More News from Preah Vihear Temple

As the Unitied Nations Security Council wonders whether to address Cambodia's request for intervention, both countries send troops to guard their positions.

Things are hotting up over the disputed Preah Vihear Temple in the area of the Thai-Cambodian border.

News tonight is that the United Nations Security Council is being asked to adjudicate on the situation as each country rushes troops to the border area. Both countries are sensitive to giving away national treasures or territory, and this is where the United Nations could help.

More cynical onlookers think it is a storm in a teacup to distract local opinion away from disagreeable happenings in the two countries, like inflation and the increased price of oil and gasoline. Cambodians vote in their General Election on July 27th, and Thailand battles with continuing conflict down south where loss of life due to shootings is a daily occurrence between the army and the insurgents. Plus the Thai government has problems with a forceful opposition which holds protest meetings daily in Bangkok.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has said that he “fears an imminent state of war” and he appealed to the UN to intervene. Meanwhile, Thailand has informed the UN that it prefers to resolve the dispute through bilateral talks.

Cambodian Defense Minister Teah Banh and Thai Supreme Commander General Boonsrang Niempradit met at the Thai border town of Aranyapathet last Monday in a failed attempt to defuse the situation.

The matter may eventually return to the Hague International Court of Justice where the original dispute over the temple’s ownership was settled in 1962 when Thailand’s failure to officially object to the map-making led to them losing the temple.

Meantime, the steep slope on the Cambodia side means that access is still near impossible from that direction, and the gradual slope on the Thai side means that most people have to approach this now famous Hindu temple of Phreah Vihear from Thailand.