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| Displaced villagers in a temporary shelter after fleeing their homes near the Preah Vihear Temple. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan) |
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Ek Madra
The Phnom Penh Post
Opinion
Thailand claimed that Cambodia attacked first when hostilities broke out 10 days ago at the Preah Vihear Temple region. Thailand also claimed, via its premier, that Cambodia positioned troops at the world heritage site of Preah Vihear.
Fact or fiction?
Thailand’s GDP for 2010 at constant prices was estimated at US$580.3 billion. The population of Thailand in 2010 was estimated at 67.7 million. The country has a land mass of 513,120 square kilometres. And armed forces, including paramilitaries, as of 2008 were at 665,000, including modern main battle tanks, F16 fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as naval units.
Cambodia’s GDP was US$29.5 billion. Cambodia has a population of 14 million people and its land area is 181,035 square kilometers. Its armed forces number approximately 100,000, and it has a virtually non-existent air force and naval units.
Given the above, would anyone of a sane and rational mind ever believe what Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva alleged – that Cambodia attacked the Thai military and civilian units across the tenacious border of Preah Vihear over four consecutive days in early February?
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