Well, well, the conflict which lasted for almost a half a century has resurfaced again. Yes, the territorial dispute over the ownership of Preah Vihear Temple - Thailand and Cambodia. First, here's a few facts:
Preah Vihear was built in the 11th century at the North of Cambodia. In 1962, the International Court of Justice had already given Cambodia the ownership of the temple, but recently the 2008 Thailand-Cambodia stand off started again. In June this year, Thailand once again is trying to claim Preah Vihear for her own. Not only is this dispute limited to the Preah Vihear Temple, but instead it has "extended westward towards Ta Moan Thom complex between the Thai Surin province and the Cambodian Oddar Meancheay province." (Wikipedia - 2008 Cambodian-Thai stand-off) Not only that, but there has been dispute over oil and gas resources within what they call a Overlapping Claim Area, spreading over 27 000 kilometres of maritime territory.
WHY ARE THEY FIGHTING??? I thought we were family? We are ASEAN aren't we? so WHY ARE THEY FIGHTING???
So far, there are 3 killed and 3 wounded in Cambodia, and in Thailand - 2 killed, 11 wounded, 13 captured. The brothers of ASEAN are fighting a war, but aren't we all friends? The 10 countries of ASEAN undisputedly have this strong bond which allows for us to work together for a better future. Cambodia registered the Temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in January 2008, without Thailand's approvation. But cant they see the Preah Vihear Temple as a monument of SEA? Yes. no doubt we are talking about countries here, but why look at the competitive edge of Cambodia, rather than acknowledging the fact that there is such a beautiful place in SEA and feel proud of it? ASEAN was made not only so we could have somebody to rely on, but also to HELP on another, and in the process APPRECIATE one another and thus creating PEACE throughout the region. So is this all for nothing now?
It is the railways which connect us. Well, it is time which heals a broken heart, but it friendship which breaks boundaries, breaks culture, and brings us all together in one place one region.
7:32 PM
Cherie Seah Xinyi
Rafflesian; Tarbetian; RSP-ian; handbells Ex-CO
ONEOHNINE-er
TWOOHNINE-er
Bearing the scholarship of RSP, I thrive
to learn, to realise, to connect. Southeast Asia is bonded, not only by ASEAN, but it's the railways which connect us.
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