SEAArch - The Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog

It’s almost been a month since the last Wednesday Rojak, and that’s because I’ve been traveling quite heavily for the last three weeks because of the term break and some family matters. On the flip side, it also means that I’ve amassed a few stories for this week’s very belated edition of rojak! Beside visiting Borobudur and Angkor, we also have a closer look at some of the sites in the Philippines.

photo credit: thumbbook
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Last week I featured a piece on the Phnom Penh post by anthropologist David Lempert about the Cham and statelessness, which suggest how archaeology can help the Cham reconnect with their lost heritage. Three scholars working in Cambodia (one of which is Alison in Cambodia) reply with their disagreements to the archaeological examples in Lempert’s argument.

[22 October update: You can find the full-length article (as the Phnom Penh Post article was cut for space) in Alison's site here.]

Identity beyond origin: The Cham
Phnom Penh Post, 17 October 2008
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Thailand reports that the talks to discuss the border tensions at Preah Vihear scheduled for Tuesday (21 October) were cancelled by their Cambodian counterpart. The talks have now been moved to Friday.

Border talks pushed back, troops dig in
Phnom Penh Post, 20 October 2008

Thai-Cambodian border meeting postponed
Bangkok Post, 20 October 2008

Temple Row May Lead to Wider Conflict
Inter-Press Service, 18 October 2008
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The fighting may have stopped at the border for now, but tensions at the Cambodian-Thai border are still high after a heavy firefight claimed casualties on both sides on Monday.

Borders stay tense, but armies back off
Bangkok Post, 17 October 2008
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The firefight between the Cambodian and Thai armies have stopped for the moment, as leaders from both sides agree to undertake joint patrols to prevent future incidents of violence. However, a long-term solution to the standoff remains nowhere in sight.

Cambodia, Thailand agree joint border patrol but troops remain
AFP, via Channel NewsAsia, 16 October 2008

Thai and Cambodian military in talks after deadly border clash
The Guardian, 16 October 2008

Thai-Cambodia dispute continues
Reuters, 16 October 2008

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Two Cambodian soldiers have been reported killed, and 10 Thais captured in the fighting that has broken out between the Cambodian and Thai troops at the border near Preah Vihear. The battle has stopped for the moment as both sides rush to avert all-out war through diplomatic channels.

Troops clash on border
Bangkok Post, 16 October 2008

Thai, Cambodian Troops Must Show Restraint on Border, Ban Says
Bloomberg, 16 October 2008

Modern conflict near ancient ruins
BBC, 15 October 2008

Thai-Cambodia border situation back to normal, says Thai PM
AFP, via Channel NewsAsia, 15 October 2008

Thai, Cambodian Troops Must Show Restraint on Border, Ban Says
Bloomberg, 16 October 2008

Thai, Cambodia armies to meet after border battle
Reuters, 15 October 2008

Talks on Thai-Cambodia temple row
BBC, 15 October 2008

Solidiers killed in Cambodia/Thailand clash
The Independent, 15 October 2008

2 Killed on Thai-Cambodian Border
New York Times, 15 October 2008

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Reports of machine gun and rocket fire have emerged from the disputed border area around Preah Vihear today, a say after the ultimatum set by the Cambodian PM for Thai troops to leave. Both sides have accused the other of shooting first and are sending reinforcements to the area.

Thailand, Cambodia On Brink Of War
Bernama, 15 October 2008

Shots exchanged on Thai-Cambodian border
The Guardian, 15 October 2008
Fighting erupts along Thai-Cambodia border: officials
AFP, 15 October 2008

Thai, Cambodian troops exchange gunfire on border: Cambodia
AFP, 15 October 2008

Thai, Cambodian troops exchange border gunfire
Reuters, via Yahoo News, 15 October 2008

Fighting breaks out at Thai-Cambodian border
AP, via IHT, 15 October 2008

Thai troops gathering near disputed border area: Cambodia
AFP, 15 October 2008

Thailand, Cambodia spar over border troop positions
AFP, via Channel NewsAsia, 15 October 2008

Thai troops deployed to cope with Cambodia
AP, 15 October 2008

Indonesia hopes Cambodia, Thailand to exercise restraint
Antara, 15 October 2008

PM: Thailand won’t ignite border clash
Bangkok Post, 15 Octboer 2008

FACTBOX - Preah Vihear, a source of Thai-Cambodian tension
Reuters India, 14 October 2008

Thailand surprised by Cambodia border threat
Bangkok Post, 14 October 2008

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