Thursday incident at Preah Vihear temple

This incident is worth examining, because it shows how easily this utterly pointless military standoff could lead to bloodshed.

The standoff nearly erupted into violence late Thursday, when witnesses said troops twice pointed their guns at each other during 10 tense minutes at the pagoda after 50 Cambodian troops entered the compound to protect food supplies for dozens of monks.

The confrontation began after three Thai protesters were arrested for jumping a fence to reach the temple on Tuesday.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. But the most accessible entrance to the Khmer ruins lies in Thailand and 4.6 square kilometres (1.8 square miles) of the surrounding land remains in dispute.

What to call political leaders who allow a border dispute to escalate to this extent? Khmerization blogger has photos of Thai military mobilization in the border region: tanks and heavy artillery are pictured. He also has photos of nationalist Thais on the march. Is Thailand hell-bent on provoking its volatile neighbor?

Some background here.