Tuesday, July 01, 2008

[Thai] Court queried over temple declaration

Tuesday July 01, 2008
Bangkok Post REPORTERS

A group of senators has asked the Constitution Court to urgently determine whether the joint communique on the Preah Vihear temple, signed by foreign minister Noppadon Pattama, violates the constitution. The 77 senators yesterday sent their petition through Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, who said he will treat the matter as a ''serious problem'' and promised to quickly forward the issue to the charter court.

The move came two days before Unesco starts its 32nd session of the World Heritage Committee in Canada tomorrow.

Cambodia's proposal to list the nearly millennium-old Hindu ruins as a World Heritage site will be considered by the committee in the session.

The senators want the court to look into the legality of the joint declaration on July 18, which Mr Noppadon signed, declaring Thailand's support for Cambodia's application.

Doubts have been raised as to whether the declaration is considered an international treaty that affects the country's sovereignty, which requires parliamentary endorsement under Article 190 of the constitution.

Mr Noppadon, also a legal expert, is confident the joint communique is not classified under the definition stated in the article. The cabinet also endorsed the joint communique.

''The court will have the final say,'' said Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul.

''Only by approaching this issue in the correct manner will we avoid souring relations between the two countries.''

Phnom Penh wants Bangkok to certify its redrawn map, covering the temple areas to be submitted to Unesco.

Last Saturday, the Administrative Court handed down a temporary injunction against the cabinet resolution to endorse the joint communique.

The case was filed by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

However, it is still unclear whether the government will follow or appeal against the court's order.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej left the country yesterday for a five-day visit to China and Brunei.

''This is a very important issue and we have to consider many opinions, especially that of the Prime Minister,'' said Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

However, Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat hinted yesterday that the government may obey the court's verdict. He saw no reason to appeal, because the judges only want the government to suspend the cabinet's resolution during the ongoing inquiry into the case. The court did not mean to revoke the joint communique, he said.

But Amorn Chantarasomboon, former secretary-general of the Council of State, said yesterday he wanted the government to make the appeal so that Thai people would know whether the government, whose approval is backed by the Royal Thai Survey Department and Foreign Ministry's Treaties and Legal Affairs, is at fault as accused.

Yesterday, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva submitted a protest letter to the Unesco office in Bangkok to oppose the joint communique. He also vowed that he would do ''everything possible' to make the cabinet review its controversial resolution.

Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit has ordered soldiers of the Suranaree military taskforce, which oversees the Thai-Cambodian border, to keep a close watch on ongoing protests by Thai villagers against the listing of Preah Vihear.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please respect the international law. Thai people must move back to the original border line drawn by French in 1907.

Anonymous said...

There is no law against people who wants their stolen land back.

Anonymous said...

Why only the Thais make noises about this Preah Vihear saga? Why we not thinking of these possibilities. So far the Cambodia side is muted in details of the talks between the two countries over this issue, no transparency at all. The Cambodian people are kept in the dark about the details of the agreement.

It could be that the Thais are protesting to hide the fact, to help the current ruling party (CPP) in Cambodia. This would give a false perception to the Khmer people that the Cambodian Government is strong in negotiation over the Preah Vihear issue, thus a great advantage in the up coming election for the government. In fact Cambodia is the one that disadvantaged and lost in territories in this negotiation of the Preah Vihear issue.

The noises that the Thais are making are to calm and to keep the Khmer people at bay and help the CPP in this election in July. That is why you hear nothing from the Cambodian government and the Cambodian public on this issue.

Anonymous said...

The Siam is trying to legitimize their claim through the Siam court.

Sorry Siam the decision in 1962 cannot be revoked, this is not Siam court baby.

Can you say "International Court"?

Anonymous said...

This is just a show from the Siam for the Khmer to fall in their trap.

They want us to confront them on the the 1962 decision.

But we don't need to confront them on something that we already won, Preah Vihear is Khmer property.

Anonymous said...

Even 1907 border from the French, there is no coming back. This is the border that they agree with the French, the Siam signs the paper so this decision stays too.

So the commotion in Siamland won't change a thing. You are free to make more noise if it makes you happy.

Anonymous said...

Yes, but Kangaroo court was controlled by the French. They ignored many facts about the Khmer in Thailand.

In any case, the Thai had reserved their rights fpr an appeal to overturn the Kangaroo court verdict.

Anonymous said...

Siam reserve the right to overturn.
Are you kidding???

I think Geneva has more power than the Siam.

By the way Cambodia borders was determine by Geneva convention. So all the border dispute with us is just a waste of time.

Keep dreaming Siam.

Anonymous said...

If there was any Geneva convention during the colonial period, then it has to be fake.

Anonymous said...

Do you know why Geneva Court exist?

Well to prevent rogue country to put anarchy in the world.

Can Siamland be branded as rogue country???

The answer is yes, because you try to invalidate International Court.

So good luck in your commotion in Siamland.

Anonymous said...

Dumbass the 1907 agreement was also included in Geneva Convention.

Anonymous said...

Sorry folks, Cambodian borders was registered in Geniva, nothing to do with Geniva Convention (Geniva Convention), little mistake.

Anonymous said...

Bora Touc paper webiste:

http://www.preah-vihear.com/

Anonymous said...

fucking a siam baly keep your mouth shut idiot.

Anonymous said...

10:12 AM

Why should we respect the internation law -- when the United States has repeatedly violated them; they had never been prosecuted.

As per us, we can certainly disregard the law -- if we wanted to -- we'll invade Cambodia, and there's nothing Cambodia can do to stop us.

In fact, no one(in the world), at least these days, plays by the rules. Why should we?!

Anonymous said...

evasion thailandais au cambodge? hahaha !!cela me fait rire enormement !
je suis un khmer qui vis en france et si la thailande envahis le cambodge,je suis pret a defendre ma patrie!
la thailande ne nous fais pas peur !ce sont des poules mouilles !!

Anonymous said...

Thailand suspends support for temple bid
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 07/01/2008 02:55:18 AM PDT


BANGKOK, Thailand—Thailand has suspended its decision to support Cambodia's bid to have an 11th century temple near the Thai border declared a world landmark, the deputy prime minister said Tuesday.
The Cabinet's decision came three days after the Administrative Court issued an injunction to temporarily suspend a Cabinet resolution backing Cambodia's application to UNESCO for the Preah Vihear temple to be designated a World Heritage Site.

"The Cabinet agreed to suspend the resolution," said Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. "The Thai government will inform UNESCO and Cambodia on its decision."

Saturday's court order to temporarily suspend the resolution was issued at the request of the People's Alliance for Democracy, a Thai group opposed to the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

The dispute surrounding the ancient temple continues to fuel nationalist sentiment in Thailand.

A small amount of territory adjacent to the temple remains in dispute, and critics claim cooperation with Cambodia over the heritage site application would jeopardize Thai claims to it.

The court's action is a political embarrassment for the government, which is fighting accusations by opponents both inside and outside parliament that it ceded Thai territory to Cambodia. The issue was raised as one of the reasons why Samak should step down.

The ruling applies to a Cabinet resolution that endorsed a Cambodian map of Preah Vihear temple, as well as a joint communique signed June 18 in which Thailand said it supported Cambodia's bid. The communique specifically said the application had no bearing on territorial claims by the countries.
But in its ruling, the Administrative Court said the communique "might undermine Thailand's future standing on the territorial dispute."

Cambodia has an internationally recognized claim over Preah Vihear temple and does not need Thai support for its application.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced aspects of the more famous Angkor Wat in northwestern Cambodia.

Last week, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong accused Thai opposition politicians of exploiting the cross-border dispute to advance their own domestic political agenda and warned they might endanger bilateral relations.

The Cambodian government plans to propose Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site during a meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on July 2-10 in Quebec, Canada.


Posted by: John Doe

Anonymous said...

Thank you 5:37 PM. Let me repeat the facts again for Ah Siems that either with or without Ah Siems support, Khmer Preah Vihear will move forward.

(1) Cambodia has an internationally recognized claim over Preah Vihear temple and does not need Thai support for its application.

(2)In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced aspects of the more famous Angkor Wat in northwestern Cambodia.

(3)The Cambodian government plans to propose Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site during a meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on July 2-10 in Quebec, Canada.

Khmer LIVE and WE will once again dominate Southeast Asia politically, religiously, economically, socially, and peacefully. Amen.

Anonymous said...

Khmer in Thailand will rest until all aggressors are ousted from their land.

Anonymous said...

Correction: Khmer in Thailand will NOT rest until all aggressors are ousted from their land.

Anonymous said...

7:14PM ask me if I care.

Hahahaha...

Anonymous said...

10:12AM

Keep dreaming!!!

Can you say "international embargo against Siamland".

Anonymous said...

I believe the Thai government use khmer in Thailand as political purpose(gain )
*I don't believe khmer in Thailand oppose this kind of matter.
*I believe khmer in Vietnam,khmer in Thailand and khmer in Cambodia are in one=Become the kingdom of Cambodia.
May God bless the kingdom of Cambodia,Thank you lord!!!

Anonymous said...

It isn't that tough, 7:50. They could easily drive them (aggressors) off the 600 meter cliff. It's a long fall, dude, and I ain't gonna get involved in that mess.

Anonymous said...

First come first serve!

Anonymous said...

Who the hell would want to fight at the edge of a 600 meters cliff surrounded by enemy. It sounds so stupid.

Anonymous said...

that's your problem not ours! god bless cambodia.