By KER MUNTHIT,Associated Press Writer.
High on a Cambodian cliff, the Preah Vihear temple has weathered war and territorial disputes. Now it's at the center of a political tug-of-war in neighboring Thailand.
As it has over the centuries, the ancient temple is fueling nationalist sentiment on both sides of the border, and opposition supporters in the Thai parliament are raising it as a reason for why the prime minister should step down.
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej last week endorsed Cambodia's bid to register the temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site _ enraging opposition lawmakers who say he is yielding national sovereignty to Cambodia.
Never mind that the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it stands on to Cambodia in 1962 _ it remains an issue in both countries.
"The Preah Vihear temple is part of a wounded history of Thailand and Cambodia," said Charnvit Kasetsiri, a historian at Bangkok's Thammasat University. "It was used to stir up a nationalist movement during World War II, and again during the Cold War ... and is now threatening to inflame politics again."
The crumbling stone temple, which is a few hundred feet from Thailand's eastern border with Cambodia, is the centerpiece of a no-confidence motion against Samak. The opposition accuses the prime minister of policy mistakes and of being a proxy for deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
"Preah Vihear is the knockout punch" that could bring down Samak, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told Parliament. However, Samak's ruling coalition has an overwhelming majority, and he was expected to easily survive Friday's vote.
The dispute comes shortly before the World Heritage Committee starts its annual meeting July 2 to consider bids for special status, which helps attract funds for preservation of a site as well as raising its tourism profile.
Thai senators sent a petition to UNESCO this week asking that consideration of Cambodia's request be deferred until both countries file a joint nomination for World Heritage status. UNESCO has not responded.
Anger is simmering on both sides of the border, particularly in Thailand.
"The Temple of Gloom," ran one banner headline in The Nation newspaper, under a photo taken in March of Samak shaking hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Samak insists his endorsement of Cambodia's bid has no effect on Thai sovereignty, saying the temple belongs to Cambodia and the Cambodians are entitled to seek its listing as a World Heritage site. A stretch of disputed territory around the temple was not included in the request to UNESCO, Samak told lawmakers.
Thai protesters have gathered near the hilltop site since Sunday, singing patriotic songs and shouting that the temple belongs to Thailand, said Hang Soth, director-general of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Authority.
As a result, Cambodia closed the border gate that leads from Thailand to the temple.
Preah Vihear, a Hindu-themed temple that reflects the beliefs of the kings who ruled what was then the Angkorean empire, is located on the top of a 525-meter (1,722-foot) cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, about 150 miles (245 kilometers) north of the Cambodian capital. Reaching it by road is easiest from the Thai side of the border.
"We are the owners of the temple, and it has nothing to do with Thailand," said Moeung Son, a Cambodian tour group operator and founder of the Khmer Civilization Foundation.
Last week, his group held a rally in Phnom Penh to support Cambodia's UNESCO bid and dispel what he called the "myth among some Thais who say that Preah Vihear temple is theirs."
Built between the 9th and 11th centuries, the stone temple is revered partly for having one of the most stunning locations of all the temples constructed during the Khmer empire _ the most famous of which is Angkor Wat.
As the Khmer empire, which once encompassed parts of Thailand and Vietnam, shrank to the size of present-day Cambodia and the country was plunged into civil war, the temple fell into disrepair. Steps, walls and pillars have collapsed.
Hun Sen has pledged "a serious commitment" to building a road to the temple "whatever the cost."
___
Associated Press Writers Jocelyn Gecker and Ambika Ahuja in Bangkok, Thailand contributed to this report.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Cambodians fear loss of sovereignty
Cambodians fear loss of sovereignty
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on June 27, 2008
A group of Cambodians have accused their government of losing rights to sovereignty over the area surrounding Preah Vihear in dealing with Thailand to try to get World Heritage status for the temple.
The group known as the Cambodia Watchdog Council International said in a statement that Phnom Penh was "tricked" into limiting its right to use only 30 metres from the ruined structure of the Preah Vihear to apply for a World Heritage listing.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 to put the Preah Vihear under Cambodia's sovereignty in accordance with the Siam-Franco treaty in 1904 and 1907 - as well as the French-made map.
"The map, which has been kept at The Hague, indicated clearly that the area [considered by Thailand as the overlapping area] belongs to Cambodia," the statement said.
"Taking only the temple and its limited foundation area is a loss of our territory to Thailand," it said.
"Thailand has never dared to put the case to the World Court for clarification of the boundary, but wanted to take over the temple and shut down our economic opportunities from tourism at the site," it said.
The group demanded the Cambodian government recall the new map and insisted it use the original one for the application.
The Bangkok office of Unesco has said it would forward the request, which was supported by more than 3,000 signatures by Thai people, to the Unesco head office in Paris.
The Thai Foreign Ministry is worried the fierce debate in Thailand, both in Parliament and street protests, could cause misunderstanding and hurt relations with Cambodia.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the ministry had launched a white paper to answer all questions over the deal with Cambodia on the Preah Vihear. The paper can be downloaded from the ministry's website.
The negative reaction began after the opposition Democrat Party launched a censure motion against Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, accusing him of recognising Cambodia's sovereignty over the foundations of the temple.
The ICJ ruled that Cambodia had sovereignty over the temple but never ruled on the foundation area, according to opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Noppadon said the Cabinet in 1962 followed the ICJ's ruing and handed the ruined temple with 250,000 square metres of its foundations to Cambodia.
As long as Phnom Penh included only that part for World Heritage listing, it had nothing to do with Thai sovereignty, he said.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thailand has nothing to lose
'Nothing lost' in deal
By Supalak GanjanakhundeeThe Nation
Published on June 26, 2008
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama insists he maintained Thai sovereignty in dealing with Cambodia over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.
The joint communiqu้ signed with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 did not terminate reservations about the international court's ruling made by former foreign minister Thanat Khoman 46 years ago, he said.
"The inherent right, if it really exists, as reserved by former minister Thanat, has not changed. No single word in the joint statement mentioned that right and the reservations held," he told the Parliament.
Sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, ruled in favour of Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, was a hot topic of debate in the Parliament after the opposition Democrat Party accused the government of causing a loss of sovereignty when it supported Cambodia in a unilateral application for World Heritage status.
Actively supporting Cambodia's application to Unesco meant recognition of Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple area, said Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha. "The ICJ ruled only that the temple was under Cambodia's sovereignty and Thailand was obligated to hand the temple ruins to Cambodia, not the base on which the ruins sit," he said.
Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said previous governments had not conceded Cambodian sovereignty over the base since the ruling.
Noppadon rejected the comment, saying the cabinet in July 1962, shortly after the ruling, agreed to hand the temple, together with one fourth square kilometres of territory for the base, to Cambodia.
Abhisit and Noppadon exchanged words during the Parliament session yesterday over interpretation of the Cabinet's resolution on July 11, 2006.
Noppadon said all concerned Thai agencies interpreted that the then government agreed to hand the temple together with the base area to Cambodia while Abhisit said the base remained under Thai sovereignty.
As long as Cambodia did not claim anything beyond the then-handed-over area, Thailand lost nothing beyond what it lost 46 years ago, Noppadon said.
Cambodia's new map which was used in the application was cross-checked against the L 7017 map used by the Thai military to determine the Thai boundary, he said.
The joint communiqu้ made clear the inclusion of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage list shall be "without" prejudice to the right of the two kingdoms on the demarcation work of the Joint Commission for Land Boundary, Noppadon said.
Moreover, Unesco's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage's article 11 stated that: The inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one State, shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute, he said. "We have three layers of legal protection over our sovereignty."
By Supalak GanjanakhundeeThe Nation
Published on June 26, 2008
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama insists he maintained Thai sovereignty in dealing with Cambodia over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.
The joint communiqu้ signed with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 did not terminate reservations about the international court's ruling made by former foreign minister Thanat Khoman 46 years ago, he said.
"The inherent right, if it really exists, as reserved by former minister Thanat, has not changed. No single word in the joint statement mentioned that right and the reservations held," he told the Parliament.
Sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, ruled in favour of Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, was a hot topic of debate in the Parliament after the opposition Democrat Party accused the government of causing a loss of sovereignty when it supported Cambodia in a unilateral application for World Heritage status.
Actively supporting Cambodia's application to Unesco meant recognition of Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple area, said Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha. "The ICJ ruled only that the temple was under Cambodia's sovereignty and Thailand was obligated to hand the temple ruins to Cambodia, not the base on which the ruins sit," he said.
Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said previous governments had not conceded Cambodian sovereignty over the base since the ruling.
Noppadon rejected the comment, saying the cabinet in July 1962, shortly after the ruling, agreed to hand the temple, together with one fourth square kilometres of territory for the base, to Cambodia.
Abhisit and Noppadon exchanged words during the Parliament session yesterday over interpretation of the Cabinet's resolution on July 11, 2006.
Noppadon said all concerned Thai agencies interpreted that the then government agreed to hand the temple together with the base area to Cambodia while Abhisit said the base remained under Thai sovereignty.
As long as Cambodia did not claim anything beyond the then-handed-over area, Thailand lost nothing beyond what it lost 46 years ago, Noppadon said.
Cambodia's new map which was used in the application was cross-checked against the L 7017 map used by the Thai military to determine the Thai boundary, he said.
The joint communiqu้ made clear the inclusion of Preah Vihear on the World Heritage list shall be "without" prejudice to the right of the two kingdoms on the demarcation work of the Joint Commission for Land Boundary, Noppadon said.
Moreover, Unesco's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage's article 11 stated that: The inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one State, shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute, he said. "We have three layers of legal protection over our sovereignty."
Commentary by Bangkok Post's Assistant Editor
Commentary: Nationalistic puppets
By Sanitsuda Ekachai
The PAD has chosen to speak the language which mainstream society understands. Nationalism and royal nationalism whip up the audience like magic.
Sanitsuda Ekachai is Assistant Editor (Outlook), Bangkok Post.
Ultra-nationalism fans anger and hatred while strengthening the false sense of self - everything Buddhism frowns upon.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) boasts of many people well-versed in Buddhism. Yet they have chosen to whip up ultra-nationalism through the Preah Vihear controversy to oust Thaksin Shinawatra's crony government. Why? Because it works like magic.
That does not speak well of the PAD, given its claim to be fighting for democracy. Nor of our society.
We must ask why our society routinely turns a deaf ear to the cries of injustice from the weak and the poor but never fails to dance to the tune of racist nationalism. The answer may also shed light on why we have failed miserably to redress inequality and to make democracy work.
Whether you agree with the PAD or not on the Preah Vihear issue, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is wrong to lambast street protests as undemocratic and illegal.
Admit it. Our parliamentary democracy has been reduced to a ballot box game governed by money politics. The bureaucracy has become an autocracy. The judicial process is too long and costly. The laws are written to serve the powers-that-be. Political decentralisation is in fact local mafia rule. The mainstream media favour state and business interests. What choice do people have but to take their causes to the streets?
How we respond to these causes, however, reflects what makes us tick and mirrors who we are. The rural poor's plight caused by misguided development that destroys the environment and the local way of life certainly does not make Bangkokians tick.
Remember when the city joggers complained against the rural folk who took to Bangkok streets for crowding their park and spoiling their morning exercises? Remember how they complained about the protesters' smell?
The result of the poor's protests are mostly empty promises. The authorities continue to drag their feet. The polluting businesses continue to destroy people's health and environment. They can get away with murder because there is a total lack of public moral outrage to pressure for change.
Knowing that justice and human rights talk will get their anti-Thaksin protest nowhere, the PAD has chosen to speak the language which mainstream society understands - nationalism and royal nationalism - accusing Mr Thaksin of undermining the monarchy and national sovereignty to strengthen his political and transnational business empires.
Grounded or not, the accusations effectively play on the deeply programmed messages in our heads. Brainwashed by our education system, we believe that we are the greatest race in the region, that we used to own much of the Southeast Asian peninsula, that our neighbouring countries are our enemies, and that our history is a series of efforts to save our land. It is why territorial issues never fail to trigger our killer instinct.
We need a different kind of history. Understanding the myriad factors that contribute to the rise and fall of ancient civilisations can help undo the nationalist trap. If we realise that geographical changes, new technologies, and the trading of products made by different peoples in the land were the growth engine of a civilisation, not a particular race, change is possible.
Had the Thai and Cambodian governments seen Preah Vihear in this context, they would have realised that a transboundary World Heritage site is a win-win solution to promote Southeast Asia's ancient civilisation and a sense of borderless humanity. Sadly, the World Heritage site is seen only as a symbol of face and a ticket to tourism money.
If we leave our ultra-nationalist history intact, Preah Vihear will remain a thorn in Thai-Cambodian relations. Politicians, both in Thailand and Cambodia, will readily play the nationalist card to get rid of political rivals, suppress dissent, divert public attention from their violations of human rights, and their failure to make justice and democracy a reality.
That is a high price to pay for being trapped in the frenzy of nationalism. We are paying a dear price now in the deep South. Restoring peace will remain difficult unless we tackle the false belief of superiority in our heads.
By Sanitsuda Ekachai
The PAD has chosen to speak the language which mainstream society understands. Nationalism and royal nationalism whip up the audience like magic.
Sanitsuda Ekachai is Assistant Editor (Outlook), Bangkok Post.
Ultra-nationalism fans anger and hatred while strengthening the false sense of self - everything Buddhism frowns upon.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) boasts of many people well-versed in Buddhism. Yet they have chosen to whip up ultra-nationalism through the Preah Vihear controversy to oust Thaksin Shinawatra's crony government. Why? Because it works like magic.
That does not speak well of the PAD, given its claim to be fighting for democracy. Nor of our society.
We must ask why our society routinely turns a deaf ear to the cries of injustice from the weak and the poor but never fails to dance to the tune of racist nationalism. The answer may also shed light on why we have failed miserably to redress inequality and to make democracy work.
Whether you agree with the PAD or not on the Preah Vihear issue, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is wrong to lambast street protests as undemocratic and illegal.
Admit it. Our parliamentary democracy has been reduced to a ballot box game governed by money politics. The bureaucracy has become an autocracy. The judicial process is too long and costly. The laws are written to serve the powers-that-be. Political decentralisation is in fact local mafia rule. The mainstream media favour state and business interests. What choice do people have but to take their causes to the streets?
How we respond to these causes, however, reflects what makes us tick and mirrors who we are. The rural poor's plight caused by misguided development that destroys the environment and the local way of life certainly does not make Bangkokians tick.
Remember when the city joggers complained against the rural folk who took to Bangkok streets for crowding their park and spoiling their morning exercises? Remember how they complained about the protesters' smell?
The result of the poor's protests are mostly empty promises. The authorities continue to drag their feet. The polluting businesses continue to destroy people's health and environment. They can get away with murder because there is a total lack of public moral outrage to pressure for change.
Knowing that justice and human rights talk will get their anti-Thaksin protest nowhere, the PAD has chosen to speak the language which mainstream society understands - nationalism and royal nationalism - accusing Mr Thaksin of undermining the monarchy and national sovereignty to strengthen his political and transnational business empires.
Grounded or not, the accusations effectively play on the deeply programmed messages in our heads. Brainwashed by our education system, we believe that we are the greatest race in the region, that we used to own much of the Southeast Asian peninsula, that our neighbouring countries are our enemies, and that our history is a series of efforts to save our land. It is why territorial issues never fail to trigger our killer instinct.
We need a different kind of history. Understanding the myriad factors that contribute to the rise and fall of ancient civilisations can help undo the nationalist trap. If we realise that geographical changes, new technologies, and the trading of products made by different peoples in the land were the growth engine of a civilisation, not a particular race, change is possible.
Had the Thai and Cambodian governments seen Preah Vihear in this context, they would have realised that a transboundary World Heritage site is a win-win solution to promote Southeast Asia's ancient civilisation and a sense of borderless humanity. Sadly, the World Heritage site is seen only as a symbol of face and a ticket to tourism money.
If we leave our ultra-nationalist history intact, Preah Vihear will remain a thorn in Thai-Cambodian relations. Politicians, both in Thailand and Cambodia, will readily play the nationalist card to get rid of political rivals, suppress dissent, divert public attention from their violations of human rights, and their failure to make justice and democracy a reality.
That is a high price to pay for being trapped in the frenzy of nationalism. We are paying a dear price now in the deep South. Restoring peace will remain difficult unless we tackle the false belief of superiority in our heads.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Cambodian Embassy in Thailand is Under Security
Security tightened at Cambodian embassy
(BangkokPost.com) - About 10 police officers were deployed at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday, after the opposition grilled the government about Preah Vihear temple and nationalism threatened.
Police from Metropolitan Police Bureau are there to ensure safety, after the Democrat party slammed the government for allegedly giving up Thailand's sovereignty when the cabinet endorsed Cambodia's map of the ancient temple and the joint statement over it.
Tightened security was expected to remain until the censure debate is over.
So far, the situation in front of the embassy is normal. There have been no protests at the Cambodian mission.
(BangkokPost.com) - About 10 police officers were deployed at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok on Wednesday, after the opposition grilled the government about Preah Vihear temple and nationalism threatened.
Police from Metropolitan Police Bureau are there to ensure safety, after the Democrat party slammed the government for allegedly giving up Thailand's sovereignty when the cabinet endorsed Cambodia's map of the ancient temple and the joint statement over it.
Tightened security was expected to remain until the censure debate is over.
So far, the situation in front of the embassy is normal. There have been no protests at the Cambodian mission.
"I retain sovereignty, not lose it." : Noppadon (Thai Foreign Minister)
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said in the censure debate late Tuesday night that he has managed to retain the national sovereignty, rather than lost it, in dealing with Cambodia over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.
The joint communiqu้ signed with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 did not give up the reservation against the world court's ruling made by former foreign minister Thanat Khoman, he said.
Sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, ruled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 in favour of Cambodia, was a hot debate in the parliament. The opposition Democrat Party accused the government of causing of lost in the sovereignty as allowed Cambodia to unilaterally apply the temple as the world heritage.
Actively support Cambodia's application to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) means recognition Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple's area, said Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha.
"The ICJ ruled only the temple was under Cambodia's sovereignty and Thailand obligated to hand the ruin temple to Cambodia, not soil under and surrounding the ruin," he said.
Noppadon, however, rejected the allegation, saying the Thai Cabinet in July 1962, shortly after the ruling, agreed to hand the temple together with some square of kilometres in and surrounding the temple to Cambodia.
As long as Cambodia did not claim anything beyond the then handed over area, Thailand lost nothing beyond what it has lost 46 years ago, Noppadon said.
Cambodia's new map, which is used in the application to Unesco was cross-checked by L 7017 map used by the Thai military to determine Thai boundary, not the French-made map, he said.
"The inherent right, if really existed, as reserved by former minister Thanat has not changed. No any single word in the joint statement mentioned about that right and the reservation," he told the Parliament.
Moreover, Unesco's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage's article 11 stated that: "The inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one State shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute," he said.
"We have three layers of legal protection over our sovereignty. I see no point in the allegation that I lost our sovereignty," he said.
The minister said the idea of applying jointly for the Unesco status, as suggested by the opposition, could not be achieved because Cambodia has rejected the idea.
"What I can do is to protect our territory and reserved the right to jointly propose some ancient objects under the temple's periphery in the overlapping area to the Unesco in the next two years," he said.
The Nation
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said in the censure debate late Tuesday night that he has managed to retain the national sovereignty, rather than lost it, in dealing with Cambodia over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.
The joint communiqu้ signed with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18 did not give up the reservation against the world court's ruling made by former foreign minister Thanat Khoman, he said.
Sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple, ruled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962 in favour of Cambodia, was a hot debate in the parliament. The opposition Democrat Party accused the government of causing of lost in the sovereignty as allowed Cambodia to unilaterally apply the temple as the world heritage.
Actively support Cambodia's application to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) means recognition Cambodia's sovereignty over the temple's area, said Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha.
"The ICJ ruled only the temple was under Cambodia's sovereignty and Thailand obligated to hand the ruin temple to Cambodia, not soil under and surrounding the ruin," he said.
Noppadon, however, rejected the allegation, saying the Thai Cabinet in July 1962, shortly after the ruling, agreed to hand the temple together with some square of kilometres in and surrounding the temple to Cambodia.
As long as Cambodia did not claim anything beyond the then handed over area, Thailand lost nothing beyond what it has lost 46 years ago, Noppadon said.
Cambodia's new map, which is used in the application to Unesco was cross-checked by L 7017 map used by the Thai military to determine Thai boundary, not the French-made map, he said.
"The inherent right, if really existed, as reserved by former minister Thanat has not changed. No any single word in the joint statement mentioned about that right and the reservation," he told the Parliament.
Moreover, Unesco's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage's article 11 stated that: "The inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one State shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute," he said.
"We have three layers of legal protection over our sovereignty. I see no point in the allegation that I lost our sovereignty," he said.
The minister said the idea of applying jointly for the Unesco status, as suggested by the opposition, could not be achieved because Cambodia has rejected the idea.
"What I can do is to protect our territory and reserved the right to jointly propose some ancient objects under the temple's periphery in the overlapping area to the Unesco in the next two years," he said.
The World Court Rules
Chettha says Noppadon gives clear explanation over Preah Vihear
Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party leader Chettha Thanajaro said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama managed to answer the opposition's questions over Preah Vihear Temple.Chettha said he was satisfied with Noppadon's explanations."Anyone in his place would have to do like him because the World Court has already made a ruling on the issue,""Chettha said.
The Nation
Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party leader Chettha Thanajaro said Wednesday that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama managed to answer the opposition's questions over Preah Vihear Temple.Chettha said he was satisfied with Noppadon's explanations."Anyone in his place would have to do like him because the World Court has already made a ruling on the issue,""Chettha said.
The Nation
Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia
Abhisit: Govt telling lies
Misleading public over Preah Vihear temple
POST REPORTERS
Opposition and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday charged that the government was bent on misleading the public by distorting information over the Preah Vihear temple.
Mr Abhisit also called on fellow MPs to cast votes of no-confidence against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama in a bid to preserve Thailand's sovereignty which he said had virtually been given up when the cabinet on June 17 endorsed Cambodia's map of the ancient temple and the joint statement over it.
The documents will be used by Phnom Penh to have World Heritage Committee members under the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) consider its bid for the temple to gain World Heritage site status. The committee meeting starts on July 2 in Quebec.
Mr Noppadon said Thailand planned to separately propose that the Sra Trao reservoir and other ancient structures relating to Preah Vihear, be listed. But he said this plan could not be completed in time for the Quebec meeting.
He denied the idea was aimed at deflecting pressure from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy and those criticising Thailand's support for Cambodia's attempt to gain World Heritage status for Preah Vihear.
MPs will vote in the no-confidence debate tomorrow .
In the two-day censure debate which kicked off yesterday, Mr Abhisit accused the government of distorting the truth when it claimed the Thai team of lawyers accepted Cambodia's map in the 1962 legal battle over the temple in the International Courts of Justice.
Mr Abhisit said the Thai lawyers, led by the late M.R. Seni Pramoj, had never accepted Cambodia's map presented to the World Court in The Hague.
He said the court ruled in favour of Cambodia on the grounds that Thailand never protested against Cambodia's map until the dispute was brought to the court.
"The court then ruled that Thailand's failure to protest against [Cambodia's] map was tantamount to legal acceptance of the map. Fortunately, the court never touched on border disputes," he said.
Mr Abhisit said that shortly after the court's ruling in 1962 the Thai government issued a statement in which it said it would reserve the right to seek a review while observing the court's ruling.
He said the government's statement showed Thailand's intention to seek the return of the Preah Vihear temple when the opportunity arose.
The current administration's endorsement of the Cambodian map was giving up the rights that Thailand had always upheld, he said.
Mr Abhisit also lambasted the government for its failure to seek parliamentary approval before it signed a joint statement with Cambodia over the proposed listing of the temple.
He said the government exceeded its power in doing so and was in violation of Article 190 of the constitution as the joint statement would have an impact on the country's sovereignty.
Mr Noppadon on June 18 signed the joint statement with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
Mr Noppadon and Foreign Ministry legal experts have argued that the joint statement did not need parliament's endorsement because it will have no effect on Thai sovereignty or territory.
In his defence last night, Mr Noppadon said the ministry closely consulted the armed forces before deciding to endorse the Cambodian map. There was no conflict of interest behind the Thai government's decision, he added.
The prime minister stressed that the temple belonged to Cambodia which had the right to seek the temple's listing.
Thailand, on the other hand, had succeeded in persuading Cambodia to list only the temple, not the 4.6 sq km overlapping area, he said, noting that it was important to maintain a healthy relationship with Phnom Penh.
Mr Samak said the Preah Vihear temple had become a controversial issue as intended by some politicians.
He warned that if it was allowed to be politicised further, it would sour the Thai-Cambodian ties and it was worrying Thai people living in Cambodia.
"I can tell you the stir-up is successful. Don't you know Thai people over there can't sleep?" the prime minister said.
He also said the Democrats were irresponsible in playing the nationalistic card at the expense of bilateral relations.
Misleading public over Preah Vihear temple
POST REPORTERS
Opposition and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday charged that the government was bent on misleading the public by distorting information over the Preah Vihear temple.
Mr Abhisit also called on fellow MPs to cast votes of no-confidence against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama in a bid to preserve Thailand's sovereignty which he said had virtually been given up when the cabinet on June 17 endorsed Cambodia's map of the ancient temple and the joint statement over it.
The documents will be used by Phnom Penh to have World Heritage Committee members under the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) consider its bid for the temple to gain World Heritage site status. The committee meeting starts on July 2 in Quebec.
Mr Noppadon said Thailand planned to separately propose that the Sra Trao reservoir and other ancient structures relating to Preah Vihear, be listed. But he said this plan could not be completed in time for the Quebec meeting.
He denied the idea was aimed at deflecting pressure from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy and those criticising Thailand's support for Cambodia's attempt to gain World Heritage status for Preah Vihear.
MPs will vote in the no-confidence debate tomorrow .
In the two-day censure debate which kicked off yesterday, Mr Abhisit accused the government of distorting the truth when it claimed the Thai team of lawyers accepted Cambodia's map in the 1962 legal battle over the temple in the International Courts of Justice.
Mr Abhisit said the Thai lawyers, led by the late M.R. Seni Pramoj, had never accepted Cambodia's map presented to the World Court in The Hague.
He said the court ruled in favour of Cambodia on the grounds that Thailand never protested against Cambodia's map until the dispute was brought to the court.
"The court then ruled that Thailand's failure to protest against [Cambodia's] map was tantamount to legal acceptance of the map. Fortunately, the court never touched on border disputes," he said.
Mr Abhisit said that shortly after the court's ruling in 1962 the Thai government issued a statement in which it said it would reserve the right to seek a review while observing the court's ruling.
He said the government's statement showed Thailand's intention to seek the return of the Preah Vihear temple when the opportunity arose.
The current administration's endorsement of the Cambodian map was giving up the rights that Thailand had always upheld, he said.
Mr Abhisit also lambasted the government for its failure to seek parliamentary approval before it signed a joint statement with Cambodia over the proposed listing of the temple.
He said the government exceeded its power in doing so and was in violation of Article 190 of the constitution as the joint statement would have an impact on the country's sovereignty.
Mr Noppadon on June 18 signed the joint statement with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
Mr Noppadon and Foreign Ministry legal experts have argued that the joint statement did not need parliament's endorsement because it will have no effect on Thai sovereignty or territory.
In his defence last night, Mr Noppadon said the ministry closely consulted the armed forces before deciding to endorse the Cambodian map. There was no conflict of interest behind the Thai government's decision, he added.
The prime minister stressed that the temple belonged to Cambodia which had the right to seek the temple's listing.
Thailand, on the other hand, had succeeded in persuading Cambodia to list only the temple, not the 4.6 sq km overlapping area, he said, noting that it was important to maintain a healthy relationship with Phnom Penh.
Mr Samak said the Preah Vihear temple had become a controversial issue as intended by some politicians.
He warned that if it was allowed to be politicised further, it would sour the Thai-Cambodian ties and it was worrying Thai people living in Cambodia.
"I can tell you the stir-up is successful. Don't you know Thai people over there can't sleep?" the prime minister said.
He also said the Democrats were irresponsible in playing the nationalistic card at the expense of bilateral relations.
Thailand's Court to Hear Preah Vihear Case
Update: Court to hear Preah Vihear case on Thursday
(BangkokPost.com) - The Administrative Court agreed Tuesday to accept a case filed by People's Alliance for Democracy, which asked the court to nullify the cabinet's endorsement of Cambodia's map of Preah Vihear and a joint declaration to be presented to Unesco.
The court scheduled to hear the case on Thursday at 10am.
On June 14, the government approved the new map drawn by Cambodia, which defines the temple's boundary to be proposed to the World Heritage Committee during its meeting in Quebec starting on June 2, placing it inside Cambodia. Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama also signed a joint statement with Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, supporting the application, soon after Bangkok agreed to the map.
(BangkokPost.com) - The Administrative Court agreed Tuesday to accept a case filed by People's Alliance for Democracy, which asked the court to nullify the cabinet's endorsement of Cambodia's map of Preah Vihear and a joint declaration to be presented to Unesco.
The court scheduled to hear the case on Thursday at 10am.
On June 14, the government approved the new map drawn by Cambodia, which defines the temple's boundary to be proposed to the World Heritage Committee during its meeting in Quebec starting on June 2, placing it inside Cambodia. Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama also signed a joint statement with Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, supporting the application, soon after Bangkok agreed to the map.
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