Rising serious tension between Cambodia and Thailand started when UNESCO, on July 7, 2008, declared temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site. The 11th century temple has long been a subject to dispute between the two nations; in 1962, Hague-based International Court of Justice ruled that the ancient Hindu temple belonged to Cambodia, a decision opposed by many Thais.
As the news of the inscription of Cambodia's 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple announced by the World Heritage Committee early this month in Quebec, Canada, a large number of text messages were sent via cellphone to share the exciting news during the midnight (Phnom Penh time).
People of the two countries witness the power of pride and nationalism, again, particularly at the time that Cambodia heading to national election on July 27 and that Thailand is struggling with her own internal politic.
Not surprisingly, as the world is more connected, at least virtually, Thai and Cambodian citizens begin their discussions on the Internet for the first time. A post of link with title “Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia,” appeared on Global Voices Online on June 24, attracted 70 comments (at the time of writing this post).
Nationalism versus Rationalism
Somongkol Teng, a former Fulbright scholar, proudly announced the official news of the newly inscribed temple on his blog, which has attracted a number of comments from his readers, including people in neighboring country Thailand.
A comment left by a Thai citizen, who identifies as Tavorn Kamboonreang, on Somongkol's blog post, has led to a long, heated discussion.
On July 10, 2008, Tavorn commented:
Dear Khamen(Cambodian) Neighbors,
You think you win the Preah Vihear World Heritage now but soon you will see that you lost because UNESCO will send 7 nations including Thailand to “invade” your country. UNESCO ripped our two countries apart by siding with you and your foxy politicians. You know where you belong. Look at Phnom Penh which was built to model after Bangkok by King Narodom who lived and worked in Bangkok under Thai Royal Patronage for years. Rejoice now but be prepared to get back to be under Thailand’s protection again because you need to be where you belong. I am your Thai neighbor and it’s my duty to help you get back to your good sense. Remember who help you when your country was under the Khmer Rouge-Pol Pot and your refugees had nowhere else to run to but Thailand. Please take care and be grateful.
Does an individual opinion reflect the Thai society in general? Thai native Isriya Paireepairit, a technology columnist for a number of Thai newspapers and magazines, wrote a post on the issue in Thai language (he also provides translation here) that:
I quoted the follow up article by Dr. Charnvit Kasetsiri. He stated that Preah Vihear is definitely belonged to Cambodia from both historical-archaeological and legal. The Thai claim (geological) has never been supported by World Court.
Another blog post of his deals with one of his friends, who lives in the United Kingdom. Isriya asked an interesting question in response to a campaign running by his friend who wants to claim back Preah Vihear temple for Thai citizens.
I quoted my conversation with my Thai friend (I'm living in UK at the moment) to demonstrate the general public's view on this incident. This friend now wants to “bring back Preah Vihear” to Thai people. I question them as ‘is Preah Vihear really belonged to us? (So we can
get it back). I also quote Thongchai Winichakul, a famous Southeast Asian History Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He wrote an article about nationalist. The title can be translated as “Preah Vihear will be yet another racism timebomb”
Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Several thousand people gathered at Wat Phnom to celebrate the day. Savada Khmer [in PDF], a song composed by Samdech Sangha Raja Jhotañano Chuon Nath (1883 -1969).
Savada Khmer translated into English
All Khmers, please remember the root and history of our great country
Our boundary was wide and well known
Others always thought highly of our race
And always placed our race as the elders.We have great heritage and culture
Which has spread far and wide in the Far East.
Religion, arts and education,
Music, philosophy and strategies are all that we have spread.All Khmers, please remember our roots and history
Which speaks of the grandeur of our great race
Make up your mind and body and try hard to rebuild
In order to lift the value of our nation
To once again rise to the greatness that we once had.
Is the power of nationalism as strong as the power of love? So far, at least two public events organized in the Cambodian capital to celebrate the important event as well as to reclaim the so called ‘unity' for the country. Donations have been made, largely by Phnom Penh-based business people, to help military at the Cambodian-Thai border. Cambodian journalism lecturer Moeun Chhean Nariddh takes a look at the history of nationalism used in the mainstream media to fight against French colonialism, then the Chinese and Vietnamese dominance. The opinionated media trainer wrote an op-ed to a daily newspaper that:
…Nevertheless, the media’s role in promoting nationalism is not new. The pioneer of Cambodian media started the first Khmer-language newspaper in 1936 with the explicit mission to promote nationalism and engage in Cambodia’s struggle for independence from French colonial rule. A nationalistic Cambodian press appeared first to challenge French rule, then the Chinese and Vietnamese dominance in Cambodia’s economy and politics, and also American “imperialism,” until the Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975.
Richard, an observer and blogger at Connecting the Dots, wrote a blog post that the current Thai government, under-fired for it first supported Cambodian government in getting the temple listed, which it later withdrew due to an injunction issued by Thailand's Administrative Court to suspend any move endorsing Cambodia's bid to list the ancient temple as UNESCO's World Heritage site:
Although the court ruled against Thailand, many Thais never accepted the ruling in their hearts. As a result the signing of the documents between Thailand and Cambodia was all it took to set this off. Thailand’s ruling party the People Power Party (PPP) is under attack for a variety of reasons, this signing became just another avenue of attack. The signing was ruled to be in violation of the Thai constitution in that parliament was excluded. The reputation of the PPP of not caring about laws, rules and the Thai people and now also being seen as very possibly giving up Thai soil to Cambodia has set this nationalism movement in motion. This has lead to escalation of conflict ant the site of the temple with both Thai and Cambodian military on the scene. There is no doubt to outsiders that the temple issue is being used as leverage to force this apparently useless Thai government out.
In an article appeared in Bangkok-based Prachatai, an independent online newspaper, Harrison George discusses the history (including what led to an anti-Thai-riot in 2003) of the two countries, both are members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
And now our ignorance of Thailand’s history is threatening relations with Cambodia. We’ve seen this before. In 2003, in the run up to Cambodian elections, actress Suvanant Kongying was falsely reported in the Cambodian press (possibly by a rival company to the Mistine cosmetics she was fronting for) as saying that Angkor Wat should be given back to Thailand. ‘Given back’, because it had been stolen from Thailand by the Cambodians.
The Khmers, whose schoolbooks seem to be as nationalistically one-sided as everyone else’s, got understandably irate about this. But so did the Thais. When the news was breaking I was told by 2 Thais who had the benefit of a university education, that Suvanant’s alleged statement was so obviously untrue it must have been fabricated. I asked what they meant. Cambodia couldn’t have ‘stolen’ Angkor Wat from Thailand, they explained, because Thailand had never occupied it.
Live update from Preah Vihear province:
I've just received an update from Geffrey Cain, our Contributing Author, who is currently is Preah Vihear province to cover the news. Here is his message sent to me on July 20, 2008:
Writing from the Thai-Cambodia border where I'm covering the dispute. Needless to say, things out here are incredibly tense. Yesterday we had a major stand-off between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at a pagoda, where they raised their guns at each other and threatened to fire. Today the Thai military has deployed cannons facing our position.
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Nice post, Tharum.
One wrong point, it’s me who live in the UK at the moment, not my friend who is still in Thai.
Excellent idea Tharum for reposting Khmer and Thai comments on Global Voices so the world can read and be the judge.
Thais aren’t capable to debate on any issue with Khmers, all they can say to Khmer are; Why don’t the KR kill all of you Khmers, Khmer dogs, Thailand helped you Khmers, Khmer beggars etc….
And I keep telling Thais that Thais never helped Khmers, but to destroy Khmers. Thai soldiers killed Khmer refugees in the 79-80 and today Thais are trying to rob Khmer temple and its area and claim belonging to Thailand. Thailand committed crime against humanity just like the KR did and no one is taking Thailand to court for its crime yet.
We always thought that Thais are well-educated, soft, democrat, and good neighboring country; but what we have pproved was completely wrong.
We can obviously see through the Thai citizens behavior that they are a unlimited greedy damn things in the world. From the past history until now, they want not only Preah Vihea temple, but also Angkor Wat temple that was built before the Siam had captured and created the state in 16 century. They have no evident to show the world that those heritages in Cambodia belong to them that why they has the only way to prove is the arm force and war. I am one of the Cambodia citizens want to tell all greedy Siam that \Please Read and Understand More about The History Before Doing Such a Stupid Thing\
However, there is only one way for all Thai citizens that can obtain the right owning all heritages in Cambodia. The history showing that Angkor Wat and many other temples were built by Cambodia kings and their people, and on June 15, 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had made a judgment on the merits the Court, by nine votes to three, found that the Temple of Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia and, in consequence, that Thailand was under an obligation to withdraw any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, stationed by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian territory. The Cabinet of the time made a resolution and announced that Thailand, as a member of the United Nations, accepted the ICJ ruling. As a Khmer citizen, I am very proud to say, for example, Preah Vihea temple is mine, so we have the legitimate right to own these heritages. If Thai people want to do like us, they should dissolve their country, their culture, and other Thai identity. Then intergrade the Thai territory with Cambodia, so there is no more Thia country in the world map. Next, fulfill all conditions that stated in Cambodia Constitution in order to get the Khmer citizenship. As the result, all Thai citizens will become Khmer citizens, and they automatically have right to own all heritages in Cambodia as local Khmer citizens. It is a good idea, I think. All Thai people should consider about this opinion.
Pich, I agree with you. what Thais, aka Siam, are acting and claiming Preah Vihear is like child without ashame. Siam, you have to read more and more deeply the history. Preah Viear is really belonging to Cambodians, and Cambodia. You, Siam, did not understand the rule by the International court of justice in 1962? you do that like the crazy person. Damnnn Siam.
Dear All and Thai friends,
Thai people should learn and understand the real history.
Military force can never make any better for Thai, but will bring only internationally shame for them. I said with lovely heart for Thai as a neighbor, you should not make thing more serious by your military force on our land (it is your rights if it is just on your land, but what you are doing is already a dispute friend!). Try to think well or research more before you write or said something before it become a stupid sound. Another thing, Thai should learn to keep promise and not just to speak out and change at anytime, because it is a bad behavior.
Both of us would not want violent solution, I think Thai should consider well again on this issue. The special thing is that Thai himself should learn to respect rights of the other country too.
It is a good will from me, Thai should learn the history again and stop any more damn activities. I hope Thai people can understand and we can find a good and fair solution on this.
Good article, Tharum.
By the way, in case you don’t know, I found these two sites about Preah Vihear news interesting for you guys to keep updated with the news:
- http://preahvihear.wordpress.com (text news)
- http://preahvihearnews.wordpress.com (image/video news)
Go Khmer!
San
The hot event which was the key point while only one week left, the Cambodian national election will be held for the fourth term. We, Cambodian, hold a grudge and do hate Thai invasion, considering as Thai army force’s invasion over Cambodia territory at Preah Vihear temple is a shameful activity and hatred ! Thai army force’s invasion is to violate the international law and to demonstrate over sovereignty and territory invasion of the neighbor country. Thai army force warmed as their barbaric activities over UNESCO and threatened to the membership country of this organization which has listed Preah Vihear temple as the world heritage . Thai army force seems not to know that all of their commissions like that can cause Thailand, which is a developed country and has a good relationship with the neighbor country, to be disgraced.
Do all of their activities only just want to swallow the ancient temple or look down on a neighbor country? Preah Vihear temple, which is our Khmer ancestor’s treasure, contructed luxuriously since 9 centuries and it is our Khmer culture civilization and for general humanization, is now being threatened barbarically from Thai army force. We are Cambodian-young generation would like to swear and determine to protect our territory and fight back all their invasion in which ways it is and well-maintain our ancient treasure forever.
It’s hilarious about the Thai govt.flip flop :)
When Cambodia reported that Thai soldier bandits violated the Khmer territory, the Thai govt refused to admit it and kept saying that those Thai soldiers were not inside the Khmer soil, but on the Thai soil. And then, a Thai solider who couldn’t read the landmine sign in Khmer and in English “Dangerous mine” he stepped on the landmine inside of Cambodia and blew up himself losing a leg.
The Thai govt continued to ignore that and when the world press asked the Thai govt, so Thais put the mine inside the Thai soil to blow up their own soldier????
No comment…..Hahahahahahahaha
A few days ago, the Thai press reported that the Thai separatists in south declared the end of fighting against the Thai govt…..
And today, there is an explosion in south of Thailand injured ten Thai police officers and a villagerin responded to the Thai press that made up the false info….
No comment…..Hahahahahahahahaha
http://www.tmb.ie/exodus/news.asp?id=82893
Here’s Tharum, another idiot Thai just created a blog to response you.
http://www.isriya.com/comment/reply/2056
Dear All Khmer Bloggers,
Tension between khmer and Thai Troops along the border is now increasing.
As a Cambodian citizen, I don’t think we Khmer continue to hate the Thai. I personally think we should try to understand each other and group together to solve the problem, that is the conflict and hatred we’ve been holding toward one another.
I’ve always been wondering why the Thai think Preah Vihear Temple belong to them while the International Court in 1962 clearly stated that the temple truly belonged to us and located in Cambodian territory. Now another problem arouses. The Thai government claims that Wat Preah Vihear is in Thai Territory, how come?
P.S Khmer Kid, I think Isriya is one of the few Thai people who acknowledge the fact that Preah Vihear Temple belongs to US.
I agree with you Pich……..Thai such stupid.
Thai seems the nation those got eyes but faked to be blind, can hear but faked to be dumb, clever but fake to be stupid……….totally Thai is Chief from their original birth.
Vanishing, hahahahahahaha Thais mixed up by themselves and put the blame on Cambodia. Thailand would have earned more money from the Khmer temple rather than earned fire from angry.
To the Thais: ask yourself why you started the problem. What was wrong with Cambodia listing her own temple as a World Heritage Site? Ask yourself what you wanted to show to the world with your sending troops to the temple area after Cambodians celebrated their temple’s international recognition. Is that greed, nationalism or flexing of military muscles? Now is 2008. You cannot invade Cambodia like you did in the 1950s before you lost case at the International Court of Justice. How would you consider Cambodians as your neighbors when you sent troops to frighten us? Keep in mind, we, Cambodians, fear poverty but we do not fear fighting you!
[...] highlighting Preah Vihear news all week, but what do regular bloggers say? Tharum Bun highlights what Cambodian and Thai bloggers have to say about the ongoing [...]
to all Thai:
I am a khmer, but I wont stand for any side. I’m just s.o who is seeking for the fact and wanna see peace in this world.
Now I ask you the same questions as I ask other Khmer.
1. Why do you disagree with the listing of Preah Vihear Temple?
2. Why do you claim the pagoda 300metre west of the temple belong to you?
This answer for VANISHING. Vanishing, Preah Vihear was two miles into the Khmer land, and Thai claimed that it was right on the boarder. That is why prime mister Hun Sen call the UN. not just to take back Preah Vihear but the entire land around the area. Do you understand? And please remember that the Khmer Kingdom was existing more then 2,500 years BC.If you adds it up right now Khmer existing is more then 5,000 years old. And if you talk about history the entire INDOCHINA was Khmer Kingdom…..period!
I am Khmer as well, what Siam military is invading Cambodia territory is illegal. And why does Cambodian government not to react by using weapon? it is because the government realizes that peaceful solution is better than using weapon. And Siam bandit cannot steal Cambodian soil. By the way, Cambodian military will not be killed in war. Thai will be responsible for what they damage Preah Vihear temple. Thai are flexing their military muscle to Cambodia which are finding peace and development. Thailand is falling into serous internal crisis. so that they use this problem in order to solve its problem. That is great that Cambodia is not stupid like Crazy Siam.
Dear: Thailand (Siam) MY neighbors! Especially TAVORN.
Tavorn; I know what you do not knew! And what you know only that Khmer people as refugee that run cross the border in to Thailand. Your Thai people scare that the Khmer refugee come to take your land. Your Thia soldiers treat these Khmer people as the crabs without legs. All Khmer that were in the camp can not walk out of the camp. They’re either get shot by the Thai soldiers, or get rap by the Thia guards. There is no freedom for those refugee of the Khmer people. You! Thai threat us worse then the slaves in you house. And you consider your self as a good neighbor. Now! you Thai threaten the Khmer with military force. You have to understand that in United States . American government threat refugee as mercy,and care.Provides those refugee with jobs, and education equally until you have the power to rule your life. And you Thai are not even 1% closer. You Thia try to take all of the Khmer refugee out of your country as soon as possible that is all your government ever want. Now! you want to make an invasion to the Khmer Kingdom. You Thai should think twice before you make your next move. Because you Thai people are about to get no country right now! TO LIVE…
I would like to response to the blog in stating that we as Khmer should be grateful. I’ve survived the killing field and lived in the Thailand camp. I came to the US and I worked hard to get my electrical engineering degree. I would like to encourage you to talk to more Khmer who lived in the camp between late 1979 - 1983. You will discover many things what Thai in region had done to Khmer. Thai rapped our young women as they cross the border to escape the killing and the cross fire between Khmer Rough and Vietnamese; and others that I can’t express in words. Life in the camp was like a prison, I have 8 friends who were killed by Thai in the camp. So, let me put it to you this way, as I am sure you will not be able to imagine what I am trying to express; we were like the Jews and Thais were the Nazi. We had our freedom when we moved to Philippine. So, please kindly understand the history of what we went through in the Thailand camp “suffering” before asking us to be grateful. This is the very problem that we are facing under the current status quo, there are more Thai like you who jump into the conclusion very narrow minded. Now, please open up your heart and understand the history. Let’s start with your current Kingship, it was adopted from Khmer, the Buddhist practice where it came from , Khmer; you can find this by going to the Thai’s temple and read bali where it has Thai’s writing, yet, you should ask why is Khmer’s writing there as well. Now, who was in that region first, Khmer or Thai? Was Thai under the Khmer’s emperor at that time? Khmer had role that region for over 600 years. What is the history of Thai before 12 century?
Dear All,
I have been through the situation, and I do realised that there are very few Thais who claims Preah Viheah belongs to them.
The Opposition party in Thai is a real hyprocritcal, he would try anything in his power to become popular includes the cause of shame for his nation. Gentlemen this is politics, sometime politics are suck.
Politics may performs well if there is a true justice, but if there an illness it will collapse and cause chaos.
We are Asian why can’t we work together like Europe, look at Northen Ireland they were fighting years and years and finally it has come to conclusion that peace is all about sharing and working together.
I can see where the problem is coming from. the neighbour! when I say neighbour i mean those who live a real close to Border they may feel from time to time that Preah Vihear is belong to them just like English and Irish in the North.
I think by given them the right to access and the right of dual citizenship probably one of the best solution. again this is only a suggestion.
It is complicated, but again the World Court has made decision, and we must not violating this rule.
You know Opposition just admit the fact and enter a flee bargain, Go on there are lots more thing to focus in politics.
ItS so clear that preah vihear belong to cambodia.But i am sad to hear so much hate and anger.Those emotions will lead to violence and blindness.I am khmer I love my country and i want peace not hate.The past is the past we need to reconstruct our country and to heal from all the suffering.But without violence and hate.I understand the anger of khmer people but it will never bring back our great civilisation.We should support the peace between the two country because hate will bring war and desolation.DEATHS ,no more school for the childrens on both side of the country.CAmbodia just start to get up and to grow so keep the country without hate and violence,bring the light to our people and not to push each other become extremist.by the way i lost my parents during the khmer rouge regime and i was eight years old in 1975 .THAT because of hate and ignorance,. i was orphan and survive alone eating what i found in the dirt .BElieve me hate will bring nothing except misery and suffering to all people ;khmers and thais.An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.’’say the MAHATMA GANDHI.
sensei pat, you’re an idiot!!!
Thai soldiers invading Khmer sacred land and you want Khmer to obey Thai soldiers with arms, guns, grenades and cannons on Khmer heads. Khmers have been surviving from Thai thieves today, because Khmers stand off fighting against Thai thieves. Don’t tell me that you are a Khmer, Khmers don’t protect Khmer property and protect Khmer interest, they are not Khmers. So get lost and leave Khmers protecting Khmer property and Khmer interest from Thai thieves!!!
sensei pat,
Your past living story was very much the same as my story and we survived, but I also survived from Thai killing too.
Well make story short, Khmer rouge was the internal problem, and now this is not the internal and we have to face the issue per our Cambodian interest.
I see some looser comments that Preah Vihear international park or what so ever…; my point is if you want to make comment make sure that we Cambodian own this Temple, not Thai or any country and yhis for our interest.
KHMER KID ONE: way to go I agreed with you pal.
I do agree with you and am not protecting thailand interests at all but what am trying to say is we khmer have to stay smart in the front of the thai provocations it is clear that they always want something from us they even send our own brothers from surin to fight us.AND those khmers surin are certainly afraid of the thai autority for their family.It is not the first time that khmer surin turn their swords against us .Of course what i mean is that if we can win without any fight it would be better for us.WE have to stay smart by Asking the united nations to condemn thai invasions.and am aware that if i have to fight for my country i will do.I am khmer and proud to be.I believe they never attack they have to much to lose.
Dear All,
I hv just got this website fm my skype Friend.
It’s good and very helpful to show how Thais act to Khmer.
I hv read the Cambodia news on Saturday that some of Thai military went into our soil and our military there saw and told them this is Khmer soil, why u came here?, so they duno how to say they just digged some of our Khmer soil and carry back to their place.
“What are they trying to do? Can not win then even some of soil also must rob!!! Any Thai can explain about this???”
Sensei Pat,
I do agree with you, being a Khmer Im very proud myself that has our own country, religion and acestral temples that’s y the other dun have like us try to be invasive.
Even Im a small lady but if need to fight for my country sure will do it.
Fanie you have a very good spirit! I think it was about time that khmer people become one to defend our country.AND thank you for your understanding.WE will win this case because we are on the good side of the law.Personnaly i dont blame the thai people but the thai government and their politics of expansionist.THey have to teach the the thai the real history of our khmer civilisation.TO respect your neigbours you Ahave to learn about their culture and history before starting any judgement or prejudice.AND thai people learn the wrong history about us.
MSG to Rumtum and all thais who think you helped khmer refugees;
Are you talking about refugee camps in thailand??
I have a lot to say. thai’s army is the worst and most evil I’ve ever seen. since i was born i heard the history of the Vietcong dam tae ong on khmer head shit, but it was just heard never seen in real life, but thailand; i saw with my own eyes and its still in my head. i can never forget what thai soldiers did to my khmer people in the camp. they’re so evil killing many refugees, treating them horribly such as raping wives and daughters in front of husbands and others . i remember a time where I was just a kid, there was a family next to my dome. during the day time thai soldiers kept an eye on khmer women and girls waiting for dark to come so they could rape them such as family pu soun tahan .. 5-6 thai people tied him up and raped his 17yr old daughter and his wife right in front of him and his other small kids. they beat up him badly and in the morning pu soun got axe khmer call pu tao to walk in to tahan thai group but those tahan thai shot and killed him then made up story to tell the U N. khmer refugee dies just like a dog in thai refugee camps . another time i was not in the thai camp yet, I was in 007 camp which was belonged to serey ka jeat camp “para”. i saw a bunch of tahan thais rape two khmer girls. I believe it was over 10 soldiers that raped the 2 khmer girls right on entry way where khmers go buy stuff from thai people. after they raped them, they hung those girls underwears, tied them together and lifted them up high enough to make other khmers go under and they charge 10 bath each go under. noone wanted to go under, they just kicked them and there was no other way to go. because the patrol did not let anyone go anywhere. underwear was drenched with blood and the girls still completely naked near them in the bush and they just laugh and talk shit sip baht kaw ma sip baht uak pai then laugh as if it were something funny. many khmer guys were so shocked and mad but they didn’t know what to do because the thais had weapons and they we are just regular people. We did nothing wrong, we were just trying to go buy food supplies just to feed family make them profit anyway but instead of them being happy they treat us like a dog. this is just a few stories. i even wrote a book, i can still remember how the thais gave khmers such a hard time, like going thru hell and that doesn’t even include phnom dang rek. they took U N money and cheat them, they lied right into the U N eyes, lied to every refugee, push them to the mine and blew it up then many died all over jungle so sad. all khmers who read this article must remember if you gone thru that time of thai hell, its time to stand up fight for whats right. i’m not surprise when i heard on RFA radio that during an interview some Khmer guy volunteered to go back to join khmer troops if a war would erupt with thailand. myself also, 100% would volunteer to join too if we had a war with thai. Im sorry if i offend some good thai friend, but this is true story that I can never, in a million years, be forgotten.
Writing this caused tears coming from my eyes . I thought I’d never have to remember this devastating time ever again, but it seems I did.
To all khmer people never forget who you are!YOU are the descendants of the masters of ANGKOR our glorious ancestors!Be proud of yourself because your blood is noble and rich of history and remember never again we will be separated from each other ,find back your soul , your country and kingdom be united and strong!REMEMBER this only weak people rape innocent women and children!SO do everything to protect your country and your family.WE was lost but khmer you are back strong and in peace.
proud2Bkhmer,
You reminding of myself brink me back the memories I experience myself and been seen with my own eyes from the camp in Thailand thru the deportation to Dongrek mountain by Thai Gov. in Khmer rouge time I’d not seen body piled up, but in Dongrek mountain I’d seen bodies piled up in a dried creek because of land mines everywhere. I tried to walk back up to where the dropped place, but not even there yet gun shot from the top of the mountain by Thai army from preventing Cambodian to go back up. I thought Khmer rouge was bad but Thai is the worst among all.
Thi is to all who ever Thai or Cambodian people that never experience this and I just want to share my story. I don’t blame Thai people but the Gov’s themself.
Think If one of you were in my shoe?
You reminding of myself bring
Lee, where do u live? yes, I’ve heard about Dongrek mountain such a sad story. I also bought a book from a guy whose name is kim, he lives in Santa monica Ca, he wrote the book about that.
true there is good and bad people in this world even though I had many good thai friends, it makes it harder for me to bring up all this crap because of the stupid government. but the true is the true thanks for your reply.
Preah Vihear Temple at Dangrek Mountain reminds Thais losing their ugly faces in front of the International Court of juctice in 1962. Thais remember this and if they have a chance they took Khmer refugees to the place they lost their ugly faces and throw Khmer refugees back to the landmine with gun pointed over Khmer Heads and Thais shoot Khmer refugees on the back who dare turning back towards Thais. William Shawcross, a British journalist following Khmer refugees described at least thousand Khmer refugees were death from Thai shooting and from landmine.
Thai cruel action provoked the UN and the International Community to put pressure on Thais and forced Thais to accept billion of dollars so the UN and the International Community can get Khmer refugees out of Thailand safe and sound, but not really safe and sound as expected.
Khmers are trying to let Thai cruel action 29 years ago to go away, but today July 2008 this Thai cruel action is back again with guns, grenades and cannons taking 47 Khmer Buddhist Monks as hostage in Khmer pagoda the same place in Preah Vihear Temple at Dangrek Mountain. If Khmer soldiers who bring food supplies to the Khmer Monks in pagoda are not patient with Thais, many innocent Khmer lives will die again because of Thai cruel action.
Yes i have seen atrocity and it’s a open wound like a nife squeezing into my flesh. For 29 years i lived with bad memorys.Khao i dang was miserable. I left that camp in 1980.Alone to belgium.I LOST my family AND i have seen my parents died in a front of me.I tried to forget but so many years of our childhood have been taken away.So lee i know about the mines and what they do to our people and we will never live that cruel experience again.Lee i understand you brother ,we have to be strong and stay focus for the future.BY the way martial art and medition save my life from being brutal and violent.I Am proud to be khmer and still practice our martial art .KBACH KUN KHMER BORAN.We should meet each other and help each other .see you all.SENsei pat .
TO you all Lee,khmer kid one ,proudtobekhmer2,fanie.PREAh VIHEAR represent alot of money and the thai government know what they do by invading our land.THEY try to scare us with their guns.But you have to know this behind all that comedy there is alot money in the game.PREAH VIHEAR WILL BRING CAMBODIA ECONOMY AND PEACE and the thai leaders want that economy for their own country so they want to test our capability to defense our self.NICE try but it will not work .because we will stand for our rights and fight if we have to war with them.BElieve me we have lost to much lands our neigbours always take advantage of our internal disputes take over our land.That’s why we khmer have to stay united or it will be no more lands for us to live.with respect to you all people of good will.
Tks to all u guys for sharing me very unexpected experience, I read until my tears nearly drop and my heart very pain. I duno how to say but It’s realy realy true that thailand is more develop than Cambodia coz their counrty dun hv many wars like us so their ppl should hv high education and know how to respect and communicate with their neighbor very well but everyth is adversely. IS IT BCOZ OF THEIR GOV’T BRIAN IS SHIT? That’s why they educate their ppl to be cruel like animal being. If u think Khmer ppl are afraid of ur guns and other modern weapons u hv, u are absolutely wrong coz our ancestor is descendants of the masters of ANGKOR, We dun need to use much guns as u, WE ALSO CAN WIN, LET TRY IF U DUN BELIEVE!!!!!
Fanie, u r rite. As an outsider I can c. If the war s not avoidable, both sides wil lose. 4 sure, no 1 win. Thai s the sevior loser. U, Camb, has no more 2 lose. Thai ppl hav been misled n cheated by their greedy leaders. Thailand turn all their neighboring nations into enemies. No matter u r poor or rich Thai never treat u friendly. C what Thai do 2 peaceful n innocent Lao? N what Thai do 2 Malaysia n Burma? N now 2 u, Camb. This s what Thai claim itself 2 b a gud nation. In their sense, being gud s only when their endless greed being satisfied.
I guarantee, Thailand wil b chopped into pieces if Thai dare 2 fight against Camb this time. Anger of the peace-loving states wil b rise up n those states wil b on yr side, my friend Camb.
Thai soldier wil fight n die like animals just 2 fulfill their leaders’greed while Camb soldiers wil fight bravely 2 protect yr national sovereignty.
Let all ppl around the world stand up n defeat leaders with crazy phillosophy like that of Thai’s!
Israel in the middle east, now Thai in South East. What they 1 2 play with this region? Come on wake up Thai ppl. U r our friends.
Dear All,
Now not only Preah Vihear Pagoda has been invasive even Tamon Temple along Dorng Rek Mountain also they do, “What’s the hell???”.
Now is 21st century, “U still do this to your neighbor???” “Thailand’s gov’t hoy… open ur eyes BIG BIG and see how u make ur country to be ashamed to the world”.
It is time for Thai greedy leaders to show every single tricks and unfair treat to their neighbors. This might have been kept for long time!
News from Preah Vihea: A black uniform Thai soldier, who are known as the hired soldier to die for greediness, died last week. Their gov’t was trying to conver this. This is the result of their leader’s endless greediness!
Thai leaders deserve?
Mohan, i’m with u bro, u seems like talk everything clearly rite. but u wait n c wat goes around come around There is a solution thais gona get, and it’s deceptively simple.
I do agree with you guys ,first i was open that the thai government and we khmer nagotiated with them but why should we negotiate something wich belong to CAMBODIA already for centurys.?IT so ridiculous!THE problem with thai government is their unfair and criminal politics of expansion.OUR LAND IS NOT FOR SALE !THE KHMER PEOPLE HAVE ENOUGH OF THIS UNFAIR NEIGBOUR WHOM LEARN FROM US EVERYTHING AND TOOk from us the dance art ,the language of writing ,the martial arts.and i pass.REMEMBER THE YEAR 1431 the date that they capture more than 90.000 khmers prisoners from ANGKOR WAT.and the descendants of those people help them to build thailand at our image.SIAM ,SIAM.STOP BITING THE HAND OF YOUR MASTER WHO GIVE you A COUNTRY AND SHARE WITH YOU OUR KNOWLEDGES.to you all with respect and good will.
I have try to consider Thai as brother, even try not to think of the bad thing they did before to us and just living happily and respect each other. But maybe they don’t want that. I don’t want to use bad word, but what thai is doing is so Da*m F***ing and so Sh*t. Try to open your eyes Mr. Thai, don’t lie your self and just closing your eyes while do any of such this thing. Try to think in the right way.
I am proud to be Khmer, and proud of all Khmer Kid here and any where. You all make me so surprise with the love to our own country. We all should be strong, we won’t go to the wrong way as we had experience in history. It is 21th Century. Thing is changed.
Mohan A.,
I had the same thought.
I dare you that Thias will not fight because Country stability, economy; and just to do the flip flop cheat the neighbor countries, but Cambodian have nothing to lose because it all had been lost. If Khmers act strong compare to Palestine there will be piece by piece to gain back what Khmers own.
I WAS THINKING ABOUT PEACE ALL THE TIME WITH THAILAND AND CAMBODIA but what i see start really to piss me of!.THEY start to claim preah vihear and now they claim another temple recently and their soldiers occupied our temple ta moan thom!THE supreme commander of thai army said >>if khmers soldiers will go there they will push them back!SO FOR ME it is clear that they don’t want peace with us.IT is a warning that they are looking for war.SUCH BEHAVIOR HAVE TO BE SANCTION BY THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE.!!!OR OTHERWISE WE HAVE NO CHOICE EXCEPT THAT TO FIGHT FOR OUR LAND PRESERVATION.with respect to you all people of good will.
I really dun understand the Thailand’s gov’t “WHAT & HOW ARE THEY THINKING?”.
They are our temples & territory but our gov’t still negotiate and keep to be friendly and peaceful to them coz our Cambodia country are developing we dun like to make WAR, “WE HATE WAR”.
Well, if Thailand still push and push for WAR, We are no choice we need to protect of OUR INTERRITORIAL INTEGRITY & SOVEREIGNTY.
Of coz, WAR will coz damage each side of country but THAI HERSELF MUST THINK “WHO IS THE MOST? or “CAN BE ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED” if u Thai try to review ur previous invasion to ur neighbors, u will understand.
It doesn’t threaten, It’s just a good will, “BUT HV U EVER REVIEWED THAT?”
Thailand should be ashamed of its intend to invade Cambodia. Not to forget that Thailand invaded Cambodia before and same Thai soldiers committed mass killings to the Khmer refugees during the 1980s. Thailand is indeed a devil that the world now know.
Hi All,
Pls go to the below Website and get more comments on what are in ur mind. esp abt the subject “Cambodia Complains to UN” There is one of siam talk abt our Khmer refugees during 1980s and still laughing some more.
If u are Khmer, “HOW DO U FEEL?” come on guys post ur comments as much as possible on that.
http://www.topix.com/forum/world/cambodia
Thais, please respect Khmers as the creator of your Thai letters, Thai vowels and Thai numerals that Thais have been using these Khmer creations as Thai official language in Thailand and please stop invading Khmer lands and Khmer temples and claimed belonging to Thais.
Please watch the video below of Khmer and Thai language and stop looking down on Khmers, because if you look down on Khmers, you look down on yourselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75qqC_TZ6d4
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Hello…I came here just want to know more, wht happen to khmer peoples in the Thia camp during khmer rought…
i’m just 17 years old…I don’t know anything about those all things… when i read the 30th comment of bong proud2Bkhmer, i feel so much excited…and i didn’t know , bloody damn thai do to us this much… hear from bong bong soon…
If you hav any site to share with me, please…I’m appreciate it…
Thx in advance…:-)
hi ly luv khmer.here is the the website by the way you are really cute and courageous !http://www.topix.com/forum/world/cambodia i hope you will find some answer to your question.by kid.have fun
Thx…
but I went there…But no detail about that problem…
Aggression by Siam is unreasonable. Everyone in the world knows that Cambodia is the one of the oldest kingdom and the history of temples constructor. And where is Siam country in those periods? According to the history while the era of our Khmer great former kings were building those temples, the country called Thailand or Siam didn’t exist yet and now most of Khmer territories have been stolen by them. Maybe Siam forgot their origin or most of them didn’t even know about it because their elder and their school have taught them to want to get something that not belongs to them. One thing that Siam almost forgot was why one of Cambodia’s provinces called Siem Reap or Siam Reap it means that “Defeat Siam”. Siam lost the war while they fought for Angkor Wat. Now Siam dare said that Phreas Vihea temple is in their boundary. It’s ridiculous; who would build their own home in other person land? Recently when Phreas Vihea temple was recognized as the world heritage, Siam seems to be jealous and try to provoke a conflict without embarrassing. One case doesn’t finish yet another case begin, like Ta Mean temple is definitely in Cambodia land but Siam said that it is belong to them too. It’s such a shame for Siam to think of our temples are belong to them, because none of Siam race were connected to the temple constructing. It was Khmer ancestors who built those temples. I dare said like this because Khmer civilization has shown clearly of the prosperous of Angkor era from the former time until now. How about Siam country? Is Siam civilization shows something to clarify about what they want from Cambodia? Is Siam think of nothing else but to dispute the neighbor territory? Siam nation is always contempt for Khmer nation and we are Khmer we will not allow you (Siam) to continue do so. The hatred of Siam now fills in every Khmer’s heart. Thai = Siam = Slave. We are not Khamen as you (Siam) always call.
To: KhmerloverKhmer
I loves your comments my brother!
million % with you khmerlovekhmer, you got it right Thanks
We hate Siam but don’t left Youn behind, bro!!!
Siem Reap or Siam Reap mean
“Khmer crushed Siam like bugs under Khmer feet”.