June 23, 2008
By Subhatra Bhumiprabhas
The Nation (Thailand)
Historians warn row with Cambodia could trigger dangerous nationalism
A political struggle in Bangkok has once more triggered nationalistic fervour over whether Preah Vihear Temple is truly Cambodia's.
Many people are now trying to recall exactly what happened when the International Court of Justice ruled on the matter almost half a century ago.
Some historians and anthropologists warned disgruntled parties against being consumed by emotion and to avoid the pitfalls nationalistic tendencies often bring.
Historian Thanet Aphornsuvan wondered whether it was wise to return to border disputes, which had often sparked terrible wars in the old world.
More advanced countries prefer to embrace the notion of a world without borders, he said.
"Whenever the issue of Preah Vihear arises, it seems some people forget we are entering a new era where the world is viewed without borders," said Thanet, dean of Thammasat University's faculty of liberal arts.
"They appear willing to die for an area covering four square kilometres."
Among his chief concerns is the danger of politicians whipping up nationalism, amid ignorance and poor information regarding the temple's history.
If the matter escalated, it may cut a deeper wound between the two countries, he warned.
The historian said he recently learned that the Unesco issue would not have any effect on Thai territory or sovereignty, should Preah Vihear Temple be put on Unesco's world heritage list.
Under article 11 of Unesco's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, "the inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one state shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute".
The dean said he agreed with the idea that world heritage sites belong to people of all races, irrespective of the territory they come from.
Historian Somrit Luechai shared the concern, especially what stands to be lost or gained by returning to a dispute that had wrecked both sides for generations.
"When talking about [the border dispute], they only raised some issues of borders and national interest. But they seem to forget about the people who are born and live their lives there," he said.
Anthropologist Pichet Saiphan agreed. Preah Vihear today should no longer be chained by politics and nationalism, he said.
The key concern should be what benefits the Thai government and people would receive if the temple was listed a world heritage site.
"Who will gain the benefits? How about the locals there? Will any benefit go to them? We have to discuss that, not about land that is largely a meaningless issue today," said Pichet, who teaches at Thammasat University's faculty of sociology and anthropology.
Formulating the notion of lost territory was necessary to boost a nationalistic ideology, said historian Thongchai Winichakul, the author of "Siam Mapped: A History of the Geo-Body of a Nation".
Without that, "Thai nationalism could have crumbled," he said. A contrived memory "had to be fed repeatedly to people until we believe it is true", he said.
"If people want to fight for all disputable cases, there are probably hundreds of them to choose and to send soldiers to die for," he said.
Every country had lost territories in the past but nobody actually lost or gained anything, he noted.
But the idea of losing territory is powerful to stir nationalistic fervour, especially among politicians everywhere, he said.
A political struggle in Bangkok has once more triggered nationalistic fervour over whether Preah Vihear Temple is truly Cambodia's.
Many people are now trying to recall exactly what happened when the International Court of Justice ruled on the matter almost half a century ago.
Some historians and anthropologists warned disgruntled parties against being consumed by emotion and to avoid the pitfalls nationalistic tendencies often bring.
Historian Thanet Aphornsuvan wondered whether it was wise to return to border disputes, which had often sparked terrible wars in the old world.
More advanced countries prefer to embrace the notion of a world without borders, he said.
"Whenever the issue of Preah Vihear arises, it seems some people forget we are entering a new era where the world is viewed without borders," said Thanet, dean of Thammasat University's faculty of liberal arts.
"They appear willing to die for an area covering four square kilometres."
Among his chief concerns is the danger of politicians whipping up nationalism, amid ignorance and poor information regarding the temple's history.
If the matter escalated, it may cut a deeper wound between the two countries, he warned.
The historian said he recently learned that the Unesco issue would not have any effect on Thai territory or sovereignty, should Preah Vihear Temple be put on Unesco's world heritage list.
Under article 11 of Unesco's Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, "the inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one state shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute".
The dean said he agreed with the idea that world heritage sites belong to people of all races, irrespective of the territory they come from.
Historian Somrit Luechai shared the concern, especially what stands to be lost or gained by returning to a dispute that had wrecked both sides for generations.
"When talking about [the border dispute], they only raised some issues of borders and national interest. But they seem to forget about the people who are born and live their lives there," he said.
Anthropologist Pichet Saiphan agreed. Preah Vihear today should no longer be chained by politics and nationalism, he said.
The key concern should be what benefits the Thai government and people would receive if the temple was listed a world heritage site.
"Who will gain the benefits? How about the locals there? Will any benefit go to them? We have to discuss that, not about land that is largely a meaningless issue today," said Pichet, who teaches at Thammasat University's faculty of sociology and anthropology.
Formulating the notion of lost territory was necessary to boost a nationalistic ideology, said historian Thongchai Winichakul, the author of "Siam Mapped: A History of the Geo-Body of a Nation".
Without that, "Thai nationalism could have crumbled," he said. A contrived memory "had to be fed repeatedly to people until we believe it is true", he said.
"If people want to fight for all disputable cases, there are probably hundreds of them to choose and to send soldiers to die for," he said.
Every country had lost territories in the past but nobody actually lost or gained anything, he noted.
But the idea of losing territory is powerful to stir nationalistic fervour, especially among politicians everywhere, he said.
14 comments:
This is the last warning to those uneducated Siams, who have not studied about law and history.
Preah Vihear was built by Khmers and belongs to Khmers!!!
It is not important as to who own the temple and the surrounding area. What's important is that people in the area mutually benefit from it. Thus, a joint development is the way to go.
To 3:06PM, you trickful Siam.
We don't need a joint developement with you. We don't care about your proposal.
If we want to develop the temples, we can do it by ourselves without your deceitful help. Don't try to deceive us. We won't be easily cheated by you.
Why we should share the benifit with you while the temples legally belongs to Khmers alone?
Cambodia lawfully owns Preah Vihear. Therefore, Khmer people have the right to put this wonderful heritage into the World Heritage List at her own will.
You, Siam, cannot prevent us from listing this temple as the World Heritage.
Thanks,
Koun Khmer.
great idea about mutual benefit to localpeople, please let Cambodian govt submit propsal to Unesco ALONE, then Cambodian govt will manage the temple for the benefit of local people, not Bangkok people.
Tricky Siam my ass, 4:34. Fact of the matter is you are greedy and desperate. Whenever you want everything for yourself, you called other people name for your excuses. Well, that ain't gonna cut it, dude. The Khmer-Thai is just as Khmer as Khmer-Cambodia is, and you ain't gonna go anywhere with our Temple by yourself. Half of that belong to us.
The conscience of the Siamese is being stampeded and destroyed by their "arrogent nationalism". It is a pure arrogence that causes the burst of greed , a greed that can kill the inner sense of knowing wrong from right. This despicable attitude of the Siamese from deep past and up to the present time can be equated with the nature of other spicies other than human beings. Because real human beings can recognize anger, sorrow and suffering of other human beings and thus they would avoid doing the wrong harmful things to each other. These Siamese do not know what human race is all about. I would personally tell these lowly bunch of two legged monkeys that humans, like their Creator God, are creationist and they love creating and building great things for fellow humans to enjoy. The Khmer forefathers were much interested in building great things, the stone temples of all sizes, including Prasat Preah Vihear and Angkor Wat that the Siamese want to possess. there is even a replica of the Khmer Angkor Wat in Beng Kak', so called Bangkok of present Thailand but it's a former Khmerland the Khmer Empire. Your arrogence is calling for a nasty war, Siamese. Not because you want to repossess what you know "actually belonged" to you but what you believe you can fight and rob with your present might. Let's start a war, shall we? You damn conscienceless criminals. You deserve to be burnt in hell. Need I say more?
Dear 8:27PM I do agreed with you Ah Siamese is arrogant they're promoting ignorants Siameses nationalist to fight and steal once again our land, these thieves proud indeed their military might. We're Khmer not afraid of this immoral person such Ah PICHIT SAIPHAN he is really a citing person, who is contempt of INT'L Court of justice and Cambodian national, he has shown encounter toward war instead of paece. There is no world without border in this world, if so why Ah Siamese do all these acts?(claiming Khmer belonging and harrashing Khmer so...on..) why don't Ah Siamese put the Khmer monuments anciens heritages all over Thailand today in joint management?(with Cambodian) many of them are in wracked conditions, lets upgrading those for us, Khmer don't need your help in PREAH VIHEAR. We recognized our Khmer brothers & Sisters in Siamthai, our sentiment, harmony with them is flourishing even biger ever without you(Ah Siamese). Your aloquant massages have bring in more felow Cambodians closer together to face these land thieves mania. What the hell on earth said that (You can register the house, but the land and the uper few stairs obove ground are mind I will do the same) are you ready to do this on Prasaat Phnom Rung and many others as well?. What a cunny jerk tricky! are you!. I BAR MAI MEANG!3:06PM,7:30PM you're all having absorb the mislead History by yourown system. I BAR lev KOR GOR DUOY NAR KAHH :.
Victory to Cambodia! Down to Ah Siamese!..Down!..
whether to joint develop it or not, that indeed is not the real issue, here. the real issue is that the temple belongs to cambodia and it is cambodia's rights to have it listed without meddling or interference from thailand or thai people. it is clear and simple like that and don't make it look more complicated than it is.
also, of course, the idea of unesco is that the site belongs to the people of the world, however, why are the thai protesting then? if they know the intention of unesco is to preserve a "world heritage site", then what is the big deal with thailand protesting cambodia of the listing. now, this point is what needs to be examined to see the real unlawful intention of thailand and what's in the thai psych or intention as the temple don't even belongs to them in the first place. by them allow their people and senate to protest cambodia says a lot about the real question: is preah vihear really belonged to cambodia, even though the court ruled that it is? cambodia has to be suspicious and skeptical about thailand's intention in regards to preah vihear temple. in reality, we can see your intention in the limelight. so, don't even try to cover it up, just go ahead and say what you want, that you people wanted to steal cambodia's belonging. just say it upfront. we're not dumb; anybody can figure that out!
again, it ought to be a simple thing to understand here, but, no, the thai wanted to claim preah vihear as their own even after cambodia took them to court and won. how illegal, unlawful or illogical is that?
the bottom line is whether it is going to be a world heritage site or not, it's still very much belongs to cambodia and cambodia reserve the rights to do whatever we want and need with it, especially in our own decision whether to include thailand in the listing or not. not in a million years, especially if thailand keeps on meddling with our internal affairs like this! anyway, whether cambodia want to joint develop the area with thailand or not, it is still cambodia's rights as how we decide it without so much illegal protest from thailand or whatever! the fact that thailand protesting now shows cambodia and the world a lot, in plain, clear sight of thailand's intention and illegal claim on something that is lawfully cambodia's. maybe cambodia will take them to court again for the final time to make it permanent and to find justice for this violation on cambodia's sovereignty from thailand and their ignorant people who are barking up the wrong tree without learning and thinking critically the historical and factual evidence. just because they had the advantage of stealing a large swathe of lands from the old cambodia during the dark ages seems to give them the rights to keep on doing it non-stop in today's world. maybe they will lose more than what they are bargaining for when it comes time for the khmer people to reclaim what we had lost to these criminals in the first place. i guess, they can't have enough or something. the laws will prevail. god bless cambodia and her beautiful khmer people and khmer heritage.
12:50Am a very good point I like your staments.
May Khmer all reunited, God bless KHMER all!
Thai seems to have a better arm force so this worm is trying to suck Cambodian's blood anywhere possible. If we act wrongly without diplomat, they will use force in the reason to protect its territory.
Well then, we better return the temple back to the Khmer-Thai, or else, we going to have a deja-vu all over again.
Oooooh! a Siam invasion!!!
Show us what you got Siam we really want to see it. Don't hold back we will be disappointed.
Hahahaha....!!!
Kiss my butt losers.
If the Thaicong want a repeat of the Vietcong misadventure in Cambodia in the 1980 and let them come! Nobody is stopping the Thaicong from invading Cambodia!
It will be a sweet victory Cambodian to drag the Thaicong into protracted guerrilla warfare and to destroy their economy and civil society at the same time! And to see Malaysia and Burma surpass them in economic, military, and politic will help Cambodia greatly! In Southeast Asia, it is Cambodia that has the responsibility to do the check and balance on the Thaicong and the Vietcong from dominating mainland South-east Asia!
So much hatred here.
For your information, this is what our (Thai) Interior Minister said in Parliament. I summarize and paraphrase, of course.
What's the problem here? Preah Vihear temple is theirs, so they have the right to register it with UNESCO.
Everyone recognizes that it belongs to Cambodia, so you rabid nationalists should calm down and actually consider the evidence instead of just spouting your hatred, it plays into the hand of people like Hun Sen. Plus, you don't want to have to repay us for a riot again do you? Especially when you don't understand the internal politics in Siam....
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