About 100 Thai troops entered Ta Moan temple in the middle of the night; Border situation tense again

Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak flying a Cambodian flag (Photo: CEN)

Sitting from left to right: Gen. Hun Many, Gen. Hun Manet, Gen. Chea Dara, Gen. Kheng Someth and Gen. Srei Doek reviewing a map on 28 Jan 2011 (Photo: CEN)

28 January 2011
By Serey
Cambodia Express News
Translated from Khmer by Soch for KI-Media

Preah Vihear – A report from the border claimed that about 100 armed Thai troops entered Ta Moan temple last night. Also, the border situation in Preah Vihear is becoming tense again after Thailand sent reinforcement troops to the border area and demanded that Cambodia removes its flag from Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda.

A source indicated at 10AM on 28 Jan that Cambodian troops are on alert at Ta Moan and Ta Krabei temples in Oddar Meanchey province after Thailand sent additional troops to this region. The source added that during the evening of 27 Jan, at around 7-8 PM, about 100 armed Thai soldiers entered the perimeter of Ta Moan temple. These soldiers remained there for about 2 hours before they left after Cambodia insisted that they leave since their action is contrary to prior agreements.

Meanwhile, the situation in Preah Vihear temple is becoming tense again after Thai troops demanded that Cambodia removes its flag from Wat Keo Sekha Kiri Svarak Pagoda which belongs to Cambodia. However, Cambodia refused. The source claimed that up to now, there is no armed clash yet, but that both troops are on alert and are facing each other. Thailand also sent troops and large amount of weapons to the region which had problems in the past.