Thailand takes temple row to UNESCO
Thailand is appealing to the United Nations cultural organisation to find a solution to its bitter row with Cambodia over an 11th Century temple complex.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has announced his country's heritage committee will ask the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to reconsider a decision giving control of the temple and its surroundings to Cambodia.
The decision has led to clashes between Thai and Cambodian border guards, with seven soldiers killed in the past year.
Thailand will ask a world heritage meeting in Spain this week for the grounds of the Preah Vihear temple to be placed under joint Thai-Cambodian maintenance.
Part of its argument is that most visitors approach the temple complex from the Thai side.
Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, senior adviser to the Thai Prime Minister's office, told Radio Australia's Connect Asia program that Thailand is not blaming Cambodia.
"Most countries, Thailand in particular, are not blaming anything on Cambodia," he said.
"We are just concerned about the role of UNESCO." Dr Wattanayagorn says UNESCO needs to take responsibility and try to solve the problem.
"The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia was quite normal and stable until UNESCO allowed registration of the temple area - not (the) temple but temple area - to be done unilaterally," he said.
"It is the responsibility, we believe, that UNESCO should attempt to look into this issue closely and help try to solve the problem and try to come up with remedies."
Dr Wattanayagorn said that in areas "that are not clear, in areas that are overlapping ... UNESCO usually recommends the two countries or parties involved to jointly manage or register the areas.".
"We're simply reiterating UNESCO'S rules".
He said Thailand's position still was that the issue is unclear.
"But, of course, the International Court of Justice many decades ago issued a statement and verdict giving Cambodia the right over the temple, but not the temple area," he said.
"So we, as part of the world community, will recognise that verdict".
Cambodia has issued a statement rebuking Thailand for raising the controversial land claim again.
- ABC News (Australia) / 2009-06-22
0
Thai Troops Stand Guard Against Cambodians In Fresh Dispute
Started by sriracha john, 2009-06-01 09:41
#27
Senior Member Posted 2009-06-22 22:55:14
What dispute. The Khmers were never a treat to the Siamese. Not now, not ever. Want to know who is the big brother in Indo-China?
#28
Star Member Posted 2009-06-23 06:25:58
Army beefs up temple forces
The army has deployed a battalion of troops backed by heavy weapons near Preah Vihear temple in Sisaket province in case of further clashes with Cambodian soldiers. Army Chief Anupong Paojinda had ordered the Lopburi-based artillery to send the battalion of troops with 12 large artillery weapons to Pha Mor E-Daeng Cliff national park, a source said yesterday. Gen Anupong also ordered a company of special warfare troops to guard the border area in the northeastern province with a battalion of infantrymen as reinforcements. There are now 3,000 infantrymen securing the border. The source said the additional troops and weapons were not sent to provoke clashes with Cambodian troops, but were there as back-up. Thailand had a clear policy not to use force to solve border disputes with Cambodia. The wrangling over the historic temple ruins and recent strong reaction from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had sparked speculation of more clashes between the two countries. The army commander will today fly to the border area in Si Sa Ket, the source said. Continued:  -- Bangkok Post 2009-06-23 #29
Star Member Posted 2009-06-23 15:29:30
Anupong visits tense Cambodian border
Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda made a visit to the Thai-Cambodian border area near Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday morning. His trip followed reports that reported Cambodia had sent reinforcements of troops, 130 mm artillery pieces and T-54 tanks to the border. News media in Cambodia earlier reported there were unusual movements of Thai troops in expectation that the situation would become tense after Thailand asked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to review the registration of the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site. Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong also said his country was ready for any situation which might follow the Continued here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...ambodian-border -- Bangkok Post 2009-06-23 #30
Senior Member Posted 2009-06-23 15:38:48
No need to be afraid of the Cambodian. The Swedish will be delivering the new planes soon. Right. Six by 2012- none of which the military would be willing to risk being shot down over a small border conflict. #31
Moderate Expat Posted 2009-06-23 15:38:57
They are leaders are not exactly spring chicken now, what do you think the average age of an ex Khmer Rouge fighter is? Incidentally, one was a policemen. The other was a security guard at Angor Wat who was setting up "nighttime tours" at the historic ruins for the purpose of allowing his customers to make off with artifacts. $200 for a 2-hour tour. They still have a rapacious mentality. #32
Moderate Expat Posted 2009-06-23 15:41:02
What dispute. The Khmers were never a treat to the Siamese. Not now, not ever.... #33
Star Member Posted 2009-06-23 15:41:16
Thai officials visit Cambodia Saturday to clarify stance on Preah Vihear issue
BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday said he will visit Cambodia Saturday on a mission to clarify Thailand's objection to the listing of the Preah Vihear temple ruins as a World Heritage Site to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agreed to register Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site of Cambodia in July, 2008. Mr. Suthep said he and Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan would visit Cambodia to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to stave off any misunderstanding on the Preah Vihear issue between the two neighbouring countries. He said Thailand and Cambodia had shared common stance to avoid border conflicts and the issue at the moment was not between Thailand and Cambodia, but Thailand and UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit said earlier the government would ask UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to review last year's decision to register Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site when the meets this week in Spain. He would also propose that the temple be registered jointly as a World Heritage Site by Thailand and Cambodia, not as a unilateral action by Cambodia. Mr. Suthep said he hoped that after meeting, Mr. Hun Sen would better understand Thailand's stance. In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but the most accessible entrance begins at the foot of a mountain in Thailand, and both sides claim overlapping portions of the surrounding territory. Armed clashes between the two military forces have since then occurred periodically near the temple, especially in a 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area.  -- TNA 2009-06-23 #34
Senior Member Posted 2009-06-23 17:35:42
Thailand going to war with Cambodia again?
#35
Senior Member Posted 2009-06-23 22:45:05
--or everyone could get a hot dog and sit in the stands and watch the comedy of errors begin. Sort of like the U.S. in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea and Vietnam? #36
Moderate Expat Posted 2009-06-25 09:04:49
--or everyone could get a hot dog and sit in the stands and watch the comedy of errors begin. Sort of like the U.S. in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea and Vietnam?  Don't turn every thread into an excuse for America-bashing. So lame.
#37
Star Member Posted 2009-06-25 14:56:55
Saber rattling at Preah Vihear
Thai soldiers have been put on full alert along the disputed border with Cambodia and been warned that an armed clash is possible, Second Region Army Commander Viboonsak Neepal said on Thursday. Lt-Gen Viboonsak said the Cambodian army had begun deploying more troops and artillery, including 10 large cannons and six tanks, near Preah Vihear temple. The new Cambodian troops were dressed in new uniforms and armed with new rifles. They had set up camp about two kilometres across the border from Chong Sa Ngam in Si Sa Ket. Thai troops stationed along the border now had units on alert around the clock, he said. "If there are bullets coming from the other side, the Thai army is ready to retaliate by any means necessary. "I have ordered all troops to show patience but be alert, and reminded them not to underestimate the situation," he said. Continued here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...oops-on-standby -- Bangkok Post 2009-06-25 #38
Star Member Posted 2009-06-26 07:53:02
Khao Phra Wiharn Park closed to tourists indefinitely
The Khao Phra Wiharn Park in Sisaket has been closed to tourists indefinitely following the border tension between Thailand and Cambodia, the Director-General of the National Park, Animal and Forest Conservation Department said Thursday. Kasemsan Jinnawaso, said the park, which is located next to the entrance to the Preah Vihear Hindu temple, will be closed to tourists until the situation improved. Both Thai and Cambodian troops have been beefed up along the border after Thailand decided to register its opposition to the listing of the Hindu temple as a world heritage site.  -- The Nation 2009-06-25 #39
Star Member Posted 2009-06-26 08:14:26
Bottom line - Unesco's listing created only more problems with preserving the site. They should definitely reasses their approach.
#40
Star Member Posted 2009-06-26 12:23:38
Tense but calm around Preah Vihear
The Thai-Cambodia border remains calm despite troop reinforcements by both sides near Preah Vihear temple and the disputed area, Army Chief Anupong Paojinda said on Friday morning. There was no confrontation and the situation would not lead to violence, Gen Anupong said. He confirmed Thai troops have been reinforced following reports that extra Cambodian troops and artillery had been deployed to the area. Gen Anupong said the two sides agree they do not want to fight. Thai soldiers had been warned to be alert, but not to initiate a clash with Cambodian troops. Continued here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/14...ed-along-border -- Bangkok Post 2009-06-26 #41
Senior Member Posted 2009-06-26 13:56:46
self-edited cos I missed the point entirely!
Edited by seri thai, 2009-06-26 14:03:31. #42
Senior Member Posted 2009-06-26 14:13:33
Bottom line - Unesco's listing created only more problems with preserving the site. They should definitely reasses their approach. Can I get one of those white range-rovers cheap when they've finished with them?  Nobody comes out of this debacle looking good. #43
Star Member Posted 2009-06-26 15:05:51
Thai Army on Alert after Cambodia Increases Forces Along Border
The Army Commander in Chief admits that more army officers have been deployed as re-enforcements to the disputed region along the Thai-Cambodia border, after the Cambodian government increased its forces in the area. The Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda stated that after Cambodia had increased its army forces at the Chong-Sa-Ngum permanent border-crossing checkpoint in Sisaket province near Preah Vihear Temple, the Thai army has decided to employ more troops to the area. The Army Commander said he has assigned the Commander of the Second Army Region , Lt-General Wiboonsak Neeparn to keep a close watch on the situation and report on movements. The Army Chief said that the situation on the ground is still normal as neither Thai nor Cambodian forces is in battle positions, while commanders of both sides have made contacts and have come to a mutual agreement that they will not engage in violence. Further, General Anupong Paochina reiterated that the Thai troops are to stay on guard and to avoid starting any violence. 2  -- Tan Network 2009-06-26 #44
Super Member Posted 2009-06-26 19:13:33
Bottom line - Unesco's listing created only more problems with preserving the site. They should definitely reasses their approach. It didn't seem to be a problem before the PAD tried forcing the government's hand in the matter, and of course having a PAD supporter in the cabinet doesn't help. Previously Thailand wasn't going to object to the UNESCO listing. Get a bunch of military backed fascists in power as we have now and this is what happens. #45
Star Member Posted 2009-06-27 22:50:26
Troop pullout 'not on agenda'
The Defence Ministry will not discuss the withdrawal of Thai troops from the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple ruins during the Thai delegation's visit to Phnom Penh today. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon made clear the stance yesterday in response to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's condition that he would discuss the temple issue only if it concerned the withdrawal of Thai soldiers. The Thai delegation of about 15 officials, including General Prawit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, is set to arrive in Phnom Penh today for talks after Thailand protested against the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee's decision to register the Hindu temple ruins unilaterally on behalf of Cambodia last year. Mr Suthep said yesterday he would go to Cambodia as planned on a mission to clarify with Hun Sen Thailand's objections to the listing of the Preah Vihear temple ruins. He said his trip was aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Gen Prawit told reporters that Thai troops had to remain in the 4.6-square-kilometre area around Preah Vihear because it belonged to Thailand and both nations had reached an agreement that the land dispute would be handled by the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC). Continued here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1921...t-not-on-agenda -- Bangkok Post 2009-06-27 #46
Star Member Posted 2009-06-27 22:57:04
Cambodian PM agrees to ease border tension, promote economic cooperation
BANGKOK, July 27 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban ended his one-day visit to Cambodia on a mission to clarify Thailand's objection to the listing of the Preah Vihear temple ruins as a World Heritage Site to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Mr. Suthep told reporters on his arrival in Bangkok that he had met with the Cambodian prime minister and Mr. Hun Sen asked him to convey the message to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Thai people that Cambodia will try to ease tensions along the border to create the good atmosphere to foster the bilateral economic cooperation and good relations. The deputy prime minister said both sides agreed that the previous incidents at the border, particularly near Preah Vihear temple, would be considered the past and like a nightmare, and now the two nations should look ahead without looking back. "I do not want to go in to the details but both sides affirm to jointly ease the border tension," the deputy prime minister said. In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but the most accessible entrance begins at the foot of a mountain in Thailand, and both sides claim overlapping portions of the surrounding territory. Armed clashes between the two countries’ military forces have occurred periodically since then, near the temple, especially in a 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area. Thai prime minister Abhisit said earlier that the government would ask UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to review their last year's decision to register Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site when the meet in Spain, during the week just ended. During the one day visit, Mr. Hun Sen welcomed Mr. Suthep and Thai Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan at his home and the prime minister’s wife cooked lunch for the Thai guests. Mr. Suthep said the talks were conducted in a friendly atmosphere as the two nations shared the same target -- to build a constructive bilateral relationship and strengthen economic cooperation. Thailand and Cambodia agreed to move ahead with plans to build Stung Nam dam in Cambodia's Koh Kong province to supply electricity to Thailand's Trat and Chantaburi provinces, particularly to the Map Ta Put Industrial Estate, he said, adding that the project had been discussed by many governments but had not materialised. The government, therefore, will re-launch the project, Mr. Suthep said. Both sides will jointly develop the overlapping area in the Gulf of Thailand in order to share benefits from the undersea natural gas field, he said. -- TNA 2009-06-27 #47
Star Member Posted 2009-06-28 00:02:03
Bottom line - Unesco's listing created only more problems with preserving the site. They should definitely reasses their approach. It didn't seem to be a problem before the PAD tried forcing the government's hand in the matter, and of course having a PAD supporter in the cabinet doesn't help. Previously Thailand wasn't going to object to the UNESCO listing. ... When is previously? Thailand has withdrawn support for joint listing sometimes in 2007. Thai delegation publicly walked out of a meeting in January 2008. Noppadon fired the lead negotiator and took the matter in his own hands. By March-April the proposed listing was changed from "Preah Vihear site" to "Preah Vihear temple", in line with Cambodian demands for splitting the site along border line. In May PAD has brought the matter to the light and the hel_l broke loose. You can blame PAD for bringing it to public attention istead of going along with Noppadon's quiet reversal Thailand's long standing position (wouldn't it be wonderful if they all just shut up for good), but when the matter had become public it was clear that the opposition to Noppadon was spread far and wide and there was little chance of it passing through even PPP controlled parliament. Cambodians presented the photos of Noppadon shaking hands and the banners and crap as evidence of Thailand's support and Unesco accepted it, even as Thai court rendered the agreement null and void and Noppadon resigned in disgrace. Now the temple is closed, indefinitely, there has been casualties and the site has been shelled, and there are no prospects of Thailand agreeing to join the international commission to manage the site. Well done, Unesco! Keep the tourists away and let the military be in charge of security to make sure no one bothers the peace at ancient ruins. Send "thank you" postcards to Noppadon. #48
Star Member Posted 2009-06-28 07:42:27  ON GUARD: Cambodian soldiers standing guard near the Preah Vihear temple. Bangkok Post Tension rises near border CAMBODIA DEPLOYS COMMANDOS Cambodia has reportedly deployed 500 commandos to guard the Preah Vihear temple and disputed border area even though Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban claimed success over the issue in his visit to Phnom Penh. The deployment of the corps from the 911 Para-Commando Battalion comes after Mr Suthep made a one-day visit to Phnom Penh yesterday in a bid to ease tension on the border. The renewed tension follows Thailand's decision to ask for a review of Cambodia's unilateral listing of the Preah Vihear temple with UNESCO.The commandos have been put under the direct supervision of Lt Gen Him Bunhieng, a close aide of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who gave a warm welcome to Mr Suthep at his residence yesterday. It is estimated that about 2,000 Cambodian soldiers are deployed in the disputed territories. Continued here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1926...ses-near-border -- Bangkok Post 2009-06-28 #49
Platinum Member Posted 2009-06-28 09:58:03
Bottom line - Unesco's listing created only more problems with preserving the site. They should definitely reasses their approach. It didn't seem to be a problem before the PAD tried forcing the government's hand in the matter, and of course having a PAD supporter in the cabinet doesn't help. Previously Thailand wasn't going to object to the UNESCO listing. ... When is previously? Thailand has withdrawn support for joint listing sometimes in 2007. Thai delegation publicly walked out of a meeting in January 2008. Noppadon fired the lead negotiator and took the matter in his own hands. By March-April the proposed listing was changed from "Preah Vihear site" to "Preah Vihear temple", in line with Cambodian demands for splitting the site along border line. In May PAD has brought the matter to the light and the hel_l broke loose. You can blame PAD for bringing it to public attention istead of going along with Noppadon's quiet reversal Thailand's long standing position (wouldn't it be wonderful if they all just shut up for good), but when the matter had become public it was clear that the opposition to Noppadon was spread far and wide and there was little chance of it passing through even PPP controlled parliament. Cambodians presented the photos of Noppadon shaking hands and the banners and crap as evidence of Thailand's support and Unesco accepted it, even as Thai court rendered the agreement null and void and Noppadon resigned in disgrace. Now the temple is closed, indefinitely, there has been casualties and the site has been shelled, and there are no prospects of Thailand agreeing to join the international commission to manage the site. Well done, Unesco! Keep the tourists away and let the military be in charge of security to make sure no one bothers the peace at ancient ruins. Send "thank you" postcards to Noppadon. This issue doesn't really grab me in the anal retentive way it does some.Actually what Noppadon proposed seemed perfectly reasonable but personally I think a joint listing is best given the historical baggage but what's presumably most desirable is that a significant heritage site important to both countries is well looked after. The attempt to defend the PAD's opportunism on this issue is laughable.It was a classic fascist attempt to whip up nationalistic fervour although most Thais I talked to saw through this easily.I agree it's not easy dealing with Hun Sen's Cambodia but that's a different issue. #50
Star Member Posted 2009-06-28 15:34:55
Thais cannot accept Noppadon's agreement that parts of the site on Thai side of the border don't have historical value and Cambodian explanation for it.
Unesco shouldn't have accepted the bid without Thai consent, and they were clearly mistaken when they thought photos of disgraced FM signing annuled agreement qualifies as Thai support and "joint" listing. Having said that, I won't obstruct your physiological need to rant about pad fascism, go on, most of people have left that emotional wave a year ago. |
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