, the DTI-1 is not suitable for armed border spats, however.

The main weapon for Thailand is the 155-mm Caesar self-propelled howitzer artillery, with a shooting range of 40km. The howitzer, made by Giat of France and used by the army since 2006, is the main weapon to counter Cambodia, in addition to the 105mm artillery. There is a joke among Thai soldiers that Cambodian troops hate "Caesar salad".

The howitzer was the main target of attacks in the field and in the diplomatic move by Cambodia. Phnom Penh has protested at the United Nations Security Council by alleging that the Thai army had used banned cluster bombs fired by the howitzer upon its soldiers. Thailand denied the allegation and in order to silence this claim for good, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has ordered all howitzer artillery to be returned to the depots.

The Cambodian government also told the Security Council that Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda sitting in the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area near the 11th century Hindu temple, had been severely damaged by Thai weapons. But the fact is the pagoda and its vicinity have been only slightly damaged, after several rounds of artillery shooting. The pagoda, the Cambodian flag and pole still stand there.

But now border tensions have eased, thanks to the "gentlemen's agreement" between army Chief-of-Staff Gen Dapong Rattanasuwan, and Maj Gen Hun Manet, the deputy army leader of Cambodia and son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, at Sa-ngam Pass on the border in Phu Sing district of Si Sa Ket on Feb 19.

But Thailand is anxious that the agreement could be broken any day and continues to carry out troop and weapons reinforcements at the border in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket, due to signs that Cambodia is sending more soldiers and tanks at night and continues to use Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda and Preah Vihear as an operations base. Such action already violates the agreement, as both sides had agreed that there would be no troop movements after 5pm.

In addition to troop and tank reinforcements, Thailand believes that Cambodia plans to order more BM-21s from Russia along with Chinese-made rockets.

Thai military leaders are not sure whether Maj Gen Hun Manet will be able to keep his promise, because he was rather quiet during the meeting, and nobody ever knows what his father has in mind.

"The talks [with Maj Gen Hun Manet] was not a ceasefire agreement. Thai soldiers have the right of self-defence and will retaliate if they are shot at first," Gen Dapong said.

As the border tensions eased, Thailand downgraded the alert under the "Chakrapongse Bhuvanath" plan from maximum alert to the second phase, meaning that while all units have to remain alert, some have been ordered to return to their camps.

The army has also restructured areas under the responsibility of Suranaree Task Force under the "Phra Viharn Plan", by dividing its fighting units into three sectors.

The Viharn 1 Task Force is directly taking responsibility for the dispute area including Phu Ma Khua. The Viharn 2 Task Force takes care of the border area in Surin, opposite Cambodia' Oddar Meanchey province. The Viharn 3 Task Force is in charge of the area in Sa-ngam Pass in Phu Sing district of Si Sa Ket, opposite Along Veng of Cambodia.

The border situation will soon be monitored by observers from Indonesia to make sure that new fighting will not erupt. The agreement to dispatch the Indonesian delegation - which will stay on both sides of the border - was reached at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Jakarta on Feb 22. The army is reluctant about having Indonesian observers on Thai soil, due to concerns about that country's neutrality. But it has no choice since this is the government's policy.

Gen Prayuth has said that the observers will not have full access to information of the army, including a ban on entering strategic locations at the border. "The request [of Indonesia to visit Thai army border posts] will be considered on a case by case basis," he said.

The Second Army and Suranaree Task Force have prepared an area in Kantharalak district to accommodate the 15 observers to stay, though the details will be discussed in the Joint Boundary Commission between Thailand and Cambodia. The date of the meeting has not been set.

The JBC will be followed by a meeting of the General Border Committee led by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and his Cambodian counterpart Teah Banh, tentatively set for this month. The main issue on the GBC agenda will concern troop reductions and the role of the Indonesian observers.

Thailand has sent its soldiers to join UN peacekeepers in East Timor, Aceh in Indonesia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burundi and Sudan. But the army is not comfortable having observers from Indonesia here, as it believes that this border issue can only be sorted out by Thailand and Cambodia.

And a solution does not seem likely to be reached in the near future.

With Cambodian forces in sight on the other side of the border, Thai troops stationed near Preah Vihear temple and on Phu Makhua mountain never have time to relax.

They have been living on a knife-edge since the last round of clashes with Cambodian troops ended on Feb 15.

Despite a gentleman's agreement to stop firing that was reached between army chief-of-staff Dapong Rattanasuwan and Maj Gen Hun Manet, the deputy army chief of Cambodia, on Feb 19, gunshots and explosions have still been heard from time to time.

The explosions were believed to be landmines, sometimes detonated by Thai or Cambodian soldiers and sometimes by wild animals.

But the nerve-racking sound of gunshots is heard almost every day - usually the result of Cambodian soldiers firing guns into the sky.

"[Those] Cambodian soldiers lack discipline. Sometimes they are drunk and shoot a gun [up to the sky] to challenge us to return fire, but we have enough discipline to not respond to their game," said Col Thanasak Mitraphanont, head of the 23rd military ranger special task force.

There are two types of Thai troops deployed at the border. The military rangers are dressed in black uniforms, while regular soldiers wear camouflage uniforms.

"The Cambodian troops appeared more at ease with the black-clad troops stationed in sight than when they saw soldiers in camouflage because they have known each other well through long-time close coordination at the border," said Col Thanasak.

The 2nd Army has maintained three task forces near the disputed area, but not many soldiers are assigned to be on duty at each spot along the border.

They face the lonely duty of constantly watching the movement of Cambodian troops around the clock. They cannot listen to a radio because it would produce an unwanted noise. Nor can they light up a fire at night because the Cambodians would easily see where they are.

But to Sgt Chatchai Chaemchuad, who is stationed at an outer area of Phu Makhua mountain, a stray dog named Chao Si Ta (Mr Four Eyes) has always been good company.

The dog has one black spot above each eye, making it look as if it has four eyes. It had been abandoned by its owner and came to the soldier one day. Sgt Chatchai felt sorry for the dog and gave it some food - and the dog has never left.

The soldiers rely mainly on tinned fish and instant noodles. Once in a while, a special meal such as som tam (green papaya salad) is delivered to soldiers on the front line uphill.

As for bathing, soldiers can only take a shower once in a period of seven to 10 days. The best they can do on a daily basis for the sake of personal hygiene is washing their faces.

"We've scarcely slept because we must always be watching out for signs of danger. Sometimes Cambodian soldiers simply climb up the cliff," said a military ranger.

As long as formal negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia fail to bring any concrete agreement, several thousand Thai troops will have to remain at the border, with their lives at risk from danger that can erupt at any time in such a tense environment.

2 March 2011 – A special envoy of the United Nations agency tasked with preserving the world's cultural heritage has concluded meetings with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to discuss the safeguarding of Preah Vihear, a Hindu temple inscribed on the World Heritage List that was damaged during border clashes between the two countries last month.

Koïchiro Matsuura, special envoy for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), travelled to Bangkok, the Thai capital, and Phnom Penh, the seat of Cambodia's Government, from Sunday to Tuesday, at the request of Irina Bokova, the UNESCO Director-General.

In Bangkok, Mr. Matsuura met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya, and National Resources and Environment Minister Siwit Khunkitti. He was also received by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

In Phnom Penh, Mr, Matsuura met with Prime Minister Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, and was also received by King Norodom Sihamoni.

In his discussions with the leaders and officials, Mr. Matsuura stressed the need to create conditions necessary for the safeguarding of the 11th century temple.

Mr. Matsuura, a former UNESCO Director-General and Chair of the World Heritage Committee from 1998 to 1999, expressed the hope that the two countries will engage in dialogue that will lead to the establishment of long-term conservation arrangements.

The temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List for its outstanding universal value, in keeping with the 1972 World Heritage Convention, which has been ratified by both Cambodia and Thailand.