Thailand claimed that Hun Xen cancelled the visit to Ta Moan Thom temple: is it telling the truth?

Tension eases as Hun Sen returns to Phnom Penh

Mon, February 8, 2010
The Nation

Tension along the Thai-Cambodia border seemed to ease after Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen cancelled his schedule to visit Ta Muen Thom temple ruins and returned to Phnom Penh on Monday.

Hun Sen and his wife; Bunnari, arrived at Oh-room-jong Village in Banteay Ambrel of Udon Mechai province by helicopter at about 9am. He presided over an opening ceremony of a battalion and a village which are about four kilometers from Ta Muen Thom temple in Cambodian soil.His visit was made amidst tight security which included tanks and heavily-armed soldiers. He spent about half and hour there before boarding a helicopter back to Phnom Penh.

A Thai army officer said that Hun Sen normally spent about two hours to visit his soldiers at the border. But this time he spent only half and hour probably because he was worried about the reports that some groups of Thai activists planned to rally near the site.

Earlier reports said that Hun Sen's visit to Preah Vihear area which started on Saturday until Tuesday.

Hun Sen also cancelled a plan to visit Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province, the site which has been claimed by both countries. The Thai side which claimed ownership of the temple insisted that Hun Sen has to ask permission if he wanted to visit the temple.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban earlier said that Cambodian side had notified the Thai side that Hun Sen would visit the temple ruins.

Suthep said the Thai troops will not be withdrawn from the ruins which belong to Thailand.

"We have been taking care of and and [holding in our] possession the area [of the Ta Muan Thom ruins]. Cambodia cannot claim its right over the area," said Mr Suthep."It's unlike the case of Preah Vihear temple in which the dispute was brought to the International Court of Justice."