SEAArch - The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog

The troop count has escalated on both sides of the Tha-Cambodian border, although both armies have been showing unusual restraint (and there are even hints that the Thais do know they are on the wrong side of the border). Both governments have agreed to meet for talks on Monday.

Cambodia, Thailand continue troop buildup at disputed border
The Straits Times, 17 July 2008

Cambodia PM says Thai border row getting worse
Reuters, 17 July 2008

Temple could draw millions of tourists
The Nation, 17 July 2008

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The tense standoff continues at Preah Vihear as both Thai and Cambodian troops (close to 600, at last count) face off at the disputed territory around Preah Vihear. The dispute seems centred around Cambodian settlers that have taken up residence on a patch of disputed land.

Crossing the line
The Phnom Penh Post, 16 July 2008

Thailand deploys reinforcements to Cambodian border: army source
The Straits Times, 16 July 2008

Authorities block access to Preah Vihear zone
Bangkok Post, 16 July 2008

Thai general calls for calm over temple row
Reuters, 16 July 2008

Controversy over temple land hots up
AP, via the Hindu, 17 July 2008

Cambodia says it will meet with Thailand to avert clash
AP, via The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 July 2008

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… the meanwhile edition. Meanwhile? Yes, while much of the focus this past two weeks have been about the inscribing of the new World Heritage sites (including George Town, Malacca and Preah Vihear), life goes on in other parts of Southeast Asia.

photo credit: RabunWarna
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A week after Preah Vihear was inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites, tensions are still high between Cambodia and Thailand, most recently when Thai troops reportedly crossed over into Cambodian territory yesterday (Thailand denies it).

10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple’s World Heritage status
AP, via International Herald Tribune, 14 July 2008

Push for Thais on Preah Vihear panel
Bangkok Post, 14 July 2008

Temple issue helps pin Thai stance on colonial map
The Nation, 14 July 2008

Post-mortem of govt’s handing of Preah Vihear
The Natiom, 14 July 2008

Political tensions driving temple row
BBC, 15 July 2008

Official: Thai troops enter Cambodia
AP, 15 July 2008

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Most visitors to Angkor would have already visited the site of Ta Prohm, the temple deliberately left overgrown with trees to preserve the sense of how the ancient complex of ruins was found in the 1800s. Local guides will also tell you that Ta Prohm’s claim to fame as one of the locations for Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider movie. The site is set to be restored by a team from India who, interestingly enough, will attempt to restore the temple without disturbing the trees that have taken root.

photo credit: Darren On The Road

Temple tree
The Indian Express, 12 July 2008
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