DPA
Bangkok - A decision by UNESCO to designate a Hindu temple in Cambodia to the World Heritage list added to Thailand's political instability Tuesday when a court ruled the government's controversial efforts to support the listing as unconstitutional. Thailand's Constitution Court on Tuesday ruled that Foreign Minister Noppodon Pattama had violated the constitution by signing a joint communique with Cambodia last month that initially gave Thailand's support for the heritage listing of the temple, which has been the source of disputes between the two neighbouring countries for decades.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, who heads the opposition Democrat Party, vowed to seek an impeachment for Noppodon for violating the constitution.
The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at a meeting in Quebec on Monday decided to list Preah Vihear, a stunning clifftop temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva perched on the mountain range that defines the Thai-Cambodian border, as a new heritage site.
The Cambodian proposal was first supported and then opposed by Thailand, which lost the temple site in a border dispute to Cambodia in a International Court of Justice case in 1962.
Although Thailand accepted the 1962 ruling it opposed Cambodia's previous efforts to list the temple at UNESCO in 2006 and 2007 on the grounds that part of the temple compound is still the subject of a border dispute.
It is unclear whether the inscription approved in Quebec included the disputed grounds in the temple area.
Thailand's current government under Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej first supported the listing and even signed a joint communique with Cambodia on June 18 pledging its support.
The official support was withdrawn after the issue became a political hot potato and Thailand's Administrative Court on June 21 ordered the government to oppose the listing.
Noppodon travelled to Quebec over the weekend to personally oppose the listing, but failed.
On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that Noppadon had violated the constitution by signing the joint communique on June 18 with Phnom Penh without first consulting parliament.
Article 190 of the constitution states that any decisions which could affect Thai national sovereignty must be considered by parliament.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry refused to comment immediately on the listing of Preah Vihear, which is called Phra Viharn in Thailand.
"The Phra Viharn affair has the makings of the Shin Corp deal. It could oust the government," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's prestigious Chulalongkorn University.
In January 2006, former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family sold their shares in the Thaskin-founded Shin Corp - Thailand's largest telecommunications conglomerate - in a 2 billion dollar tax free deal that is often cited as the beginning of the downfall for the populist prime minister.
Thaksin, a billionaire businessman who was premier between 2001 to 2006, was eventually toppled by a coup in September 2006.
Anti-government protestors and the opposition Democrat Party have both jumped on the current administration's initial support for the Cambodian proposal to list Preah Vihear for political mileage.
Although the government later withdrew its support, there was widespread dissatisfaction with the handling of the issue and suspicions that Noppodon had backed the Cambodians to benefit his former boss, Thaksin, in rumoured business deals in Cambodia.
Noppodon was once Thaksin's personal lawyer. He belongs to the People Power Party (PPP), which is known to back and be backed by Thaksin, and is headed by Prime Minister Samak, a Thaksin ally.
"If Noppodon remains defiant and the Samak government doesn't come out with some responsive measures to placate the nationalistic mood, there will be problems," predicted Thitinan.
Samak's government is already under mounting pressure to resign. Thousands of protestors have been demonstrating in Bangkok against Samak's rule since late May. A blistering censure debate against his cabinet took place in June and several court cases are pending this month against members of his cabinet.
The opposition Democrat Party highlighted the Preah Vihear issue in its censure debate to question the government's integrity.
"I'm sure no people would accept the idea that their people could somehow trade off territory or sovereignty for business interests," Democrat leader Abhisit told a recent press gathering.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, who heads the opposition Democrat Party, vowed to seek an impeachment for Noppodon for violating the constitution.
The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at a meeting in Quebec on Monday decided to list Preah Vihear, a stunning clifftop temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva perched on the mountain range that defines the Thai-Cambodian border, as a new heritage site.
The Cambodian proposal was first supported and then opposed by Thailand, which lost the temple site in a border dispute to Cambodia in a International Court of Justice case in 1962.
Although Thailand accepted the 1962 ruling it opposed Cambodia's previous efforts to list the temple at UNESCO in 2006 and 2007 on the grounds that part of the temple compound is still the subject of a border dispute.
It is unclear whether the inscription approved in Quebec included the disputed grounds in the temple area.
Thailand's current government under Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej first supported the listing and even signed a joint communique with Cambodia on June 18 pledging its support.
The official support was withdrawn after the issue became a political hot potato and Thailand's Administrative Court on June 21 ordered the government to oppose the listing.
Noppodon travelled to Quebec over the weekend to personally oppose the listing, but failed.
On Tuesday, Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that Noppadon had violated the constitution by signing the joint communique on June 18 with Phnom Penh without first consulting parliament.
Article 190 of the constitution states that any decisions which could affect Thai national sovereignty must be considered by parliament.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry refused to comment immediately on the listing of Preah Vihear, which is called Phra Viharn in Thailand.
"The Phra Viharn affair has the makings of the Shin Corp deal. It could oust the government," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's prestigious Chulalongkorn University.
In January 2006, former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra's family sold their shares in the Thaskin-founded Shin Corp - Thailand's largest telecommunications conglomerate - in a 2 billion dollar tax free deal that is often cited as the beginning of the downfall for the populist prime minister.
Thaksin, a billionaire businessman who was premier between 2001 to 2006, was eventually toppled by a coup in September 2006.
Anti-government protestors and the opposition Democrat Party have both jumped on the current administration's initial support for the Cambodian proposal to list Preah Vihear for political mileage.
Although the government later withdrew its support, there was widespread dissatisfaction with the handling of the issue and suspicions that Noppodon had backed the Cambodians to benefit his former boss, Thaksin, in rumoured business deals in Cambodia.
Noppodon was once Thaksin's personal lawyer. He belongs to the People Power Party (PPP), which is known to back and be backed by Thaksin, and is headed by Prime Minister Samak, a Thaksin ally.
"If Noppodon remains defiant and the Samak government doesn't come out with some responsive measures to placate the nationalistic mood, there will be problems," predicted Thitinan.
Samak's government is already under mounting pressure to resign. Thousands of protestors have been demonstrating in Bangkok against Samak's rule since late May. A blistering censure debate against his cabinet took place in June and several court cases are pending this month against members of his cabinet.
The opposition Democrat Party highlighted the Preah Vihear issue in its censure debate to question the government's integrity.
"I'm sure no people would accept the idea that their people could somehow trade off territory or sovereignty for business interests," Democrat leader Abhisit told a recent press gathering.
10 comments:
Bak Thai is going down!!!!!
Bravo! Khmer Dor Rong-Roeung!!!!
Jayo! Khmer empire!!!!
Dear Khmer sralanh cheart,
We have won the inscription of our pride Preah Vihear as a World Heritage, and we are very happy and proud of it.
But be cautious! because the surrounding areas about 4.6 square kilometres including cliffs and caves need to be fought before february 2009 before of the UNESCO COMMITTEE. We have to fight very hard to get it.
We have to ask whichever government after the election to be firm and ask UNESCO TO respect the decision the ruling of the International Court of Justice of The Hague of June 15, 1962
and the France-Siam treaties of 1904 and 1907, and not based on any new maps that may be submitted by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand that changes this delineation regarding the Preah Vihear Temple.
The United Cambodian Organizations and Associations in the Abroad
Constituted by:
1. Cambodian Action Committee for Justice & Equity (CACJE) of US, EU and Cambodia
2. Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP), Pennsylvania, USA
3. Yanathom du Grand Buddha Khmer of Quebec, Canada
4. Auckland Cambodian-Chinese Kung Luck Association, New Zealand
5. Mr. Yanavuth Tan, former President of Association des Ingenieurs Cambodgiens du Canada, CCAI
6. Association Culturelle du Cambodge, Lyon, France (ACC)
7. Khmer Krom Buddhist Temple of Canada
8. Wat Khmer Sativararam
9. Wat Khmer Dhammikaram of Motreal QC
10. Cambodian Americans For Human Rights and Democracy, Virginia, USA
11. Cambodian Association of Longview, Washington, USA
12. Coalition for a Free Cambodia, LLC, Florida, USA
_____________________________
July 3rd 2008
TO: Dr. Christina Cameron
President of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
First address: 7, Place de Fontennoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP France
Second address: 1 Rue Mollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15 France
CC: -H.E. Sok An, President of Cambodia UNESCO Committee
-Members of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
-International Court of Justice of The Hague
Subject: The inscription of the Cambodian temple of Preah Vihear to the UNESCO World Heritage List
Ref: The International Court of Justice of The Hague ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia and it is under the sovereignty and integrity of Cambodia in reference to the France-Siam Treaties of 1904 and 1907 Annex I Map.
In regards to the above subject, the United Cambodian Organizations and Associations in the Abroad, denounce and nullify any nonsensical proposal of extremist and expansionist Thais who are ignoring their own history and intend to block and delay the inscription of the Cambodian temple of PreahVihear onto the World Heritage List. Cambodia is a weak country and desires only to live peacefully with all neighboring countries.
No Thai group has the right to interfere with Cambodia’s sovereignty and property and Preah Vihear Temple is not the business of Thailand at all.
For the coming conference of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, on July 2 to 10, 2008 in Quebec, Canada, the United Cambodian Organizations and Associations in the Abroad ask the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to act in favor of the inscription of the Cambodian temple Preah Vihear onto the World
Heritage List in order to preserve and protect the Preah Vihear Temple as an inestimable heritage for humanity.
The United Cambodian Organizations and Associations in the Abroad in support of the Royal Government of Cambodia, encourage the inscription of the Cambodian temple of Preah Vihear onto the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Furthermore, the United Cambodian Organizations and Associations in the Abroad denounce and nullify any proposal that does not conform to the spirit and letter of the ruling of the International Court of Justice of The Hague of June 15, 1962.
The border delineation between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia must be based on the judgment of the International Court of Justice of The Hague of June 15, 1962 and in reference to the France-Siam treaties of 1904 and 1907, and not based on any new maps that may be submitted by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand that changes this delineation regarding the Preah Vihear Temple.
Sincerely
Serey Ratha SOURN
Cambodian Action Committee for Justice & Equity (CACJE)
Mr. Serey Ratha SOURN, Chief Mission, Email: cacje@cacje.com, Tel: 401-919-9954
For and in the name of:
1. Yanathom du Grand Buddha Khmer of Quebec of Canada
Mr. Horng Lam Srun, President, Email: yanathom@yanathom.org, Tel: 418-998-1347
2. Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Mr. Somrith Som, President, Email: somrith.som@gmail.com, Tel: 267-974-0239
3. Auckland Cambodian-Chinese Kung Luck Association, Auckland, New Zealand
Mr. Meng Ly QSM, Deputy of Chairman; Email: ly_enterprises@hotmail.com, Tel: 027-284-5077
4. former President of Association des Ingenieurs Cambodgiens du Canada, CCAI of Québec
Ayravuth Tan, Chef de Projet, Email: ayravuth.tan@aero.bombadier.com, Tel: 524-855-5001
5. Association Culturelle du Cambodge, Lyon, France (ACC)
Mr. Ly Peoung, President, Email: lypoeung@voila.fr, Tel: 33-9510-73185
6. Khmer Krom Buddhist Temple of Canada
Ven. Dhammo Thac Truong, Email: venthach6@hotmail.com, Tel: 905-664-5547
7. Wat Khmer Sativararam of Canada
Ven. Kimthan Srey, Tell: 591-737-8940
TO OUR BELOVED COMPATRIOTS,
THE ONLY WAY TO RETALIATE THE THIEF SIAM IS TO:
- BOYCOTT ALL THEIR PRODUCTS.
- CLOSE THE PREAH VIHEAR BORDER or all the border KHMER AH CHOR SIAM.
HUN SEN needs to declare war on the gayish Thai's soldiers.
Lets do it, I'm ready to spill blood for Cambodia.
Khmer will win!!!
The lowlife in Cambodia must returns the temple back to the rightful owner (Khmer people in Issan province.)
To the Khmer Issan in 2:38 AM. You do not represent the thai people in general. We are the REAL Thais believe that only small group of thai politicians and others are trying to disturb the good relationship of the two countries. We have never been against Cambodia for the listing of the temple.
You are not thai's friend, but thai's slave. You are disgrace and bring bad reputation to our thai people. So, stop your stupid dream of getting the temple. It belongs to Cambodia, not your stupid slave of our king. It is wasting off our thais money and time to educate stupid people like you.
that's thailand and siem thugs internal problem. cambodia is just upholding the 1962 icj verdict, which actually indicated that the legal map to go by is the 1904 - 1907 treaty map signed by their well-respected dead king chulalongkorn during that the time the treaty was signed in exchange to keep siam independent from colonialism of france. whether, siam would be a colony of france along with cambodia, laos, and vietnam during that time. and for thailand to violate that treaty is against the icj ruling, tantamount to contempt of court. this is so illegal and unjust of them to steal cambodia's land. this is a separate thing from the listing of cambodia's preah vihear temple. this the 4.6 km2 area we're talking about here.
good, i hope they all go to hell. karma? god bless cambodia.
3:15am, I don't know what you're talking about! Are you trying to say that you guys know nothing about the protest against the listing of Phreah Vihear? oh my god?! Are you that stupid or just pretending? Don't try to hide it. we all know you have been like this through out the history. So don't try to clean yourselves!
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