Tea Banh (R) and Prawit Wongsuwan (L) (Photo: AFP)By Jamaluddin Muhammad
BANGKOK, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand and Cambodia will miss an immediate available opportunity to sort out their border disputes after postponing their general border committee meeting scheduled for end of this month.
The postponement of the Aug 27 meeting in Pattaya was decided by its co-chair -- Thailand Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon and his Cambodian counterpart General Tea Banh.
Thai Defence Ministry said the meeting had to be postponed because several documents, including the agreements on the joint cooperation for the clearing of land mines, suppression of illicit drug and human trafficking, to be signed at the meeting, were not ready.
Political observers, however, believe that the postponement was to allow the "cooling off period" to take place in the wake of the rising tension between the two neighbours over the border issues.
The border committee meeting is among the mechanisms in which both countries seek to resolve the issues through the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on land boundary demarcation which they signed in 2000.
The Thai-Cambodia border disputes have now reached the United Nations when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote a letter to the world body on Sunday claiming that Thailand had threatened to use military force to resolve the problem.
"By seriously threatening to use military force against Cambodia to settle the problem of the border, Thailand flagrantly violates Article 2.3 and 2.4 of the United Nations Charter," Hun Sen said in the letter.
The two countries are at loggerheads over a 4.6 sq km area around the Preah Vihear Temple, with Thailand claiming the area as part of its Si Sa Ketskarntharalak district while Cambodia maintains that the area is within its Preah Vihear province.
The 11th century Hindu temple is located in the Cambodian territory as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962.
In 2008, Unesco listed the temple as a world heritage site, further straining the ties between the neighbours.
On July 29, the border issue heated up again when Cambodia submitted the management plan for the temple at the Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil.
This led to a protest from Thailand, which said that the plan included part of the disputed territory.
Thailand's Patriot Network, led by People's Alliance for Democracy leaders associated with the yellow shirts, held a protest in this capital city on Aug 7 demanding that the Thai government revoke the 2000 border memorandum of understanding.
The group claimed that Thailand was at a disadvantage, saying the memorandum was the source of the problem because it allowed Cambodians to trespass and settle in the disputed area.
Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva defended the memorandum which was signed during the Chuan Leekpai administration, saying it was beneficial to Thailand.
Abhisit said the memorandum stated that Cambodia and Thailand had to consult each other if they wanted to carry out activities in the disputed territory.
He also said that the memorandum did not allow Cambodians to occupy the area.
On Wednesday, it was Abhisit's turn to write to the UN in response to Hun Sen's letter.
Abhisit explained that his remarks on the border issue were misquoted, taken out of context and misunderstood by his Cambodian counterpart.
The Thai premier wrote: "It is Thailand's conviction that any difference between countries shall be settled by peaceful means.
"Thailand is pleased to note the re-affirmation by the prime minister of Cambodia that it is not the policy of Cambodia to use force to settle any problem with neighbouring countries. Thailand too, has the same policy," he said in the letter.
Both countries had also raised the issue of illegal occupation of each other's land.
Phnom Penh claimed that Bangkok had stationed soldiers in the Keo Sikkhakiri Svara pagoda of Cambodia, about 300 meters from the temple.
Bangkok reacted by asking Cambodians, who encroached into its territory at the border, to leave.
Despite current challenges in bilateral relations, Abhisit said in his letter, both nations maintained close cooperation and coordination within the bilateral and regional frameworks.
"Leaders and officials at all levels have maintained regular contacts and exchanges of visits, especially in the framework of sub-regional cooperation," he said, adding that border trade, cross-border tourism and people-to-people contacts continued unabated.
The postponement of the Aug 27 meeting in Pattaya was decided by its co-chair -- Thailand Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon and his Cambodian counterpart General Tea Banh.
Thai Defence Ministry said the meeting had to be postponed because several documents, including the agreements on the joint cooperation for the clearing of land mines, suppression of illicit drug and human trafficking, to be signed at the meeting, were not ready.
Political observers, however, believe that the postponement was to allow the "cooling off period" to take place in the wake of the rising tension between the two neighbours over the border issues.
The border committee meeting is among the mechanisms in which both countries seek to resolve the issues through the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on land boundary demarcation which they signed in 2000.
The Thai-Cambodia border disputes have now reached the United Nations when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote a letter to the world body on Sunday claiming that Thailand had threatened to use military force to resolve the problem.
"By seriously threatening to use military force against Cambodia to settle the problem of the border, Thailand flagrantly violates Article 2.3 and 2.4 of the United Nations Charter," Hun Sen said in the letter.
The two countries are at loggerheads over a 4.6 sq km area around the Preah Vihear Temple, with Thailand claiming the area as part of its Si Sa Ketskarntharalak district while Cambodia maintains that the area is within its Preah Vihear province.
The 11th century Hindu temple is located in the Cambodian territory as ruled by the International Court of Justice in 1962.
In 2008, Unesco listed the temple as a world heritage site, further straining the ties between the neighbours.
On July 29, the border issue heated up again when Cambodia submitted the management plan for the temple at the Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting in Brazil.
This led to a protest from Thailand, which said that the plan included part of the disputed territory.
Thailand's Patriot Network, led by People's Alliance for Democracy leaders associated with the yellow shirts, held a protest in this capital city on Aug 7 demanding that the Thai government revoke the 2000 border memorandum of understanding.
The group claimed that Thailand was at a disadvantage, saying the memorandum was the source of the problem because it allowed Cambodians to trespass and settle in the disputed area.
Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva defended the memorandum which was signed during the Chuan Leekpai administration, saying it was beneficial to Thailand.
Abhisit said the memorandum stated that Cambodia and Thailand had to consult each other if they wanted to carry out activities in the disputed territory.
He also said that the memorandum did not allow Cambodians to occupy the area.
On Wednesday, it was Abhisit's turn to write to the UN in response to Hun Sen's letter.
Abhisit explained that his remarks on the border issue were misquoted, taken out of context and misunderstood by his Cambodian counterpart.
The Thai premier wrote: "It is Thailand's conviction that any difference between countries shall be settled by peaceful means.
"Thailand is pleased to note the re-affirmation by the prime minister of Cambodia that it is not the policy of Cambodia to use force to settle any problem with neighbouring countries. Thailand too, has the same policy," he said in the letter.
Both countries had also raised the issue of illegal occupation of each other's land.
Phnom Penh claimed that Bangkok had stationed soldiers in the Keo Sikkhakiri Svara pagoda of Cambodia, about 300 meters from the temple.
Bangkok reacted by asking Cambodians, who encroached into its territory at the border, to leave.
Despite current challenges in bilateral relations, Abhisit said in his letter, both nations maintained close cooperation and coordination within the bilateral and regional frameworks.
"Leaders and officials at all levels have maintained regular contacts and exchanges of visits, especially in the framework of sub-regional cooperation," he said, adding that border trade, cross-border tourism and people-to-people contacts continued unabated.
12 comments:
Cambodia won't miss anything because talking with Thailand about the border problems won't work. They have been doing that many times in the past but they solved nothing . Thailand must have got the heat from the international thats why they want to talk again . You ( Thai ) need to tell your leader Abhisit to straight up his head because he got messed up by the PAD.
Khmer Ga
Why Thailand affraid of third party mediation? and scared? Thailand has something to hide from the world? cambodia must not talk, unless we have the third party country mediate..! otherwise, its wasting time again and again? because Thailand never trusted...period!
Thailand continue to bullying and play game of flip flop with cambodia, this meeting must have third party mediate, involved as a witness, we must grabs Thailand by the its head this time!!!!!!!!!
Thailand never stop their tricky behavior! everytime they talk or promise on something its meant they are lying! the samething within our border troops..General Chea Dara must becareful with Thai soldier promise, they never tell you the truth!! they are sneaky! tricky! this is why khmer empier kingdom were destroyed...
The longer Abhishit vejjajiva staying in the office, the more bloods will be shed...they need to get rid of Abhishit quick!
If Thailand using the Fake Map that they drew it by themselves, cambodia must walk away or tear it and throw it at Thailand FACE!!
Don not talk with Thailand if they still used the fake map that they drew it by themselves inorder to steal khmer lands! tear it and threw it into Thailand FACE!! if Thailand wanted to use force, we are welcome them inside our lands..!!!!
The problem of Preh Vihear is not statred with Adhishit government, He only carries the torch but it was set for fire raging since ProThaksin government, who is friend with Hun Sen and currently Sen advisor.
So what does Hun Sen think and say about this?
Thai Ambassy in Phnom Penh set fire during Thaksin rule. Adhishit can be friend with Hun again and Thanksin can be Sen's enemy again.
thief thai, ah displace and subhuman thai get out of cambodia land. you thai are sub human we cambodia can't talk to you get out and give back our land.thief thai government are mentally, depression need to go to hospital and get treate to get you mentally out ot your.
Smart moved to let UN know, that Thailand used force against poor weak country, intimidating cambodia, and to let the whole world know that Thailand used force to invaded neighbors...
Thailand must get rid of Abhishit vejjajiva quick before thing getting worst! there's will be more bloods shed as long as Abhishit vejjajiva still in the office...and there's no way that Hun Sen will agree jointly listed management plans?, jointly listed development plans? NO WAY JOSE!!
Yep, there' no such thing sharing your wife with someone else..? only Abbullshit vejjajiva can do that...hahaha! stupid moron!
Post a Comment