Thailand has no plan to join Cambodia in joint registration of Preah Vihear: PM Abhisit

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BANGKOK, July 2 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday his government has not yet discussed whether Thailand should ask Cambodia to jointly register of ancient Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border as a World Heritage Site.

A joint submission for the joint registration of the temple as the World Heritage Site by the two countries would only create more confusion because of the unclear border demarcation in the area, he said.

Mr. Abhisit said questions could be raised regarding ownership of the area adjoining the temple. However, he suggested, a settlement could be made on the condition that neither Thailand nor Cambodia claims that it owns the disputed area.

So far the Cambodian government has not considered applying for a common registration with Thailand on the site, he said.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted Cambodia’s application to designate Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site in July 2008.

However, UNESCO agreed last month in Seville, Spain, to delay the formal registration until February as the organisation still has a number of other matters to implement.

Delaying the formal registration came after Thai complaints that the temple listing had led to several armed clashes near the temple and urged the world agency to review its decision.

On negotiations regarding troop reductions at Preah Vihear, Mr. Abhisit said concerned officials of the two countries are still meeting to reduce tensions and to solve the problem peacefully. (TNA)