Thread: Thailand : PREAH VIHEAR

PM reminds PAD Thailand lost Preah Vihear in 1962

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy that Thailand had lost Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia by a world court's ruling in 1962.

The prime minister was speaking to PAD demonstrators at the Thai-Japanese Stadium at noon Saturday in live-telecast session.

"If you're talking about wanting it back, i have no different desire as you guys. We lost the temple in BE 2505 during Field Marshal Salit [Thanrat]," Abhisit said.

"Back then, Field Marshal Salit has restricted our rights to reclaim it back, that once we have evidence to prove the temple is ours."

He said Thailand could only spend the next year to explain to Unesco about its objection to Cambodia's management plan of the Preah Vihear world heritage site that might violate Thailand's territorial rite over the plot Thailand regards as its land near the temple.

nationmultimedia.com

Activist group demands to meet PM at Government House for talks on historic temple
วันเสาร์ ที่ 07 ส.ค. 2553



BANGKOK, Aug 7 (TNA) -- Two top leaders of an activist group now rallying at the First Army Region headquarters here have demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva discuss the historic Preah Vihear temple at Government House as the most appropriate venue, instead of at a sports stadium where another group is holding a similar rally.

Veera Somkwamkid and Chaiwat Sinsuwong, leaders of the so-called ‘Thailand Patriot Network’, told people attending the rally that Mr Abhisit had asked them to meet on the temple issue at the Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng which would be telecast live Sunday.

But both said the prime minister’s office is at Government House and not the sport stadium so the meeting should be held at Government House.

Using a loudspeaker Mr Veera told his supporters that his rally does not violate an existing emergency decree because his group's demand is in the national interest and not for any particular political group or any individual interest.

Reiterating that his group would rally in front of the First Army Region headquarters and await an answer from Mr Abhisit, Mr Veera called for people’s unity otherwise it would be “difficult to take back territory”.

He said he would give the government seven days to say when Thailand will push back the Cambodians from Thai territory near Preah Vihear temple as well as nullifying a memorandum of understanding signed by the Thai and Cambodian governments in 2000.

Meanwhile, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesman of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, said troops are standing by and ready to move in to control the rallies if requested by police.

No violence was reported since the events began in the morning, said Col Sansern, adding that no one has been arrested so far for violating the emergency decree, imposed in the capital since April 7.

mcot.net

Originally Posted by Mid

PM:Govt protecting the country's benefit
7/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva insisted that the government has tried to protect the country’s territory and sovereignty over the border dispute with Cambodia, reports said.

Mr Abhisit said this when he took to the rally stage of the Thailand Patriot Network at Thai-Japan stadium on Saturday afternoon to answer questions from the protesters.

He said there is no reason for the government to exchange the country’s territory for any other things.

The questions relating to the Preah Vihear temple’s management plan of Cambodia were raised by a representative of about 2,000 members of the patriot network gathering at the sport stadium.

bangkokpost.com

He did what ???

Thailand Patriot Network confirms overnight stay on Ratchadamnoen Road awaiting PM's clarification on how kingdom will benefit if Thailand maintains 2000 MoU with Cambodia

Thailand Patriot Network confirms overnight stay on Ratchadamnoen Road

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke to placate demonstrators' concerns over a territorial row with Cambodia

AFP: 'Yellow Shirt' protesters cheer Thai PM




Chamlong Srimuang is a senior PAD leader

AFP: Thai 'Yellow Shirt' protesters gather in Bangkok




Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong makes a point during a press conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. Namhong on Friday, criticized Thai authorities for continuing to challenge Cambodia's rights to administer a landmark temple on their border.
(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

The Canadian Press: Thai right-wing group protests in capital against temple policy despite government warning

“มาร์ค” ลั่น เสียดินแดนไม่ใช่คนไทย-ประกาศไม่อ่อนข้อเขมร สั่งเปิดเกมรุก
7 สิงหาคม 2553 16:50 น. (26)

นายกฯ ขึ้นเวทีเอาหัวโขนนายกฯ-ความเป็นคนไทย รับประกันไทยไม่เสียดินแดนให้เขมร พร้อมยันฉีกเอ็มโอยูทิ้ง หากไทยเสียเปรียบ แต่ยังซื้อเวลาขอศึกษา อ้างที่ผ่านมาคัดค้านเขมรมาตลอด ไม่ได้เพิ่งมาพลิกลิ้นตอนเป็นนายกฯ โดยมาตรการต่อไป จะใช้วิธีทางการทูตควบทางทหารบีบเขมร สั่ง "บัวแก้ว" คุย "กลาโหม" เปิดเกมรุก

Mark to PAD: In accordance to being a Thai, guarantees that he, the PM, will not concede Thai territory to the Khmer, and is willing to tear up the MOU (presumably the one signed between the Chuan government and Cambodia in 2000) if Thailand is at a "disadvantage". Asserts that he has always been against the Khmer position even before he became PM.

วันนี้ (7 ส.ค.) เมื่อเวลาประมาณ 13.30 น. นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ นายกรัฐมนตรี เดินทางจาก อ.หัวหิน จ.ประจวบคีรีขันธ์ มาถึงอาคารการกีฬาเวสน์ 2 ศูนย์กีฬาเยาวชนกรุงเทพฯ ไทย-ญี่ปุ่น ดินแดงแล้ว โดยขณะนี้นายกรัฐมนตรีอยู่ภายในห้องรับรองที่ไม่อนุญ าตให้สื่อมวลชนเข้าไป บันทึกภาพ ก่อนที่นายอภิสิทธิ์จะเตรียมหารือกับ พล.ต.จำลอง ศรีเมือง แกนนำพันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย กรณีเขาพระวิหาร

ทั้งนี้ เครือข่ายภาคีคนไทยหัวใจรักชาติ กว่า 2,000 คน ได้ปักหลักรวมตัวกันอยู่ภายในอาคารกีฬาเวสน์ 1 ท่ามกลางมาตรการการรักษาความปลอดภัยอย่างรัดกุม โดยรอบศูนย์เยาวชนกรุงเทพฯ ไทย-ญี่ปุ่น ดินแดง นั้น มีกำลังเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจปราบจลาจล 4 กองร้อย ตำรวจในเครื่องแบบ 105 นาย และสารวัตรทหารอีก 1 กองร้อย กระจายกำลังดูแลรักษาความปลอดภัยอย่างเข้มงวด

ทั้งนี้ ก่อนที่นายอภิสิทธิ์ จะเดินทางขึ้นเวทีเพื่อตอบข้อซักถามขอพี่น้องที่มาร่ วมชุมนุม ทีมรักษาความปลอดภัยนายกฯ ได้มีการขอร้องให้เครือข่ายภาคีคนไทยหัวใจรักชาติที่ นั่งอยู่บนพื้นที่ ขึ้นไปนั่งอยู่บนอัฒจันทร์ทั้งหมด เพื่อความเป็นระเบียบเรียบร้อยในการเสนอความคิด เห็น

ต่อมาในเวลา 13.45 น. นายอภิสิทธิ์ ได้ขึ้นเวที พร้อมทีมติดตามขึ้นเวทีเพื่อตอบข้อซักถามของทางเครือ ข่ายภาคีคนไทยรักชาติ ทั้งนี้ ตัวแทนชาวบ้านจาก อ.กันทรลักษณ์ จ.ศรีสะเกษ ได้สอบถามนายกฯ ถึงการเซ็นต์เอ็มโอยูสมัยรัฐบาลนายชวน หลีกภัย อดีตนายกรัฐมนตรี หากจะให้มีการยกเลิกจะติดขัดหรือไม่ และรัฐบาลขณะนี้จะทำอะไรได้บ้าง รวมทั้งมีเรื่องไหนที่จะให้ประชาชนช่วยได้บ้าง

โดยนายอภิสิทธิ์ กล่าวว่า ก่อนที่จะตอบข้อซักถาม ขอทักทายพี่น้อง ซึ่งตนได้ติดตามการเคลื่อนไหวของพี่น้องประชาชนทุกคน ที่ห่วงใย และแสดงออกเคลื่อนไหวต่อการรักษาอธิปไตยของไทย ซึ่งก่อนหน้านี้ตนได้คุยกับแกนนำที่ร่วมเคลื่อนไหวหล ายครั้ง ทั้งนายปานเทพ พัวพงษ์พันธ์ ร.ต.แซมดิน เลิศบุตร ที่ได้หารือกันเมื่อวานนี้ ซึ่งตนอยากเรียกให้พี่้น้องประชาชนทราบว่าเราไม่ได้ค ิดต่างกัน รวมทั้งไม่ได้มีผลประโยชน์อื่นใดแอบแฝงนอกจากผลประโย ชน์ของชาติ และขอยืนยันว่าไม่มีเหตุผลอะไรที่จะเอาแผ่นดินไทยไปแ ลกเปลี่ยนกับผลประโยชน์ อื่น

News1 -

I am hearing that many of the govt or army run radio stations are
now getting people ready for a battle with cambodia, with commentators
reminding people about their duty to the King and of past conflicts with the
Burmese and Cambodians, etc. Can anyone confirm?

^

certainly hope the said battle is not a military one

Abhisit and PAD to join together for TV show
8/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will debate civil groups rallying against the government's handling of Preah Vihear temple in a special television programme today.


separate thread here : https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...ml#post1522209 (Thailand : Abhisit and PAD to join together for TV show)

Thai PM: Ready to revoke pact with Cambodia on ancient Preah Vihear temple in 'national interest'
วันเสาร์ ที่ 07 ส.ค. 2553



BANGKOK, Aug 7 -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday told members of the protesting civil groups including the yellow-clad People’s Alliance of Democracy (PAD) that his government prepared to revoke the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Thailand and Cambodia “if it is for Thailand’s interest” but said that no pressure should be imposed on him.

Speaking to groups now rallying at the Thai-Japanese Sports Complex in Din Daeng against the 10-year-old Preah Vihear temple agreement, Mr Abhisit said the 2000 pact did not specify the border demarcation between the two neighbouring countries.

According to the prime minister, the Cambodian government said it could not use the map scale of 1:200,000 sq km as its own map because the Joint Boundary Commission had not finished its task.

It shows that the 2000 MoU does not allow Cambodia to use the Thai map, Mr Abhisit noted, adding that “if it is for national interest, then the MoU could be revoked."

“But no one should say it must not be revoked or must be revoked,” said Mr Abhisit.

According to the agreement between Thailand and Cambodia on the survey and land boundary demarcation signed in June 2000, both parties agreed not to carry out any changes of environment in the frontier zone, pending completion of the survey and demarcation of the border.

Regarding Cambodian troops and civilians encroaching on disputed areas claimed by both countries, Mr Abhisit said the encroachment "definitely violated" the agreement signed in 2000 and that the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry will coordinate with the military in protesting to the Cambodian government.

Mr Abhisit said that he would raise this issue at a meeting of the Thai National Security Council "soon" and that the military will cooperate 100 per cent, while the foreign affairs ministry will meet with the military on how to approach the Cambodian government.

Despite Mr Abhisit’s explanations on the temple row, people attending the rally said they were still unclear regarding both the status and the prime minister's explanation.

Five representatives each from the civil network group coordinating with the PAD Yellow Shirts and from the government side will debate the Preah Vihear issue Sunday from 10am to 1pm The event will be telecast live on the state-run NBT station.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia intensified after the Thai government delegation objected to Cambodia's unilateral management plan for the historic temple as both neighbours found no common ground to settle their dispute over the 4.6 sq km of land adjacent to the temple, an historic monument which was granted UNESCO world heritage status in 2008.

Meanwhile, another group rallying under Veera Somkwamkid who leads the newly-formed 'Thailand Patriot Network’ gathered at the First Army Region headquarters, awaiting the government reply on its demand to scrap the 10-year-old MoU with Cambodia.

Many of those attending the rally returned home after heavy rain while the remaining are expected to sleep in front of the military headquarters Saturday night awaiting the prime minister's clarification on how kingdom will benefit if Thailand maintains the 2000 MoU with Cambodia.

mcot.net

PAD satisfied with PM´s clarification
Nereita Tancharoen

BANGKOK, 7 August 2010 (NNT) — Co-Leader of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Major General Jamlong Srimuang claims his satisfaction upon the Government's clarification over the Preah Vihear Temple dispute.

According to Maj Gen Jamlong, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had done a good job in clarifying the government’s resolutions towards the disputed Preah Vihear issue to the patriot activists who gathered at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday.

PAD co-founder urged all Thais to take actions in protecting the Thai sovereignty or else their ignorance may result in a major loss of land.

Meanwhile, the activists also took part in outlining the questions to be asked at the discussion between PAD representatives and the Government on Sunday.

PAD suggests the Government to deport those intruding the Thai territory back to Cambodia and not to let anyone linger in the disputed areas for too long.

thainews.prd.go.th

But how many of the illegal gathering have been arrested for breaking the emergency decree?

PAD representatives invited to join special TV talk : PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has invited yellow shirts to send their five representatives to join a special television programme on Phra Viharn controversy on Sunday.

Abhisit said he and other five representatives including experts would join the programme on the National Broadcast Television or Channel 11 to be held between 10am and 1pm.

He extended the invitation as he took the stage of yellow shirts who rallied on Saturday at Thai-Japanese Stadium. The rally was led by People's Alliance for Democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang.

Abhisit joined the forum in the afternoon after finishing some works in Hua Hin.

Abhisit told the cheering crowds that he would like to thank you everybody here as they are gathering to express their wishes to protect the country.
"I can assure you that the government has been working for the benefits of the country. We have no reason to exchange Thai territory with any benefits," he said.

He stressed that he should neither remain as the prime minister nor be allowed to be in the Thai soil if he did so.

The premier had on Friday managed to cut a deal with the Chamlong's PAD faction, which was initially planning to rally in front of Government House to demand that Abhisit revoke the 2000 memorandum of understanding on boundary demarcation with Cambodia as well as voice their opposition to Preah Vihear's inscription as a World Heritage Site.

Chamlong's the Dharma Army Foundation, agreed to gather at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng today to express their views, concerns and visions with respect to Preah Vihear.

He emphasised that the 2000 MOU with Cambodia is just an agreement for both countries to start border demarcation, not boundary demarcation.
The substance of the MOU is that pending the demarcation, no country should not invade into the disputed sites.

Apparently trying to compromise, the premier said we should have discussed the matter basing on the country's benefits and after that if it is better to cancel the MOU, then do it.

Meanwhile a PAD faction, led by Veera Somkwamkit who led a rally near the Government House vowed to remain there for seven days in defiance state of emergecy.

nationmultimedia.com

Civil network continues rallying
8/08/2010

The Thais Love Nation network on Sunday announced that their gathering in front of the Army Region 1 headquarters will not disperse yet.

The group rallied to pressure the government to revoke the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Thailand and Cambodia in 2000.

"The group's plan to end or carry on with the demonstration will depend on whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's clarification [on the Preah Vihear dispute] meets our demand," Thais Love Nation secretary-general Chaiwat Sinsuwong said after listening to a live telecast debate between a government side led by the premier and the civil society group this morning.

The group will announce the decision at 3pm today.

"The Thais Love Nation's demand remains unchanged. We want the government to revoke the MOU and other documents that can cause damage to Thailand and the prime minister must take action against the Cambodian people and troops who are within the Thai territory," Mr Chaiwat said.

About 200 people gathered outside Army Region 1 headquarters since morning. Police were deployed to ensure order and security.

bangkokpost.com

Border market in Si Sa Ket is quiet due to fears of tension
วันอาทิตย์ ที่ 08 ส.ค. 2553



SI SA KET, Aug 8 - Cambodian villagers are reluctant to cross the border to buy Thai goods at a Sunday market in this Thai border province where the disputed ancient temple lies.

The Sunday market in Si Sa Ket’s Phu Sing border district has been quiet since early Sunday as Cambodian villagers are fearful about crossing into Thai territory due to fears of tensions building up after learning that the Cambodian government has reinforced its troops along the border.

The chiefs of border checkpoints of the two neighbouring countries met to discuss the situation early Sunday in an attempt to cool down tensions centred on the historic Preah Vihear temple and its disputed environs.

Thai troops, meanwhile, are patrolling the border checkpoint round-the-clock to ensure that no violent incidents take place.

The uneasy situation came after Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said in a recent interview recently that his government was not interested in joining with Thailand to develop Preah Vihear temple, awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962.

UNESCO named the temple a World Heritage site in 2008 after Cambodian applied for the status. UNESCO’s World Heritage Commission during its meeting in Brazil on July 29 decided to postpone a management plan, proposed by Cambodia, to its meeting in 2011 to be held in Bahrain.

Preah Vihear temple is located atop a 1,722-foot cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, about 150 miles north of the Cambodian capital. Reaching it by road is easiest from the Thai side of the border. The two countries area are disputing a 4.6 sq km area of scrub near the temple.

mcot.net

PM: 2000 MoU must remain
8/08/2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated to members of the Network of Thai Patriots that the memorandum of understanding signed with Cambodia in 2000 is still beneficial to Thailand.

"The 2000 MoU prevents the two sides from doing anything in the disputed area and this is why the MoU should remain in effect," Mr Abhisit said in a live telecast debate between a government side led by him and the civil society group this morning.

He said the memorandum does not accept Cambodia's map.

"Don't worry about the future as the Thai government will continue protecting the country's sovereignty," he said.

As for the encroachment issues near the disputed border around the ancient Preah Vihear temple, the prime minister said the government would take necessary preventive measures.

He said arrests were made when people encroached into the area in 2008 and there were clashes in April last year because of the same reason.

The premier said he had instructed Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to hold talks with Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and the military to seek diplomatic means to deal with the situation.

"Resorting to force would be the last option as we have to look at the consequences between the two countries," Mr Abhisit said.

bangkokpost.com


"Resorting to force would be the last option as we have to look at the consequences between the two countries," Mr Abhisit said.

JHC IT IS NOT AN OPTION LET ALONE THE LAST ONE !!!!!

Police attempting to end rally on Temple row
Sarun Saelee



BANGKOK, 8 August 2010 (NNT) – Metropolitan Police Division 1 Commander, Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai, will negotiate with Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, the core leader of the Thais Love Nation network, in a bid to end their rally in Bangkok this afternoon demanding the government to urgently solve the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

A number of the civil network supporters are still gathering in front of the Army Region 1 headquarters in order to put a pressure against the Government on the Preah Vihear Temple issue.

The protesters are reportedly deciding whether they should disperse or continue their street-protest at the end of the discussion between the Government and network representatives about the Thai-Cambodian border dispute which was broadcast live on NBT this afternoon.

Police Major General Wichai has asked the protesters to disperse as soon as possible; otherwise, the officers will take legal actions against them immediately since the demonstration has blocked public transportation.

The commander added that he would not yet deploy more police officers to control the situation around the rally site as it was deemed unnecessary at present.

thainews.prd.go.th

How about just rounding them all up and arresting and charging them all?
Double standards again.

Get real guys, ITS CAMBODIAN!!

Civil network ends rally
8/08/2010

A group of demonstrators led the Network of Thai Patriots had dispersed in front of the Army Region 1 headquarters on Sunday afternoon.

They rallied to pressure the government over the territorial dispute with Cambodia.

"Our rally has ended but it is temporary. We'll return when we're more ready," network's secretary-general Chaiwat Sinsuwong said.

The number of demonstrators was not sufficient as they had to gather in front of the Army Region 1 headquarters and at the Thai-Japanese Stadium.

The network will discuss ways to tackle this problem, he said.

Mr Chaiwat, who is a co-leader of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, said the live telecast debate on the Thai-Cambodian border row was a success as it was the first time the public sector could present different problems to the government without trying to gain benefits for anyone in particular.

bangkokpost.com

Temple row debate ends, resolutions made



BANGKOK, 8 August 2010 (NNT) – The live TV debate between representatives of the Government and the Thais Love Nation Network regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute has ended with some agreements.

The special 3-hour program, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, started with a review on the verdict of the World Court over the controversial Preah Vihear Temple in 1962 and the use of maps between both sides. Cambodia has cited its map scale of 1: 200,000 square-kilometers while Thailand has been insisting on using the natural watershed line known as ‘San Pan Nam’, in the border demarcation.

Both the Government and the Thais Love Nation Network agreed with the stance to use the natural line for border demarcation. They shared the same view that the ruling of the World Heritage Committee could not be applied to the demarcation issue.

In the live broadcast, both sides had four representatives each. The network side comprise the Thais Love Nation Network Leader Veera Somkhwamkid, People's Alliance of Democracy (PAD) Spokesperson Panthep Puapongpan, Mr Sompong Sujaritkul, and Mr Thepmontri Limpaphayom.

The Government team included Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti, Secretary to the Foreign Minister Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, and Democrat MP for Songkhla Sirichok Sopha.

thainews.prd.go.th

Thailand Will Not Revoke Border MoU With Cambodia
Jamaluddin Muhammad
August 08, 2010

BANGKOK, Aug 8 Thailand has no intention of revoking the border Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia inked in 2000 as it is beneficial to Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday.

He said under the MoU, Cambodia and Thailand need to consult each other if they want to carry out any activities in the disputed 4.6 sq km territory claimed by both countries near the Preah Vihear Temple.

"The MoU will not accept the map for the temple management plan submitted by Cambodia to the Unesco World Heritage Committee because it included part of the disputed territory," he said.

The MoU did not allow Cambodians to occupy the area, he said when leading the four-member government team in a live telecast three-hour debate with four members of the Thailand Patriot Network.

The debate was held after the network's peaceful demonstration in the capital yesterday demanding the Thai government to cancel the MoU as they feared it would cause Thailand to lose the disputed area.

The group claimed that Thailand was at a disadvantage because the MoU was the source of the problem as it gave Cambodians a chance to trespass and settle in the disputed area.

Abhisit said the MoU did not put Thailand at a disadvantage, instead it was beneficial to the country.

The 11th century Hindu temple is located in the Cambodian territory as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962 and Unesco listed it as a world heritage site in 2008.

This led to a strained relationship as both countries claimed the disputed area.

The issue heated up again last week when Cambodia submitted the management plan for the temple at the Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil.

Thailand protested as the plan included part of the disputed territory and the meeting postponed its decision on the management plan to next year's meeting in Bahrain.

The group yesterday rallied at the Government House where the Prime Minister's Office is located before moving to the Army Region 1 headquarters and later to the Thai-Japanese Stadium.

The group is led by leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) also known as yellow shirts -- the group that seized the Government House in August 2008 and two airports in the city three months later.

Veera Somkwamkid led the group's debate team while the government side included Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti. The group distanced itself from the yellow shirts although it was led by yellow shirts' leaders.

Its rival, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), known as the red shirts, blamed the government for practicing double-standard for allowing such demonstrations to take place while Bangkok was still under state of Emergency which prohibits the assembly of more than five people.

Red shirts leaders also claimed that government was practicing double standards as the yellow shirts' leaders had yet to be charged for terrorism for the offences they committed two years ago following the seizure of the Government House and two airports.

Most of the red shirts leaders are in detention now facing possible terrorism charges following the unrest in the capital which ended May 19 and left 91 people dead and 1,800 injured.

bernama.com

Pheu Thai flays Govt for rally handling standards
Santibhap Ussavasodhi



BANGKOK, 8 August 2010 (NNT) – The opposition Pheu Thai Party has criticized the Government for taking double standards and its failure to take action against the the Thais Love Nation Network for staging demonstration amid the state of emergency enforcement.

Pheu Thai Party Spokesperson, Prompong Nopparit, stated that the rallies on the Preah Vihear Temple dispute staged by the network led by Mr Veera Somkhwamkid clearly reflected the double standard taken by the Government.

The spokesperson demanded that the Government should have the special law revoked because people would no longer abide by the law.

Mr Prompong believed that the Government and the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were using the Preah Vihear Temple dispute for their own political benefits because core leaders of the Thais Love Nation network were holding vital roles in the PAD.

The spokesperson said there might be more hidden negotiations between the two sides such as the terrorism charges against PAD core leaders for seizure of international airports as well as the upcoming district and city councils elections in Bangkok.

thainews.prd.go.th

Bangkok Post : Abhisit and PAD at loggerheads over temple issue


Abhisit and PAD at loggerheads over temple issue

• Published: 8/08/2010 at 04:19 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talked about the Cambodian temple dispute at length on Sunday but failed to satisfy activists, who said they will resume protests.
At a face-to-face debate on Channel 11 on Sunday, the premier "partially" explained the issue, said activist leader Veera Somkwamkid. But his Thailand Patriot Network will hold talks later this week on when to resume public protests, he said.

Mr Abhisit and three officials faced off against four activists on the issue. The all-male debate was telecast live by the state-run NBT station.

The premier told members of the activist groups representing the newly-formed 'Thailand Patriot Network' and civil society groups including the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) that it was impossible for his government to solve the temple crisis within seven days as they demanded saying more time is needed as the government must also listen to opinions from various other sectors.

Again, Mr Abhisit also told the activist representatives that his government had never accepted the Cambodian map showing a different border between the two neighbouring countries than that recognised by Thailand.

The prime minister urged the people to heed the King's earlier advice on solving border problems noting that it must be done through peaceful means and unity among the peoples. It is useless to wage a war to tackle such difficulties, Mr Abhisit said.

The ruling by the International Court of Justice in 1962 only stipulated that Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia but the adjoining areas belong to Thailand, the prime minister said.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said during the debate that he would not attend the upcoming meeting of the seven-member International Coordinating Committee (ICC) which would discuss management of the temple, awarded World Heritage site status by UNESCO in 2008, as he did not know details of the meeting and was uncertain whether his presence would have any binding in future.

Meanwhile, Veera Somkwamkid, leader of 'Thailand Patriot Network', who also attended the debate said afterward that he could partially accept the government's clarifications as he understood that the government has limited options for resolving the problem.

Mr Veera said the prime minister still could not promise any measures in pushing back Cambodians now settling on disputed territory near the temple.

Thai villagers living in Si Sa Ket province bordering Cambodia near Preah Vihear temple sits on a border cliff said after watching the debate that they were confident that the prime minister could resolve the Preah Vihear temple issue and also relieve their hardships resulting from tensions in the area.

The local Thai agreed that they neither wanted to see any protest nor armed clashes between soldiers of the two countries at the disputed border.

Meanwhile, after the debate, the Thailand Patriot Network dispersed from the first Army Region headquarters in Bangkok but vowed to come back to protest again after finding the prime minister’s explanation as being satisfactory 'at a certain level' but that it did not meet their demand.

Network leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said their decision to disperse was a truce as the number of reinforcements from the group’s supporters on the second day of their gathering was not adequate. They will regroup again when they are ready, he said.

Leader Veera Somkwankid said the civil network and the PAD will hold talks later this week to set their strategies and fight in a practical way in the same direction.

He agreed that differing opinions had an impact on negotiation. Although he was still not satisfied with the government’s stance and the government could not meet their demand, he thought the government’s performance worked at a certain level.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok Sunday opened a letter from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen -- his response to Thailand concerning the Preah Vihear issue.

It said the Cambodian prime minister sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council regarding Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's speech during his meeting with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Saturday that his government might revoke the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Thailand and Cambodia if the problem
cannot be solved.

Mr Hun Sen said Mr Abhisit's address was a threat to use force to solve the problem which contradicts the Charter of the United Nations. However, the Cambodian leader insisted his country would not use force to tackle a problem with its neighbour. Meanwhile, Cambodia has a right to protect its soverignty if it is invaded intentionally.


EARLIER REPORT:
By Post Reporters

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will debate civil groups rallying against the government's handling of Preah Vihear temple in a special television programme Sunday.

Mr Abhisit said the network of Thai Patriots, led by People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Chamlong Srimuang, has been invited to the three-hour programme to be broadcast on Channel 11 this morning.

They will debate the Preah Vihear issue and the controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on border demarcation with Cambodia signed by a previous government in 2000.

The invitation was extended when Mr Abhisit was addressing thousands of members of the network at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng yesterday.

Mr Abhisit also said the government would revoke the MoU as requested by the network if it would benefit the country.

"It is fine to have different opinions as long as we have a common stand of protecting national interest.

"But I suggest that we talk and if the cancellation [of the MoU] does the country better, we should cancel it," he said.

"But we should never exert pressure that it must or must not be cancelled," he told the crowds.

He also pledged to take action against any encroachment by Cambodian people in the disputed territory around the temple.

"The Foreign Ministry and the armed forces are coordinating how to approach the matter," he said.

Led by network member Veera Somkwamkid, about 100 protesters first gathered outside Government House yesterday despite being banned by the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

They later moved to outside the 1st Army Region headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue after negotiating with police.

Puea Thai Party MP Wicharn Menchainant yesterday criticised the rally as a political show between the PAD and the government.

"Why would the PAD let the prime minister speak on stage to the cheers of rally goers? The government hasn't yet clarified either the MoU or the temple," he said.

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Thailand to explain to UN concerning Hun Sen's claim

Thailand would explain to the United Nations its stance on the Phra Viharn Controversy to counter Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen's letter to the UN which decry claims that Thailand is ready to abrogate rulings on the mutual border.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn told reporters on Monday that Foreign Minister officials and legal experts are meeting to outline letter to be sent to the UN to explain to the UN about the matter.