Land prices in Cambodia continue to fall

Friday, 31st December 2010
Source : HVS International

According to Cambodia’s National Valuers Association, land prices in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, are continuing to fall quarter-on-quarter.

The value of commercial and residential land prices fell by between 2% and 3% in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same quarter in 2009.

Commercial land was estimated to be worth US$2,800 per square metre, down from US$2,850 in the second quarter of 2010.

Residential land on the other hand was estimated to be worth US$1,600 per square metre, down from US$1,650 for the second quarter of the year as well.

Information leads to freedom

Friday, December 31, 2010
John Stroup
The Gisborner Herald (New Zealand)

WHAT is social engineering? Why is it important to know about it? Is it good, or is it bad?

Let’s start with a definition: (Sociology) the manipulation of the social position and function of individuals in order to manage change in a society.

Another context is computer security, usually involving trickery or deception in order to gain access or information. Although this context is not significant to the point being made, please note deception is the tool being used.

Social engineering is all about change. It is a way to change people’s world view, attitudes, behaviour, opinions, actions and beliefs. A social conditioning or behaviour modification would be good synonyms.

How is this done? The most brutal methods have been employed by authoritative regimes such as the former Soviet Union. There were re-education programmes, dislocation of populations, imprisonment and execution of dissidents. Pol Pot in Cambodia relocated and executed millions of people to achieve his political objectives.

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Khmer Court jailed 7 Thais for Illegal Trespass into Cambodia

Tensions rise as Cambodia holds Thais

Friday, December 31, 2010
AFP

A Cambodian court charged seven Thais - including a politician - with illegally entering Cambodian territory after they were detained near the countries' disputed border.

"The court has charged them with illegally crossing the border and entering a military area with ill will," said Sok Roeun, deputy prosecutor at Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The seven, including lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth of the ruling Democrat Party, appeared at a closed-door hearing at the court, a day after being detained.

The incident has rekindled diplomatic tensions between the neighbors over their long-standing border dispute.

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Fears of new Thai-Cambodia border tensions

December 31, 2010
ABC Radio Australia

The Thai prime minister is demanding the immediate release of seven Thais, including a ruling party politician, who have been arrested by Cambodian troops near a section of the two countries' disputed border. Thailand's foreign minister is due to meet his counterpart in Cambodia for talks on the issue. But the seven detainees have appeared in a Phnom Penh court, charged with illegally entering Cambodia. There are fears that the incident could renew diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Presenter: Sonja Heydeman

Speakers: Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, deputy secretary general to the Thai prime minister, Bangkok; Phay Siphan, spokesman, Council of Ministers, Phnom Penh
Listen: Windows Media

It all comes back to the Preah Vihear dispute

31/12/2010
By Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

Relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh are again being tested following the arrest on Wednesday by Cambodian troops of seven Thais including a government MP.

The seven were picked up on charges of trespassing on Cambodian territory while inspecting a disputed border site near Ban Nong Jarn in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo.

The group arrested included Democrat Party MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth; People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Veera Somkwamkid; Samdin Lertbutr, a PAD activist; Tainae Mungmajon; and three others identified only as Muay, Uan and Sab.

Mr Panich said by telephone after his arrest on Wednesday that he was investigating a complaint by local people that Cambodian troops had encroached on their farmland for more than a month.

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Thais held in Cambodian jail; Hun Sen turns deaf ear to Abhisit's demands

31/12/2010
Bangkok Post Reporters and AFP

"It was found the seven Thais had strayed about 1,200 metres into Cambodian territory. It was clearly marked as a Cambodian area" - Assistant to the foreign minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut

Senior [Thai] officers questioned whether the seven had intentionally strayed into Cambodian territory

Phnom Penh is refusing to release seven Thais being held for trespassing on Cambodian territory despite Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanding they be granted their freedom.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday afternoon made an urgent visit to Phnom Penh for talks with his counterpart, Hor Namhong, on securing the release of the seven who include a government MP.

But Phnom Penh Municipal Court decided yesterday to press ahead with charges against the Thais.

The defendants, including Democrat Party MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, appeared at a closed-door hearing at the court, a day after being detained near the border dividing Thailand and Cambodia.

"The court has charged them with illegally crossing the border ... and entering a military area with ill will," deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun said.
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More misjudgement [from Panich Vikitsreth]

31/12/2010
Postbag to the Bangkok Post

Collectively and individually, the group of seven Thais picked up on the Cambodian border (on Dec 29) showed clear signs of being a few degrees short of a compass bearing in an escapade more akin to a schoolboy prank than a serious fact-finding mission.

During his fruitless stint at the Foreign Ministry as Thaksin bloodhound-in-chief, Panich Vikitsreth in particular demonstrated a less than firm grasp of geographical realities by placing the runaway former prime minister in a variety of wildly improbable locations.

As with another Democrat MP's humanitarian visit to a celebrated Russian prisoner earlier this year, this seems to have been an unauthorised jaunt that casts doubt on PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's judgement in his choice of friends, colleagues and allies.

The (ridiculous) seven can count themselves lucky their field trip was in an area sown only with rice; otherwise the consequences don't bear thinking about.

How much more embarrassing if Hun Sen's good friend Thaksin were to intercede to help bail them out.

WEEKEND JOGGER

Suthep advised, talk to Hun Sen

31/12/2010
Bangkok Post

Banharn Silpa-archa, chief adviser to Chart Thai Pattana Party leader, said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban should travel to Cambodia to directly discuss the release of the seven captured Thais with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The veteran politician was responding to the arrest of seven Thais, including a Democrat MP and a core leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, by Cambodian soldiers and charged with illegally entering the country.

They were visiting a disputed border area in Sa Kaeo province at the time.

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Thai FM fails to free Thais detained in Cambodia

BANGKOK, Dec 31 (MCOT online news) -- Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya failed to achieve the release of a Thai Democrat MP and six other people detained by Cambodian authorities for alleged trespass on the territory of the neighbouring country.

Mr Kasit made an urgent visit to Phnom Penh for talks with his counterpart, Hor Namhong, on securing the release of the seven on Thursday afternoon and returned empty-handed in the evening.

The Thai foreign Minister said upon returning from Phnom Penh that he tried to tell his Cambodian counterpart that the seven had strayed into the Cambodian territory during inspection of the border areas after receiving a petition from Thai villagers along the border.

Mr Kasit admitted to Hor Namhong that the seven Thai unintentionally crossed into the Cambodian area for 1,200 metres.
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Cambodia Charges 7 Thai Nationalists with Illegal Entry

30 December 2010
VOA News

A Cambodian court has charged seven Thai nationalists, including a ruling party lawmaker, with illegally entering Cambodia while they inspected a disputed border area.

Cambodian authorities detained the group Wednesday on the border of northwestern Cambodia and southeastern Thailand and brought them to Phnom Penh. A court in the capital, Phnom Penh, charged them Thursday with illegal entry and encroaching on a Cambodian military zone. If convicted on both counts, they face up to 18 months in prison.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called for the immediate release of the seven Thais, who include a lawmaker of his Democrat Party, Panich Vikitsreth. Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya traveled to Phnom Penh Thursday and met with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong to try to secure their freedom.

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Over 300 land protestors charged this year

A policeman monitors villagers protesting outside Kampong Speu provincial court in March. The protest followed the arrest of two people detained in connection with a dispute with a sugar company in Thpong district. (Photo by: Will Baxter)

Thursday, 30 December 2010
May Titthara
The Phnom Penh Post

A total of 306 villagers have been charged this year in connection with land disputes in 18 provinces, according to figures released by rights group Adhoc on Thursday.

Ouch Leng, Adhoc’s land programme officer, said that of those charged, 128 were released on bail after periods in detention, while 51 remained in prison. He said the remaining 127 had fled their homes to escape the charges.

He claimed that in many of the disputes – which have pitted thousands of villagers against “companies and powerful people” who are the beneficiaries of government-granted economic land concessions – the judiciary often sided with the more dominant party.

“The courts did not provide justice for villagers, but arrested them when they received a complaint from a company,” he said.
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Relocation protest at City Hall

A couple from Prek Pra commune in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district sit at their home, which has been marked for removal to make way for a canal. (Photo by: Pha Lina)

Thursday, 30 December 2010
Tep Nimol
The Phnom Penh Post

ABOUT 50 people staged a protest outside City Hall yesterday, agitating for municipal authorities to intervene after Meanchey district officials gave around 200 families living in Prek Pra commune 15 days to relocate.

According to a notice signed by district governor Kouch Chamroeun and dated December 25, families living along the banks of Prek Pra lake were told me deconstruct their houses within 15 days “in order to facilitate water current flow” as a flood prevention measure.

It stated that Prek Pra Lake was state property and was “a major waterway to prevent flooding”. The letter does not mention any compensation for those affected.
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Opposition asks for visit to WFP staffer

Seng Kunakar: Arrested and sentenced by a Sunday Kangaroo Court for printing and distributing article posted on KI-Media

Thursday, 30 December 2010
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

PARLIAMENTARIANS from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party have requested permission to visit an employee of the United Nations World Food Programme who was jailed earlier this month on incitement charges.

Seng Kunnaka, who worked in a WFP warehouse in Russei Keo district, was arrested on December 18 and convicted of criminal incitement in a rapid-fire trial at Phnom Penh Municipal Court barely 48 hours later.

In a letter sent to court president Chiv Keng on Tuesday, SRP Secretary General Ke Sovannaroth requested that five lawmakers be allowed to visit Seng Kunnaka at the city’s Prey Sar prison tomorrow. The letter followed an earlier one from December 23, which the SRP claims went unanswered.
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Political Sacravatoons: "Siem Army"

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com/)

Thai MP, Six Others, Appear in Cambodian Court

Thursday, 30 December 2010
Voice of America

A Thai lawmaker and six other people appeared in a Cambodian courtroom Thursday on charges of illegally entering the country despite efforts in Bangkok to head off the action.

Panich Vikitsreth, a member of parliament for Thailand's ruling Democrat party, was arrested Wednesday with his associates while visiting a disputed border area where Thai farmers have complained of intrusions by Cambodian soldiers.

The seven were hustled into the Phnom Penh Municipal Court Thursday morning despite Thai government efforts to arrange a diplomatic solution. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters in Bangkok Thursday that taking the case to court would “complicate the issue.”

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Cambodian court questions Thai lawmaker on trespass case

Dec 30, 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - A Thai parliamentarian and six other Thai nationals were questioned by a Cambodian court Thursday after being arrested along the border for alleged trespassing.

Panich Vikitsreth of the ruling Democrat Party was arrested along with the six other Thais Wednesday in a disputed border area between Thailand's Sa Keow province and Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday that the seven men should be released immediately and dispatched Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to Phnom Penh to seek their freedom.

Abhisit noted that both countries had previously agreed there should be no soldiers in the disputed area where the Thais had been arrested.

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Thai lawmaker and 6 others face prison in Cambodia for illegal border crossing

30/12/2010
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - A Cambodian court charged seven Thais, including a member of Parliament, on Thursday with illegally crossing the border in the latest flare-up of an often-strained relationship between the neighbours.

Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who was dispatched to the Cambodian capital to negotiate the group's release, urged Cambodian authorities to speed the legal proceedings.

"We respect the judiciary of Cambodia," Kasit said through a translator. The ministry has said the group was inspecting the border area. "We have asked the government to complete the case as soon as possible."

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Arrest of 7 Thais worries Prem

Prem Tinsulanonda

Photo confiscated from the arrested Thais show clear signs in Khmer language

30/12/2010
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and armed forces commanders on Thursday morning had a serious discussion with Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda about the arrest of seven Thais by Cambodia for trespassing.

They discussed the matter for about 20 minutes before Gen Prawit led other top brass to give Gen Prem a New Year blessing.

Gen Prawit, who looked tense, said to reporters: "We are following up the matter and coordinating with Cambodia."
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Border trespassing Thais taken out of court to Prey Sar jail

(All photos: DAP-news)

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Puea Thai slams captured MP Panich

30/12/2010
Bangkok Post

Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, one of the seven Thais held in Cambodia, should have known better than to have entered the disputed frontier area where he was captured, Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Thursday.

"It is quite unusal for a man like Mr Panich, who was formerly an assistant to the foreign minister, to be arrested. He should know the law and the situation between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the disputed border," Mr Prompong said.

He said it was not normal that the seven Thais visited the disputed border area without advising the Cambodian authorities first. Their trip to the border area was inappropriate and he wondered if there was a hidden political agenda.

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Thailand urges Cambodia to release MP in border incident

BANGKOK, Dec 30, 2010 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday demanded the immediate release of seven Thais, including one ruling party politician, who were detained by Cambodian troops near the countries' disputed border.

The apprehended Thais, including Democrat Party member of parliament Panich Vikitsreth and members of the so-called 'Yellow Shirt' protest movement, were to appear in court in Phnom Penh on Thursday on charges of illegally entering Cambodia a day earlier.

"Cambodia must release all seven Thais immediately," Mr Abhisit was quoted as saying by French news agency Agence France-Presse. "Cambodia should not take this case to court as it will further complicate the issue."

Mr Abhisit said the Thai foreign minister will fly to Cambodia today to meet his Cambodian counterpart to discuss the issue.
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Thailand, Cambodia to negotiate release of arrested Thais

December 30, 2010
Source: Xinhua

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya left for Cambodia to hold talks with his counterpart Hor Namhong over the issue of seven Thais detained by Cambodia as they were alleged to trespass on Cambodian territory.

The foreign minister will have discussion with Hor Namhong.

If the discussion is fruitful, Kasit will bring all the arrested Thais back with him on Thursday.

Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and the other six Thais were detained by Cambodian soldiers while they were visiting a disputed bordering area near Ban Nong Jarn in Sa Kaeo province's Khok Sung district on Wednesday.

Kasit leaves for Phnom Penh

30/12/2010
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Thursday flew to Phnom Penh to negotiate for the release of seven Thais, including an MP, arrested on Wednesday for trespassing.

Mr Kasit was accompanied by Thani Thongpakdi, director-general of the Information Department, Mathurapojana Itharong, deputy director-general of the Consular Affairs Department, and high-level Foreign Ministry officials.

The foreign minister said before his departure that he would first look into the circumstances of how Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) activist Veera Somkwamkid, and five other Thais were arrested when they visited Sa Kaeo to inspect the disputed border area yesterday afternoon.

Ministry officials had been sent to examine the border point in question so that he could negotiate with Cambodian authorities for their release.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants the seven to be released because he had an agreement with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that if people of either side were arrested in connection with the border dispute, the other side could seek the release of its people, he said.

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Cambodia charges Thais over border incident

Foreign Ministers, Hor Namhong (foreground, right) of Cambodia, and Kasit Piromya of Thailand, enter a meeting room of Cambodian Foreign Ministry in Phnom Penh. -- PHOTO: AP

Dec 30, 2010
AFP

PHNOM PENH - A CAMBODIAN court on Thursday charged seven Thais, including a politician, with illegally entering its territory, a prosecutor said, after they were detained near the countries' disputed border.

'The court has charged them with illegally crossing the border... and entering a military area with ill will,' Sok Roeun, deputy prosecutor at Phnom Penh Municipal Court, told AFP by telephone.

The seven, including lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth of the ruling Democrat Party, appeared at a closed-door hearing at the court, a day after being detained by Cambodia.
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NBI: Chinese syndicate using banking system for fraud

Thursday, December 30, 2010
By Macon Ramos Araneta
Manila Standard Today (Philippines)

THE Chinese syndicate that has collected P6 billion in six months of operations in the Philippines operates elsewhere in Southeast Asia apart from China, an NBI official said Wednesday.

The Internet and credit card syndicate led by Wei Hao Lo has defrauded many people in China and Taiwan, and some of the passports confiscated from arrested syndicate members show that they have been to Thailand, says case officer Norman Anire.

Cesar Bacani, head of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Fraud and Action Division, said the syndicate’s members could also be operating in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

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House building in Cambodia a natural fit for Lush

December 30, 2010
By Pamela Eadie
Ottawa Citizen Special (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Thanks in part to a generous donation from a good corporate citizen, it's expected that 25 new houses will be built in a poor region of Cambodia next month.

Rockin4Tabitha (R4T) is a grassroots charity that builds houses in Cambodia on behalf of the Tabitha Foundation; 2011 will be its fifth year doing so. Rockin4Tabitha is a fundraiser rhythm and blues concert in support of the Tabitha Foundation Canada's house building efforts in Cambodia.

R4T works through the Tabitha Foundation Canada with the primary purpose of raising money to build houses, wells and ponds. The Rockin4Tabitha build team, comprised of international volunteer, travels to Cambodia each February.

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From pain, pepper - and a plan - sprout

That's me in the middle.PHARY, FOR THE REGISTER

The kids at a candy stand outside of Kampong Trach.

Here are a couple reasons we love Cambodia. These kids live in a village outside of Kep that harvests sea salt.

Dec. 30, 2010
BY TOM GORDON
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (California, USA)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tom Gordon, an editor at The Register, is starting a nonprofit that will sell Cambodian pepper in the United States. The money raised will help a group that works to help retrain former sex workers in Cambodia This is the last of a three-part story.

I learned something in 2010.

I learned that your life – no matter how orderly and planned – can be turned upside down in seconds.

On the afternoon of May 13 I was sitting at my desk at The Register's Anaheim office doing what I normally do: supervising coverage of murderers, child molesters, traffic accidents, gas leaks and the like. I got message from photographer Bruce Chambers about a traffic accident that had closed Main Street at Sycamore in West Orange.

Close to my house, I thought.

Bruce was on the way. It was one of a dozen accidents we cover during the course of a week.
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He brings home a suitcase full of pepper

Traditionally, pepper is grown on wooden stakes. Starling Farm built these brick towers which last longer than the wood and support more vines.

Kampot pepper ripned on the vine. COURTESY HIM ANNA, STARLING FARM

Kampot pepper is organically grown and the farmers use many of the same techniques as their ancestors.

Dec. 30, 2010
BY TOM GORDON
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (California, USA)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tom Gordon, an editor at The Register, is starting a nonprofit that will sell Cambodian pepper in the United States. The money raised will help a group that works to help retrain former sex workers in Cambodia This is the last of a three-part story.

Pol Pot killed one, maybe two million people back in the 1970s. Pol Pot liked killing people.

But evidently he didn't like pepper. Pol Pot ordered acres of pepper vines in the Kampot province of western Cambodia ripped out and rice planted in its place.

History has not been kind to Pol Pot.

On the other hand, Chef Oge Dalken, who is creating the menu for the soon-to-open Chapter One: the modern local restaurant in downtown Santa Ana, is a big fan of Kampot pepper.

"The pepper is damn good – and you can say damn good because that's the way I feel about. I am using it as the basic seasoning in all my dishes," says Chef Dalken. He has plans to use Cambodian pepper on duck, New York steaks and possibly in a martini.
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From prostitution to pepper

The former sex workers are taught skills such as sewing at the Daughters of Cambodia workwhop in Phnom Penh. (COURTESY DAUGHTERS OF CAMBODIA)

These small ornaments in the gift shop tell story in two words.

The Daughters of Cambodia now hosts about 55 girls and 15 boys.

Dec. 30, 2010
BY TOM GORDON
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (California, USA)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Tom Gordon, an editor at The Register, is starting a nonprofit that will sell Cambodian pepper in the United States. The money raised will help a group that works to help retrain former sex workers in Cambodia This is the last of a three-part story.

I'm writing about pepper and Cambodia for several reasons, but to start off I'll share two:

TEE'S STORY: At 15, Tee left her province in rural Cambodia to find a job in Phnom Penh. For four years she worked as a waitress. When the restaurant closed, she went to work as a karaoke girl. She was sold to a brothel by a friend. The friend took the payment and Tee was forced to work it off.

If she complained, she was beaten. If she refused to have sex with the brothel owners, she was beaten. She was forced to stand on the street to attract customers. If she didn't lure enough customers, she was beaten. She finally ran away when the brothel owners were sleeping. But carrying the stigma of having been a sex worker made finding a new job all but impossible, and she ended up back in a karaoke bar.
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[Thai] PM holds urgent meeting over arrest of 7 Thais by Cambodia

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday held an urgent meeting of security agencies over the arrest of Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and six other Thais by Cambodia authorities.

The meeting was held at the Government House at 9 am.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Supreme Commander Gen Kitti Jakkrabatra, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and National Security Council Secretar-General Thawil Pliensri as well as Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

7 Thai trespassers be charged with illegal entry: court source

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Seven Thai nationals including at least one Thai lawmaker appeared before Phnom Penh Municipal Court at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning to face charges of allegedly trespassing on Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province while inspecting the countries' shared border.

Sok Roeun, deputy prosecutor of the court conducted the inquest.

Among the seven arrested were Panich Wikitsate, an MP from Democrat Party, Veera Somkwamkid, secretary general of People Network Against Corruption and Thailand Patriot Network core member, Samdin Lersbusya, secretary for Heaven and Earth Party, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, assistant to Panich, Taynae Moongmachon, pressperson, Ms. Naruemol Chitwaratana, house keeper and Ms. Ratree Paiputana Paiboon, vendor, according to the court record.

They had been arrested on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. by Cambodian border protection army at the border pole No. 46 in Chhokchey village, Obiychhorn commune, Ochrov district, Banteay Meanchey province. The location is opposite to Norngchan village of Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province.

"They entered the prohibited military zone and entered Cambodian territory about 500 meters from the border boundary," the source who declined to be named said before the inquest. "They could be charged with illegal entry," he said.

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The 7 Thai border trespassers arrested by Cambodia

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Photos confiscated from the Yellow Shirt border trespassers in O'Bey Choan commune, O'Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province

(All photos: DAP-news)

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Political Sacravatoons: "Killing the Golden Goose"

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Click on the cartoon to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com/)

Political Sacravatoons: "Family Business"

Click on the cartoon to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com/)

A turbulent year for Preah Vihear, Cambodian ties

Only a few Cambodian and foreign tourists have visited the disputed Preah Vihear temple recently. Thai and Cambodian soldiers positioned at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara near the 11th century temple have withdrawn from the area to ease border tensions. WASSANA NANUAM

30/12/2010
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

'Please don't speak Thai when you are at Preah Vihear Temple. Thais aren't allowed there," the Cambodian driver warned me while taking me and my photographer up to the temple on Dec 11.

The driver wanted me to speak in English as he would tell Cambodian soldiers that we were non-Thai tourists.

The 11th century temple has been off-limits for all Thais since July 2008 after the armed border clashes in the area, leading to Thai troops being stationed at Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara at the foot of the temple hill.

Still with the US$20 (600 baht) entrance fee plus other top-up charges, the driver decided to take me to the temple on a three-hour ride from Siem Reap to see with my own eyes the situation on the ground there. The road is under construction by engineer soldiers and Chinese workers as part of Phnom Penh's plan to take more tourists there from Siem Reap, the major Cambodian destination for tourists who want to see Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. The road construction project faces a protest by Thailand in that it enters part of the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area.
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7 Thais held by Cambodia for trespassing

Panich: Democrat MP was ‘inspecting land’

Veera Somkwamkid is a PAD co-leader

Hun Sen says police had 'a right to arrest'

30/12/2010
Bangkok Post Reporters and AFP

Seven Thais, including a Democrat Party MP and members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, are facing prosecution on charges of trespassing on Cambodian territory.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday he had ordered legal action be taken against the seven.

They will be taken to Phnom Penh to face trial.

The Thais were arrested about 10am yesterday near Ban Nong Jarn in Sa Kaeo's Khok Sung district while inspecting a disputed border area.
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[Thai] Democrat MP among 7 arrested by Cambodia

Thu, Dec 30, 2010
The Nation/Asia News Network

Thailand: MP Panich Vikitsreth of the ruling Democrat Party and six yellow-shirt activists including Veera Somkwamkid will be tried and held in prison in Phnom Penh today, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly said after they were arrested yesterday while inspecting the Sa Kaeo border.

"I believe that the location where I was inspecting is under Thai sovereignty," Panich told The Nation by phone. "The 46th boundary monument that indicates the territory of the two countries is situated in the area."

Panich said his group was walking in a paddy field when eight or nine Cambodian soldiers took them into custody at 11am.

The disputed area in Ban Nong Chan village of Sa Kaeo's Khok Sung district has been claimed by Thailand and Cambodia for decades after a group of Cambodians fled from war to settle there.

Ban Nong Chan residents regard Sri Pen Road as the de facto boundary line and refrain from crossing over to the Cambodian side.

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Cambodia denies it has freed Thailand legislator

Thursday 30/12/2010
Gulf Times (Doha, Qatar)

Cambodian officials yesterday denied media reports that they had released a Thai legislator who had been arrested earlier that day as he was inspecting a disputed area on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Panich Vikitsreth, a member of the ruling Democrat Party, was among a group of seven people detained by Cambodian troops in a disputed zone in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Keow province, 200km east of Bangkok, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said.

Thai media reports yesterday afternoon said the group had been released. Dy Phen, director of the border relations office in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, said officials were “negotiating” with their Thai counterparts on the case.

“We have not yet released them,” he said.

A senior Cambodian official said the group was being held for “trespassing under immigration law.”

“They intruded into Cambodia,” the official said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

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Dentist volunteer sees sad sights in Cambodian prison

Thu, 30 Dec 2010
By Chris Morris
Otago Daily Times Online (New Zealand)

Dunedin dentist Gary Marks had good reason to savour his Christmas dinner this year, having experienced a taste of the squalid conditions of a French colonial-era prison in Cambodia.

Mr Marks (61) returned to Dunedin last month after about four weeks working as a volunteer for an international dental school in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.

The assignment included a week on Cambodia's south coast, working inside Kampot Prison helping supervise 15 dental students treating the facility's inmates.

Mr Marks told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the inmates' dental problems included chronic decay requiring numerous tooth extractions, but the challenges did not stop there.

Cramped and "fairly squalid" conditions meant the inmates slept about 50 people to a room, on thin mattresses over concrete floors, and health problems - including HIV, scabies and conjunctivitis - were prevalent, he said.

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