Cambodia never Worried about Thailand’s Opposition on Development Plan of Preah Vihear Temple

via Khmer NZ

Thursday, 22 July 2010 03:59 DAP-NEWS / Tep Piseth

CAMBODIA, PHNOM PENH, JULY 22, 2010-Cambodia has never worried about Thailand’s opposition on preservation and development plan of Khmer Preah Vihear temple during the 34th meeting of the world heritage committee in Brazil on July 25 -3 August, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Thailand will send two ministers from environment and culture respectively to complain with the committee about Cambodia’s plan on development and preservation of the temple.

“We have never worried about Thailand’s opposition on the plan,” deputy prime minister and minister of council of ministers Dr. Sok An told reporters at the Phnom Penh International airport before departure to Brazil.

He continued that Thailand has always opposed us since we listed Preah Vihear temple as world heritage site in 2008.

“We have never had 4.6 square kilometer disputed areas near Preah Vihear temple of Cambodia with Thailand. Thailand has used the own map which was unilaterally drawn secretly to take Cambodian soil. That land is belonging Cambodia,” he stressed this morning in 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

We will explain the committee about documents and reports of development and preservation plan, he said.

Cambodia’s government spokesman and information minister Khieu Kanharith said that now Thailand turns to border issue after the political issues in Bangkok is quite. We have to know about their strategy with us,” he said.

Thailand lost all battles against Cambodia in terms of diplomatic and political deals on issue of 11th Khmer Preah Vihear temple, the analyst said.

Thailand sent troops aggressively to invade Cambodia in 1950s and last event in July 15, 2008, Thailand sent three people including a monk, nun, and layman to pray at the temple and a few hours later, they sent the troops to invade areas near Preah Vihear temple with an excuse to take back three people. Finally, they claimed that land near Preah Vihear temple is overlapping but Cambodia rejected that claim.

The temple was granted to Cambodia under the ruling verdict of international court of justice in the Netherland in 1962. The judgment from the world court was based on French- Siam treaty in 1904-1907.

As member of ASEAN, Thailand should not treat Cambodia with sending troops aggressively like this and it is shameless in region because in ASEAN charter, its member does not use force to invade other states, the analyst, said.