Suthep to visit Hun Sen as good friends ... and he'll drag along Thailand's Defense minister?!?!

"If he [Mr Suthep] wishes to discuss Thailand withdrawing its troops from our soil, then we will talk about that." HUN SEN, CAMBODIAN PRIME MINISTER

Suthep says temple not up for talks

Visit is private matter among two friends

26/06/2009
BANGKOK POST and AGENCIES

"We need to change the way we teach history. Our approach has bred hatred and hostility towards our neighbours" Dr Prawase Wasi, Thai social critic

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban is insisting his visit to Phnom Penh on Saturday will go ahead despite Cambodian leader Hun Sen's refusal to discuss the Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Suthep, who will be accompanied by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, said the trip would be in a private capacity with neither the listing of the temple nor the dispute about overlapping territory on the agenda.

Mr Suthep was originally assigned by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to clarify Thailand has taken a fresh stance against the listing of the temple by the World Heritage Committee (WHC), which was approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

"There will be no talks on the disputed territories or the Preah Vihear temple or anything of that sort. I am going there because we are good friends," Mr Suthep said, referring to Hun Sen.

The deputy prime minister will hold talks with Hun Sen at the Cambodian prime minister's house near Phnom Penh.

Gen Prawit echoed Mr Suthep's comments, saying Preah Vihear would not be discussed. He said he had no message for Cambodia.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has been in Seville, Spain, voicing Thailand's opposition to Cambodia's unilateral listing of the temple with the WHC and Unesco.

The Thai decision to raise the Preah Vihear issue has upset the Cambodian prime minister, although Mr Abhisit said the Thai campaign was to express its opposition only to the WHC and Unesco without mentioning Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia remain locked in a dispute over the overlapping territory near the temple.

"It is not necessary for us to discuss this plan because this is a Thai suggestion and has nothing to do with Cambodia," Hun Sen said yesterday in a speech at a university graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh.

"But if he [Mr Suthep] wishes to discuss Thailand withdrawing its troops from our soil, then we will talk about that. This is my message for him before he decides to visit Cambodia."

Hun Sen said Cambodia would hold national celebrations on July 7 to mark the first anniversary of the Unesco ruling.

"I will call on monks throughout the country to beat drums to celebrate this occasion. There will be a concert in Phnom Penh and similar celebrations in the provinces."

Social critic Prawase Wasi yesterday voiced support for the government's objection to Cambodia's listing of the temple, but warned the conflict might escalate and asked the government to use diplomacy to avert violent confrontation.

He also suggested that nationalism be dropped from the Education Ministry's history curriculum.

"We need to change the way we teach history. Our approach has bred hatred and hostility towards our neighbours," Dr Prawase said.

Tension at the border near Preah Vihear has risen after the Thai decision to raise the temple issue again. There have been reports of troop reinforcements near the temple and the disputed area.

Commander of the 2nd Army Wibulsak Neepal said the army was monitoring the Cambodian troop movements closely and would arrange Thai security forces to match them.

"Our troops are ready to respond to any situation," Lt Gen Wibulsak said. "However I have instructed soldiers to exercise utmost patience to any sign of provocation."

Boonmee Buaton, chairman of the Sao Thong Chai Tambon Administrative Organisation in the area, said Thai and Cambodian troops were a few metres away in the stand-off but they were still on friendly terms.

"But villagers are advised not to go into the forests along the border. They could step on landmines or be arrested by Cambodian troops," he said.

Due to the border tension, the Khao Phra Viharn National Park will remain closed to tourists indefinitely, said Kasemsan Jinnawaso, chief of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

The park's closure will continue for safety reasons as Thai and Cambodian troops are beefing up security, he said.