By Khmerization
Source: RFA
Tens of thousands of Khmer and Thai New Year revellers have flocked to visit the disputed temple of Ta Moan Thom (pictured) on the eves of the Khmer New Year and Thai Songkran, reports Radio Free Asia.
A Cambodian border guard said in the 4 days leading up to the Khmer New Year, tens of thousands of people from both sides of the borders have flocked to Ta Moan Thom temple. He said the reason is because the Thai side had opened up the border crossing to allow Thai traders to set up stalls to sell food and products near the temple.
Col. Neak Vong, Commander of Battalion 42 based at Ta Moan Thom temple, said people from both sides came in their thousands since since 8th April. "Since the 8th, there are about 30,000 people who came. Today (12th), there are about another 30,000. I don't know the reason why they came, but this is a new year time and ususally people go on holiday (this time). And on the Thai side, they allowed Thai traders to set up stalls to sell products near the temple. I didn't see any restrictions, it is normal", he said.
Ta Moan Thom temple is a source of military tensions since Thai troops forcibly occupied it and forcibly evicted Cambodian troops from the temple on 8th August 2008. In February of this year, the tensions nearly led to an armed clash when Thai troops prevented Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen from paying a visit to the temple.
Source: RFA
Tens of thousands of Khmer and Thai New Year revellers have flocked to visit the disputed temple of Ta Moan Thom (pictured) on the eves of the Khmer New Year and Thai Songkran, reports Radio Free Asia.
A Cambodian border guard said in the 4 days leading up to the Khmer New Year, tens of thousands of people from both sides of the borders have flocked to Ta Moan Thom temple. He said the reason is because the Thai side had opened up the border crossing to allow Thai traders to set up stalls to sell food and products near the temple.
Col. Neak Vong, Commander of Battalion 42 based at Ta Moan Thom temple, said people from both sides came in their thousands since since 8th April. "Since the 8th, there are about 30,000 people who came. Today (12th), there are about another 30,000. I don't know the reason why they came, but this is a new year time and ususally people go on holiday (this time). And on the Thai side, they allowed Thai traders to set up stalls to sell products near the temple. I didn't see any restrictions, it is normal", he said.
Ta Moan Thom temple is a source of military tensions since Thai troops forcibly occupied it and forcibly evicted Cambodian troops from the temple on 8th August 2008. In February of this year, the tensions nearly led to an armed clash when Thai troops prevented Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen from paying a visit to the temple.
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