July 18, 2008
Bangkok - Chuan Leekpai, chairman of the Advisory Council of the Democrat Party, asked all relating parties to keep cool and avoid confrontations concerning the disputed Preah Vihear.
Chuan said the problem was the result of the government’s support for Cambodia’s registration of the temple as the World Heritage site.
He added that the controversy had a good point that people paid more attention to the mutual border problem.
Chuan revealed both Thai and Cambodian government used to sign a memorandum on the overlapping area in 2000.
Therefore, they should follow it and wait for the result of the imminent joint meeting between the two countries.
Thai and Cambodian soldiers pointed guns at each other yesterday evening as the controversial Preah Vihear temple heated up.
The intension lasted for ten minutes when 50 Cambodian troops entered the pagoda compound to protect food supplies for 57 Cambodian monks.
More than 400 Thai troops and 800 Cambodian soldiers are stationed around a small Buddhist pagoda on the slope of a mountain leading to the ruins of 11th century Preah Vihear temple, according to AFP.
Cambodian military commanders and Thai commanders held talks for about one hour, and Cambodian soldiers later agreed to stay outside the pagoda during the night to avoid confrontations.
