Sunday, July 20, 2008
Bangkok Post
More than half of Thais surveyed by the Suan Dusit Poll believe the row over the ancient temple at Preah Vihear will escalate and turn into a major crisis between Thailand and Cambodia.
Suan Dusit Rajabhat University conducted its nationwide survey from Thursday through Saturday, and found that 54 per cent of the respondents believed that conflicting claims over a disputed area near the temple, and on the Preah Vihear temple itself, could become a more serious problem.
Only 19 per cent of the respondents thought the issue would not blow out of proportion because the temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. However, they worry that the ongoing problem could affect the normally warm relations and investment between the two nations.
Asked about people's confidence in regard to the Thai government's attempts to solve the temple problem, 39.55 per cent said they were uncertain. They reasoned that previous Thai governments had allowed the temple issue to drag on for a long time while former Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama had also signed a joint communique with Cambodia supporting its application to list the temple as a World Heritage site.
On attempts by Thai military to help solve the problem, 36 per cent said they did not have much confidence and the problem should be handled by the government.
Their opinions were made as Thailand's Supreme Commander Boonsang Niempradit prepared to meet Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh in Thailand's Sa Kaeo province to discuss the confrontation near the temple.
Suan Dusit Rajabhat University conducted its nationwide survey from Thursday through Saturday, and found that 54 per cent of the respondents believed that conflicting claims over a disputed area near the temple, and on the Preah Vihear temple itself, could become a more serious problem.
Only 19 per cent of the respondents thought the issue would not blow out of proportion because the temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962. However, they worry that the ongoing problem could affect the normally warm relations and investment between the two nations.
Asked about people's confidence in regard to the Thai government's attempts to solve the temple problem, 39.55 per cent said they were uncertain. They reasoned that previous Thai governments had allowed the temple issue to drag on for a long time while former Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama had also signed a joint communique with Cambodia supporting its application to list the temple as a World Heritage site.
On attempts by Thai military to help solve the problem, 36 per cent said they did not have much confidence and the problem should be handled by the government.
Their opinions were made as Thailand's Supreme Commander Boonsang Niempradit prepared to meet Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh in Thailand's Sa Kaeo province to discuss the confrontation near the temple.
