The event of the KTPR or the Khmer-Thai Buddhist Exchange visit, 25-26/06/2554/2553/2010, Siem Reap and Sisaket, was conducted with heartening and common several important results:
1) We have build better understanding about why we need to build closer relationship and harmony between Cambodians and Thais based on Bodhidharma and human history in the Sovann Phum. Many of the participants were tearing and feeling sorry about the past bad actions (sin actions) to one another due to Akosola politics mainly and looking forward to brother/sisterhood in the future and taking care one another;
Meditation practice PCPC
(Some of the participants joined meditation & spreading loving kindness ceremony in front of the Preah Ang Chek-Preah Angchorm in center of Siem Reap city.)
Tearing for past sin actions n we want better future
2) Some of the participants made friends during the workshop and integrated funny and friendship activities, especially between the youths and youths. Some of them received symbols of friendship and loving kindness like souvenir, green medicines, food, fruits, etc;
3) Have understood better about Khmer and Thai cultures and countries;
4) We have made a Joint Commitment and Appeal Letter with (160) signatures of the Khmer and Thai people’s leaders or representatives including NGO networks, community representatives, media, education institutions and individuals including some governmental officials; and
Commitment S1
Please click http://ktpr.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/commitment-and-appeal-of-the- for more signature sheets.
Grp Photo-Cross hands for Solidarity 26 06
[All participants took a group photo with crossing hands to show their willingness and commitment to build closer relationship and loving kindness between the two people (Khmer people wear T-shirts with the smiling faces of Bayon Temple.)]
5) We have agreed to create an informal mixed committee to work on improving Khmer-Thai People Relationship that based on a principle of Brother and Sisterhood. The committee should have equal number of the members from both sides of Cambodia and Thailand and be needs based. The members of the committee should be coming from NGOs/NGO networks, peoples’ representatives, youths’ representatives, media, educational institutions and non-governmental technical institutions. The committee is open for the governmental employees who are interested in the common interest but as individuals. The committee should focus on several important areas as follow:
- Help to address/intervene social and economic problems along the border including environmental issue;
- Work on labor and human trafficking related to both countries (It including that Thai side will help to protect the poor workers from Cambodia to receive proper work conditions & opportunities & legal treatment);
- Play as a lobbying and mediation role as needed for both governments;
- Create opportunities where both Cambodians and Thais are met to interact and build closer and positive relationship;
- Possibly create a Sovann Phum Information Center to promote independent history for the young generation with careful, fair and professional efforts.
The co-organizer will meet in the mid July at the Poipet Khmer and Thai border in order to build on what we have agreed during the event to make a clear plan.
Please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/sotharos/sets/72157625449882031/ to see more photos of the event. In addition, you can click the below links to see the photos that posted by PEF in Thailand:
http://www.peoplesempowerment.org/news/khmer-thai-peoples-reconciliation-event-slideshow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46981312@N02/sets/72157624299653347/
Reported by Sotha Ros, Representative of the BKSN, on behalf of the co-organizers: BKSN/WGP and PEF/Sisaket Rajabhat University-Indo-China Study/Sarol Community
