Preah Vihear dispute and nationalism

Harry McKinnon blames the “irrational nationalism” of Thai citizens for the rising tension in Preah Vihear temple. Bangkok Pundit believes the upcoming Cambodian election is motivating the opposition to “stoke nationalist sentiment.” Both Thailand and Cambodia are claiming the historic site.

8 comments

  • Thanakorn

    We Thais and Khmers are both miserable people. Khmers cry for the loss of their territory to about 3/4 of the current Thailand territory while we Thais cry for the loss of 4 or 5 provinces to Cambodia – just because of France who made our expansion incomplete.

    In addition, we are so painful when ICJ ruled Pra Vihan to Cambodia in 1962.

    The current tension arises from the PAD who challenges our Gvt – our FM was resigned as the result of PAD actions. The tension will ease only after PAD stops attacking Samak’s Gvt. Otherwise, our pain both from the past and the current pressure would force us to continue figthing with Cambodia. We know it is against the ICJ rulling, but this is the unfinshed agenda – if we can take another inch of Cambodia territory, we would please PAD and ease our pain.

  • Dear friend,

    I just try to give some facts and hope that you can reveal your misunderstanding. Khmers and Thais are always brothers and sisters. This problem is caused by misunderstanding and some Thai academics do not realize the fact and tell their children about the facts. As the result of that, Thais and Khmers are still blind. Please, click the below website.

    http://www.preah-vihear.com/

  • CBS

    Dear friends,

    We had understood the war is not a solution for both countries. While Thai’s has understood well on the ICJ 19962 decision, so why thais are trying to against with the result, they know it would be possible that Khmer will give back the land based on the result. If you were Khmer, I guess you will never compromise with Thai if you have a strong legal basis as ICJ’s.

    Khmer people are not an aggressive or want to invade any body’ land, as the histody has shown their land becoming smaller and smaller from day by day, but let think why this time they are very much patriotism to their land? or Thai has done something wrong? let re-think about thai behavior to Khmer people and their educating to their children to hate khmer?

    From now on, thai should understand the fact that what is possible and impposible over the Preah Vihear dispute.

  • Khmer

    Dear friends,

    I am very sad to hear that Thai and their people is disagreeing with the National Court ruling in 1962 and now again with the UNESCO. We lost so much land to the Thai and Vietnam (Khmer Krom) when the French decided what to give to the Thai and what to stay. I think in the eyes of the world it is too cruel to give what Khmer built and always own to other country but Cambodia. This is why the UNESCO has accepted the Preah Vihear as Khmer Heritage in July 08. We had permanently occupied that area over 50 years even during the communist and other tough time such as Vietnamese and American war. How can anyone turn around after nearly 50 years and say that you miss understood in a blink of an eye. Why some of your government has agreed to this because some of them are now well educated and understand better that it isn’t their. So people stop stiring up and get over it. Let try to live in peace. You will always be our guest.

    Read the 1962 ruling by National Court:
    http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?sum=284&code=ct&p1=3&p2=3&case=45&k=46&p3=5

  • LuongKhom

    To Thais and Khmers. (Please read about your own history)
    Face the reality.

    Basing my understanding and social knowledge on the history of Cambodia and of Thailand, I have come to an assumption that, clearly Thais are not Khmers. Siam or Siem as we all it in Khmer came from an ethnic group in the far southern part of China called the Yunan Province of which I would say Barbaric. These ethnic people are called TAI. Originally Thais are Chinese that’s why their skins are more bright and white then Khmers.

    And as for the Khmers, they were originated from small ethnic tribes that spread and been living in the region of which now consist of Thailand Cambodia Lao and Southern Vietnam before any Siam came to existent in the region.

    Due to havoc caused by the central Chinese, The Tais moved down the Mekong river and settled in the area of which is now Chiang Mai.

    As time move on The Tais came to love Khmers cultures and traditions and decided to adopt it.

    The Tais started the war in the first place. Ask, had Khmers invaded the Tais?, NO. It was only them and them alone that caused the downfall of Khmers.

    As THEY somehow had taken the de facto practice of Khmers ways of life and mate with Khmers especially after the fall of Angkor the two people bonded in blood, they grew and grew while Cambodia shrank.

    Thais must remember that their ancestors were Khmers and that you owe Cambodia, A lot.

  • To:LuongKom

    Siam; was work for the Khmer king cause they are pay taxes to the Khmer Kingdom. They are the first refugee that stay on the Khmer land. For many years Khmer Empire Kingdom kept Siam as a good citizen. But they turn their back on the Khmer Kingdom cause they’re realize that they’re paying to much taxes for the Khmer King.

  • Thanakorn

    I like peace that is good for doing business for the growth of both Thai and Khmer. I want both side to stop their millitary stand-off and rebuild good relationship between the two countries. Please carry out the PM Chatchai Chunhawan’s policy to make Indonchina a market place.

    We are brothers:
    http://preahvihearnews.wordpress.com/2008/07/28/thailand-cambodia-a-love-hate-relationship/

  • SAN KIM

    Thai people may be shameless, but how about the government and the Thai court themselves who demonstrate the digusting attititude of wanting to swallow our land in the broad day light.

    If Thai keep this attitude if shamlessly wanting things from Cambodia, we definitely can’t be friends.

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