Thread: Thailand : PREAH VIHEAR

Cambodia: We will proceed 'urgently' with Preah Vihear plan
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
August 2, 2010



Cambodia said yesterday that Thailand failed all of its efforts to derail the Preah Vihear's management plan since the World Heritage Committee's decision to delay consideration of the plan's documents would never impede the implementation of temple conservation.

There is no requirement that the Committee approves the plan because the role of the World Heritage Committee is not to approve or disapprove any progress report or Management Plan submitted by a state party, but to review those documents in order to take note, said a statement from Cambodia's Office of the Council of Ministers.

"The conservation work is too important to be delayed," it said.

Cambodia also released yesterday a summary of the result of the 34th World Heritage Committee meeting to show that the committee has recognised its reports on the management plan and its progress.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his weekly television program that the delay was Thailand's success to block Cambodia's move to claim its right over the disputed border areas adjacent to the Preah Vihear.

Thailand and Cambodia were in the loggerhead over the controversial temple again over the past week during the World Heritage meeting in Brazil.

Thai delegation was worried Cambodia might take areas which are the subject of border dispute to be the buffer zone of the listed temple and complained it did not have enough time to study Cambodia's report.

As both sides failed to reach any common ground at the session last week, the committee decided to allow additional time for the distribution and consideration of the documents, which will be discussed at the next session next year.

"This decision in no way impedes our implementation of the management plan," Cambodia's government spokesman Phay Siphan said in a phone interview from Phnom Penh.

"We should not say it is a victory or failure of anybody but it is our obligation to conserve the heritage of human being," he said.

The Thai argument is irrational as the management plan and report on the conservation of the Phrea Vihear were delivered to the World Heritage Centre in January 2010 and after having the reports for 3 days, the Thai delegation had no substantive comment on the report, he said.

Cambodia would continue the implementation of the plan such as the convening of a preliminary meeting for the setting up of an international coordinating committee (ICC), the spokesman said.

"There is no single word in the (world heritage committee) decision to refrain Cambodia from doing the jobs," he said.

In fact, Cambodia obligated to invite Thailand and not more than seven other parties to sit in the ICC but Thailand declined the invitation while China, India, US, Japan, France and Australia have already agreed to join.

Thailand should have nothing to worry about its right over the border dispute since world heritage inscription would never affect the boundary claim, Phay Siphan said. The boundary demarcation would continue. Cambodia appreciated and would respect the work of joint boundary committee, he said.

Asked if Cambodian people disappointed with Thailand's move on the Preah Vihear, Phay Siphan said the people in Cambodia understood the situation that majority of Thai people disagreed with the government. "Prime Minister Abhisit's wish might be against the Thai people's will," he said.

"Among people of two nations, we are neighbours and hope to live in peace together," he said.

Defend Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said Thailand and Cambodia have no military tension as both sides have no plan to boost number of forces in the border areas near the Preah Vihear and they remained good relations.

nationmultimedia.com

Naew Na editorial, page 3, July 30th, 2010

Don't Try to Ignite War, UNESCO
30 July 2010

Territorial disputes between Thailand and Cambodia have been a deep-rooted problem and a persistent predicament for citizens of both countries for many decades. The conflict was rooted in France's self-assertion and ignorance during the colonial period between late 19th and early 20th century.

The tension recently flared up again, as Cambodia attempted to seek approval from the World Heritage Committee (WHC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the listing of the Preah Vihear Temple as the World Heritage site under Cambodia's jurisdiction.

The main reason that the Thai government and its people strongly protest against Cambodia's move is that it is threatening Thailand's sovereignty over the land on which the ancient temple is situated, as well as its environs.

The issue has become of greater concerns, after Cambodia was found to have submitted its own version of a map for the Preah Vihear temple area to UNESCO. Although the Cambodian government refused to call it a map, claiming that there has been no demarcation of the area according to the memorandum of understanding which was signed between the two countries in 2000, Thailand disagrees.

In fact, UNESCO should be well aware of the border disputes that have been going on between Thailand and Cambodia. Why would it have interfered while the issue remains unresolved.

UNESCO at least should have thought about the feelings of the Thai people and listened to Thailand's protest over the matter. If the UN organization fails to listen, they cannot expect Thailand to do the same.

The Thai government and its people will continue to protest and refuse to cooperate with the management of the Preah Vihear Temple as proposed by the Cambodian government. If UNESCO still persists in considering Cambodia's proposal, the Thai authority will have to do something to show that the UN agency is tampering with the country's national security

I doubt that the WHC and UNESCO really want to add fuel to the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and see the dispute develop into a full-blown war which is much harder to resolve.

Translated and rewritten by Wacharapol Isaranont

thailandoutlook.tv


threatening Thailand's sovereignty over the land on which the ancient temple is situated

incorrect , Temple is Cambodian .

They've had years and years to dispute the border territory but didn't and the disputed land was going to be ceded to them under the Samak Sundaravej administration but the Thais blew that opportunity as the PAD wanted to steal the temple as well.

You cannot argue with ignorance reinforced with a fascist nationalism.

Natural minister Suvit arrives Bangkok and thanks all sides concerned

Natural and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti arrives Bangkok on Monday morning after attending the meeting of Unesco's World Heritage Committee in Brazil.

In the meeting, he managed to buy times for the controversial consideration of the committee on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear Temple.

Suvit said upon arrival that he would like to thank Thai people and authorities concerned for supporting him and the team in the matter.

Thailand had threatened to walk out of the meeting if the committee considered the plan, citing that the Thai side had not yet look into detail of the plan which was submitted to it just shortly before the meeting.

Suvit said that from now on the Thai side will speed up its works on the matter as the matter was delayed to next year WHC meeting in Bahrain.

nationmultimedia.com

PM: Not Difficult to Resolve Preah Vihear Temple Issue in One Year
2 August 2010

The prime minister is claiming victory regarding the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's postponement of its decision on the management of Preah Vihear Temple until next year and believes that it will not be difficult to resolve the issue within a year.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva remarked about the disputed Preah Vihear Temple issue in the latest broadcast of his weekly television program, claiming that he considers the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's decision to postpone the decision a success in preventing Cambodia from violating the integrity of Thailand's border.

Abhisit said that from now on, the government will work hard to oppose the listing of the temple as a World Heritage site, and that it is not too difficult to do so.

The prime minister has also invited the Thai people to express their opposition to UNESCO because the issue affects the country's sovereignty.

Abhisit also said that he has ordered the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry to monitor the situation closely.

The prime minister clarified that the memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signed with Cambodia in 2000 gives Thailand an advantage because Phnom Penh cannot use the map Annex 1 ratio 1:200,000 in its proposed land management plan.

Abhisit reiterated that the government has never accepted that the area is in dispute and considers the watershed to be the natural border.

The prime minister pointed out that the problem began after then-foreign minister, Noppadol Pattama agreed to endorse the Cambodian government's plan to register the temple as a World Heritage site, which put Thailand at a great disadvantage.

After having faced criticism, the prime minister made plans to hold a session to clarify the issue to the public.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the New Politics Party, Samran Rodpetch insisted that the party is standing firm in its demands that the government cancel the MOU signed in 2000 as well as other agreements that use 1:200,000 ratio maps because they pose a risk to Thailand's border integrity.

Also, there are no guarantees that future governments will follow the current government's footsteps in solving the dispute

Samran said that the prime minister should not criticize others who disagree with him but instead, should set up an area for the public to discuss the issue openly.

thailandoutlook.tv

Abhisit said that from now on, the government will work hard to oppose the listing of the temple as a World Heritage site, and that it is not too difficult to do so.

Happened already, in 2008.

What he's opposing is the unilateral Cambodian management plan.

Activists: Govt must clarify temple claim
2/08/2010

Members of the Thailand Patriot Network led by Veera Somkwamkid plan to gather in front of Government House this Saturday, demanding the government explain Cambodia's claim that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti had signed a document related to Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple during the World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil last week.

Mr Veera said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An’ claimed in a press interview that Thailand had agreed to sign a management document.

“We don’t know what kind of document we (Thailand) have signed with Cambodia. The government must clarify the facts to the public. We expect over ten thousand people to gather to hear the answer,” said Mr Vera.

He also submitted a petition to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, asking him to clarify the issue.

Cambodian Prime Minister Sok An last week announced victory to his people, saying that the World Heritage Committee agreed to accept Cambodia's plan to manage area surrounding the temple, and that Thailand decided to sign the agreement to allow Cambodia to manage the disputed land.

Thailand claims consideration of the issue was postponed for another year.

bangkokpost.com

Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand)

Cases[at]|[at]International Court of Justice

icj-cij.org

PM plans discussion with activist Veera Somkwamkid on Preah Vihear issue, Foreign Minister Kasit says Thailand lost no land to Cambodia under 2000 MoU

PM plans discussion with activist Veera Somkwamkid on Preah Vihear issue

PM blames Noppadon for temple row
2/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hold former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama accountable for the ongoing conflict over Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Abhisit posted messages on Facebook saying that Thailand has been at a disadvantage ever since Mr Noppadon, who is close aide of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, signed the joint declaration backing Cambodia's bid to register the temple as a World Heritage site in June 2008.

The joint declaration, signed by Mr Noppadon and the late prime minister Samak Sundaravej, was widely criticised as it was signed without receiving endorsement from parliament as requited by Section 190 of the constitution.

Mr Abhisit said the signing of the joint declaration opened the door for Cambodia to request for the listing of the ancient temple as a World Heritage site.

(The old Khmer temple was subsequently listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.)

The prime minister said since then, he has tried to campaign against the temple's listing.

The Constitution Court later ruled the communique unconstitutional as it had bypassed parliamentary approval. Mr Noppadon later resigned.

Last week, the World Heritage Committee agreed to delay considering Phnom Penh's proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear temple until next year after Cambodia failed to submit relevant documents on time and that a memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed territory in the area has not been settled.

bangkokpost.com

Joint communique signed to 'protect sovereignty'
2/08/2010

The joint communique signed between Thailand and Cambodia in 2008 did not put Thailand at a disadvantage over the Preah Vihear temple conflict, former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama, among the two who signed the document, said on Monday.

He slammed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for taking him responsible for the ongoing temple row, saying that the prime minister's statement has political agenda.

Mr Noppadon said the joint communique, which backed Cambodia's bid to register the temple as a World Heritage site, was to protect Thailand's sovereignty.

He called on the prime minister to stop slandering him, and suggested that he bring in all sides to discuss the matter to find solutions.

He then asked the prime minister, who said that only a joint World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear and its adjacent compound was the best path to take, if he has ordered any agencies to prepare the documents for this issue.

On SUnday, Mr Abhisit said the best solution is to change from having Cambodia solely register the temple to a proposal by two countries so the World Heritage site could be co-managed.

bangkokpost.com

CASE CONCERNING THE TEMPLE OF PlREAH VIHEAR
(MERITS)
Judgment of 15 June 1962

Proceedings in the case concerning the Temple of Preah
Vihear, between Cambodia and Thailand, were instituted
on 6 October 1959 by an Application of the Government of
Cambodia; the Government of Thailand halving raised two
preliminary objections, the Court, by its Judgment of
26 May 1961, found that it had jurisdiction.

In its Judgment on the merits the Court, 'by nine votes to
three, found that the Temple of Preah Vihear was situated in
territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia and, in conse-
quence, that Thailand was under an obligation to withdraw
any military or police forces, or other guards or keepers, sta-
tioned by her at the Temple, or in its vicinity on Cambodian
territory.

By seven votes to five, the Court found that Thailand was
under an obligation to restore to Cambodia any sculptures,
stelae, fragments of monuments, sandstone model and
ancient pottery which might, since the date of the occupation
of the Temple by Thailand in 1954, have been removed from
the Temple or the Temple area by the Thai au~thorities.
Judge Tanaka and Judge Morelli appended to the Judg-
ment a Joint Declaration. Vice-President Alfaro and Judge
Sir Gerald Fitzmaurice appended Separate Opinions; Judges
Moreno Quintana, 'Wellington Koo and Sir Percy Spender
appended Dissenting Opinions.

In its Judgment, the Court found that the subject of the dis-
pute was sovereignty over the region of the Temple of Preah
Vihear. This ancient sanctuary, partially in ruins, stood on a
promontory of the D#anangrek range of mountains which consti-
tuted the boundary between Cambodia and Thailand. The
dispute had its fons et origo in the boundary settlements made
in the period 1904-1908 between France, then conducting
the foreign relations of Indo-China, and Siam. The applica-
tion of the Treaty of 13 February 1904 was, in particular,
involved. That 'lkeacy established the general character of the
frontier the exact boundary of which was to be delimited by a
Fmco-Siamese Mixed Commission.

In the eastern sector of the Dmgrek range, iin which Preah
Vihear was situated, the frontier was to follow the watershed
line. For the purpose of delimiting that frontier, it was
agreed, at a meeting held on 2 December 1906, that the
Mixed Commission should travel along the Dangek range
carrying out all the necessary reconnaissance, and that a sur-
vey officer of the French section of the Comniission should
survey the whole of the eastenn part of the range. It had not
been contested that the Presidents of the French and Siamese
sections duly made this journey, in the course of which they
visited the Temple of Preah Vihear. In January-February
1907, the President of the French section had ieported to his
Government that the frontier-line had been definitely estab-
lished. It therefore seemed cleix that a frontier had been sur-
veyed and fixed, although theire was no record of my deci-
sion and no reference to the Dangrek region in any minutes of
the meetings of the Commission after 2 December 1906.
Moreover, at the time when the Commission might have met
for the purpose of winding up its work, attention was directed
towards the conclusion of a further Franco-Si.amese bound-
ary treaty, the Treaty of 23 Maxh 1907.

The final stage of the delimitation was the ]preparation of
maps. The Siamese Governmc:nt, which did not dispose of
adequate technical means, had requested that Frenclh officers
should map the frontier region. These maps wlzre completed
in the autumn of 1907 by a team of French officers, some of
whom had been members of the Mixed Conlmission, and
they were communicated to the Siamese Government in
1908. Amongst them was a map of the Dangrek range show-
ing Preah Vihear on the Cambodian side. It wtls on that map
(filed as Annex I to its Memorial) that Cambodia had princi-
pally relied in support of her claim to sovereiignty over the
Temple. Thailand, on the other hand, had contended that the
map, not being the work of the Mixed Commissio~i, had no
binding character; that the frontier indicated on1 it was not the
true watershed line and that tlnie true watersh~d line would
place the Temple in Thailand; that the map had never been
accepted by Thailand or, alternatively, that if Thailand had
accepted it she had done so only because of a mistaken belief
that the frontier indicated corn:sponded with the watershed
line.

The Annex I map was never formally approved by the
Mixed Commission, which hd ceased to function some
months before its production. While there could be no rea-
sonable doubt that it was basecl on the work of the surveying
officers in the Dangrek sector, the Court nevertheless con-
cluded that, in its inception, it had no binding character. It
was clear from the record, howc:ver, that the miips were com-
municated to the Siamese Govt:rnment as pqmrting to rep
resent the outcome of the work of delimitation; since there
was no reaction on the part of the Siamese authiorities, either
then or for many years, they must be held to haire acquiesced.
The maps were moreover ccmunicated to. the Siamese
members of the Mixed Commission, who said nothing, to the
Siamese Minister of the Interior, Prince Damrong, who
thanked the French Minister in Bangkok for them, and to the
Siamese ]provincial governors, some of whom knew of Preah
Vihear. If the Siamese authorities accepted the Annex I map
without investigation, they could not now plead any error
vitiating the reality of their consent.

The Siamese Government and later the Thai Government
had raised no query about the Annex I map prior to its negoti-
ations with Cambodia in Bangkok in 1958. But in 1934-1935
a survey had established a divergence between the map line
and the hue line of the watershed, and other rnaps had been
produced showing the Temple as being in Thailand: Thailand
had nevertheless continued also to use and indeed to publish
maps showing Preah Vihear as lying in Cambodia. More-
over, in the course of the negotiations for the 1925 and 1937
Franco-Siamese Treaties, which confirmed the existing fron-
tiers, and in 1947 in Washington before the Franco-Siamese
Conciliation Commission, it would have been natural for
Thailand to raise the matter: she did not do so. The natural
inference was that she had accepted the frontier at Preah
Vihear as it was drawn on the map, irrespective of its corre-
spondence with the watershed line. Thailand had stated that
having been, at all material times, in possession of Preah
Vihear, she had had no need to raise the matter; she had
indeed instanced the acts of her administrative authorities on
the ground as evidence that she had never accepted the
Annex I line at Preah Vihear. But the Court found it difficult
to regard such local acts as negativing the consistent attitude
of the central authorities. Moreover, when in 1930 Prince
Damrong, on a visit to the Temple, was officially received
there by the French Resident for the adjoining Cambodian
province, Siam failed to react.

From these facts, the court concluded that Thailand had
accepted the Annex I map. Even if there were any doubt in
this connection, Thailand was not precluded from asserting
that she had not accepted it since France and Cambodia had
relied upon her acceptance and she had for fifty years enjoyed
such benefits as the Treaty of 1904 has conferred on her. Fur-
thermore, the acceptance of the Annex I map caused it to
enter the treaty settlement; the Parties had at that time
adopted m interpretation of that settlement which caused the
map line to prevail over the provisions of the Treaty and, as
there was no reason to think that the Parties had attached any
special importance to the line of the watershed as such, as
compared with the overriding importance of a final regula-
tion of their own frontiers, the Court considered that the
interpretation to be given now would be the same.
The Court therefore felt bound to pronounce in favour of
the frontier indicated on the Annex I map in the disputed area
and it became unnecessary to consider whether the line as
mapped did in fact correspond to the true watershed line.
For these reasons, the Court upheld the submissions of
Cambodia concerning sovereignty over Preah Vihear.

http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/45/4873.pdf

Kasit defends MoU signed with Phnom Penh
3/08/2010

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is defending the memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia in 2000 on border issues, saying it does not put Thailand at a disadvantage.

"The MoU is an existing tool and a framework for negotiations on the border problems [with Cambodia]," Mr Kasit said yesterday.

"More importantly, the MoU is vital for the World Heritage Committee in Brazil to understand that the border negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia have not been finalised and are still ongoing. It includes the Preah Vihear temple area."

A government source close to the issue yesterday said if Thailand did not have this memo with Cambodia, then it would have no guidelines to use in their border demarcation talks.

"The MoU has provided the framework for the surveying of and demarcation of the border between the two countries," the source said.

"Both sides brought all the evidence that they have to include in the MoU."
The document was signed in 2000 by Deputy Foreign Minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who is now governor of Bangkok, and adviser to the Cambodian government Var Kim Hong when the Democrat Party led the coalition government and Chuan Leekpai was prime minister.

In the memo, Cambodia presents a map at 1:200,000 scale and other documents for border negotiations. Thailand uses the 1904 and 1907 Siam-France Treaties as well as other relevant treaties, the source said.

"We could not simply exclude the map submitted by Cambodia, otherwise it would have refused to sign the MoU [at the time]," the source said.

But the source stressed that "allowing Cambodia to include the map in the MoU did not mean Thailand that accepted it for use in negotiations on demarcation of border areas".

The source said all documents from both sides must be considered in surveys and border demarcation, and if they have any disputes over the documents, they then have to discuss them together to find common ground.

The source said revoking the memorandum could only be done if both countries agreed.

Critics of the government have demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reject the map presented by Cambodia as they say it could lead to the loss of disputed territory.

The prime minister said yesterday he would try to explain the benefits of the 2000 memorandum to critics and he was ready to talk with people with different perspectives on the issue.

In addition to the treaties and maps to be used for border demarcation talks, the other duties of the two countries include searching for all the original 73 markers on the border.

The two states began searching for the border markers in 2006 and have recovered 48 so far.

bangkokpost.com

Cambodian Prince asks Thai PM to show restraint in Preah Vihear dispute
Cheang Sokha
Tuesday, 03 August 2010

A REPRESENTATIVE of the Royal Cabinet wrote to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday in a bid to resolve the ongoing standoff over the status of Preah Vihear temple and other disputed areas along the border.

In a letter from Beijing, Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni, stated that the two countries had an interest in putting aside territorial disputes for the “harmony” of the region.

“Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development,” he wrote.

“My dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between the two neighbours.”

The letter comes as a meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s World Heritage Committee concludes in Brazil today.

On Thursday, the WHC acknowledged receiving Cambodia’s management plan for Preah Vihear, but deferred its consideration until a meeting set to be held in Bahrain in 2011.

Thai officials had vowed to oppose the plan, and threatened to withdraw from UNESCO if they were not appeased.

The annual meeting has become a flashpoint between Cambodia and Thailand ever since the WHC listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site in July 2008. Bangkok opposes the listing, claiming a 4.6-square-kilometre area adjacent to the 11-century temple.

In a weekly address on Sunday, Abhisit said Thailand had obtained the Cambodian management plan and would look to see if it violates “Thai sovereignty” in the border area.

But Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit, said yesterday that since Cambodia’s plan had been submitted to the WHC, Thai attempts to raise the matter were meaningless.

“I think Abhisit’s knowledge on heritage issues is limited – he does not understand the facts, the work of heritage and its progress,” he said. “His manner is to provoke nationalism and [give out] misleading information to gain politically.”

Tith Sothea said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed the Cambodian delegation to Brazil, would return to Cambodia on Saturday.

phnompenhpost.com


wonder if that will make the Thai media ?


.

Originally Posted by Mid

“I think Abhisit’s knowledge on heritage issues is limited – he does not understand the facts, the work of heritage and its progress,” he said. “His manner is to provoke nationalism and [give out] misleading information to gain politically.”

Definitely.

Gotta love that innoramuses placard,this land has always been thai.
No it fucken hasnt.
How many khmer temples are there in thailand-shitloads.
Fuck the stupid thais-it is akhmer temple and the border was agreed with the french in the early nineteen hundreds.
Dont forget that when the thais were mates with the japanese in ww2 they annexed battambang province-the opportunistic pricks.
And dont forget that the thai army forced tens thousands of khmer refugees over the cliffs at preah vihear in 79 or 80.
Thousands died in land mine explosions or of hunger and disease.
That road from the khmer side up the cliffs is the steepest road that I have ever seen.

Originally Posted by cambtek

And dont forget that the thai army forced tens thousands of khmer refugees over the cliffs at preah vihear in 79 or 80.

The Preah Vihear Massacre. Covered up by the Thais and difficult to find in any of the history books.

Haing S. Ngor makes note of it in his personal account of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Originally Posted by Mid

wonder if that will make the Thai media ?

PM yet to see letter from King Sihamoni's adviser
4/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday he has not yet received a letter sent to him by Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, but agrees to his suggestion to use Preah Vihear as a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries.

"I have not received that letter, but learned that it was sent to me on the evening of Aug 3," he said.

According to Phnom Penh Post newspaper published on Aug 3, the letter to Mr Abhisit from Prince Siwowath stated that the two countries had an interest in putting aside territorial disputes for the “harmony” of the region.

“Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development.

“My dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between the two neighbours,” the prince's letter was quoted by the newspaper.

Mr Abhisit said it would be good if what was suggested in the letter could materialise. He had no idea if the same suggestion would be made to the Cambodian government.

He said the cultural value of the temple should not be used to take advantage over one another in a territorial dispute.

Asked whether he would assign Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to solve the conflict, Mr Abhisit said it was not yet necessary for his deputy to do that because so far there had not been any signal from the Cambodian government of being interested in holding talks and to what extent.

For the Thai government, any cooperation which would not infringe on teritorial sovereignty should be useful, Mr Abhisit said.

On Thailand's move to protect Thailand's interest during the one year before the World Heritage Committee considers Cambodia's temple management plan, Mr Abhisit said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will set up a committee to do the job with cooperation from the Foreign, Justice and Culture ministries and the armed forces.

He said it would be good if Cambodia accepted the fact that pushing for unilateral listing of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site had caused more tensions.

"It would be good if we could hold talks to do something together because in solving the conflict we have think about the livelihoods of the people on both sides of the border in the future. So far, there have been no signs toward this direction," the prime minister said.

bangkokpost.com

I have not received that letter,

agrees to his suggestion to use Preah Vihear as a symbol of reconciliation between the two countries.

man is a wizard I tells ya

.

PM ready to send Deputy PM Suthep to meet Cambodian PM Hun Sen in attempt to resolve Preah Vihear dispute

PM ready to send Deputy PM Suthep to meet Cambodian PM Hun Sen

, Kasit on the outer ?

Suthep ready to talk with Hun Sen about Preah Vihear issue
Sarun Saelee



BANGKOK, 4 August 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister overseeing Security Affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban, has voiced his intention to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in order to find an exit from the dispute over the areas around the Preah Vihear Temple.

Mr Suthep said Thailand has a firm policy of living in peace with all neighboring countries and without conflicts. Therefore, he said both Thailand and Cambodia should make understanding and seek mutual agreements in order to solve the ongoing dispute on the 4.6-square-kilometer overlapping area around the Hindu temple.

The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Security Affairs hence confirmed his readiness to travel to Cambodia to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, at the consent of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, the Adviser to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, reportedly sent a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit on behalf of the Cambodian Royal Household Bureau, demanding patience from the Thai side about the controversial issue.

Queried by reporters about the matter, Mr Suthep responded that he had not known details about the matter yet.

thainews.prd.go.th

confirmed his readiness

not known details about the matter yet.

.

PM drops talks plan for temple
5/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will not send Suthep Thaugsuban to Cambodia for talks on the Preah Vihear temple while Phnom Penh refuses to show more interest in discussing the dispute.

Mr Abhisit said Wednesday a more appropriate time and consultations with all relevant agencies were needed before the deputy prime minister would be sent to Phnom Penh.

He said there had been no signals from Phnom Penh that it was interested in discussing the matter.

Mr Suthep, who oversees national security, offered on Tuesday to go to Phnom Penh to meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and try to reach a compromise on Preah Vihear and the overlapping area near the ancient Hindu temple.

The deputy prime minister said the dispute must be resolved as quickly as possible to prevent further distrust among the people of the two countries.

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia soured again when Thailand protested to the World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting in Brasilia last week about Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear and its surrounding areas. Thailand complained the plan included land which has not been demarcated.

Thailand's position is to first put an end to the question of sovereignty over the 4.6 square kilometres of land around the temple before the WHC decides on a management plan. The temple was listed as a world heritage site in 2008.

The heritage committee, which comes under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, deferred a decision on the site for another year after it failed to find common ground between the two countries. The next meeting will be hosted by Bahrain.

The impasse has prompted Prince Sisowath Thomico, an adviser to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, to write a letter to Mr Abhisit, according to the website of the Phnom Penh Post.

The letter urged the two countries to put aside their territorial dispute for the sake of regional harmony.

"Raising territorial claims is a futile attempt that flies in the face of history, and that harms our people by diverting significant resources that could otherwise be invested in development," Prince Sisowath said.

"My dearest wish, Your Excellency, would be to see Preah Vihear standing as the enduring symbol of the reconciliation between our two nations, of the harmony of our relationship, and a model of fruitful cooperation between the two neighbours."

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Wednesday Mr Abhisit had received the letter.

The prime minister said he agreed the temple should be a symbol which reflects common culture, peace and reconciliation between the two countries. But he said the issue should not lead to attempts to take advantage of another country over the unsettled boundary.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda on Wednesday ordered 1st Army chief Kanit Sapitak and 2nd Army commander Weewalit Chornsamrit to tighten security along the border as a result of the WHC meeting, deputy army spokeswoman Sirichan Ngna-thong said.

One concern was the possibility of Thais staging a protest on the border which could create a misunderstanding.

An army source said commanders responsible for the Thai-Cambodian frontier, including those from the Suranaree and Burapha task forces, held a separate meeting to assess the situation.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of 240 million baht for the army to prepare measures and reinforce the border with Cambodia, the source said.

bangkokpost.com

http://www.irrawaddy.org/cartoon.php?cat_id=9

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Cambodia already has an access road of sorts .

52 organisations to rally at temple
5/08/2010

A total of 52 organisations had expressed their intention to join the demonstration against Cambodia’s management of Preah Vihear near the World Heritage site on the border of Si Sa Ket province on Saturday, Veera Somkwamkid, co-leader of Thais Who Love the Nation Network, said on Thursday morning.

“The rally is not a matter of the colour of shirts, it is about protecting the country’s sovereignty. The government has failed to protect Thailand’s territory by signing a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia in 2000,” Mr Veera said.

PM’s Office Minister Ongard Klampaiboon early this week warned core leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to be careful about rallying near the ancient temple as it could cause misunderstandings between the two countries.

bangkokpost.com

Hun Sen says ‘don’t worry’ about border
Cheang Sokha and Thet Sambath
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SEBASTIAN STRANGIO
Thursday, 05 August 2010

PRIME Minister Hun Sen said yesterday that tensions with Thailand in the aftermath of a war of words between the two countries last week would not erupt into hostilities along the border.

“Don’t worry about war happening at the border – it’s impossible,” Hun Sen said during an address at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh.

“Of course Thailand has an obligation to defend its territory and we have an obligation to defend ours, but our military commanders have met and shared lunch together to ease the tension.”

Although both sides declared victory following the annual meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Committee in Brazil last week, the body did little to settle the long-running acrimony between Thailand and Cambodia over their undemarcated border near Preah Vihear temple.

During the meeting, Cambodia submitted a management plan for Preah Vihear temple, which the WHC declared a World Heritage site for Cambodia in 2008.
Discussion of this document, however, was deferred until the committee’s meeting next year in Bahrain.

Earlier this week, Royal Thai Army deputy spokesman Veerachon Sukondhadhpatipak denied rumours circulated by Cambodian forces at the border that Thai commanders had reinforced their positions near the temple. Thai troops, Veerachon said, had been ordered not to act “provocatively”.

Yim Phim, commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Brigade 8, stationed at the border in Preah Vihear province, said his forces were on alert for renewed protests near the temple by Thailand’s nationalist People’s Alliance for Democracy, also known as the Yellow Shirts.

“We are ready to stop them from entering our territory. If they dare to do so, we will welcome them with our weapons as Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered,” Yim Phim said.

Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn could not be reached for comment.

phnompenhpost.com