Sunday, June 21, 2009

Thailand raises Preah Vihear issue to divert attention away from its domestic political problems

20 June 2009
By Mom Sophon
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Click here to read the article in Khmer


An opposition MP indicated that Thailand is diverting its domestic political problem by blaming UNESCO for listing Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. Furthermore, he indicated that Thailand still refuses to accept responsibility for its armed clashes with Cambodia near the temple.
The above statement was a response by an opposition MP to the recent statement made by Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand PM, who told reporters that he wanted UNESCO’s World Heritage committee to review the listing of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple. Abhisit claimed that prior to the listing of the temple, there were no serious armed confrontations near the temple zone.

SRP MP Son Chhay declared: “We observe that the political problems in Thailand have not been resolved yet, therefore, every one of the Thai leaders used the Preah Vihear issue to divert attention from their domestic political problems and to calm down their population. For Cambodia, we believe that the government will take a number of measures. UNESCO cannot make a decision, and then revisits this decision again based on the will of a country.”

Son Chhay added that Cambodia has all the necessary rights based on the 1962 decision handed down by The Hague International Court of Justice, and on the decision made by the UNESCO World Heritage committee during its meeting in Quebec, Canada. Furthermore, Cambodia’s territorial integrity is also guaranteed by the Paris Peace Agreements.

On 20 June, HRP MP Yem Ponharith said that Thailand continues to pursue its violation on Cambodia’s territory, and it also continues to try to obtain benefits from Preah Vihear temple in spite of the fact that The Hague International Court of Justice had decided that the temple belongs to Cambodia.

Yem Ponharith said: “I believe that the way they [Thailand] talk, they seem to consider Preah Vihear temple as being theirs, and that’s why they ask for a review. Now, the [Cambodian] government should understand this issue clearly, it should not allow this situation to go on from one day to another anymore. I believe that this is a clear violation on our national independence and sovereignty.”

Last week, Hun Sen told reporters also that Thailand’s attempt to ask UNESCO to review the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site during UNESCO’s 33rd meeting in Spain in June will not be successful.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

ការរំលោភឈ្លានពានរបស់សៀមដែលចង់បានដីខ្មែរទាំងកំរោលនេះគឺជាបញ្ហារួមរបស់ខ្មែរយើងទាំងអស់គ្នា ដូច្នេះគ្រប់កូនខ្មែរត្រូវបញ្ហាញទឺកចិត្ត សាមគ្គីគ្នាដោយស្មោះត្រង់ដោយកុំយកទំនាស់
ផ្ទាល់ ខ្លួនមកកាត់កុងគ្នាដែលនាំឲ្យកំលាំងខ្មែរចុៈខ្សោយ។ ចូរកុំភ្លេចថារឿងផ្ទៃក្នុងរវាងខ្មែរយើងអាចជជែកគ្នាបាននៅថ្ងៃណាក៏បាន តែផ្ទុយទៅវិញបើសៀមយក​ព្រៈវិហារបានហើយ កុំសង្ឃឹមថាសៀមឲ្យវិញឲ្យសោះ។

Anonymous said...

cambodian need to make known to the international community that what thailand is doing is wrong, and its not just thailand, but vietnam also.

Anonymous said...

When we cried our hearts out that Thailand and Vietnam had been bad to to Cambodia for century after century, no one really believe us. How about now world? Can you see what we are trying to tell you?

Five provinces: Si Sa ket, Buriram, Chanthabori, Surin and Trat back to Cambodia , please.

Also 20 provinces in Kampuchea Krom or South vietnam back to Cambodia, please.

Anonymous said...

Cambodia must asking Thailand to joints all Prasat Temples in Thailand to joints also, because Thai King never built them anyway! Khmer King Suriyavarman, Javraman that had built them....Thai King are good in robbing and stealing from Khmer! the entire world read that....and knew that!

Anonymous said...

now the entire world can see for themselves what cambodia and khmer people have always experienced over the century the loss of our lands, temples, territories, etc... yes, now the world can see them in action, not just history in the textbook anymore. all khmer must unite and fight to take back all of our lands lost to these historical enemies!

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Abhisit,

It is ridiculous that such in the powerful position as the PM of a country, you dare to try to claim a share of ownership with Cambodia on Preah Vihear. Please answer these questions, Mr. Abhisit:

1. Does Preah Vihear belong to Thailand?
2. Who has the rights to register Preah Vihear as the world heritage?
3. Did the UNESCO NOT know anything about who is the owner oh Preah Vihear?
4. How many state members voted for Preah Vihear Registration and stated this world heritage in the territory of Cambodia?
5. Do you think the UNESCO did not have any thorough study on the site before deciding to register Preah Vihear as the world heritage?
6. Do you have a real degree from Oxford?
7. Have you ever had a mental problem?
8. How did you manage to become the PM of Thailand?

If registering Preah Vihear as the world heritage involves the regional peace and stability, why don't you cry for any other registered heritages such as Pyramids in Egypt, the Great Wall of China, or Taj Mahal in India? I advise you to do the following so that you can claim some more world heritages from other countries. You, Mr. Aphasit should send some troops to fight Egypt, China or India and cry out to UNESCO that the fighting breaks out and there is no peace in the region and the world, so you ask the UNSESCO to reconsider the registration of Pyramids, Great wall, and Taj Mahal. It could be possible you may get one for your country interest.

Oh My God! Mr. Abhisit.! Please go to school again.

These days, the sins Thais have committed for along time against the Cambodians have splashed back to all stupid Thais. These are Buddhist curses:

1. The stupid Thai leaders became greedily unaware of the international laws and agreements/MOU
2. Tsunami has hit this Country.
3. In the southern part of Thailand the Muslim people stand up for their freedom and independence.
4. Thailand is known only for sex industry esp. in Pattaya.
5. Thailand tries to be hostile with all neighbors such as Myanmar (badly treating Burmese ethnics), Laos (fierce fighting in the 1980s), Malaysia (alleging Malaysia for supporting the Muslim rebel, and Cambodia (trying to claim Cambodia-owned Preah Vihear)
6. The bloody hatred between the Yellow-shirt and the red shirt supports in the BKK.
7. The crazy yellow shirt demonstration leader (who said during the demonstration that occupying the international airport in BKKwas fun?!?...) became the Minister of FA.
9. The country leaders usually come to power through the coups or street demonstrations.
10. The country has the most cases of H1N1 (about more than 500) in ASEAN region.

Thailand claims as a Buddhist country but disregards the Buddha teaching: Avoiding cheating people, avoiding telling lies, avoiding greed, and showing sympathy…..

May Buddha bless Cambodia!
May Buddha help Thailand turn as humans!

Cambodia

Mr. Abhisit,

The greedier you are, the more dangers you will encounter. You remember, you were almost killed in a plane clash in Cambodia. That was why you delayed your trip for five hours back to your country. Your plane has a technical error!!

Another thing you must remember too is that about three or four weeks ago, your FA Minister Kasit was almost killed by a lightning strike in Koh Kong when he was trying to come to take the road to PP. Another Person who was almost shot dead in BKK a month ago was Sondhi who unusually shows unreasonable hatred to Cambodians. Take Care, Mr. Abhisit!!

HBO, Cambodia

Anonymous said...

I agree with son chhaiy, Thai PM is learning the lesson from Cambodia, Creat one Problem to Solve another one.

Anonymous said...

"An opposition MP indicated that Thailand is diverting its domestic political problem by blaming UNESCO for listing Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. Furthermore, he indicated that Thailand still refuses to accept responsibility for its armed clashes with Cambodia near the temple."

When Thai invaded Capital Lung Vek in 1594, did they have any political problem in their country?
We have lost most parts of our land to the Thai. We, Khmer, should look back to the history, and remember that they will always violate our sovereignty if we are not united and not strong enough.