Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – On the afternoon of July 15th, a conflict occurred at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in the Cambodian-Thai border region. The incident stemmed from Thai soldiers preventing Cambodian tourists from visiting the temple, which escalated into a verbal dispute and physical altercation. No fighting occurred.
According to a report from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the immediate cause of the conflict was Thai soldiers blocking Cambodian tourists from entering the temple area. A Cambodian female tourist had a verbal altercation with a Thai soldier, after which Cambodian soldiers stationed at the temple intervened to mediate.
With the joint mediation of Brigadier General Na Vong, commander of the Cambodian 42nd Infantry Brigade, and the Thai military commander on site, the situation in the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep area has now returned to calm.
It is understood that a similar incident occurred several days prior. A Thai soldier disguised as a tourist entered the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep area, slapped a Cambodian soldier stationed there, and fled back into Thailand. Cambodia considers this an infringement on Cambodian territory. In that incident, the Cambodian military maintained a high degree of restraint and strictly adhered to the instructions of the national leadership.
