18/06/2009
Bangkok Post
The government is renewing its campaign against the registration of Preah Vihear temple as a Cambodian World Heritage site.
The move comes as Cambodia plans to present a report to the World Heritage Committee, which last year approved its sole application to list the temple as a heritage site.
Thailand protested unsuccessfully that the site should be listed in a joint application by both countries.
The WHC also ordered formation of a seven-nation committee to manage the site.
The decision by the cabinet on Tuesday comes as the WHC opens a crucial meeting on Monday in Seville, Spain.
Cambodia will submit a progress report after successfully pushing for the ancient temple to be put on the World Heritage list last year.
The listing issue, which strained ties between the two neighbours, culminated in several border clashes as Thailand and Cambodia fought for control of the 4.6 sq km area close to the temple.
Thailand will restate its position at the meeting in Seville.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will lead the Thai World Heritage Committee to the meeting.
Thailand's grounds for opposition are that the Preah Vihear listing could violate the registration process and was in breach of the principles of world heritage stipulated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.
The registration compounds conflicts instead of promoting the area for cultural conservation and tourism for the people of both countries and tourists in general.
"I would like to see peace in the area and people from both sides benefit from a joint listing of this site," Mr Abhisit said.
Thailand remains firm that joint listing of the temple is the best solution.
The listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage location was not on the agenda when Mr Abhisit met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh last Friday.
The two leaders have pledged to use peaceful means to resolve the disputes over the area.
Mr Abhisit said the government was able to explain the reasons behind its move against the Preah Vihear registration.
Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said the cabinet decision was in line with a decision by the Thai World Heritage Committee on May 20 to oppose the listing. He denied Thailand wanted to enter into a new conflict with Cambodia.
The joint listing would benefit both nations because development of the World Heritage site would cover not only the temple but also its immediate vicinity, where there were historical and cultural artefacts.
As the serving members of the 12-member WHC are retiring, Thailand will nominate Pisit Charoenwongsa, director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation - Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts, and Sawitree Suwansathit, former deputy permanent secretary for education, as candidates. Mr Teera said if Thailand could join the committee, it could follow the Preah Vihear issue closely.
The move comes as Cambodia plans to present a report to the World Heritage Committee, which last year approved its sole application to list the temple as a heritage site.
Thailand protested unsuccessfully that the site should be listed in a joint application by both countries.
The WHC also ordered formation of a seven-nation committee to manage the site.
The decision by the cabinet on Tuesday comes as the WHC opens a crucial meeting on Monday in Seville, Spain.
Cambodia will submit a progress report after successfully pushing for the ancient temple to be put on the World Heritage list last year.
The listing issue, which strained ties between the two neighbours, culminated in several border clashes as Thailand and Cambodia fought for control of the 4.6 sq km area close to the temple.
Thailand will restate its position at the meeting in Seville.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will lead the Thai World Heritage Committee to the meeting.
Thailand's grounds for opposition are that the Preah Vihear listing could violate the registration process and was in breach of the principles of world heritage stipulated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.
The registration compounds conflicts instead of promoting the area for cultural conservation and tourism for the people of both countries and tourists in general.
"I would like to see peace in the area and people from both sides benefit from a joint listing of this site," Mr Abhisit said.
Thailand remains firm that joint listing of the temple is the best solution.
The listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage location was not on the agenda when Mr Abhisit met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh last Friday.
The two leaders have pledged to use peaceful means to resolve the disputes over the area.
Mr Abhisit said the government was able to explain the reasons behind its move against the Preah Vihear registration.
Culture Minister Teera Slukpetch said the cabinet decision was in line with a decision by the Thai World Heritage Committee on May 20 to oppose the listing. He denied Thailand wanted to enter into a new conflict with Cambodia.
The joint listing would benefit both nations because development of the World Heritage site would cover not only the temple but also its immediate vicinity, where there were historical and cultural artefacts.
As the serving members of the 12-member WHC are retiring, Thailand will nominate Pisit Charoenwongsa, director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation - Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts, and Sawitree Suwansathit, former deputy permanent secretary for education, as candidates. Mr Teera said if Thailand could join the committee, it could follow the Preah Vihear issue closely.
10 comments:
Cambodian Town
Long Beach, Ca
Keeps dreaming PM.Abhisit Vejjajiva, but UNESCO will not fool by your cabinet and Thais in Bangkok.
New Phally
Thailand can share the listing of Preah Vihear as the world hearitage at only one condition to change Thailand name into Khmer Empire. They have to accepte that they are descendent of khmer civilisation and has to abandon all their present Thais language and thais scripture. Areak Prey
Ah Phally CPP shit,
If your comment serves your ignorance and stupidity, I won't stop you.
PPU
And I am a son of a Viet's slut, so bite me.
PPU
pretty soon, it'll tickle the UN security councils, let alone unesco. the siem thugs are dreaming again! god bless cambodia.
Areak Prey is right! May areak prey protects cambodia from ah Thais black shits!
Ah PPU ate his own mother pussy! Ah thork tiep niss! Ah jong Rei!!
Ah PPU suck YOUN dick! and ate his own mother pussy! Ah Pleu jkout!
You thais! can you do anything better than just trying to make wicked plan and steal from others?????????????? Siems are cheap bastards!!!!!!!!!
Fucking Just take a Jow Maseat Thai to WORLD COURT again.. FUCKING assholes always trying to benefit out of Cambodian heart and soul!
Cambodia Must not ALSO agree to joint explore the oil reserves with thailand, because they have taken so much of the ocean areas already!
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