Air force seeks clues to crash of F16 jets

COBRA GOLD

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Writer: Wassana Nanuam

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Air force seeks clues to crash of F16 jets

• Published: 15/02/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Air force commander Ithaporn Suphawong has ordered an inquiry into the crash of two F16 fighters in Chaiyaphum.

The wreckage of an F16 fighter lies in a forested area in Chaiyaphum province. Two Royal Thai Air Force F16s taking part in the Cobra Gold 2011 exercise crashed into the forest near Tat Tone waterfall yesterday. Both pilots managed to eject to safety.

Two pilots were forced to eject from the 4 billion baht jet fighters yesterday when they crashed during the Thai-US Cobra Gold joint military exercise.

Air force spokesman Monthon Satchukorn said the warplanes were part of a fleet of four one-seat F16 ADFs (air defence fighters) that took off from Wing1 in Nakhon Ratchasima at about 9am.

The ill-fated F16s lost contact with ground control at 10.20am and were later reported to have plummeted into the forest near Tat Tone waterfall, about 20km north of Chaiyaphum.

AVM Monthon said villagers who live near the waterfall alerted the authorities about the crash. Search and rescue helicopters and land vehicles were immediately sent to the area.

He confirmed news reports the pilots managed to jettison to safety before their planes crashed.

AVM Monthon said details of the crash were not yet available as the authorities still had to interview the pilots.

He dismissed speculation the jets were involved in a mid-air collision. If that were the case, the pilots might not have had enough time to eject.

The crash occurred as tensions along the Cambodian border remained high.

Military personnel examine a wing of one of the two F16 fighters.

Two F16 jets were spotted last Thursday near the border in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district where there have been clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops over the past two weeks.

The air force insisted the two jets were taking part in Cobra Gold but admitted they had flown too close to the border during the military drill.

The air force spokesman brushed off a rumour that there could be a supernatural cause of the crash. "Do not believe in this sort of thing. I can't see how the crash could be related to that [black magic]. This is science: an engine problem perhaps, not superstition."

Cambodia beat Laos 4-2 in World Cup qualifier first leg

Wednesday, 29 June 2011 17:53

Dan Riley

Cambodia Beat Laos 4-2!!

Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession.

Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia will now head to Vientiane for the return leg on Sunday carrying a two-goal cushion, with the winner set to play a further two-legged round against China on July 23 and 28.Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession. Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.

The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession.

Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.

The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession.

Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.

The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession.

Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.

The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession.

Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.

The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia will now head to Vientiane for the return leg on Sunday carrying a two-goal cushion, with the winner set to play a further two-legged round against China on July 23 and 28.

Palestine wins as Asian WCup qualifiers start

Source: SI.com

TURSUNZADE, Tajikistan (AP) -Palestine beat Afghanistan 2-0 while the Philippines snatched an away draw at Sri Lanka as Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup got underway on Wednesday.
There were victories for Cambodia, Nepal and Mongolia in other first-leg games as Asia's smaller football nations kicked off the worldwide qualifying odyssey, three years out from the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Palestine's football team normally attracts its share of sympathy for the security and logistical difficulties it faces, but came up against an opponent with even more severe problems in Afghanistan.
Wednesday's game was nominally the home leg for the Afghans but had to be played in Tajikistan due to the security situation in Afghanistan.
Murad Alyan opened the scoring for Palestine in the 28th minute and Ismail Alamour got the second in the closing stages of the second half.
Palestine will host the second leg on Sunday, with the aim of progressing to a second-round meeting with Thailand. Palestine played Thailand in Olympic qualifying earlier this year, with Thailand winning in a penalty shootout after two legs but subsequently being disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
The Philippines will also be confident of reaching the second round after a 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka.
Chathura Gunarathna beat Fulham reserve goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to put Sri Lanka ahead in the 43rd minute, but substitute Nate Burkey brought the Philippines level in the 50th minute.
The result left the Philippines well placed to progress to a second-round match against Kuwait.
Cambodia recovered from conceding an early goal to win 4-2 at home against neighboring Laos.
Laos took a ninth-minute lead through teenage midfielder Manolom Phomsouvanh but that advantage was overturned in a hectic period that saw four goals scored between the 51st and 67th minutes.
Khuon Laboravy equalized for Cambodia and substitute Samel Nasa put the hosts ahead. Phomsouvanh got his second to equalize for Laos, but striker Kouch Sokumpheak put Cambodia back in front soon after.
Nasa got his second in the 88th minute to provide a handy two-goal buffer for Cambodia before Sunday's return leg. The winner will play China in the second qualifying round.
Ten-man Nepal struggled past lowly-ranked East Timor 2-1, with the winner to face Jordan in round two.
The Nepal team coached by former Tottenham, Rangers and Chelsea defender Graham Roberts went down to ten men when Bharat Khawas received two yellow cards inside the first ten minutes of the second half.
Anil Gurung had put Nepal in front in the 14th minute but East Timor - which is the lowest-ranked team in Asian qualifying at 202 in the world - surprisingly drew level through Juvito da Silva in the 47th minute.
The experienced Ju Manu Rai restored Nepal's lead in the 71st.
Mongolia won 1-0 at home against Myanmar, leaving both teams with hope of progressing to face Oman.
Tsend-Ayush Khurelbataar scored the sole goal in the 48th minute.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/06/29/2080.ap.soc.wcup.asian.qualifying.roundup.0503/index.html#ixzz1QgIyBdiY

Thailand's withdrawal from World Heritage Convention to cause more harm

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee in Bangkok/The Nation (Thailand) | ANN – 18 hours ago

Bangkok (The Nation-Thailand/ANN) - Thailand is likely to lose, rather than gain, from its decision to withdraw from the 1972 World Heritage Convention simply to express its disagreement with the World Heritage inscription of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who returned from Paris on Monday after withdrawing from the 35th session of World Heritage Committee, defended his decision by saying it was made to protect Thailand's sovereignty over the territory adjacent to Preah Vihear.
"It's too risky for us to accept the Preah Vihear management plan, which asks Unesco and the committee to dispatch experts for reparation and restoration of the temple of Preah Vihear," he said.
"It's good for us to denounce the convention, as Cambodia will not be able to use the World Heritage Committee's decision as evidence to back up its arguments in the world court."
The decision seems to reflect Thailand's worries over the consequences of Cambodia's request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it clarify its 1962 ruling in the Preah Vihear case.
Bangkok is concerned that any Thai acknowledgement of World Heritage activities related to Preah Vihear would be equivalent to acceptance of Phnom Penh's sovereignty over the temple and its vicinity.
The international court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but Thailand argued that the temple's surrounding area, and even the piece of land where the sandstone temple sits, belonged to Thailand.
However, legal experts are doubtful whether Thailand's withdrawal will have any legal implications on the ICJ's judgement. Decisions of the World Heritage Committee are not linked to the processes of the ICJ, a Thai Foreign Ministry official said.
Furthermore, the World Heritage Convention says "the inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction which is claimed by more than one state shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute".
Whether or not Thailand accepted the inscription and the management plan for Preah Vihear, that decision has no legal implications for Thailand's rights, if any, over the territory in question.
On the contrary, its denunciation of the World Heritage Convention will lead to the lost opportunity to list three Thai properties as World Heritage sites.
Thailand, which has accepted the convention since 1987, has five World Heritage sites and three more are on the tentative list. They are Phimai, Cultural Route and Associated Temples of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam (2004), Phu Phrabat Historical Park (2004) and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (2011). Suwit said the withdrawal would not affect the five sites already listed, but he didn't mind if Thailand lost its chance to propose new sites.
"I choose national sovereignty over the Preah Vihear area, rather than the chance to list the other sites," he said. "We don't need the inscription because most of those sites are already well known among tourists."
He added that Thailand never received financial assistance from a World Heritage inscription.
While money might not be a concern for Thailand, international credibility is important for the country.
Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), expressed her deep regret after Suwit's declaration of Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
"The decision of the World Heritage Committee on the Temple of Preah Vihear World Heritage site in Cambodia only reaffirms the need to ensure the protection and conservation of the property from any damage," she said in a statement.
Perhaps, she said, the Thai delegation circulated false information during last week's meeting blaming the World Heritage Committee and Unesco, when Unesco's World Heritage Centre had never pushed for a discussion of the management plan.
"Contrary to widely circulated media reports, the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear, nor did it request any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation," she said.
In the World Heritage Committee meeting at the weekend, Suwit slammed the committee and Unesco. He announced Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 convention and walked out.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who led his country's delegation to the meeting, said that by making such an intemperate statement and acting in such an ill-mannered fashion, by walking away from an ongoing session, the Thai delegation showed real contempt for Unesco, the World Heritage Committee and all the 186 states that were parties to the convention in 1972.
"These actions by the Thai delegation also reflect on the image of the current caretaker government in Bangkok and on the ruling party," he said.
Bokova urged Thailand to consider carefully its future course of action in respect of the important convention and to continue to be an active participant in international cooperation for the protection of the world's outstanding heritage sites.
In technical terms, Suwit's decision has not yet become effective. Thailand needs to submit its denunciation in writing to Unesco's director-general and the action will take effect 12 months after official notice has been received.
In a letter to Bokova on June 25, Suwit said Thailand was willing to denounce the 1972 convention in accordance with Article 35 of the convention.
"The instrument of denunciation will be forwarded to you [the director-general] in due course," he said in the letter, a copy of which was seen by The Nation.

Effect foreseen from World Heritage protest{Notice: when Thailand lose they always downplay the issue, typical thieves}

• Published: 29/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: Business

 

Tour operators say a Thai withdrawal from Unesco's World Heritage Convention would have a modest effect on the country's tourism industry given the many local sites with World Heritage status.

Chidchai Sakornbadee, the general manager of Special Journey, an inbound tour company for the European market, said such a withdrawal would eventually hurt Thailand's reputation internationally.

However, most foreign tourists would understand that the withdrawal was intended as a protest against the decision by the World Heritage Committee (WHC) to consider Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear Temple.

"The intrinsic value of World Heritage sites in Thailand would remain unchanged, and the protest would not affect that," said Mr Chidchai.

He said Thai tour operators would be able to adjust to the situation.

"We can explain to tourists what has happened in Thailand. For example, we could say these attractions used to be World Heritage sites, but unfair treatment by the WHC caused Thailand to protest by withdrawing from the convention," said Mr Chidchai.He also said that if local politics blows up again, many tour companies would have to suspend their operations due mainly to poor liquidity.

During other recent periods of political and economic turmoil, operators requested financial assistance from the government to stay in business.

Thailand has five undisputed World Heritage sites - Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (listed in 1992), Historic City of Ayutthaya (1991), Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (1991), Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (2005) and Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (1991)

These sites are big draws for European and American tourists.

The global trend now is environmentally friendly tourism, so local operators could promote Thailand's many natural attractions, Mr Chidchai added.

Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said most tour wholesalers in China and elsewhere understand the issue is purely political in nature.

Thailand's World Heritage sites are minor compared with the Seven Wonders of the World such as the Great Wall of China, he said.

Academic claims issue being used to win votes

• Published: 29/06/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Thailand's controversial decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention is turning into an election issue that threatens to backfire on Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, a leading academic says.

Surachart Bamrungsuk, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, yesterday said the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site was completed in 2008 but some quarters in the country had refused to accept the truth.

Mr Surachart, a security expert who has been studying issues related to the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, said Mr Suwit's decision to walk out of the World Heritage Convention could benefit him in the election.

"I wonder if the decision will help him [Mr Suwit] and his daughter [Suwipa] gain more votes in Bangkok," Mr Surachart said.

He said early polls had showed that the popularity of the Social Action Party, which Mr Suwit leads, was low, but recently it had been rising.

Mr Surachart said there were reports that Social Action had previously held up a plan to reclaim ownership of the Preah Vihear temple as part of the party's policy platform, although the plan was later scrapped.

Mr Surachart said the decision to pull out of the World Heritage Convention could have been expected.

Mr Surachart said that preparations could have been made to exploit the issue for political gain - particularly to seek votes from supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been vociferous in its demands for withdrawal from the convention.

Mr Surachart said the government had long known about the Cambodian plan to manage the temple and its grounds, but the public had been given only half-truths.

He also said the government, the army and other concerned agencies had failed to produce evidence showing that the management plan for Preah Vihear encroached on the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area claimed by Thailand. Claims of encroachment were not backed by solid evidence and this was the reason that Thailand had failed to gain support from most member nations of the World Heritage Committee.

"Walking out of Unesco has put the country in a bad light," Mr Surachart said.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr Suwit denied he would benefit from the decision to withdraw from the convention.

He said the decision was not premature and was intended to protect the country's dignity and territorial integrity.

During the past three years he had done everything he could to lobby and convince member nations that the management plan was a sensitive issue and that approving the plan could lead to problems.

He said a resolution relating to Preah Vihear adopted at the Paris meeting of the World Heritage Committee had allowed Cambodia to carry out maintenance and repair work for Preah Vihear and the areas surrounding it and to seek financial assistance from Unesco.

Mr Suwit said he found the resolution unacceptable because it could lead to the loss of Thai territory.

If Thailand had accepted the resolution, it would have given Cambodia a chance to use it to fight at the International Court of Justice for ownership of the disputed areas around the temple.

Mr Suwit said he had discussed the matter closely with Foreign Ministry officials who accompanied him to the WHC meeting before making the decision.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said Unesco director-general Irina Bokova had written to explain to him that the WHC meeting in Paris had not formally discussed Cambodia's management plan and to ask Thailand to reconsider its decision.

Mr Abhisit reiterated he would let the next government take up the matter.

Addressing about 2,000 people at a campaign rally outside City Hall yesterday evening, Mr Abhisit insisted the government's decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention was meant to protect Thai territory.

Suwit critical of Unesco and Noppadon

• Published: 28/06/2011 at 12:05 PM
• Online news

 

Unesco director-general Irina Bokova showed a lack of respect for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva by refusing to receive his phone calls, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (left) and Natural Resources and Environment Minister and Social Action Party leader Suwit Khunkitti (right)

"Mr Abhisit tried to call the Unesco director-general many times to explain Thailand's wish to postpone the consideration of the Preah Vihear temple management plan [proposed by Cambodia], but Mr Abhisit's telephone calls were not answered," said Mr Suwit, who led the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris last week and made the decision to withdraw Thailand's membership of the WHC.

"Thailand can rejoin the WHC anytime but it must take the country's sovereignty and the Thai-Cambodian border situation into account because they are sensitive issues."

Mr Suwit said the current border problem was caused by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama, who presented the Preah Vihear issue to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) when he was foreign minister three years ago.

Mr Noppadon today posted a message in his Facebook page, claiming that Prime Minister Abhisit was putting the blame on him for the Preah Vihear dispute.

Mr Noppadon's message says: "My parents taught me not to lie to protect myself and damage other people. Mr Abhisit yesterday defamed me with lies. I forgive him and I'm not angry because Mr Abhisit has no privilege above the law of karma."

Former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama

Yesterday, Mr Abhisit wrote a message in his Facebook page, saying the Preah Vihear problem started when Mr Noppadon signed a joint statement with Cambodia on June 18, 2008 while he was foreign minister and sought the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.

Unesco director-general Bokova issued a statement yesterday, expressing her deep regret at Mr Suwit's decision to withdraw Thailand from the WHC.

Ms Bokova said she hoped "Thailand will carefully consider its future course of action in respect of this important Convention and will continue to be an active participant in the international cooperation for the protection of the world’s outstanding heritage."

Border troops reinforced

Ta Muen Thom temple in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin is open to visitors again as the area has been free of border violence for almost two months. Visitors can enter the temple between 9am and 3pm every day. - NOPPARAT KINGKAEO

Keep it orderly ... A soldier watches over students at Phum Srol school in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district near the Thai-Cambodian border amid the conflict between the countries over the small overlapping area near the Preah Vihear temple ruins. - Chanat Katanyu

Prayuth warns clashes becoming more likely

28/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Troop build-ups on both sides of the Thai-Cambodian border have heightened fears of clashes following Thailand's withdrawal from Unesco's World Heritage Convention.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said he had ordered troops stationed along the border to be prepared as the chance of clashes was high.

His comments came after the Second Army reported Cambodia was bringing in more troops to the border yesterday.

Gen Prayuth said he had decided to boost Thailand's troops and reinforce bunkers as a precaution. The moves were purely defensive and not intended to indicate military aggression.

The army chief stressed troops were duty-bound to protect the country's sovereignty.

"If Thailand's sovereignty is violated, soldiers can use their weapons straight away," Gen Prayuth said.

The army chief said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had also ordered the army to be on full alert along the maritime border with Cambodia off Chanthaburi and Trat.

Gen Prayuth said Thai and Cambodian soldiers have been in contact on a regular basis since the last border clashes.

"Admittedly there is some distrust between the two sides. Troops from both sides are positioned close to each other. Chances of military clashes are high," Gen Prayuth said.

Following Thailand's withdrawal, it was necessary for the senior military leaders of the two countries to discuss what steps should be taken to avoid a military conflict, he said.

"Don't be frightened, because I believe no one wants to fight and that holding talks is the solution to the problem," Gen Prayuth said.

The army chief yesterday met Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti by chance at Suvarnabhumi airport and praised him for making the right decision to withdraw Thailand's membership of the World Heritage Convention.

Gen Prayuth was leaving for South Korea just as Mr Suwit was returning from Paris.

The decision to withdraw was made by Mr Suwit, who led the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris on Saturday.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday said Thai military representatives had met for talks with their Cambodian counterparts.

Thai soldiers proposed that the two sides pull their troops away from the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple to ease tensions.

But the Cambodians rejected the proposal and troops on both sides remained on alert, Col Sansern said.

Col Prawit Hukaew, spokesman for the 2nd Army, yesterday said Cambodia had brought in more troops, more weapons and reinforced their military bases along the border.

Col Prawit said the 2nd Army was closely monitoring the movements of Cambodian soldiers and was ready to respond if the Cambodian military started anything.

He said the 2nd Army believed Mr Suwit's decision to withdraw from the WHC was intended to protect the national interest and the country's sovereignty.

Col Prawit said relations between Thai and Cambodian soldiers in the border areas remained healthy. Unit commanders in the area have been in regular contact.

However, Col Prawit said that any decision by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will be a decisive factor in the border situation.

Prime Minister Abhisit yesterday said the cabinet would today discuss the legal implications of Thailand's decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention.

Mr Abhisit said government agencies would be instructed to study and report on the legal implications for Thailand and steps which needed to be taken by the next government after Sunday's election.

He also said the withdrawal would have no effect on negotiations to resolve border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia.

Thailand would still adhere to the memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 in further negotiations with Cambodia, Mr Abhisit said.

Dialogue is a main mechanism to address border conflicts and must proceed, Mr Abhisit said, adding that Thai land had the right to reapply for membership at a later date.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, meanwhile, has said it will call off its anti-government demonstration planned for Friday.

"We have now won our demand for Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention, although we have yet to achieve our ultimate goal in clearing all Cambodian people from Thai territory," spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan said.

He urged the government to formally inform the International Court of Justice that Thailand will not accept its ruling concerning Cambodia's call for it to interpret its previous verdict on the Preah Vihear temple.

"Without doing so, the government may not be able to protect the country's territory," he said.

Unesco director-general Irina Bokova has expressed regret over Thailand's decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention.

She hoped Thailand would reconsider its decision.

Meanwhile, tensions were also rising near Ta Kwai temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district following Thailand's withdrawal.

A military source said on the Cambodian side at least 300 Cambodian soldiers had built bunkers and artillery guns were deployed opposite Ban Thai Niyom Pattana on the Thai side.

Thailand election too close to call as Cambodia border dispute looms large

Jun 28, 2011
Jared Ferrie
The National (Arab Emirate)

CHIANG MAI // Thailand's prime minister is campaigning across the country to shore up votes as his ruling party deals with a border dispute with Cambodia and the backlash over a security clampdown during last year's protests.

Sunday's election is too close to call, analysts said, and the results could set the stage for reconciliation, or they could spark further turmoil in this fractious nation that saw more than 90 people killed in anti-government protests last year.

Meanwhile in The Hague, judges are deliberating whether to wade into a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. If their ruling comes before Sunday, it will drop like a bombshell into an already tense campaign.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is considering a request by Cambodia to clarify a 1962 ruling that gave it ownership of an 11th-century Hindu temple and demarcated a section of border. Thailand has conceded the temple - much to the chagrin of nationalists - but says the court had no jurisdiction to draw the border, and that it relied on flawed maps.

The dispute has led to military clashes such as those that killed at least 10 people in February. It has become a political lightning rod in Thailand in the past few years during which confrontations with Cambodia have become more frequent.

Paul Chambers, an analyst at Chiang Mai's Payap University, said parties have consistently used strong rhetoric about the border dispute to gain support from Thai nationalists who form the backbone of the Yellow Shirt political movement. Yellow Shirt leaders meanwhile use the border issue to pressure parties into taking up their agenda.

"The Yellow Shirts really took up this issue in anticipation early this year that there would be elections," he said.

Perhaps in response, the prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has strongly protested Cambodia's petition to the ICJ, asking Cambodia to withdraw its case and stating that the court had no right to demarcate the border.

As part of its request, Cambodia also asked the ICJ to order Thailand to withdraw troops from a disputed section of the border. The ICJ has not said when it will reach a decision, but an announcement during the campaign could be disastrous for Mr Abhisit, making him appear weak on the border issue.

Already he is struggling to win back Yellow Shirts whose support was crucial in installing him as prime minister in 2008, after a court decision removed a Red Shirt aligned party from government. But after throwing their weight behind the Democrats, many Yellow Shirt leaders have accused him of failing to reclaim from Cambodia what they consider Thai territory. Some have started a "vote no" campaign, encouraging supporters to withhold their votes from all parties.

If successful, the campaign will surely hurt Mr Abhisit and his Democrats, who desperately need votes from Bangkok's middle and upper classes, many of whom have supported the Yellow Shirts.

The party has already lost some of its support in the south, where the government is entrenched in a conflict with Islamic insurgents. Some Democrat MPs in that region refused to run for re-election, saying they did not stand a chance of winning, Thai media reported.

The Democrats are also unlikely to receive a majority of votes in the north or north-east, areas that predominantly support the Red Shirt movement, which is aligned with the opposition Phue Thai Party. The Red Shirts draw much support from the rural poor, who feel they have been excluded from Thailand's growing economy.

At a recent rally in the district of Mae Rim, Mr Abhisit was working hard to reverse that perception among a few hundred farmers. Hitting on a key issue, he spoke about rice subsidies his government had been maintaining, and promised to increase them.

But Mr Abhisit will have a tough time winning over Red Shirts. Many are still bitter that parties they elected to government were removed from power, either by a military coup or through judicial means.

That anger exploded last year when Red Shirts converged on Bangkok and occupied the city's financial district for almost three months until they were forced out. Ninety-one people died during the standoff between the Red Shirts and the military, and not one government official has been arrested in connection with the killings.

"If you are a supporter of the Red Shirts, you're not going to vote Democrat," said Napisa Waitoolkiat, a political scientist also at Payap University. "They really disapprove of the Democrats and how they dealt with the crackdown."

She said the most likely outcome of the election would be a majority win for Phue Thai. Ms Waitoolkiat said that such a scenario could allow a period of stability during which Thailand's deeply divided political movements could learn to coexist peacefully - provided that neither the military nor the courts intervened again.

Mr Chambers was more sceptical. He said a Phue Thai win would probably bring Yellow Shirts back into the streets agitating for change, which could come again in the form of a coup or judicial decision. A Democrat win could spark more protests from the Red Shirts.

Thailand has no one to blame but itself

Puangthong: We ‘should have known’

28/06/2011
Bangkok Post

"Even foreign media based in Cambodia also dislike Hun Sen, but they support Cambodia over the issue."

Chulalongkorn University political scientist Puangthong Pawakapan believes the decision to withdraw Thailand from the World Heritage Convention will cast a negative light on the country's image. The academic shares her opinions with AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK on the issue.

What's wrong with Thailand's foreign policy on the world stage?

We have to look at the overall problem. Thai and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over Preah Vihear since Cambodia managed to get the ancient temple listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008. Thailand's opposition has hurt its image. The country is viewed as losing a boxing match, but it and its fans refuse to accept the defeat.

Does a conflict over the 4.6-sq km disputed area (near Preah Vihear temple) not carry enough weight for the WHC to listen to Thailand?

The Abhisit government explained that the listing of the temple and its management plan has allegedly encroached on Thai soil. But the government failed to produce clear evidence showing the alleged encroachment.

If we look at a map submitted by Cambodia for the listing of the temple, the listing has not included the 4.6-sq km disputed area. This area had been removed from Cambodia's application since the Samak Sundaravej government was in office.

Only the temple and areas on the eastern and western sides of it were listed as a World Heritage site. Evidence about the alleged encroachment must be produced when Mr Suwit opposed the listing before the WHC. But I think we have no evidence, only words.

Why did Thailand fail to lobby other membership countries to back its stance?

It's hard to lobby them as we have to produce clear evidence about alleged encroachment. The kingdom should have opposed the management plan before the WHC held a meeting.

The WHC had invited Thailand to participate in a panel to consider Cambodia's management plan but we refused so we had no opportunity to oppose the plan at that time. It's too late to cast an opposition when the WHC meeting [had been] called.

Wasn't the government aware of such procedures?

I think the government was fully aware, but opted not to tell the public. I don't know why it had to make public its opposition to Cambodia's management plan during the WHC meeting.

Cambodia had submitted the plan in February last year.

Thailand also has its representative on the WHC and should have know what was going on.

The management plan is not confidential as its details are displayed on several websites.

Which country has [gained] an advantage and which one stands to lose over Thailand's withdrawal from the WHC?

Most of members of the WHC show an inclination to support Cambodia. Thailand's image over the issue has been badly affected.

This prompts other countries to back Cambodia despite the fact that they don't like Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen for being an authoritarian. Even foreign media based in Cambodia also dislike Hun Sen, but they support Cambodia over the issue.

Abhisit takes the low road

 

28/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Editorial

The government's decision to walk away from the World Heritage Convention is troubling on several levels. The group is part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and Unesco has always been an unreliable arm of the UN. But the reason given by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to quit the WHC seems more of a technical problem than an outright threat to the nation. Indeed, Mr Abhisit's initial attempt to explain why Thailand is pulling all support from the convention is confusing and unconvincing.

According to Mr Abhisit, the members of the World Heritage Committee, meeting in Paris, are determined to move ahead on a plan by Cambodia to manage the Preah Vihear temple. A few words in the draft version of the plan are troubling. The Cambodian-written submission says that the temple needs "restoration" and "repair". The prime minister says that these references might be construed to mean that Thailand had damaged Preah Vihear, maybe during the recent and deadly military battles in the southern area of Si Sa Ket. But Mr Abhisit's justification of a walkout over this possibility is as vague as the wording itself.

The premier said the actual decision to walk away from the WHC was made by the minister of natural resources and environment. Suwit Khunkitti has performed admirably and for a very long time over this issue. When he phoned Mr Abhisit in Bangkok to tell him of the walkout, Mr Abhisit backed him. Shortly afterwards, the Cambodian proposal was amended, and the reference to repair was removed. Too late, Mr Abhisit and Mr Suwit claim.

Unesco chief Irina Bokova said she regrets the Thai decision, and hopes the government will reconsider. That is a problem because of the election, and Mr Abhisit has washed his hands of the issue and handed it to the next prime minister. Ms Bokova claimed that the Cambodian plan for temple management never was discussed formally.

The recent encounters with the World Heritage organisation, and indeed with Cambodia, are sadly reminiscent of the 1962 legal case. Back then, Thai authorities were certain that the country's case for ownership of Khao Phra Viharn was obvious. Contemporary media reports show that MR Seni Pramoj was in a positively jaunty mood as he set off for the International Court of Justice. Everyone could see that the temple was clearly in Thailand. What could go wrong? Cambodia, on the other hand, went to the World Court with fiercely prepared advocates, who convinced the judges that the law was on their side.

The public presentation of this year's case to both the ICJ and the World Heritage Committee meeting has been woefully inadequate.

In one speech last year, Mr Abhisit called on the nation to support the government over the issue but presented no case to the public. Instead, he backtracked and flip-flopped. Only last February, on his regular television talk, the premier said Thailand would never quit the World Heritage Committee. He said Unesco supported the Thai position, and that the WHC would surely reject the Cambodian plan to manage the temple and its grounds.

When the going got tough, Thailand got going. It lowers the respect for Thailand in world opinion. It even gave Pheu Thai one more issue with which to criticise the government. Thailand now is out in the cold while the WHC discusses the future of Preah Vihear temple. Thailand must rejoin the Unesco group, to protect the country's interests.

Government urged to delist World Heritage Site

June 28, 2011
By JANJIRA PONGRAI, PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

Academics yesterday called on the government to delist the country's five Unesco World Heritage Sites, saying the designation was just a meaningless tourism and travel symbol.

"It's a shame for Thailand if the government continues to use the World Heritage sign in front of the sites after its withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention," said Adul Wichiencharoen, a former member of the National World Heritage Committee.

The World Heritage Committee's process of considering the registration of a World Heritage Site is without academic principle, he said.

"The decision to designate a site as world heritage is based on benefits generated from tourism. We did not get any benefit from the designation of World Heritage Site," he said.

Thailand's five World Heritage Sites are the Historic City of Ayutthaya, the Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns, Ban Chiang Archaeological Site, Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.

The World Heritage Committee only allocates budgets for educational training and capacity building.

Some funds are made available to maintain designated sites such as the Historic City of Ayutthaya after damage from flooding, said Nisakorn Kositrat, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning.

"We were supported with only US$30,000 [Bt936,000] to restore the Historic City of Ayutthaya after it was sub?merged in flood waters," she said.

Thailand has proposed four more cultural and natural sites to the World Heritage Committee - Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, Prasart Hin Pimai-Prasart Phanomrung, and Prasart Moung Tham - as well as the Andaman Sea.

Sunant Arunnopparat, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said Thailand's exit from the World Heritage Convention would not ruin the tourism atmosphere at the two existing designated natural sites.

"Whether there's a sign of world heritage in front of the sites doesn't matter for tourists visiting the natural sites," he said.

The department will hold a meeting this week to discuss the impact from the withdrawal on the status of the two world heritage designated sites and is now waiting for the order from high-level officials, he said.

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, on Sunday expressed her deep regret via Unesco's website after the declaration of Minister Suwit Khunkitti of Thailand's intention to denounce the World Heritage Convention.

Suwit was in Paris attending the 35th session of the World Heritage Committee at Unesco's headquarters from June 19-29.

Contrary to widely circulated media reports, Bokova said, the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear, nor did it request any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation.

It needs to be clarified that Unesco's World Heritage Centre never pushed for a discussion of the management plan by the committee, she said.

The decision of the World Heritage Committee on the Preah Vihear Temple World Heritage Site in Cambodia only reaffirms the need to ensure the protection and conservation of the property from any damage, Bokova said.

It further encouraged the two countries to use the con?vention as a tool to support conservation, sustainable development and dialogue.

The World Heritage Committee decision on Preah Vihear was adopted unanimously after Thailand staged a walkout. The request of Thailand to adjourn the debate was not supported by any other member of the committee.

Bokova said she had emphasised that heritage should serve not for conflict but as a tool for dialogue and reconciliation.

She expressed the hope that Thailand would carefully consider its future course of action in respect to the convention and would continue to be an active participant in the international cooperation for the protection of the world's outstanding heritage.

Walk out More lost for Thailand

June 28, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Suwit says move against World Heritage Committee was to protect Thailand's sovereignty; exit won't affect ICJ ruling, but status of 3 new sites now in doubt

Thailand is likely to lose, rather than gain, from its decision to withdraw from the 1972 World Heritage Convention simply to express its disagreement with the World Heritage inscription of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who returned from Paris yesterday after withdrawing from the 35th session of World Heritage Committee, defended his decision by saying it was made to protect Thailand's sovereignty over the territory adjacent to Preah Vihear.

"It's too risky for us to accept the Preah Vihear management plan, which asks Unesco and the committee to dispatch experts for reparation and restoration of the temple of Preah Vihear," he said.

"It's good for us to denounce the convention, as Cambodia will not be able to use the World Heritage Committee's decision as evidence to back up its arguments in the world court."

The decision seems to reflect Thailand's worries over the consequences of Cambodia's request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it clarify its 1962 ruling in the Preah Vihear case.

Bangkok is concerned that any Thai acknowledgement of World Heritage activities related to Preah Vihear would be equivalent to acceptance of Phnom Penh's sovereignty over the temple and its vicinity.

The international court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but Thailand argued that the temple's surrounding area, and even the piece of land where the sandstone temple sits, belonged to Thailand.

However, legal experts are doubtful whether Thailand's withdrawal has any legal implications for the ICJ's judgement. Decisions of the World Heritage Committee are not linked to the processes of the ICJ, a Foreign Ministry official said.

Furthermore, the World Heritage Convention says "the inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction which is claimed by more than one state shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute".

Whether or not Thailand accepted the inscription and the management plan for Preah Vihear, that decision has no legal implications for Thailand's rights, if any, over the territory in question.

On the contrary, its denunciation of the World Heritage Convention will lead to the lost opportunity to list three Thai properties as World Heritage sites.

Thailand, which has accepted the convention since 1987, has five World Heritage sites and three more are on the tentative list. They are Phimai, Cultural Route and Associated Temples of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam (2004), Phu Phrabat Historical Park (2004) and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (2011). Suwit said the withdrawal would not affect the five sites already listed, but he didn't mind if Thailand lost its chance to propose new sites.

"I choose national sovereignty over the Preah Vihear area, rather than the chance to list the other sites," he said. "We don't need the inscription because most of those sites are already well known among tourists."

He added that Thailand never received financial assistance from a World Heritage inscription.

While money might not be a concern for Thailand, international credibility is important for the country.

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, expressed her deep regret after Suwit's declaration of Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

"The decision of the World Heritage Committee on the Temple of Preah Vihear World Heritage site in Cambodia only reaffirms the need to ensure the protection and conservation of the property from any damage," she said in a statement.

Perhaps, she said, the Thai delegation circulated false information during last week's meeting blaming the World Heritage Committee and Unesco, when Unesco's World Heritage Centre had never pushed for a discussion of the management plan.

"Contrary to widely circulated media reports, the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear, nor did it request any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation," she said.

In the World Heritage Committee meeting at the weekend, Suwit slammed the committee and Unesco. He announced Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 convention and walked out.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who led his country's delegation to the meeting, said that by making such an intemperate statement and acting in such an ill-mannered fashion, by walking away from an ongoing session, the Thai delegation showed real contempt for Unesco, the World Heritage Committee and all the 186 states that were parties to the convention in 1972.

"These actions by the Thai delegation also reflect on the image of the current caretaker government in Bangkok and on the ruling party," he said.

Bokova urged Thailand to consider carefully its future course of action in respect of the important convention and to continue to be an active participant in international cooperation for the protection of the world's outstanding heritage sites.

In technical terms, Suwit's decision has not yet become effective. Thailand needs to submit its denunciation in writing to Unesco's director-general and the action will take effect 12 months after official notice has been received.

In a letter to Bokova on June 25, Suwit said Thailand was willing to denounce the 1972 convention in accordance with Article 35 of the convention.

"The instrument of denunciation will be forwarded to you [the director-general] in due course," he said in the letter, a copy of which has been seen by The Nation.

អាកាសយានដ្ឋានសៀមរាបថ្មីក្នុងក្តីរំពឹង

អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន សៀមរាបថ្មី ក្នុងក្តីរំពឹង ផ្តល់កើនទ្បើង ភ្ញៀវទេសចរ វាជាការ មោទនៈភាពថ្មី មួយទៀត សម្រាប់ ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ដែលបាន ស្ថាបនា អាកាសយនដ្ឋាន ខ្នាតអន្តរជាតិថ្មី មួយទៀត ដែលប្រភេទ យន្តហោះប៊ូអ៊ីងធំៗ អាចចុះចតបាន ការស្ថាបនា អាកាសយាន្តដ្ឋានថ្មី ក្នុងទឹកដី ខេត្តសៀមរាប ជាតំបន់ប៉ូល ទេសចរណ៏ទីពីរ ដែលសំបូរ ទៅដោយ រមណីយដ្ឋាន វប្បធម៌ ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ យ៉ាងសំបូរបែប ដែលត្រូវបានគេ រំពឹងថា នឹងអាចទាក់ទាញ ភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៏ ទៅទស្សនាកម្សាន្ត រមណីយដ្ឋាន វប្បធម៌ ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រនេះ រាប់លាននាក់ បន្ថែមទៀត ក្នុងមួយឆ្នាំៗ ។ អាកាសយាន្តដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិថ្មី នេះ ត្រូវបានស្ថាបនា និងវិនិយោគដោយ ក្រុមហ៊ុនមកពី ប្រទេសកូរ៉េខាងត្បូង ដែលគ្រោងនឹង ចំណាយថវិការ អស់ចំនួន ១ ពាន់លាន ដុល្លារ ។
អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន ថ្មីនេះ ត្រូវបាន ស្ថាបនាទ្បើង លើផ្តៃដីទំហំ ៥០០ ហិកតា ដែលមាន ចម្ងាយប្រវែង ៤០ គីទ្បូម៉ែត្រ នៅប៉ែកខាងកើត រមណីយដ្ឋានអង្គរ ដែលគ្រប់ដណ្តប់ លើផ្ទៃដីក្នុងស្រុក ចំនួនពីរគឺស្រុក ជីក្រែង និង ស្រុកសូទ្រនិគម របស់ខេត្ត សៀមរាប ។ ជាមួយគ្នានឹង ការស្ថាបនា អាកាសយាន្តដ្ឋាន ថ្មីនេះ ក៏មានការអភិវឌ្ឍន៍ តំបន់នៅជុំវិញនោះ អោយក្លាយ ទៅជាទីក្រុងថ្មី មួយទៀតរបស់ ខេត្តសៀមរាប ។ ឯកឧត្តម តឹក រ៉េត សំរេច រដ្ឋលេខាធិការ នៃទីស្តីការ គណៈរដ្ឋមន្ត្រី ដែលទទួល បន្ទុកការងារ ស្ថាបនា អាកាសយាន្តដ្ឋានថ្មី ក្នុងខេត្ត សៀមរាបនេះ បានមានប្រសាសន៍ ថា ការស្ថាបនា អាកាសយាន្តដ្ឋានថ្មី ក្នុងខេត្ត សៀមរាបនេះ គឺជាឆ្អឹងខ្នង ដ៏សំខាន់ក្នុងការ អភិវឌ្ឍន៍សេដ្ឋកិច្ចជាតិ តាមរយៈការ អភិវឌ្ឍន៍លើវិស័យ ទេសចរណ៍។ ដែលយើង ត្រូវទាមទារ អោយមានការ អភិវឌ្ឍន៍ ហេដ្ឋារចនាសម្ព័ន្ធ មួយចំនួន ដូចជាការកសាង ព្រលានយន្តហោះ ថ្មិ ការកសាង ហេដ្ឋារចនាសម្ព័ន្ធ ទាក់ទងនឹងសេវាកម្ម បំរើអោយវិស័យ ទេសចរណ៏ និងការស្ថាបនា ប្រព័ន្ធផ្លូវថ្នល់ ជាដើម ដែលវា បានដើរតួនាទី យ៉ាងសំខាន់ក្នុងការ អភិវឌ្ឍន៍សេដ្ឋកិច្ច របស់ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ។ បច្ចុប្បន្ននេះ យើងមានភ្ញៀវ ទេសចរណ៍ទៅលេង ខេត្តសៀមរាប ចំនួន ជាងពីរលាននាក់ ជារៀងរាល់ឆ្នាំ តែបើយើងមាន ហេដ្ឋារចនា ដូចរាល់ថ្ងៃនេះ យើងមិនអាច
បង្កើនភ្ញៀវ ទេសចរណ៍ទៅលេង ខេត្តសៀមរាប អោយបានច្រើន ជាង២លាននាក់ បាននោះទេ ។ ព្រោះថាសណ្ឋាគារ ផ្លូវថ្នល់ដែលយើង មានរាល់ថ្ងៃនេះគឺវាអស់ត្រឹមហ្នឹង ហើយមនុស្សទៅមើល អង្គរវត្តហៀរហូរពេក ទៅថ្ងៃអនាគត នៅខេត្ត សៀមរាប ត្រូវតែមាន ភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៍ ទៅលេងខ្ទង់ ជាង១០លាននាក់ ដូច្នេះវាតម្រូវ អោយយើងកសាង ព្រលានយន្តហោះ ដ៏ធំមួយបន្ថែម ទៀត ពង្រីកទីក្រុង និងការកសាង ប្រព័ន្ធផ្លូវថ្នល់ ជាដើម ។
អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន ថ្មីនេះ នឹងសាងសង់ទ្បើង ដែលមាន សមត្ថភាព អាចទទួល ភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៍ បានជាង ១៤លាននាក់ ក្នុងមួយឆ្នាំ ហើយគេគ្រោង នឹងបើកការដ្ឋាន សាងសង់ ជាផ្លូវការ នៅក្នុងឆ្នាំ ២០១២ តាមគម្រោង នឹងត្រូវស្ថាបនា បញ្ចប់នៅក្នុង ឆ្នាំ២០១៥ ។ ឯកឧត្តម តឹក រ៉េត សំរេច បានមានប្រសាសន៍ បន្តទៀតថា បើយើងមាន អាកាសយានដ្ឋានថ្មិ នេះវាគឺជា ជោគជ័យមួយទៀត ក្នុងចំណោម ជោគជ័យ ដែលយើង ទទួលបាន នាពេលកន្លងមក កាលណាភ្ញៀវ មកដល់ហើយ គឺយើងត្រូវ មាន សណ្ឋាគារ ភោជនីយដ្ឋាន ដើម្បីទទួល ភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៍ ព្រោះភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៍ កាលណាគេ មកដល់គេត្រូវតែ ចាយលុយ បើភ្ញៀវគេមកលេង ប្រទេសយើងច្រើន សេដ្ឋកិច្ចរបស់យើង ក៏មានការវិវឌ្ឍន៍ ទៅតាមនោះដែរ ។ ហើយវាក៏បង្កើត ឧិកាសអោយ អ្នកវិនិយោគ ទៅវិនិយោគ លើវិស័យ ផ្សេងៗទៀត បើយើងធ្វើការ ចាត់ចែងត្រឹមត្រូវ លើវិស័យ ទេសចរណ៍ គឺអាចធ្វើអោយ ជីវភាព ប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា យ៉ាងហោចណាស់ ក៏ពី៥០ ភាគរយទៅ ៧០ភាគរយដែរ ដែលឆ្លងផុត ពីការលំបាក ។ អាកាសយានដ្ឋានថ្មី នៅខេត្ត សៀមរាបនេះគឺ សម្រាប់យន្តហោះ ប្រភេទ Boeing 380 អាចចុះចតបាន នៅពេលការស្ថាបនា ត្រូវបានបញ្ចប់ហើយ តំបន់នៅជុំវិញនោះ ក្លាយទៅជាទីក្រុង ដ៏ធំមួយនោះ វានឹងផ្តល់ឧិកាស អោយប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ មានការ ងារធ្វើរាប់ម៉ឺននាក់ នាពេលអនាគត ។
គម្រោង អាកាសយានដ្ឋានថ្មី ដែលរួមមានទាំង ចំណត និងអាគារផ្សេងៗ ដែលមានផ្ទៃក្រទ្បា ទំហំ ១០០ ០០០ ម៉ែត្រការ៉េ ដែលនឹងមាន សមត្ថភាពអាច ទទួលយន្តហោះ បានចំនួន ៣៣គ្រឿង ក្នុងរយៈពេលតែមួយ ។ ហើយគេនឹងរំពឹងថា អាកាស យានដ្ឋានថ្មី នេះ ក៏ជាអាកាសយានដ្ឋាន ដំបូងគេបង្អស់ នៅក្នុង ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ដែលមានសមត្ថភាព អាចធ្វើប្រតិបត្តិការ ជើងហោះហើរ ក្នុងចម្ងាយ ឆ្ងាយដោយផ្ទាល់ពី អ៉ឺរ៉ុប និងអាមេរិកខាងជើង ដែលនឹងជួយបង្កើន លំហូរភ្ញៀវ ទេសចរណ៍ អោយ មកលេងក្នុង ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ក៏ដូចជា ខេត្តសៀមរាប អោយបានកាន់តែ ច្រើនថែមទៀត ។ កន្លងមក ក្រសួងទេសចរណ៍ ធ្លាប់រំពឹងថា នៅឆ្នាំ ២០១៥ ភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៍ ទៅលេងខេត្ត សៀមរាប នឹងកើន រហូតដល់ទៅ ៤ លាននាក់និងនៅឆ្នាំ ២០២០ ភ្ញៀវទេសចរណ៍ ទៅលេង ខេត្តសៀមរាប នឹងកើនដល់ ៧ លាននាក់ ។
បច្ចុប្បន្ន ប្រទេសកម្ពុជា មានអាកាសយានដ្ឋាន កម្រិតអន្តរជាតិ តែបីប៉ុណ្ណោះ ដែលកំពុង ដំណើរការ រាល់ថ្ងៃគឺទី១ អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិភ្នំពេញ ទី២ អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិ សៀមរាប និង ទី៣ អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិ កងកេងក្នុង ខេត្តព្រះសីហនុ និង អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន នៅតាមបណ្តា ខេត្តមួយចំនួនទៀត ដែលមិនបាន ដំណើរការ ចាប់តាំងពី ស្រុកទេសមានសង្គ្រាម រហូតមកដល់ សព្វថ្ងៃនេះ ។ ក្នុងនោះ អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិ ពោធ៍ចិនតុង ដែលបានចាប់ផ្តើម កសាង មុនដំបូងគេ នៅក្នុងឆ្នាំ ១៩៥៧ និង សម្ភោធដាក់អោយ ប្រើប្រាស់ជាផ្លូវការ នៅថ្ងៃទី ១៩ ខែ មករា ឆ្នាំ១៩៥៩ ។ នៅខែតុលា ឆ្នាំ ១៩៩៤ ផ្លូវរត់ទ្បើង ចម្ងាចប្រវែង ៣០០០ ម៉ែត្រ ត្រូវបានទទួល រ៉ាប់រងជួសជុល ជាថ្មីទ្បើងវិញ ដោយក្រុមហ៊ុន Meada របស់ប្រទេស ជប៉ុន ។ បន្ទាប់មក ផ្លូវរត់ទ្បើង ប្រវែង ៣៥០ ម៉ែត្រ ត្រូវបានសាងសង់ បន្ថែមទៀត ដោយក្រុមហ៊ុន បារាំង មួយឈ្មោះ G.T.M (Grand Travaux de Marseille) សម្រាប់ចុះចត ប្រភេទ យន្តហោះធុនធំៗ ដូចជា ATR Boeing 332, Boeing 332 និងប្រភេទយន្តហោះ Boeing 747 ជាដើម ។ ដើម្បិឆ្លើយតប ទៅនឹងកំណើន នៃចំនួនអ្នក ធ្វើដំណើរ អាកាសយានដ្ឋាននេះ ត្រូវបានបើក ការដ្ឋានរុះរើ សាងសង់ជាថ្មី ទ្បើងវិញនៅក្នុងឆ្នាំ ១៩៩៥ ដោយក្រុមហ៊ុន SCA ហើយត្រូវបាន
កសាងរួចរាល់ ជាស្ថាពរនៅក្នុង ឆ្នាំ២០០២ ជាលទ្ធផល ទទួលបានអ្នកដំណើរ ៥ លាននាក់ ក្នុងមួយឆ្នាំ ។ អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិ ពោធិចិនតុង ត្រូវបានប្តូរឈ្មោះ មកជា អាកាសយានដ្ឋាន អន្តរជាតិ ភ្នំពេញ វិញ នៅថ្ងៃទី ១៥ ខែ មករា ឆ្នាំ ២០០៣។