Si Sa Ket residents oppose PAD rally at Preah Vihear

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SI SA KET, Sept 18 (TNA) - Si Sa Ket residents gathered at the base of the stone staircase to the 11th century Preah Vihear temple to voice their disapproval of Saturday's planned protest of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) there.

Over a thousand villagers from Kantharalak district gathered at Phum Saron temple Friday to oppose the PAD plan to rally at the disputed temple.

Local residents said if any violence occurs, it will have social and economic impacts in the area. They said they want the border dispute to be resolved through diplomatic channels.

Thai soldiers posted to the temple vicinity set up barbed wire to block the entrance and block access to Preah Vihear.

The PAD plan to converge at Khao Phra Viharn National Park on Saturday, demanding Cambodian troops and villagers to move out from the disputed border area.

The PAD ‘Yellow Shirts’ group who opposed ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra staged protests last year that led to a nine-day blockade of Bangkok's airports. The siege left more than 300,000 visitors stranded.