BangkokPost.com, agencies
Cambodian and Thailand Saturday increased their troops in the fifth day of a tense standoff on disputed land near Preah Vihear temple.
There are more than 500 Thai troops and over 1,000 Cambodian soldiers stationing in the area, according to AFP.
The mood among Cambodians reportedly became tense on Friday evening when Cambodian ambassador to Thailand Ung Sean was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to hear the Thai government's protest over Cambodia's claim of ownership of the disputed zone near the temple.
According to the ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat, the ministry handed the ambassador a letter from Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to his Cambodian counterpart HunSen, which insisted Thai soldiers were deployed on Thai soil.
Mr Samak's letter said the area the Cambodian leader claimed was part of Cambodia was actually within Thailand.
Brigadier Chea Keo, commander of Cambodian forces in the area, replied on Saturday: "On the map, it is our territory."
Saturday, July 19, 2008
DEFUSING TENSION
By The NationPublished on July 19, 2008
Boonsarng to lead delegation
Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niumpradit will on Monday take Thai delegates to an urgent meeting of the General Border Committee in Sa Kaew in the hope of defusing the provocative border confrontation with Cambodia.
Thai and Cambodian forces stationed across the border were reportedly "pointing guns" at each other.
In a bid to prevent further escalation, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who is also defence minister, yesterday appointed Boonsarng his representative in talks with his Cambodian counterpart.
Some 300 construction workers near the border returned to Thailand due to the conflict over the Preah Vihear Temple.
Lt-General Niphat Thonglek, chief of the Army's Border Affairs Department, said a decision on withdrawing troops from the border area would be made after pending issues were discussed at the border meeting.
"We'll meet on the basis of good bilateral relations and understanding," he said.
Boonsarng and his Cambodian counterpart, Defence Minister Tea Banh, know each other well, so Boonsarng's taking the place of Samak does not mean a downgrade, he said.
Suraphol Puanayakan, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said the two countries would use peaceful means to solve their problems.
Military sources said the standoff across the border was verging on a "shoot-out".
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sun wrote to Samak asking for some 400 Thai troops to be withdrawn from the area.
Cambodia has dispatched some 2,000 troops to strategic spots along the border, citing the need to beef up security for tourists, residents and traders. Their presence caused a drastic drop in cross-border trade.
The dispute revolves around the registration of Cambodia's Hindu temple as a World Heritage Site amid angry protests from some Thais who blame the government for failing to oppose Cambodia's listing application.
The People's Alliance for Democracy dispatched members to the temple to express disagreement with the World Heritage designation on the grounds that Thailand should have had the right to associate itself with the application.
Three PAD members stormed into the temple on Tuesday. Many protesters clashed with residents of Si Sa Ket's Kantaralak district, where the temple entrance is located, who had grown frustrated with the tense situation and loss of income after the temple was closed to tourists for several weeks after the protest began.
The 11th-century temple of Preah Vihear was ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962 as belonging to Cambodia.-->
Boonsarng to lead delegation
Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niumpradit will on Monday take Thai delegates to an urgent meeting of the General Border Committee in Sa Kaew in the hope of defusing the provocative border confrontation with Cambodia.
Thai and Cambodian forces stationed across the border were reportedly "pointing guns" at each other.
In a bid to prevent further escalation, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who is also defence minister, yesterday appointed Boonsarng his representative in talks with his Cambodian counterpart.
Some 300 construction workers near the border returned to Thailand due to the conflict over the Preah Vihear Temple.
Lt-General Niphat Thonglek, chief of the Army's Border Affairs Department, said a decision on withdrawing troops from the border area would be made after pending issues were discussed at the border meeting.
"We'll meet on the basis of good bilateral relations and understanding," he said.
Boonsarng and his Cambodian counterpart, Defence Minister Tea Banh, know each other well, so Boonsarng's taking the place of Samak does not mean a downgrade, he said.
Suraphol Puanayakan, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said the two countries would use peaceful means to solve their problems.
Military sources said the standoff across the border was verging on a "shoot-out".
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sun wrote to Samak asking for some 400 Thai troops to be withdrawn from the area.
Cambodia has dispatched some 2,000 troops to strategic spots along the border, citing the need to beef up security for tourists, residents and traders. Their presence caused a drastic drop in cross-border trade.
The dispute revolves around the registration of Cambodia's Hindu temple as a World Heritage Site amid angry protests from some Thais who blame the government for failing to oppose Cambodia's listing application.
The People's Alliance for Democracy dispatched members to the temple to express disagreement with the World Heritage designation on the grounds that Thailand should have had the right to associate itself with the application.
Three PAD members stormed into the temple on Tuesday. Many protesters clashed with residents of Si Sa Ket's Kantaralak district, where the temple entrance is located, who had grown frustrated with the tense situation and loss of income after the temple was closed to tourists for several weeks after the protest began.
The 11th-century temple of Preah Vihear was ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962 as belonging to Cambodia.-->
""Samak: Thai troops are in Thai territory. "" But it is not True
Thai troops are in Thai territory : Thai PM
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
It is Cambodian troops who invade in our soil
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted on Friday that the Thai troops can station at Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda because it is in the Thai soil.
In his reply letter to his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, Samak stressed that presence of the Cambodian troops at the area instead violated the Thai territory.
Samak reminded Hun Sen, "the establishment of the Cambodian community, including construction of a temple and houses, and the presence of the Cambodian military personnel in the area constitute a continued violation of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Hun Sen said in his letter sent to Samak on Thursday that Thai troops deployed to the pagoda's area should be immediately withdrawn as the area is in the Cambodian soil.
The Thai government has issued four written protests to the Cambodian side regarding this matter in 2004, 2005, 2007 and April 2008 respectively.
Meanwhile, the deployment by Cambodia of more than 1,000 troops, in addition to around 200 troops stationed there earlier, has caused the situation to deteriorate, Samak said in his letter.
Prime Minister Samak called on both sides to exercise restraint and hoped that the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission will accelerate its work to survey and demarcate the entire stretch of the Thai-Cambodian border so that similar problems would not arise in the future.
In addition, pending completion of the JBC's work in this area, the Thai side was ready to jointly explore with Cambodia possible interim measures, he said.
To avoid military action, Prime Minister Samak who is also the Defense Minister assigned Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niumpradit to lead Thai delegation to a special session of General Border Committee (GBC) in Sa Kaew Monday.
Later on Friday, the Foreign Ministry invited the eight other ASEAN Ambassadors to the ministry and informed them of the situation between Thailand and Cambodia, which are Asean members.
They were also given copies of the letter dated July 17, 2008 from Hun Sen to Samak and the latter's note dated July 18,2008 to his Cambodian counterpart.
Other documents attached included the attached copies of the four Aide-Memoires which Thailand sent to protest Cambodia, and copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary dated 4 June 2000.
The ministry has also circulated all of those documents to other foreign missions in Bangkok.
Meanwhile Thai Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Tharit Charungvat explained that the four protests by Thailand to Cambodia were made on the basis of Article 5 of the 2000 MOU, under which both sides agree not to carry out any work resulting in changes of environment of the frontier zone, pending the survey and demarcation of the common land boundary.
However, to date, no action whatsoever has been undertaken by Cambodia to address Thailand's concerns, protests and requests.
-->
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
It is Cambodian troops who invade in our soil
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted on Friday that the Thai troops can station at Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda because it is in the Thai soil.
In his reply letter to his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, Samak stressed that presence of the Cambodian troops at the area instead violated the Thai territory.
Samak reminded Hun Sen, "the establishment of the Cambodian community, including construction of a temple and houses, and the presence of the Cambodian military personnel in the area constitute a continued violation of Thai sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Hun Sen said in his letter sent to Samak on Thursday that Thai troops deployed to the pagoda's area should be immediately withdrawn as the area is in the Cambodian soil.
The Thai government has issued four written protests to the Cambodian side regarding this matter in 2004, 2005, 2007 and April 2008 respectively.
Meanwhile, the deployment by Cambodia of more than 1,000 troops, in addition to around 200 troops stationed there earlier, has caused the situation to deteriorate, Samak said in his letter.
Prime Minister Samak called on both sides to exercise restraint and hoped that the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission will accelerate its work to survey and demarcate the entire stretch of the Thai-Cambodian border so that similar problems would not arise in the future.
In addition, pending completion of the JBC's work in this area, the Thai side was ready to jointly explore with Cambodia possible interim measures, he said.
To avoid military action, Prime Minister Samak who is also the Defense Minister assigned Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niumpradit to lead Thai delegation to a special session of General Border Committee (GBC) in Sa Kaew Monday.
Later on Friday, the Foreign Ministry invited the eight other ASEAN Ambassadors to the ministry and informed them of the situation between Thailand and Cambodia, which are Asean members.
They were also given copies of the letter dated July 17, 2008 from Hun Sen to Samak and the latter's note dated July 18,2008 to his Cambodian counterpart.
Other documents attached included the attached copies of the four Aide-Memoires which Thailand sent to protest Cambodia, and copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary dated 4 June 2000.
The ministry has also circulated all of those documents to other foreign missions in Bangkok.
Meanwhile Thai Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Tharit Charungvat explained that the four protests by Thailand to Cambodia were made on the basis of Article 5 of the 2000 MOU, under which both sides agree not to carry out any work resulting in changes of environment of the frontier zone, pending the survey and demarcation of the common land boundary.
However, to date, no action whatsoever has been undertaken by Cambodia to address Thailand's concerns, protests and requests.
-->
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Verdicts hammer govt (Thailand)
Former House speaker banned from politics for five years / Charter court rules against Preah Vihear communique / Democrats want impeachment of cabinet, PPP may be dissolvedPOST REPORTERS
Bangkokpost.com
The separate court rulings against Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and former House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat yesterday dealt major blows to the government, which will now face fresh efforts to remove it from office. The pressure started earlier in the day with the Constitution Court's verdict on the June 18 joint communique with Cambodia on the World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear temple, signed by Mr Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. The court ruled that the document needed approval from parliament.
Hours later the Supreme Court's election division banned Mr Yongyuth of the People Power party (PPP) from politics for five years for election fraud. .
The Constitution Court's ruling not only prompted calls for Mr Noppadon to resign to show responsibility but also prompted a group of senators and MPs from the Democrat party to seek the impeachment of the entire cabinet.
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said a group of senators also are considering asking the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to seek criminal action against the cabinet.
Mr Khamnoon said the government had failed to observe the charter and was subject to investigation under the Criminal Code for lapse of duty.
If the NCCC agrees, the case will be heard in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.
M.R. Priyanandana Rangsit, vice-chairwoman of the Senate committee for foreign affairs, urged the foreign minister to show responsibility by resigning from his post following the Constitution Court's ruling.
''Mr Noppadon has been working in a hush-hush manner and never let other stakeholders know what was going on,'' M.R. Priyanandana said in a telephone interview from Iran.
The Democrat party will also seek a separate impeachment of Mr Noppadon for breaching the constitution within days and it will probably include the entire cabinet, including Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Democrat deputy leader Sathit Wongnongtoey said the party will have to study the Constitution Court's verdict before deciding whether or not to proceed against the government.
In the Yongyuth case, the Election Commission can also ask the Constitution Court to dissolve the PPP if it has evidence Mr Yongyuth's poll fraud was aimed at benefiting the party, of which he was a deputy leader at the time.
As pressure mounts, political analysts have warned the government against dissolving the House of Representatives to escape responsibility or the PPP's dissolution.
The House ordinary session will open on Aug 1, with the 2009 budget high on the agenda. The cabinet was informed about the House opening yesterday, said deputy government spokesman Nathawut Saikua.
Pakorn Priyakorn of the National Institute of Development Administration said in a statement that dissolving the House is not an option.
''There is talk about House dissolution. The prime minister must consider carefully. In Mr Yongyuth's case, the House of Representatives has done nothing wrong,'' he said.
Panithan Wattanayakorn of Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty called on Mr Noppadon to resign and the prime minister to apologise to the public.
He believed Mr Samak would not go for a House dissolution as it would be months before the two cases are finalised.
Nakharin Mektrairat, dean of Thammasat University's political science faculty, said the prime minister was unlikely to dissolve the House unless the PPP's coalition partners switched sides.
The prime minister avoided reporters yesterday but the coalition government appeared to be hanging together.
PM's Office Minister Chusak Sirinin said the government had no reason to resign because of the Constitution Court's ruling. The government had no intention of doing anything to damage the country, he said.
PPP spokesman Kudep Saikrajang said the government has the legitimacy to stay on and use the mandate given to it by voters to solve the country's problems.
''I do not believe that the prospect of party dissolution is an urgent matter that forces the government to stop working,'' he said.
The coalition parties downplayed speculation that the prime minister will opt for a House dissolution.
Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prisananantakul said the PPP still has several months to fight against party dissolution in court. He also said the expulsion of Mr Yongyuth would not affect the government's stability and it was considered a personal matter.
Puea Paendin party spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakarn said the guilty verdict was not a reason to dissolve the House, but was a reason for the coalition government to remain strong and see the situation through.
Matchimathipataya party deputy leader Banyin Tangpakorn said the two court rulings did not warrant House dissolution. ''The government has no intention of violating the constitution.''
Bangkokpost.com
The separate court rulings against Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and former House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat yesterday dealt major blows to the government, which will now face fresh efforts to remove it from office. The pressure started earlier in the day with the Constitution Court's verdict on the June 18 joint communique with Cambodia on the World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear temple, signed by Mr Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An. The court ruled that the document needed approval from parliament.
Hours later the Supreme Court's election division banned Mr Yongyuth of the People Power party (PPP) from politics for five years for election fraud. .
The Constitution Court's ruling not only prompted calls for Mr Noppadon to resign to show responsibility but also prompted a group of senators and MPs from the Democrat party to seek the impeachment of the entire cabinet.
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said a group of senators also are considering asking the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to seek criminal action against the cabinet.
Mr Khamnoon said the government had failed to observe the charter and was subject to investigation under the Criminal Code for lapse of duty.
If the NCCC agrees, the case will be heard in the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.
M.R. Priyanandana Rangsit, vice-chairwoman of the Senate committee for foreign affairs, urged the foreign minister to show responsibility by resigning from his post following the Constitution Court's ruling.
''Mr Noppadon has been working in a hush-hush manner and never let other stakeholders know what was going on,'' M.R. Priyanandana said in a telephone interview from Iran.
The Democrat party will also seek a separate impeachment of Mr Noppadon for breaching the constitution within days and it will probably include the entire cabinet, including Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Democrat deputy leader Sathit Wongnongtoey said the party will have to study the Constitution Court's verdict before deciding whether or not to proceed against the government.
In the Yongyuth case, the Election Commission can also ask the Constitution Court to dissolve the PPP if it has evidence Mr Yongyuth's poll fraud was aimed at benefiting the party, of which he was a deputy leader at the time.
As pressure mounts, political analysts have warned the government against dissolving the House of Representatives to escape responsibility or the PPP's dissolution.
The House ordinary session will open on Aug 1, with the 2009 budget high on the agenda. The cabinet was informed about the House opening yesterday, said deputy government spokesman Nathawut Saikua.
Pakorn Priyakorn of the National Institute of Development Administration said in a statement that dissolving the House is not an option.
''There is talk about House dissolution. The prime minister must consider carefully. In Mr Yongyuth's case, the House of Representatives has done nothing wrong,'' he said.
Panithan Wattanayakorn of Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty called on Mr Noppadon to resign and the prime minister to apologise to the public.
He believed Mr Samak would not go for a House dissolution as it would be months before the two cases are finalised.
Nakharin Mektrairat, dean of Thammasat University's political science faculty, said the prime minister was unlikely to dissolve the House unless the PPP's coalition partners switched sides.
The prime minister avoided reporters yesterday but the coalition government appeared to be hanging together.
PM's Office Minister Chusak Sirinin said the government had no reason to resign because of the Constitution Court's ruling. The government had no intention of doing anything to damage the country, he said.
PPP spokesman Kudep Saikrajang said the government has the legitimacy to stay on and use the mandate given to it by voters to solve the country's problems.
''I do not believe that the prospect of party dissolution is an urgent matter that forces the government to stop working,'' he said.
The coalition parties downplayed speculation that the prime minister will opt for a House dissolution.
Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prisananantakul said the PPP still has several months to fight against party dissolution in court. He also said the expulsion of Mr Yongyuth would not affect the government's stability and it was considered a personal matter.
Puea Paendin party spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakarn said the guilty verdict was not a reason to dissolve the House, but was a reason for the coalition government to remain strong and see the situation through.
Matchimathipataya party deputy leader Banyin Tangpakorn said the two court rulings did not warrant House dissolution. ''The government has no intention of violating the constitution.''
Temple listing 'a good day for Cambodia'
Phnom Penh (dpa) - Cambodians living on the border near an 11th century Hindu temple newly listed as a World Heritage site danced with joy Tuesday, students waved national flags in the streets and a celebratory fireworks display was announced.
Preah Vihear, called Khao Phra Viharn by Thais, is sacred to both sides but was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court in The Hague in 1962. It became Cambodia's third UN World Heritage Site, after Angkor Wat temple complex and the country's national ballet.
"Of course we are overjoyed, the people on the border are dancing. It is a good day for Cambodia," the government official in charge of Preah Vihear, Hang Soth, said by telephone.
Thailand had called for a joint listing by the two nations, citing disputed border territory and the fact that some associated sites of the temple lie within Thai territory.
Cambodian media could not resist a subdued show of nationalism, with a live feed from the UN meeting in Quebec, Canada by private television network CTN at 3 am for Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to personally announce the news.
The ruling Cambodian People's Party network Apsara featured a picture of Prime Minister Hun Sen ringed by stars as it read the entire ruling by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) later in the morning.
But the government took pains not to fan nationalistic sparks too hard, and Hun Sen promptly stated that Thailand remained "a good neighbour."
Emotions run high between the neighbour countries over cultural heritage. In 2003, an angry mob burned the Thai embassy and several businesses after false rumours that a Thai actress had claimed the nation's icon, Angkor Wat, was Thai.
Hun Sen also reiterated that King Norodom Sihamoni had pursued the listing since his time as Cambodian ambassador to Unesco from the early 1990's until his accession to the throne in 2004, and insisted the issue was independent of local politics.
At a press conference in the capital, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong was jubilant.
"This is a victory of our Cambodian government," Hor Namhong said. "But much more important than this, this is the victory of Khmer civilisation."
Preah Vihear - Get over it (Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia and it is a World Heritage
Do people really want to be prisoners of the past? Whipping up this issue could easily result in chaos if not handled carefully and properly.
By Piyaporn Wongruang
Even though Preah Vihear has joined the ranks of places listed as World Heritage sites, former Cambodian soldier Wan, 60, may not play his fiddle in exchange for money from tourists at the temple.
Due to fears of a Thai-mobilised rally against Cambodia's inscription of the temple on the World Heritage List, the border around the temple has been closed. No tourists are allowed until further notice. It is not difficult to imagine how tough the life of the ex-soldier could become. He only has one leg, his musical talents and Preah Vihear to rely on after the war in Cambodia some 30 years ago.
Uncle Wan is but one among the potential losers from this conflict at the moment. Many more are likely to follow his path as resentment among people in both countries has heightened to the point that some academics believe no side can afford to be seen as losing, now that the 11th-century Hindu temple has been listed as a new World Heritage site.
Since the Cambodian government first lodged its application for World Heritage status in 1991, people of the two countries have been drawn into a conflict they did not directly cause. Amid the increasingly politicised dispute, a boundary line which has never been clearly seen on the site has emerged as the crux of the problem caused by the past, unsettled border demarcation.
Historian Srisakra Vallibhotama believes that the site at the temple of Preah Vihear conformed to the ancient concept of using landmarks associated with spiritual belief as boundary marks. Considering the landscape, the promontory of Dangrek Range where Preah Vihear is located, clearly separates the Cambodian plain from the Korat plateau stretching down towards the Thai side.
Historical evidence suggests that the area had long been used as a sacred site before Preah Vihear was built on top of it around the early 11th century.
The ancient concept of organic boundary started shifting toward one that is more fixed - a line on a map - when Western imperialists arrived in the region and took over some parts of it, according to Surachart Bamrungsuk.
The political scientist and military expert at Chulalongkorn University added that the concept of a modern state and clear demarcation lines was a crucial tool for the Western powers to differentiate between states that came under their protection.
"What happened was that those imperial countries tended to have more power over other states in the region. The imbalance led to a forced acceptance of some disadvantages in demarcation, and Thailand, or Siam back then, was no different," said Dr Surachart.
The Preah Vihear case reflects the larger demarcation problem left over from the past. It is a common problem in several areas around the world, Dr Surachart said.
Even though some people keep referring to the fact that Thailand had reserved the right to revive the case regarding ownership of Preah Vihear temple (which it lost to Cambodia in 1962) should new evidence emerge, Dr Surachart cautioned that it is virtually impossible to try to claim lost territory back.
The country functions as a modern state at present. It is bound by international legal and diplomatic mores which it has to respect, or face the consequences.
These "consequences" can take the shape of sanctions, or even war. A war between neighbouring countries could be very painful as the conflict and suffering will be passed on from one generation to another. Such a rift cannot be healed in a short space of time, Dr Surachart said.
The academic views the court case concerning Preah Vihear as being over, especially after Thailand itself drew another boundary line in compliance with the watershed line which excludes the temple, following the 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice.
Instead of letting emotions run high and clouding the issue, Dr Surachart called on both Thai and Cambodian people to exercise reason and find the wisdom required to get out of the conflict.
Whipping up this issue could easily result in chaos if not handled carefully and properly.
He reminded society that there are established diplomatic channels for countries with overlapping boundaries to explore to settle their disputes. The process can result in a re-drawing of the boundary line. In cases where a dispute cannot be settled, options are available for different ways of joint management. One of the concepts can be applied to the case of Preah Vihear, the surrounding area of which remains disputed as it is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
"I have to emphasise here that the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site will not affect any country's boundary as the World Heritage Convention clearly sets such a condition to prevent conflicts between concerned countries," said Dr Surachart.
In fact, the two countries have 15 more overlapping locations which need to be settled, and they need to move on with the work, he said.
"The question we have to ask ourselves really hard is whether we really want a war, and whether a war would really bring us back territory perceived as being lost," said Dr Surachart. "Do we still want to be 'a prisoner of the past'? Or do we want to help one another break the 'barrier' imposed by the past?"
By Piyaporn Wongruang
Bangkokpost.com
Even though Preah Vihear has joined the ranks of places listed as World Heritage sites, former Cambodian soldier Wan, 60, may not play his fiddle in exchange for money from tourists at the temple.
Due to fears of a Thai-mobilised rally against Cambodia's inscription of the temple on the World Heritage List, the border around the temple has been closed. No tourists are allowed until further notice. It is not difficult to imagine how tough the life of the ex-soldier could become. He only has one leg, his musical talents and Preah Vihear to rely on after the war in Cambodia some 30 years ago.
Uncle Wan is but one among the potential losers from this conflict at the moment. Many more are likely to follow his path as resentment among people in both countries has heightened to the point that some academics believe no side can afford to be seen as losing, now that the 11th-century Hindu temple has been listed as a new World Heritage site.
Since the Cambodian government first lodged its application for World Heritage status in 1991, people of the two countries have been drawn into a conflict they did not directly cause. Amid the increasingly politicised dispute, a boundary line which has never been clearly seen on the site has emerged as the crux of the problem caused by the past, unsettled border demarcation.
Historian Srisakra Vallibhotama believes that the site at the temple of Preah Vihear conformed to the ancient concept of using landmarks associated with spiritual belief as boundary marks. Considering the landscape, the promontory of Dangrek Range where Preah Vihear is located, clearly separates the Cambodian plain from the Korat plateau stretching down towards the Thai side.
Historical evidence suggests that the area had long been used as a sacred site before Preah Vihear was built on top of it around the early 11th century.
The ancient concept of organic boundary started shifting toward one that is more fixed - a line on a map - when Western imperialists arrived in the region and took over some parts of it, according to Surachart Bamrungsuk.
The political scientist and military expert at Chulalongkorn University added that the concept of a modern state and clear demarcation lines was a crucial tool for the Western powers to differentiate between states that came under their protection.
"What happened was that those imperial countries tended to have more power over other states in the region. The imbalance led to a forced acceptance of some disadvantages in demarcation, and Thailand, or Siam back then, was no different," said Dr Surachart.
The Preah Vihear case reflects the larger demarcation problem left over from the past. It is a common problem in several areas around the world, Dr Surachart said.
Even though some people keep referring to the fact that Thailand had reserved the right to revive the case regarding ownership of Preah Vihear temple (which it lost to Cambodia in 1962) should new evidence emerge, Dr Surachart cautioned that it is virtually impossible to try to claim lost territory back.
The country functions as a modern state at present. It is bound by international legal and diplomatic mores which it has to respect, or face the consequences.
These "consequences" can take the shape of sanctions, or even war. A war between neighbouring countries could be very painful as the conflict and suffering will be passed on from one generation to another. Such a rift cannot be healed in a short space of time, Dr Surachart said.
The academic views the court case concerning Preah Vihear as being over, especially after Thailand itself drew another boundary line in compliance with the watershed line which excludes the temple, following the 1962 ruling of the International Court of Justice.
Instead of letting emotions run high and clouding the issue, Dr Surachart called on both Thai and Cambodian people to exercise reason and find the wisdom required to get out of the conflict.
Whipping up this issue could easily result in chaos if not handled carefully and properly.
He reminded society that there are established diplomatic channels for countries with overlapping boundaries to explore to settle their disputes. The process can result in a re-drawing of the boundary line. In cases where a dispute cannot be settled, options are available for different ways of joint management. One of the concepts can be applied to the case of Preah Vihear, the surrounding area of which remains disputed as it is claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
"I have to emphasise here that the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site will not affect any country's boundary as the World Heritage Convention clearly sets such a condition to prevent conflicts between concerned countries," said Dr Surachart.
In fact, the two countries have 15 more overlapping locations which need to be settled, and they need to move on with the work, he said.
"The question we have to ask ourselves really hard is whether we really want a war, and whether a war would really bring us back territory perceived as being lost," said Dr Surachart. "Do we still want to be 'a prisoner of the past'? Or do we want to help one another break the 'barrier' imposed by the past?"
Cambodia's Heritage, World's Heritage
Preah Vihear - Heritage lost
Bangkokpost.com
Cambodians celebrate but many Thais are unhappy with the World Heritage Committee's decision on the Preah Vihear temple.
By Piyaporn Wongruang
The controversial struggle to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site ended on Monday, with Unesco announcing that the Hindu temple's application had been accepted. The decision, by the World Heritage Committee (WHC), received a mixed reaction from Cambodians and Thais.
Impromptu celebrations coursed through Cambodia as people learned the news. But over the border, dissatisfaction among Thais is growing.
According to a Thai source who attended the meeting, Cambodia's proposal sailed through the consideration of the committee members.
The WHC chairwoman had proposed the draft resolution and asked the committee members to approve it without opening the floor to any debates, the source said.
Cambodia had underlined three key points in its bid to get Preah Vihear listed, but in the event the temple won over the committee with its first criterion-the representation of a masterpiece of human creative genius.
This prompted Thailand to express its opposition to the "unilateral inscription of Preah Vihear on only one criterion". Thailand is now also further challenging the integrity of the site, as well as the unsettled border line.
"We are very disappointed that our appeal for the joint nomination has been repeatedly denied, and now an exception has been made to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site on the basis of just one criterion," said a draft statement by the Thai World Heritage Committee.
"Without the proper buffer zones, and without the necessity cultural and natural landscapes on all sides, the temple has been denied the dignity and the integrity it deserves in being listed as a World Heritage site."
Standing on top of the high cliff on the Dangrek Range separating Thailand's lower Northeast and Cambodia, the temple has long been valued as an exceptional piece of work from the ancient world.
The temple, built in the early 11th century to worship the Hindu god Shiva, featured a succession of courtyards and key buildings including gopuras, stairways and pavements stretching in a north-south orientation.
This clearly reflects the Khmer aptitude for domesticating vast territories and adapting to the landscape, and it is these qualities which convinced the committee to accept the application under the first criterion.
According to the International Council of Monuments and Sites, an advisory body for the WHC, it was noted that "the full value of the temple of Preah Vihear is inextricably linked to the surrounding landscape and that the planning and orientation of the temple, facing north, is quite different from other Khmer temples."
The temple complex, however, was separated politically from its surrounding land in 1962, when the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple - but not all of its immediate surroundings - was situated on Cambodian soil.
Arguments about which country has sovereignty over the temple and its surroundings have continued ever since between Cambodia and Thailand.
Cambodia has sought World Heritage status for Preah Vihear since the early 1990s, but until this year's joint communique controversy, Thailand has never been involved in the development of the application.
Cambodia's original proposal included the overlapping area stretching beyond the stairways towards Thai soil, but Thailand protested.
Cambodia eventually removed the overlapping area from its proposal and won the WHC's approval.
Historian Srisakra Vallibhotama said listing Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site betrays a lack of understanding of the site's universal value.
Instead of securing the site as a treasure for enthusiasts of ancient civilisations, he said this listing could lead to confrontations.
"It is important to understand the site's universal value," said Mr Srisakra.
"And we should understand the boundary is not a geographical one, but rather a cultural one. Turning the area into a World Heritage site does not preserve the culture, it only preserves the physical structure in order to attract tourists."
The WHC, meanwhile, has clarified its stance on the border issue.
It says that under Article 11.3 of the Convention, the inscription of Preah Vihear has no implications for any ongoing negotiations concerning the boundary between the two countries, and this does not prejudice the rights of both governments to reach an amicable settlement.
The organisation has asked Cambodia to further define the perimeter of the buffer zone, complete the management plan for the property and its buffer zone, and convene an international coordinating committee for the safeguarding of the property, inviting Thailand and other "appropriate partners" as members, according to the office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Bangkok.
"The WHC's decision encourages Cambodia and Thailand to work together for the safekeeping of the property," the agency said.
Bangkokpost.com
Cambodians celebrate but many Thais are unhappy with the World Heritage Committee's decision on the Preah Vihear temple.
By Piyaporn Wongruang
The controversial struggle to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site ended on Monday, with Unesco announcing that the Hindu temple's application had been accepted. The decision, by the World Heritage Committee (WHC), received a mixed reaction from Cambodians and Thais.
Impromptu celebrations coursed through Cambodia as people learned the news. But over the border, dissatisfaction among Thais is growing.
According to a Thai source who attended the meeting, Cambodia's proposal sailed through the consideration of the committee members.
The WHC chairwoman had proposed the draft resolution and asked the committee members to approve it without opening the floor to any debates, the source said.
Cambodia had underlined three key points in its bid to get Preah Vihear listed, but in the event the temple won over the committee with its first criterion-the representation of a masterpiece of human creative genius.
This prompted Thailand to express its opposition to the "unilateral inscription of Preah Vihear on only one criterion". Thailand is now also further challenging the integrity of the site, as well as the unsettled border line.
"We are very disappointed that our appeal for the joint nomination has been repeatedly denied, and now an exception has been made to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site on the basis of just one criterion," said a draft statement by the Thai World Heritage Committee.
"Without the proper buffer zones, and without the necessity cultural and natural landscapes on all sides, the temple has been denied the dignity and the integrity it deserves in being listed as a World Heritage site."
Standing on top of the high cliff on the Dangrek Range separating Thailand's lower Northeast and Cambodia, the temple has long been valued as an exceptional piece of work from the ancient world.
The temple, built in the early 11th century to worship the Hindu god Shiva, featured a succession of courtyards and key buildings including gopuras, stairways and pavements stretching in a north-south orientation.
This clearly reflects the Khmer aptitude for domesticating vast territories and adapting to the landscape, and it is these qualities which convinced the committee to accept the application under the first criterion.
According to the International Council of Monuments and Sites, an advisory body for the WHC, it was noted that "the full value of the temple of Preah Vihear is inextricably linked to the surrounding landscape and that the planning and orientation of the temple, facing north, is quite different from other Khmer temples."
The temple complex, however, was separated politically from its surrounding land in 1962, when the International Court of Justice ruled that the temple - but not all of its immediate surroundings - was situated on Cambodian soil.
Arguments about which country has sovereignty over the temple and its surroundings have continued ever since between Cambodia and Thailand.
Cambodia has sought World Heritage status for Preah Vihear since the early 1990s, but until this year's joint communique controversy, Thailand has never been involved in the development of the application.
Cambodia's original proposal included the overlapping area stretching beyond the stairways towards Thai soil, but Thailand protested.
Cambodia eventually removed the overlapping area from its proposal and won the WHC's approval.
Historian Srisakra Vallibhotama said listing Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site betrays a lack of understanding of the site's universal value.
Instead of securing the site as a treasure for enthusiasts of ancient civilisations, he said this listing could lead to confrontations.
"It is important to understand the site's universal value," said Mr Srisakra.
"And we should understand the boundary is not a geographical one, but rather a cultural one. Turning the area into a World Heritage site does not preserve the culture, it only preserves the physical structure in order to attract tourists."
The WHC, meanwhile, has clarified its stance on the border issue.
It says that under Article 11.3 of the Convention, the inscription of Preah Vihear has no implications for any ongoing negotiations concerning the boundary between the two countries, and this does not prejudice the rights of both governments to reach an amicable settlement.
The organisation has asked Cambodia to further define the perimeter of the buffer zone, complete the management plan for the property and its buffer zone, and convene an international coordinating committee for the safeguarding of the property, inviting Thailand and other "appropriate partners" as members, according to the office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in Bangkok.
"The WHC's decision encourages Cambodia and Thailand to work together for the safekeeping of the property," the agency said.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Cambodia's disputed Hindu temple joins heritage list
New York/Quebec - In one of the most controversial decisions of its eight-day meetings, UNESCO on Monday named a Hindu temple in Cambodia to the World Heritage list that has been under the cloud of a border dispute with Thailand for decades.Preah Vihear is a stunning clifftop temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva perched on the cliff that defines the Thai-Cambodian border.Cambodia sought designation for the millennium-old temple, but Thailand has challenged the move over a border spat dating to a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling.//DPA
Thai Internal Politics over Preah Vihear Temple
FM violates the constitution for signing the agreement with Cambodia over Preah Vihear Temple
The Nation
The Constitution Court ruled on Tuesday that the joint communique Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed with Cambodia violated the Constitution.
Noppadon should get the approval from the Parliament before signing, Paiboon Warahapaiboon, secretary general of the Consitution Court office.
The Nation
The Constitution Court ruled on Tuesday that the joint communique Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed with Cambodia violated the Constitution.
Noppadon should get the approval from the Parliament before signing, Paiboon Warahapaiboon, secretary general of the Consitution Court office.
Preah Vihear Temple Belongs to Cambodia
Disputed Preah Vihear listed as the world heritage
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
The World Heritage Committee agreed on Tuesday to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site amid political pressure in Thailand mounting on the government over the failure to object.
"I did my job to express our objection, observation and reservation in the line with former foreign minister Thanat Khoman made following the decision of the International Court of Justice in 1962," said Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattana from Quebec."In addition to the unresolved border disputes of the areas surrounding the temple of Preah Vihear, Thailand cannot support the decision," he said in the session of the world heritage committee meeting.The minister needed to make such statement as the Constitution Court ruled the joint communiqu้ he signed with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to support Phnom Penh's application is unconstitutional.Senators and the oppositions lodged the petition with the court due to their concern that listing the temple might overrule Thai sovereignty. Head of Thailand's world heritage committee Pongpol Adireksarn said Thai people should not be sad over Cambodia's success to list the site. "We also plan to list our part in the surrounding area of Preah Vihear in the future," he said.Military's Border Affairs Department Lt. General Niphat Thonglek who also joined the Thai delegation in Quebec said Thailand did not compete with Cambodia to list the temple but it was Cambodia who prepared itself for the world heritage committee's examination."As the site passed criteria set by the committee, it got approval. There is nothing to jeopardy relations between the two countries," he said.Military's Royal Thai Survey Department Col. Noppadon Chotsiri guaranteed that Cambodia did not take any of overlapping area claimed by both sides into its proposal."As examined by mapping technique, we found that Cambodia's graphic plan claimed nothing beyond the territory the Thai cabinet in 1962 has relinquished," he said.
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
The World Heritage Committee agreed on Tuesday to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a world heritage site amid political pressure in Thailand mounting on the government over the failure to object.
"I did my job to express our objection, observation and reservation in the line with former foreign minister Thanat Khoman made following the decision of the International Court of Justice in 1962," said Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattana from Quebec."In addition to the unresolved border disputes of the areas surrounding the temple of Preah Vihear, Thailand cannot support the decision," he said in the session of the world heritage committee meeting.The minister needed to make such statement as the Constitution Court ruled the joint communiqu้ he signed with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to support Phnom Penh's application is unconstitutional.Senators and the oppositions lodged the petition with the court due to their concern that listing the temple might overrule Thai sovereignty. Head of Thailand's world heritage committee Pongpol Adireksarn said Thai people should not be sad over Cambodia's success to list the site. "We also plan to list our part in the surrounding area of Preah Vihear in the future," he said.Military's Border Affairs Department Lt. General Niphat Thonglek who also joined the Thai delegation in Quebec said Thailand did not compete with Cambodia to list the temple but it was Cambodia who prepared itself for the world heritage committee's examination."As the site passed criteria set by the committee, it got approval. There is nothing to jeopardy relations between the two countries," he said.Military's Royal Thai Survey Department Col. Noppadon Chotsiri guaranteed that Cambodia did not take any of overlapping area claimed by both sides into its proposal."As examined by mapping technique, we found that Cambodia's graphic plan claimed nothing beyond the territory the Thai cabinet in 1962 has relinquished," he said.
Finally, Preah Vihear is listed as World Heritage
PREAH VIHEAR RUINSTemple listed as heritage site
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkokpost.com
The World Heritage Committee (WTC) meeting in Quebec, Canada, late last night approved Cambodia's application to list the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
It did not take into account the controversial joint communique between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, a Thai delegate to the meeting said before the decision was made.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama explained the Administrative Court's temporary injunction to the 21 WTC members, Pongpol Adireksan, chairman of the Thai World Heritage Committee, said.
Mr Pongpol is there as an observer.
The court issued an injunction against the cabinet's June 17 resolution, which gave approval for Mr Noppadon to sign a joint communique with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An the following day. Mr Noppadon's signature conveyed Thailand's support for Cambodia's bid to list the temple as a World Heritage site.
The WHC only considered the report of the International Council for Monuments and Sites as a basis for making the decision, Mr Pongpol said.
Bangkok was opposed to Phnom Penh's proposal, instead favouring a joint nomination of the site.
Thailand had been unable to convince the WHC to postpone the issue and wait for a joint nomination, or to defer it until the next meeting.
The WHC said the Preah Vihear issue had already been postponed once, at last year's gathering in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The meeting also inscribed the cities of the Straits of Malacca: Melaka and Georgetown in Malaysia, and the Kuk Early Agricultural Site in Papua New Guinea, AFP reported.
The WHC had sent its representatives to talk with the Thai and Cambodian delegates to clarify their positions.
Mr Pongpol said the temple listing would have no effect on the demarcation of the border between the two countries. It was specifically only the temple site.
Mr Pongpol said political problems in Thailand had affected the country's ability to lobby committee members.
''We are at a disadvantage. Cambodia regards Preah Vihear as a national issue and continued lobbying when Thailand was undergoing a coup,'' he said.
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkokpost.com
The World Heritage Committee (WTC) meeting in Quebec, Canada, late last night approved Cambodia's application to list the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.
It did not take into account the controversial joint communique between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, a Thai delegate to the meeting said before the decision was made.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama explained the Administrative Court's temporary injunction to the 21 WTC members, Pongpol Adireksan, chairman of the Thai World Heritage Committee, said.
Mr Pongpol is there as an observer.
The court issued an injunction against the cabinet's June 17 resolution, which gave approval for Mr Noppadon to sign a joint communique with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An the following day. Mr Noppadon's signature conveyed Thailand's support for Cambodia's bid to list the temple as a World Heritage site.
The WHC only considered the report of the International Council for Monuments and Sites as a basis for making the decision, Mr Pongpol said.
Bangkok was opposed to Phnom Penh's proposal, instead favouring a joint nomination of the site.
Thailand had been unable to convince the WHC to postpone the issue and wait for a joint nomination, or to defer it until the next meeting.
The WHC said the Preah Vihear issue had already been postponed once, at last year's gathering in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The meeting also inscribed the cities of the Straits of Malacca: Melaka and Georgetown in Malaysia, and the Kuk Early Agricultural Site in Papua New Guinea, AFP reported.
The WHC had sent its representatives to talk with the Thai and Cambodian delegates to clarify their positions.
Mr Pongpol said the temple listing would have no effect on the demarcation of the border between the two countries. It was specifically only the temple site.
Mr Pongpol said political problems in Thailand had affected the country's ability to lobby committee members.
''We are at a disadvantage. Cambodia regards Preah Vihear as a national issue and continued lobbying when Thailand was undergoing a coup,'' he said.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Cambodia to go alone in listing Preah Vihear
Going it alone
Written by Sambath Teth
Monday, 30 June 2008
AFPCambodia has vowed to go ahead with its UNESCO application despite Thai objections.Cambodia has vowed to press ahead with its bid for a UNESCO World Heritage listing for Preah Vihear temple despite a Thai court ruling that Bangkok cannot support the nomination for the ancient Hindu site."It's their internal problem," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told the Post in a phone interview on June 30."[Preah Vihear] is our temple and we want it to receive world heritage listing," Siphan said."Preah Vihear belongs to us so we are not interested in this," he added, referring to an injunction issued by Thailand's Administrative Court on June 28.The injunction temporarily blocked the Thai government from supporting Cambodia's nomination to seek world heritage status for Preah Vihear at a UNESCO meeting in Quebec starting July 2.The injunction follows a joint communiqué endorsing the nomination that was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama on June 18.The injunction had been sought by a coalition of activist groups in Thailand, the People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been leading weeks of street protests in Bangkok against the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.Opposition parties criticized Samak over the communiqué during a no-confidence debate in the Thai parliament last week after the Preah Vihear issue had been raised at the street protests in Bangkok.Siphan expressed frustration at the role played by Thai opposition parties."The Cambodian government is working with the Thai government; we are not working with the Thai opposition," he said.Siphan downplayed the possibility of unrest in Cambodia over the stand taken by some Thai groups."Thai restaurants are full of Cambodian people," he said.Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong also expressed regret that some Thai parties and politicians were exploiting the Preah Vihear issue as part of their campaign against the Samak government."I am very sorry they are using Preah Vihear for their internal political purposes; this can affect the friendship and cooperation between our two countries," Namhong told a news conference on June 27.On June 22, the Cambodian government closed the border checkpoint at Preah Vihear, citing security concerns after a group of Thai activists gathered at a market near the main entrance to the temple, which is most easily accessed from the Thai side of the border. In response to the border closure, a ceremony was held at Preah Vihear on June 30 to offer food to the small Cambodian community living at the temple site and to pray for peace.The ceremony was sponsored by the Khmer Civilization Foundation, which on June 15 hosted a celebration in Phnom Penh to mark the 46th anniversary of the ruling by the International Court of Justice granting ownership of Preah Vihear to Cambodia.Foundation president Moeung Sonn said the donated food, including four tons of rice and 330 bottles of fish sauce, as well as soy sauce, salt and packaged noodles, had cost $4,000, including $1,000 of his own money.Sonn said he planned to take doctors with him on a return trip to Preah Vihear because some of the Cambodians there were ill and had requested medicine and medical treatment.
Written by Sambath Teth
Monday, 30 June 2008
AFPCambodia has vowed to go ahead with its UNESCO application despite Thai objections.Cambodia has vowed to press ahead with its bid for a UNESCO World Heritage listing for Preah Vihear temple despite a Thai court ruling that Bangkok cannot support the nomination for the ancient Hindu site."It's their internal problem," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told the Post in a phone interview on June 30."[Preah Vihear] is our temple and we want it to receive world heritage listing," Siphan said."Preah Vihear belongs to us so we are not interested in this," he added, referring to an injunction issued by Thailand's Administrative Court on June 28.The injunction temporarily blocked the Thai government from supporting Cambodia's nomination to seek world heritage status for Preah Vihear at a UNESCO meeting in Quebec starting July 2.The injunction follows a joint communiqué endorsing the nomination that was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama on June 18.The injunction had been sought by a coalition of activist groups in Thailand, the People's Alliance for Democracy, which has been leading weeks of street protests in Bangkok against the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.Opposition parties criticized Samak over the communiqué during a no-confidence debate in the Thai parliament last week after the Preah Vihear issue had been raised at the street protests in Bangkok.Siphan expressed frustration at the role played by Thai opposition parties."The Cambodian government is working with the Thai government; we are not working with the Thai opposition," he said.Siphan downplayed the possibility of unrest in Cambodia over the stand taken by some Thai groups."Thai restaurants are full of Cambodian people," he said.Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong also expressed regret that some Thai parties and politicians were exploiting the Preah Vihear issue as part of their campaign against the Samak government."I am very sorry they are using Preah Vihear for their internal political purposes; this can affect the friendship and cooperation between our two countries," Namhong told a news conference on June 27.On June 22, the Cambodian government closed the border checkpoint at Preah Vihear, citing security concerns after a group of Thai activists gathered at a market near the main entrance to the temple, which is most easily accessed from the Thai side of the border. In response to the border closure, a ceremony was held at Preah Vihear on June 30 to offer food to the small Cambodian community living at the temple site and to pray for peace.The ceremony was sponsored by the Khmer Civilization Foundation, which on June 15 hosted a celebration in Phnom Penh to mark the 46th anniversary of the ruling by the International Court of Justice granting ownership of Preah Vihear to Cambodia.Foundation president Moeung Sonn said the donated food, including four tons of rice and 330 bottles of fish sauce, as well as soy sauce, salt and packaged noodles, had cost $4,000, including $1,000 of his own money.Sonn said he planned to take doctors with him on a return trip to Preah Vihear because some of the Cambodians there were ill and had requested medicine and medical treatment.
Senators bid to stop listing of Preah Vihear
By The Nation
Published on July 1, 2008
A group of 77 senators yesterday began the process to halt Thai support for Cambodia's application to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
They submitted their demand via Senate President Prasobsuk Boondej to the Constitution Court, asking the court to nullify the joint communique signed with Cambodia to support the application.
The joint communique was deemed to be an agreement that could make changes to Thai sovereignty over the temple and surrounding area, Senator Rosana Tosittrakul said.
Such an agreement needed the approval of the Parliament, rather than the Cabinet, before any signature could be signed, she said.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but the Thai government announced its disagreement and reserved the right to review the case.
The current government's acceptance of Cambodia's new drawing to annex the site in its proposal might damage Thailand's inherent right reserved 46 years ago, Rosana said.
The senators' court move is the second legal effort to derail Thai acceptance of the listing bid after the People's Alliance for Democracy filed a case with the Administrative Court, which demanded the Cabinet's endorsement of the joint communique be dropped.
The Foreign Ministry has not yet given any response to the court's decision.
Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the government would urge the Council of State, a legal adviser for the government, to consider the Administrative Court's decision before anything else.
Senator Somchai Savaengkarn said the ministry needed to get written confirmation of the court's decision before the joint communique could be terminated.
The opposition Democrat Party sent letters yesterday to 21 members of the world heritage committee through the Bangkok office of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), asking them to delay any decision on Preah Vihear.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the best option would be for Cambodia and Thailand to jointly propose listing the temple.
The Unesco world heritage committee will make a final decision on Cambodia's unilateral application on the Preah Vihear at a meeting in Quebec between July 2-10.
Published on July 1, 2008
A group of 77 senators yesterday began the process to halt Thai support for Cambodia's application to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
They submitted their demand via Senate President Prasobsuk Boondej to the Constitution Court, asking the court to nullify the joint communique signed with Cambodia to support the application.
The joint communique was deemed to be an agreement that could make changes to Thai sovereignty over the temple and surrounding area, Senator Rosana Tosittrakul said.
Such an agreement needed the approval of the Parliament, rather than the Cabinet, before any signature could be signed, she said.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but the Thai government announced its disagreement and reserved the right to review the case.
The current government's acceptance of Cambodia's new drawing to annex the site in its proposal might damage Thailand's inherent right reserved 46 years ago, Rosana said.
The senators' court move is the second legal effort to derail Thai acceptance of the listing bid after the People's Alliance for Democracy filed a case with the Administrative Court, which demanded the Cabinet's endorsement of the joint communique be dropped.
The Foreign Ministry has not yet given any response to the court's decision.
Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the government would urge the Council of State, a legal adviser for the government, to consider the Administrative Court's decision before anything else.
Senator Somchai Savaengkarn said the ministry needed to get written confirmation of the court's decision before the joint communique could be terminated.
The opposition Democrat Party sent letters yesterday to 21 members of the world heritage committee through the Bangkok office of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), asking them to delay any decision on Preah Vihear.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the best option would be for Cambodia and Thailand to jointly propose listing the temple.
The Unesco world heritage committee will make a final decision on Cambodia's unilateral application on the Preah Vihear at a meeting in Quebec between July 2-10.
Phnom Penh to go alone with Preah Vihear on the world heritage
Cambodia has vowed to push ahead its UNESCO application to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as the world heritage despite Thai objections.
"It's their internal problem," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post on Monday.
"[Preah Vihear] is our temple and we want it to receive world heritage listing," Siphan said.
The Administrative Court issued a contemporary order to block the Thai government's support to the Cambodia's proposal. The government has not yet informed the new position to Phnom Penh waiting for the Council of State to make recommendation how to follow the court's diction.
The Nation
"It's their internal problem," Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post on Monday.
"[Preah Vihear] is our temple and we want it to receive world heritage listing," Siphan said.
The Administrative Court issued a contemporary order to block the Thai government's support to the Cambodia's proposal. The government has not yet informed the new position to Phnom Penh waiting for the Council of State to make recommendation how to follow the court's diction.
The Nation
Cabinet to resolve all issues relating to Preah Vihear Temple
Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said on Tuesday that the government will take prompt action after studying the injunction relating to Preah Vihear Temple."The government will do the right thing as this is a big and complex issue," he said.He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs might be instructed to inform the Cambodian authorities about the injunction imposed on the Thai government.
The Nation
The Nation
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