Thailand gives green light for Cambodia to register disputed temple

MCOT English News

BANGKOK, June 17, (TNA) - Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday endorsed a yet-to-be disclosed new map of Preah Vihear temple that would pave the way for neighbouring Cambodia to apply for the disputed Preah Vihear temple to be listed as a World Heritage Site.

Cambodia will present the new map as key document to experts of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at the meeting in Quebec next month. Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said Tuesday the disputed and undemarcated 4.6-square kilometre area surrounding and adjacent to the temple complex itself is not included on the map. The minister also emphasised that all details in the new map would be released after the World Heritage Committee meets in July to consider the matter.

The 21-nation committee is scheduled to meet in Quebec beginning July 2 to decide whether or not to grant the world heritage site status to the temple.

Historically, both Thailand and Cambodia have claimed the ancient Khmer-built Hindu temple complex astride the mutual border in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province in the northeast, but practical access is onlypossible from the Thai side. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia.

In a related development, the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday issued its third statement supporting its civil disobedience measure, calling for the Foreign Ministry's officials to come out to argue regarding the disputed Preah Vihear temple.

Pipob Thongchai, a core leader of PAD, said in the latest civil disobedience announcement that the group wanted to urge Thai ambassadors, charge d' affaires, consuls, and officials of the Foreign Ministry to carry out a mission to maintain the country's sovereignty.

In particular, they should come out to make an argument over the controversial issue on the historic Preah Vihear temple.

He said the PAD supporters would march to the ministry on Wednesday to monitor the issue because the group believed it involved vested interests gained by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The opposition Democrat Party had earlier cast doubts regarding the new map of the historic temple, suggesting that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama might have compromised Thailand's national interests over the issue.

(TNA)