By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will likely face a tough stance from Cambodian Premier Hun Sen when they meet in Phnom Penh tomorrow to discuss the Preah Vihear Temple.
Suthep was assigned by Prime Minsiter Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is currently on an official visit to China, to discuss the sensitive issue with the Cambodian leader, who yesterday seemed to reject any comprehensive peace talks with Thailand.
Tensions have escalated at the Thai-Cambodian border, with Thailand's Second Army Area commander Lt General Wiboonsak Neeparn having rotated troops at Preah Vihear so that they are fresh and ready for a possible attack from Cambodia.
Cambodia has already boosted its presence in the border area.
Wiboonsak said his forces would exercise utmost restraint to prevent a military clash with Cambodia for the safety of Thai residents in the area.
Reflecting his tough position, Hun Sen was quoted by China's official Xinhua news agency as saying: "I will not listen to him [Suthep] about a clarification of jointly developing and jointly registering Preah Vihear Temple.
"But if he talks about the withdrawal of Thai troops from our soil, we can talk and welcome him."
"This is my message for him before he decides to visit Cambodia," Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony at a university in Phnom Penh.
The controversialHindu Khmer temple came under the spotlight again after the Thai Cabinet decided last week to maintain its objection to the site's World Heritage status, even though it was listed last July.
Bangkok's move has disappointed Phnom Penh, whose plan for safeguarding and developing the site has been delayed.
Cambodia also cannot convene a meeting of the International Coordination Committee scheduled since February, as Thailand has been reluctant to accept an invitation to sit on the panel.
Suthep is due to visit Phnom Penh tomorrow to explain the Thai position that it has no gripe with Cambodia, but has a problem with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Abhisit said on Wednesday that his government's move was aimed at preventing Unesco and other countries from getting involved in the areas claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti attended the 33rd meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Spain this week to reaffirm the Thai stance, but Cambodian media reported that the committee had dismissed the Thai complaint.
Thailand also expressed its desire to participate in a joint nomination of Preah Vihear, but Hun Sen said the temple belongs to Cambodia, according to the 1962 verdict of the International Court of Justice.
Thailand is not a co-owner of that property, he said, asserting that the Preah Vihear Temple is now humanity's heritage.
The territorial dispute over Preah Vihear began when the World Heritage Committee decided last July to have the popular tourist attraction inscribed on its list of World Heritage sites, causing discontent among Thai nationalists and the then-opposition Democrat Party.
The dispute ignited two border skirmishes in October and April, which left at least four soldiers on both sides dead.
Cambodia wants all troops withdrawn from the overlapping areas.
The National Park of Phra Viharn, which is the gateway to Preah Vihear from the Thai side, has been closed for security reasons since the April clash.
A plan to reopen it next month has been suspended for an indefinite period, said Kasemsan Jinnawaso, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.
Suthep was assigned by Prime Minsiter Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is currently on an official visit to China, to discuss the sensitive issue with the Cambodian leader, who yesterday seemed to reject any comprehensive peace talks with Thailand.
Tensions have escalated at the Thai-Cambodian border, with Thailand's Second Army Area commander Lt General Wiboonsak Neeparn having rotated troops at Preah Vihear so that they are fresh and ready for a possible attack from Cambodia.
Cambodia has already boosted its presence in the border area.
Wiboonsak said his forces would exercise utmost restraint to prevent a military clash with Cambodia for the safety of Thai residents in the area.
Reflecting his tough position, Hun Sen was quoted by China's official Xinhua news agency as saying: "I will not listen to him [Suthep] about a clarification of jointly developing and jointly registering Preah Vihear Temple.
"But if he talks about the withdrawal of Thai troops from our soil, we can talk and welcome him."
"This is my message for him before he decides to visit Cambodia," Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony at a university in Phnom Penh.
The controversial
Bangkok's move has disappointed Phnom Penh, whose plan for safeguarding and developing the site has been delayed.
Cambodia also cannot convene a meeting of the International Coordination Committee scheduled since February, as Thailand has been reluctant to accept an invitation to sit on the panel.
Suthep is due to visit Phnom Penh tomorrow to explain the Thai position that it has no gripe with Cambodia, but has a problem with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Abhisit said on Wednesday that his government's move was aimed at preventing Unesco and other countries from getting involved in the areas claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti attended the 33rd meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Spain this week to reaffirm the Thai stance, but Cambodian media reported that the committee had dismissed the Thai complaint.
Thailand also expressed its desire to participate in a joint nomination of Preah Vihear, but Hun Sen said the temple belongs to Cambodia, according to the 1962 verdict of the International Court of Justice.
Thailand is not a co-owner of that property, he said, asserting that the Preah Vihear Temple is now humanity's heritage.
The territorial dispute over Preah Vihear began when the World Heritage Committee decided last July to have the popular tourist attraction inscribed on its list of World Heritage sites, causing discontent among Thai nationalists and the then-opposition Democrat Party.
The dispute ignited two border skirmishes in October and April, which left at least four soldiers on both sides dead.
Cambodia wants all troops withdrawn from the overlapping areas.
The National Park of Phra Viharn, which is the gateway to Preah Vihear from the Thai side, has been closed for security reasons since the April clash.
A plan to reopen it next month has been suspended for an indefinite period, said Kasemsan Jinnawaso, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.
12 comments:
go back home, thug suthep!
If he goes to Cambodia on a private visit, why should our PM meet him? It's just a waste of time. In stead, if requested, Hun Sen should give him a tourist or historical guide so that he knows who his ancestors are.
Guy,
There's something really fishy going on with HUNXEN/Suthep meeting private at home"Takhmao"? i just hope that Hun Sen still stand firms for what he had said! what i'm worry about is, that Hun Sen might agree with Thailand on something? and why Thailand promise to withrawal their troops? huh? what ta hell is going on here...? these two playing another games cat/mouse?
Never ever agree with Thailand on our 4.6km lands! don't tell me, you gonna split this fucken lands half/half with Ah Thai-thieft....don't you dare Mr. Hun Sen!
Yes, Hun Sen might SELL some fraction of the 4.6 km2 and share some of that with field commanders in return for Thai troops withdrawal. Thais were able to do that with Mongolese commander hundred years ago.
This scenario might be possible based on previous experience. If Hun Sen really loves to protect our homeland, he must choose a better option i.e. take him to the Golf field and talk about fishing or why Thais never abide by the rules or agreements.
If he dare to sell the land, he will surely be punished. I have a strong feeling that our Ancestors are back and keep their eyes on any traitor.
Surya
Let kill the Thai King.
Surya
Note => Surya at 7:58 AM is not the same person for Surya at 7:16 AM.
Peace can only be prevail with respect. With Khmer dignity in mind, Surya at 7:16 AM respects people of any race very much.
Surya
Dear Sorya , we khmer respect all races. Thing you need to understand is the two races Khmer neihbours they always say what you do say! these two races are just to make their vocals sound good, but the realty is they want to read your mind, how, when cant they take adventage on you. These two neihbours races have plenty of embicious mind to kill you eliminate your race take over your land dominating you, steal, steal and steal from you, Just look at this current conflict with fake Siamese Mother, how Siamese say what Siamese doing to Khmer it's all opposit way. It's not like the refugees embeding in westerners countries totally different.
Think wisely dear!
Me louv every body.
Me so Hor....ny.
Me louv yu lon time.
Surya
Dear Thai Army Commander,
Please let your troop go out of Cambodian territory around Preah Vihear Temple. You must not force them to stay in the Khmer Vat Keosikhakirisvara under the rain, storm, lightening, mosquitoes which frighten them a lot that let their life in danger. More than that they are in the ambush of the Cambodian army. They would be killed by the Cambodians very easily. So why during the last fightings, they were surrendered earlier to avoid the killing. And the Cambodians are very kind that they do not want to kill them because they are mercenary of the Thai King or someone who pay them for their labour in Cambodia and some of them are Khmers Surin who can speak khmer with me when I talked to them.
Dear Thai Army and mercenary forces,
Please go out by yourselves because staying here is non sense except you are prone to killings. You come back to your family who are waiting for you every minutes. Please go back and let your life easily in your home and not staying here as target for the next fightings.
Good luck to every body on your return. Do not stay on some body land; it is not a rightful and lawful way of life. Please throw your guns and go. No one will stop you.
In the fighting, we will kill you for illegal entry into our land. In the Vat, there are Khmer monks and nuns and Achars... No Thais there, why you claim that it is your land?
Thank you.
Signed: Mr. Ly S. San
In case Mr. PM Suthep Thaugsuban, the Thai Military Commander is a Khmer descent, he will be free to come to the Kingdom of Khmer, but as a Thai politician, please stay outside of the Khmer territorial.
ហេ អា ភីភីយូ (PPU) អាឯងចង់បៀម ក្ដ ឪ អា
ឯងទេអាចុយម៉្រាយ???
ពីអញ ឪអាភីភីយូ (PPU)
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