Landmines Still Killing People

First of all, I apologize for all the typos in the last post. There was a terrible storm in Phnom Penh and I got knocked off line several times and could not get back on. I decided to just leave the post as is...kinda gives you an idea....

To the subject....

There were 2 mine explosions in the last week. The first killed a Cambodian soldier and wounded two others. It was in Preah Vahear, near where the fighting has been going on for nearly a year with the Thai Army.

(Back story:) The border between Thailand and Cambodia has always been disputed. In the '60s an international commission established the border, placing the ancient temple at Preah Vahear inside Cambodia, although the access road runs from Thailand. No one ever disputed it until last year when Cambodia had the site declared a World Heritage Sight. At that point the Thais claimed the temple as theirs and sent troops there. Cambodia responded by sending their own forces. As many as 4,000 troops have been encamped in a face off since July of last year. Fighting has been sporadic. The Thais, earlier this year, shelled the Cambodian market outside the temple and destroyed it forcing the villagers to flee. Several Thai soldiers have died from wounds suffered when they wandered into uncleared mine fields. The Thais claim Cambodia is re-mining the area, but the area shows as 'uncleared' in the official records.

Nevertheless, last weekend some soldiers were helping local villagers gather rattan in the forest when they stepped on some anti personnel mines. 1 dead, 2 injured.

On Monday there was another 'incident' (I really hate that term). I haven't found any details of it yet, but will post when I know what happened.

There is fair chance that there will be more fighting in the area. The Thais certainly out-gun the Khmers. They have heavy weapons, tracked vehicles, and jets. But the Khmers have the experience and the jungle. A straight out battle would most likely go to the Thais, but an extended jungle war would favor the Cambodians, many of whom are veterans of the nearly 50 years of war inflicted on Cambodia by a multitude of different armies.

I had lunch last week with an army unit that just returned from a month of duty along the border. They had a Khmer New Years party so that was pretty interesting. They were back for a week and are now heading back north to face-off with the Thais. It's different over here. When the army marches north, the families follow...sorta like 200 years ago. Wives will set up camp, cook for their husbands who will do their 'shift' and come 'home' for the evening. A bit different to say the least.

More as it develops.....

Babu from the jungle.....