We should thank Mr. Obama for "seeing" Cambodia!

We should thank Mr. Obama for "seeing" Cambodia--the way it is!

There is no reason why Cambodians, especially the oppositions, should be worried about President Barack Obama’s visit to Cambodia.

We should let Mr. Obama see for himself the present Cambodia and Cambodian situations under Hun Sen’s ruling. Mr. Obama should be able to pick up the positive and negative sides of all developments like economic, social, political and human rights, etc…

What Cambodian oppositions should do is not to try to stop Mr. Obama from going to Cambodia or to attempt to cause any disturbance during his visit. Such attitudes will only backfire.

Many leaders of the world mostly possess positive mental attitude toward many things, hence they may view the attitude of the oppositions as nothing more than just griping in order to grab some attentions.

When people possess optimistic mental attitude, they only pay attention on the positive outcomes and not to dwell of bad things. They tend to see good things on the road and not the garbage on the roadside. Meanwhile those who have negative mental attitude see only the garbage and rarely see good things within the surroundings.

President Barack Obama waves as he leaves the White House in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, for a trip to Southeast Asia. Obama will seek to reinforce American influence in Southeast Asia in spite of the large shadow cast by China. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

It is very important for the Cambodian oppositions to recognize and acknowledge that there are improvements in Cambodia in the recent years but there are other issues of concerns that need to be addressed and address them with the positive mental attitude.

The Cambodian opposition’s leaders must change the way they act and the way they think. They must move from the negative to the positive side. Fighting from the dark side may be viewed as an act of fearfulness and fear is one of the major negative emotions. Cursing, complaining, demanding or protesting to get help is not an effective approach to reach out to world’s leaders—those leaders simply don’t have the time to be negative.

President Obama is the President of the United States. He will do whatever is best for America and for the American’s interests. Cambodians must remember that. All actions taken by the U.S leaders will be weighing out carefully for their own national benefits.

The oppositions should be thankful for Mr. Obama’s visit to Cambodia and should be looking for a positive ways to help him see and deal with Cambodia for the benefit of both countries. They should become the positive force to help rebuild Cambodia not a negative entity that can sap energy away from the countries or people who are willing to lend a hand.

Change!

Timothy Chhim
New York
November 17, 2012

Ethnic Chinese in Cambodia: 5 control 80?

5 control 80?

“Ethnic Chinese in Cambodia only account for 5 percent of the total population, but they control 80 percent of the country's economy. In the current Cambodian government, more than half the cabinet ministers are ethnic Chinese. These people are believed to play a positive role in maintaining the friendship with China.”

Naturally, the Chinese, Vietnamese and other nationals see great opportunity to succeed in Cambodia. They do not wait and or depend on any foreign assistance to survive. They work hard with specific goals and purposes. They help each other grow businesses; hence they dominate Cambodia’s economy.

Meanwhile, most Cambodians are untrained to become successful. The majority of them drift everyday without any direction in life.  Many are inactive and unwilling to hustle. Others just hope or wish to get help from the government, NGO and international community. Politicians over-promise the people to get something for nothing for so many years.

While the newcomers are happy to grow their businesses, many Cambodians are very happy to help them make profits. Without Cambodians spending their money, those businesses cannot become successful. Many people sell their property to gamble, dine, sing, drink and trade for sex until they have no more land to live on.

It is time for the Cambodians to take charge of their own personal and national destiny. If not then someone else will.

If you don’t take care of your garden, the weeds will take it over. It is a natural law!!!

Timothy Chhim

October 24, 2012   

=====================================

Cambodia to deport Chinese for insulting late king

SOPHENG CHEANG, Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SOPHENG CHEANG, Associated Press

Updated 7:47 a.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Cambodia-to-deport-Chinese-for-insulting-late-king-3970770.php#ixzz2AElr0oV5

• 
In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, Wang Zia Chao, 43, a Chinese factory supervisor, is escorted by Cambodian police officers after being detained, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Wang who caused an uproar by tearing up a poster of Cambodia's late King Norodom Sihanouk, was transferred Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 to a city court where she could face formal charges for insulting the monarchy and inciting public disorder. Wang had accused garment industry employees of shirking work during a week of official mourning for Sihanouk. When she seized the portrait from one worker before a shift and destroyed it, more than 1,000 irate workers protested Monday, eventually marching to the Royal Palace to demand she be punished. Photo: Siv Channa /

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Cambodia-to-deport-Chinese-for-insulting-late-king-3970770.php#ixzz2AElbVc3e

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Sino-Cambodian ties undimmed bySihanouk’s death

By Deng Yingjing (Global Times)

08:46, October 24, 2012

Although I have been to Cambodia several times, this time was definitely the most impressive. On October 15, I was woken by an early morning phone call from one of my Cambodian friends. He told me that former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk had just died in Beijing. My colleagues and I immediately headed to Phnom Penh.

The whole of Cambodia has fallen into deep sorrow. In front of the Royal Palace, hundreds of thousands of people, dressed in black and white, came to mourn the former king.

On October 17, more than 100,000 Cambodians lined the route from the airport to the Royal Palace, for the return of Sihanouk's body. It reminded me of a similar scene in January 1976, when China's then premier Zhou Enlai died in Beijing.

The public is worried whether the good Sino-Cambodian relationship built by Sihanouk will be shifted by his death. In my opinion, the relationship between the two countries is at a high point, and will get better in future.

Sihanouk abdicated in 2004. As he spent most of his old age in China, his influence on Cambodian politics was limited. However, the good relationship built by Sihanouk has deeply influenced the Cambodian public.

Ethnic Chinese in Cambodia only account for 5 percent of the total population, but they control 80 percent of the country's economy. In the current Cambodian government, more than half the cabinet ministers are ethnic Chinese. These people are believed to play a positive role in maintaining the friendship with China.

It’s still a good time to reconcile!

It is not too late to reconcile!

As a Khmer, not a politician, at the time of Cambodia’s great mourning; Sam Rainsy has done his part. Now it's up to the King and Premier Hun Sen to decide.

There is no one else in Cambodia except Cambodia’s King and Prime Minister that Sam Rainsy can ask for help for such a special request. 

King Father Sihanouk has passed and for Sam Rainsy to go through Vietnam, China or other nations for help is inappropriate because according to Premier Hun Sen Cambodia is independent.

The rejection from the part of Hun Sen’s regime only gives Sam Rainsy a new ammunition to fight on to gain his credibility. 

Communications among Khmer brothers must be continued. Without communication, we will not be able to help each other build Cambodia.

Reaching out to his opponent does not mean that Sam Rainsy is weak. It takes courage to request his adversary's help in time of a great national grief and respect.

If he believes that Father King Sihanouk was the father of all Khmers, Premier Hun Sen should be able to show his courage to help. It is much better for Hun Sen to help Sam Rainsy now than to have some foreigners to intervene later on or to handle future problems---putting Sam Rainsy in Cambodia’s jail when Sam Rainsy decides to go in on his own.   

Politically speaking, Hun Sen should not be worried about Sam Rainsy if he believes that the CPP is completely in control of Cambodia’s political landscape.

To let Sam Rainsy in at this time Hun Sen will both save his face and will prove that Cambodia and his regime is independent from any foreign’s domination and interference.

It’s still a good time to reconcile!

Timothy Chhim

October 22, 2012

----------------------------

David Chandler On King Sihanouk!

http://www.opendemocracy.net/david-chandler/norodom-sihanouk-cambodian-life

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Mourners offer incense near a photograph of King Father Norodom Sihanouk outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Friday. (Lauren Crothers/The Cambodia Daily)

Sam Rainsy Seeks Return To Bid King Father Norodom Sihanouk Farewell

By Dene-Hern Chen and Chhorn Chansy - October 21, 2012

Opposition party leader Sam Rainsy has sent a request to Prime Minister Hun Sen and King Norodom Sihamoni asking for permission to return to Cambodia in order to pay his respects to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who died October 15 in Beijing.
Currently in self-imposed exile in Paris—where he has now been for three years—Mr. Rainsy wrote his request in two letters sent and delivered October 18 to the Council of Ministers and King Sihamoni’s cabinet.
“During this time of great sadness, I would like Samdech’s help and understanding to allow me to pay my respects to his soul and see the King Father’s face for the last time in Phnom Penh,” Mr. Rainsy wrote in the letter.
“I was very close to the King Father and I owe him a lot. So the least I could do is pay my last respects,” Mr. Rainsy said by telephone from Paris.
“I would be happy [to return], even for 24 hours,” he said.
Mr. Rainsy was sentenced in 2010 to a total of 12 years in prison on charges of incitement, disinformation and destruction of public property for removing a temporary border marker along the frontier with Vietnam. Although critics slammed the verdict for being politically motivated, Mr. Rainsy has remained abroad, often communicating with his supporters through video link.
He recently vowed that he would return to Cambodia in December to lead the national election campaign of the Cambodian National Rescue Party, a newly merged coalition between the Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, chief of cabinet for the late Norodom Sihanouk, confirmed that King Sihamoni’s staff had received the letter, but admitted that it was not something the King could intervene on.
“There is an arrest warrant against Sam Rainsy. So if the King allows him to come and pay his respect to the King Father, then what about the arrest warrant? The King cannot decide this case,” Prince Thomico said.
“This is a decision from the royal government.”
Prince Thomico added that in the spirit of honoring Norodom Sihanouk, the government should consider issuing a blanket amnesty for all political prisoners, and under those circumstances, Mr. Rainsy could return without fear of arrest.
“King Sihanouk is a symbol of national reconciliation and I think it would be a good opportunity on this occasion for the government to grant an amnesty to all political prisoners,” Prince Thomico said. “This would be a great opportunity to show that the royal government is paying respects to the King Sihanouk.”
Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, referred questions to officials at Mr. Hun Sen’s Cabinet. Deputy chief of the prime minister’s Cabinet, Lim Leangse, declined to comment.
Mr. Rainsy was one of the first members of Funcinpec, the royalist party formed by Norodom Sihanouk when he was in Paris in 1981. Though he went on to become a Funcinpec minister of finance after the 1993 elections, Mr. Rainsy was subsequently expelled from the royalist party in 1994 after a disagreement with his party leader, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and CPP leader Mr. Hun Sen, who were sharing the role of co-prime ministers at the time.
Mr. Rainsy said that any disagreements he had at the time with Prince Ranariddh and Funcinpec did not extend to the King Father.
“[Norodom Sihanouk] gave me a lot of advice when I was minister of finance—he encouraged me to stop corruption in government, and to stop deforestation,” Mr. Rainsy said by telephone from Paris.

Congratulations Sam Rainsy: A good move to reconcile

Congratulations to Sam Rainsy for reaching out.

Mr. Sam Rainsy (L) and Mr. Hun Sen during an unexpected meeting in front of the National Assembly in 2006.

http://www.voacambodia.com/articleprintview/1528966.html

It is now up to Premier Hun Sen and His Majesty King Sihamoni to help reconcile among all Khmer brothers.

On October 15 I wrote on this blog suggesting that a phone call should be made (by someone).... and all Khmers should use this sad  occasion to reconcile. Now 3 days later, Sam Rainsy has made a move to reach out.  Congratulations.

If you think you can, you can.

Timothy Chhim
October 18, 2012.

Yes, We Can Win Without the God King

Yes, we can win!

Losing a God King? Let's respectfully mourn and move on.

Stop accepting that we are the victim: the victim of the French colonialist, the past unsuccessful policy of King Sihanouk, the failed policy of Pol Pot, the Vietnamese cruelty and the regime's brutality, etc… because when we think and accept that we are the victim, we are the victim—forever.

We must rise above being the victim for we are not. We were born as Khmer and as Khmer we can become as strong as anyone out there in the world and we have proofs. The proofs are not just thousands of monuments and footprints out there throughout Southeast Asia and the world but they are in our blood, heart, mind and spirit.

Picture: From Travelog.Org

What ever happened in the past can be used as seeds, as stepping stones and as great lessons for us to move forward to rebuild and construct a bright and dazzling Cambodia. We must learn from all factors that have led to Cambodia’s temporary defeats with the understanding that every defeat carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit when we have the right and positive mental attitude—the attitude of being the victor instead of being the victim.

We have to realize that each defeat is just a temporary setback and not the total failure and we have to understand that it takes many defeats to achieve the final victory—comparing to a baby who needs to learn from his falls… so many times in order for him to stand up, walk and then run.

We must get off our knees and stand up to face all current challenges: immorality, poverty, oppression and foreign control.

To get off our knees is to take possession of our mind and use it. And we must use it … with the positive mental attitude that we are now and will be the victor---we are no longer the victim: No more crying for help, no more self pity, no more belittling ourselves, no more fearing and no more accepting any notion that Khmers are losers and cannot win--- for a loser and a victim are all the same.

From now on we declare that we are the winner and we can do whatever we want to rebuild and construct our own life as well as our country… and we can do it as a person, a family, a society and finally as a great nation.

Take possession of our mind, put our mind and thoughts together collectively and harmoniously and the victory is awaiting just a few steps away.

Yes, we can win! And we can win without the former King.

Timothy Chhim

October 18, 2012

A Great Opportunity to Reconcile: Make that phone call now.

A Great Opportunity to Reconcile: Make that phone call now.

When the father is gone, the children should reconcile.

Every adversity, defeat, loss, disappointment carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit, said Dr. Napoleon Hill the author of “Think and Grow Rich” which had sold nearly a billion of copies worldwide.

Regardless of how each of us thinks or feels about King Sihanouk, the majority of Khmer people and the people of the world recognize him as the Father of ALL Cambodians and a god King of Cambodia.

Perhaps Khmers can find the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit from the loss of King Father. 

The very least I can think of now is that the death of King Sihanouk can definitely help bring unity for all Cambodians regardless of their political or religious beliefs. That means it is time for ALL Cambodians to reconcile.

Sam Rainsy should pick up the phone and call Hun Sen to let him know that as one of King Sihanouks’ sons and a son of Cambodia Sam Rainsy will be in Phnom Penh to join Hun Sen in the mourning ceremony of Cambodians “God King” or King Father. 

Hun Sen should reconsider and help facilitate one of his Khmer brothers to join him in such a rarest ceremony. Let King Sihanouk’s spirit leaves this planet in peace. By doing this Sam Rainsy and Hun Sen will both win, hence the Cambodian people will also win.

As a great gesture the Current Cambodian King Sihamoni should use this opportunity to help free all political prisoners including Mam Sonando and others. He should also request Premier Hun Sen to intercede with the Cambodian court to help remove all charges against Sam Rainsy. By doing this King Sihamoni will be remembered as the next great King of Cambodia after King Sihanouk.

Yes, there are more seeds or opportunities than we need to find good things to help Cambodia after her greatest loss in modern time: the death of the God King. 

But, someone needs to take his personal initiative: Make that phone call, now.

Timothy Chhim

October 15, 2012

When politicians promise...

When politicians promise, people need to beware.

Most people believe that, “a man needs to help himself first, then God will help him.” Buddha preaches self-reliance, “Attahi Attano Neatho” that is Man is himself his master. No one can be his master.

For decades—thanks to the world-- Cambodian people have been receiving all kinds of aid and assistance from international community.

Let’s hope that Cambodians are no longer being the recipients and do something to become self-reliant and that soon we can become donors to the world.

Let’s hope that Cambodian government and politicians begins to inspire people to use their own power from “within” to help themselves and their nation.

What the government ought to do is to help create opportunities for the people to allow them to find decent job.

What the people need to do is to help themselves by stop depending on outsiders for their assistance. And what the politicians need to do is to encourage people to work and stop promising or providing lip services for some kinds of free assistance after certain politicians win the elections.

Let’s hope that everyone in Cambodia “thinks.”

All living things on this planet need to work for a living. If they don’t work, they don’t eat and they will die; but all natural worlds do work.

Birds, bees and all kind of animals that want to live freely have to work for a living. The rest of them like cow, pig, sheep, etc… whose life depends on being fed are either human’s slaves or used to be slaughtered.

Next time, when politicians promise, we must think. Don’t let them incite us to get something from nothing. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Past empty promises have never been materialized because we expect something from nothing.

As a human being we must take possession of our own mind. Our mind is the only thing that we can control. We have the capacity to think. Our thought is the power that can help us become free, self sufficient and self reliant.

Don’t let anyone think for you otherwise you can never become independent. We need to be the master of our fate by practicing the law of cause and effect. Think first, then take action and you will get results. Don’t wait for politicians.

When politicians promise, people need to beware.

Attahi Attano Neatho!

Timothy Chhim October 6, 2012

Where past performance is guarantee to future results

To form long-lasting alliance individuals must share the same definite purpose and have the same burning desire to achieve that purpose. Top members of the alliance must work together harmoniously. Harmony is the key. Any frictions among leaders will not only cause total destruction to the alliance but will also put those who follow the leaders in greater danger.

While we don’t know for sure about Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha’s genuine motive(s) behind their recent hasty actions in Manila, we can presume that their mutual intention is to seek all types of support in order to win a little bigger or to gain seats in the general election next year.  The very least is to get the followers excited with this “special event” that usually take place before the elections.

Accurate thinkers know that with the current system in place there is no chance that the CPP will loose or yield their power to the two men. Accurate thinkers can tell that statements made by many politicians and reported by the media are not factual. Accurate thinkers do not form their opinions based upon newspaper, radio or television reports for such information are merely hopeful wishing and not the result of careful analysis of facts.

Past and present records and credibility of these two men are very important. Not long ago we had heard traceable bickering and internal strife between them and between their party leaders. Not long ago, Kem Sokha angrily stated that two men were likened to “oil and water.” They could not see each other eye to eye form many years. Suspicions and worries are still lingering among them and many followers. Now when the election is near, the pressure is on and not enough money is coming, they conveniently found a two day meeting in Manila to announce such an alliance. Both people have also had history of forming an alliance or coalition with different parties previously. Such past alliances had never lasted and many promises had not been kept.

Please use your own judgment and be cautious no matter who may endeavor to influence you. If these people’s actions and statements do not seem reasonable or do not harmonize with your own experience you may want to hold it in abeyance for further examination. Personally, I do want to see true unity among all Khmers where those with different political backgrounds join hands to help save and rebuild Cambodia.

I can only tell by using logical reasons found in natural laws: when any members of the alliance do not work together honestly and harmoniously, the alliance will be self-destructed. The lack of proof that these two men could work together in the past seems to suggest that the Alliance is temporary.  The distance between the two men is one of the many reasons that harmony between them is impracticable.

This statement should be viewed as a positive suggestion to members of the so-call coalition that without working in harmony toward their mutual definite purpose, the alliance will not last, hence the consequence. In this case “past performance” is guarantee to future results: the same.

Sample of political bickering: Mao Monyvan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-WXEdHXafE

Learn about our Neighbors: We can win.

Click Here to Download


"Silence is not necessarily golden"

Political Events: Who would benefit the most?

"Silence is not necessarily golden"

Learning About Our Neighbors: Farwell Abhisit

Prime Minister Abhisit (Mark) Vejjajiva (and his party) has been defeated. His immediate resignation from the Democrat Party and his concession to Pheu Thai Party are great examples for other Khmer leaders who have been clinging to power for too long regardless whether the Khmer people like them or not. 

Cambodian political leaders, too, tend to hold on to their respective position(s) for life.

Leadership changing provides new and fresh air for both sides—the leaders and followers—to breathe; and it is good for the country. Clinging to power too long provides the breeding ground for corruption, nepotism, etc. and it is one of the major factors that can lead to a great destruction from deadly uprisings.

Even the law of nature offers no excuse for “permanence” because nothing is permanent except change. This time, Thais don’t just change their leaders; they elected the first woman to become their Prime Minister. They are tired of being led by "men".

For Prime Minister Abhisit, leaving his positions at the right time and the right moment is the right thing to do. He deserves to be congratulated.  

Cambodia uses UFO to spy on Thailand--Not bad!

 After lying about cluster bombs, now this:

According to Thai Lt Gen Tawatchai, "Cambodia used unmanned aerial vehicles to photograph Thai military locations and Thailand also used similar aircraft to do the same on Cambodian soil."

No one believes that kind of excuse, but the joke is on you Lt General Tawatchai. 

General Tawatchai, maybe you were smoking some kind of weed for what you were seeing was probably Cambodian kites flown by Khmer children who was playing around Ta Krabeiy Temple.

Or may be it was just a Cambodian white pigeon looking for his long lost partner because of Cambodia's deforestation problems. How many birds shot by Thai soldiers lately?

Next time you should come up with a better joke, like Thai military leaders saw a UFO flown by Hun Manet or something. How about this: Hun Manet invented a unmanned aircraft using his T-shirt brought from the West Point Military Academy.

With the military budget of less than 200 million dollars per year, Cambodia cannot even afford to buy boots for it soldiers let alone to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles to spy on Thailand. Maybe you are right General; Cambodia used flip-flops to save money in order to buy flying objects to spy on Thailand.

Gen. Hun Manet, please keep your "magical tool kits" to use later. Next time make sure you use the latest model F222 Jet you made in your basement.
 

==============

Cambodian officers gave their word, not Hun Sen

The Bangkok Post

• Published: 25/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son, an army commander, have broken a gentleman's agreement for a truce, leading to the latest border clash and damage to both Thailand and Cambodia.

Cambodian soldiers opened fire at Thai troops who were warning them not to build a base and bunkers in a disputed area 400m west of the Ta Kwai temple on Friday morning as they were violating the Thai-Cambodian 2000 memorandum of understanding that prohibits any modification or building, especially of military facilities, in disputed areas pending demarcation.

Thai soldiers expected their Cambodian counterparts to honour the gentleman's agreement for a truce, so they trusted their counterparts and sustained many deaths and injuries from the unexpected opening of fire.

The Thai-Cambodian border seemed peaceful over the past two months, after the truce had been agreed by Thai soldiers led by army chief-of-staff Dapong Rattanasuwan and Cambodian soldiers led by Cambodian army deputy commander Hun Manet in Cambodian territory next to Chong Sa-ngam border pass in Phu Sing district of Thailand's Si Sa Ket province.

Thai and Cambodian soldiers coexisted in a friendly manner in the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.

They met, shared meals, played sports and enjoyed the Songkran water festival together. That together with the supposed credibility of the son of Hun Sen convinced Thai soldiers that Cambodia was honouring the truce.

However, a local source said there were signs leading to the latest clash. During the Songkran festival Lt Gen Hun Manet, in his capacity as the combat commander in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple, came to Preah Vihear province and Gen Kun Kim, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, travelled to areas near Ta Kwai and Ta Muen temples to inspect and promote local soldiers.

Cambodian soldiers conducted military exercises from late March to last week. They also made reinforcements but claimed the movements were only parts of such drills.

Cambodia used unmanned aerial vehicles to photograph Thai military locations and Thailand also used similar aircraft to do the same on Cambodian soil.

"It is surely the order of Hun Sen because he is upset with the Thai armed forces' refusal to welcome military observers from Indonesia and determination on bilateral approaches. [He] wants to escalate the issue internationally so he had to trigger fire to attract the UN and other countries to handle the issue," said Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, commander of Thailand's 2nd Army, who supervises defence affairs in the Northeast.

"I did not think Cambodian soldiers would break the promise. Although the truce was not signed, it was a gentleman's agreement."

He said Cambodian soldiers always opened fire first. He contacted a local Cambodian commander who said it was an order. Lt Gen Tawatchai said the order was known to have come from Hun Sen.

"The order of Hun Sen led to the deaths and injury of Cambodian soldiers and heavy damage of their weaponry as Thai soldiers responded equally. We are more precise and even ready to use Caesar [self-propelled] artillery," Lt Gen Tawatchai said.

He has also put his soldiers near the Preah Vihear temple in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket on standby as Cambodian soldiers removed the covers of their artillery and multi-barrel rocket launchers there.

"Regarding the situation at Preah Vihear, it depends on Hun Sen as to whether he wants it to expand to the area. It is up to him because we are only defensive and are fully ready," Lt Gen Tawatchai said.

"Don't worry. If [you] shoot at us, [we] will fire back with similar weapons. The Army chief has given a green light. Thai soldiers do not want a fight or a war but Cambodian soldiers started it. So, we must fight and react to protect Thai soldiers, sovereignty and Thai people.

"From now on, we will not believe in any promise or gentleman's agreement from Cambodian soldiers. Even on the first day of the clash, they told us by phone to stop firing our artillery but when we stopped, Cambodia resumed firing their artillery shells at us."

He also denied reports that Thai soldiers were captured by Cambodian troops.

Prince William's Wedding: So what is a big deal?

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3963945.stm

I could be wrong, but it was unlike King Sihamoni who failed to respond to the invitation of Prince William and Kate Middleton. But...

The wedding invitation should be responded in timely manner, unless someone at the Cambodian Royal Palace who was responsible has been sleeping at his desk or was trying to embarrass the King.


So what’s a big deal?

It is not a big deal if King Norodom Sihamoni won’t be able to make it, but it is an important thing when it comes to the King’s integrity and Cambodia’s reputation for the lack of sensible international diplomatic protocol. Prince William is an important for he is second in the line of succession to Queen Elizabeth II.

Let’s hope that Prince William and his fiancé will understand. After all, the job of being Cambodian King is quite new for his Majesty—King Sihamoni.

Cambodia’s Minister of Royal Palace may have his hand full trying to teach his colleagues about mannerism because the news headlines like the ones below humiliated the King.

========================
 
'Sorry I'm busy!' King of Cambodia snubs Royal Wedding for 'something more important'


By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 3:06 PM on 22nd April 2011

Comments (98) Add to My Stories It may be one of history's most sought after invitations but the King of Cambodia will not attend the Royal Wedding because he has something more 'important' to do.

In an apparent snub to Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton, King Norodom Sihamoni turned down his invitation from the Palace for another engagement.

The Cambodian embassy was today unable to expand on the reason for the 57-year-old's refusal but sources said the King was 'sad' he could not attend the celebrations.

No thank you: King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has turned down his invitation to the Royal Wedding in favour of another 'important' engagement

'The King can not come to the Royal Wedding because he has a very tight schedule,' a spokesman said.

'He has another important engagement.'

The shaven-headed former ballet dancer and instructor has been described in the past as 'very much an unknown quantity' but he is not the first Cambodian king to snub a British royal wedding.

His father Sihanouk refused to attend Princess Alexandra's wedding in 1963 after being told he would not get a guard of honour and could not stay at Windsor Castle.

King Sihamoni, who was best known for his work as a cultural ambassador in Europe before ascending the throne in 2004, was among dozens of royals worldwide to have been invited to the historic event.

He is understood to be spending April 29 in his home country.

The news came as it emerged Prince William's future bride would follow in the footsteps of Princess Diana by omitting the word 'obey' from her wedding vows.

She will instead promise to 'love, comfort, honour and keep' Prince William.

Diana pledged herself to Prince Charles in a similar way during their wedding ceremony in 1981.

The couple now have exactly one week left before their marriage.

Second-in-line to the throne William, 28, has already had his last shift as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot before the ceremony. He is expected to spend the latter part of next week in London, taking part in wedding rehearsals.

Meanwhile, Miss Middleton, 29, has been spotted doing some pre-wedding shopping in the capital, amid speculation that she has been stocking up on summer outfits for her honeymoon.

Snubbed: Prince William and Kate Middleton have invited dozens of royals from around the world to their nuptials but the King of Cambodia will not be there
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1379539/Sorry-Im-busy-King-Cambodia-snubs-Royal-Wedding-important.html#ixzz1KGSXPm00
Snubbed: Prince William and Kate Middleton have invited dozens of royals from around the world to their nuptials but the King of Cambodia will not be there

Though the official wedding guest list has been kept tightly under wraps, a palace spokesman today suggested it would release the list of invitees at some point this weekend.

The couple are said to have invited 388 close friends and associates to join them next Friday, while 254 relatives and friends of the Middleton family will also be present.

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King of Cambodia snubs royal wedding, as glittering guest list hints at dress designer


From: NewsCore April 22, 2011 8:02PM

PRINCE William and his fiancee, Kate Middleton, were sensationally snubbed by the King of Cambodia, The Sun reported today.
King Norodom Sihamoni has not replied to the couple's wedding invitation. He is the only royal out of dozens worldwide who so far failed to respond.

Sihamoni, 57, a shaven-headed former ballet dancer and instructor, would not be the first Cambodian king to snub a British royal wedding.

In 1963, his dad, Sihanouk, refused to attend Princess Alexandra's wedding after being told he would not get a guard of honor and could not stay at Windsor Castle.

Sihamoni, who took the throne in 2004, lived under house arrest with his dad in the 1970s while the Khmer Rouge regime murdered 1.5 million Cambodians.

News of the snub came as the list of guests for the April 29 wedding was published by The Sun.

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It includes 388 close friends and associates invited by groom William, 28, and his 29-year-old bride-to-be, Middleton.

Among them are Victoria and David Beckham, Mr. Bean funnyman Rowan Atkinson, posh TV presenter Ben Fogle, rugby supremo Sir Clive Woodward and "Lock Stock" director Guy Ritchie.

Also listed are 254 relatives and friends of the Middleton family.

The queen and Prince Charles drafted a list of 255 VIPs and aristocrats - including 62 foreign royals and heads of state. A further 1,000 guests, including politicians, senior civil servants and foreign diplomats, received invitations via the Lord Chamberlain's Office.

The list also shows that Middleton invited her favorite fashion designer to Westminster Abbey -- the strongest hint yet to the identity of her mystery dressmaker. Brazilian-born Daniella Helayel, who has made clothes for Madonna and Sharon Stone, also created her engagement outfit.