Temple dispute thaw could see observers' role changed [-Thailand tries to renege the border agreement?]

Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Tehran, Iran August 30, 2012

The terms of reference (TOR) for an Indonesian observer team to be sent to the disputed area adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear might need to be modified to fit the situation, said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul yesterday.

Surapong discussed the matter with his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa in Tehran on the sideline of the Non-Aligned Movement summit.

He told Marty of recent developments in the situation at the border near the temple where both Thailand and Cambodia redeployed their troops on July 18, a year after the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s injunction.

"The redeployment, as agreed by Thailand and Cambodia, was a process of the troop withdrawal in accordance with the ICJ's order," Surapong told reporters.

Cambodia rejects allegations about Muslims' joining insurgent networks in Thailand

22-08-2012

PHNOM PENH, (Xinhua): Cambodia on Wednesday rejected Thai allegations that some Cambodian Muslims have joined violent insurgent networks in Thailand's far South, saying the allegations are groundless and unacceptable.

"The allegations are absolutely groundless and unacceptable," Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday. "They are innocent people. Thai competent authorities should find out the fact and real evidence before making such baseless allegations."

The spokesman's reaction was made after the Bangkok Post online quoted Thai army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying on Tuesday that some Cambodian Muslims have joined violent insurgent networks in Thailand in the far South.

Landmark landmine agreement reached [-Another delaying Thai trick?]

30/06/2012
Bangkok Post

Meanwhile, a group calling itself Ruam Phalang Pokpong Phaendin (United to Protect the Motherland) has urged the army to expel Cambodians who they say are encroaching on Thai territory.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to carry out landmine clearing operations in the disputed area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said the agreement was reached at the second meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Working Group, held in Phnom Penh from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

The landmine clearing work would be conducted at spots known to both sides as A, B, C and D that have been referred to by the International Court of Justice, ACM Sukumpol said upon his return to Thailand yesterday.

Temple conflict simmers

By Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
TR Weekly (Thailand)

BANGKOK, 28 June 2012: Thailand has submitted additional written explanations to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to counter Cambodia’s petition requesting the court to interpret its 1962 Preah Vihear temple verdict.

Thailand’s Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs general director, Rachanant Thananant, said the Thai Ambassador to the Hague, Virachai Plasia, submitted the explanations to the ICJ 21 June.

“This was the second round of written explanations as required by the world court,” he said.

In April 2011, Cambodia asked the ICJ to clarify and interpret its 1962 ruling on Preah Vihear.

Yingluck's administration reneges on border observers deployment?

Observer issue to muddy meeting on border

26/06/2012
Bangkok Post

A conflict could be looming if Cambodia presses ahead with calls to deploy observers in the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple during the Joint Working Group meeting.

The second round of JWG talks starts today in Phnom Penh to follow up on implementation of provisional measures imposed by the International Court of Justice. The court has ordered deployment of observers and withdrawal of troops in the 17.3 sq km demilitarised zone.

A Royal Thai Armed Forces source said both sides might end up at loggerheads if the Cambodian delegation brings up the issue.

There are signs that Phnom Penh may push for the deployment of observers and withdrawal of troops.

When Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat attended a regional defence meeting in Cambodia last month, he was reportedly urged to proceed with the JWG meeting. The meeting was initially scheduled for June 11-13 but Thailand asked to postpone it to June 26-28.

Cambodia is not a Province of Thailand: the Modern Myth of Suvannabhūmi - By Eisel Mazard

https://www.box.com/s/881308792ca9ed8485b7

Analysis: Waiting for the Indonesians

Cambodian soldiers in a sandbagged position at Preah Vihear train their weapons on Thai troops. Photo by Heng Chivoan

Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Jonathan Prentice
The Phnom Penh Post

Analysis

A year ago, Cambodia and Thailand fought a series of short but nasty skirmishes along their joint border.

Efforts to reduce tensions through the deployment of Indonesian observers remain still-born; 12 months on, there are no observers and, on the Cambodian side, just a lonely man with Indonesian and ASEAN flags blowing in the breeze.

The dispute, centred on the emblematic Preah Vihear temple – in Cambodian territory, but often claimed by Thailand – was serious enough to seize the attention of the United Nations Security Council.

It also triggered signs that ASEAN wanted a more pro-active role in ensuring stability in its region.

PDZ ‘adjustment’ nixed

Cambodian soldier resting at Preah Vihear(Photo: The Phno Penh Post)

15 March 2012
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian government officials yesterday flatly ruled out any suggestion of renegotiating the Preah Vihear Provisional Demilitarised Zone boundary as suggested by Thailand’s most senior military commander.

Thai Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimapakorn told the Nation newspaper over the weekend that Thailand would discuss with Cambodia the prospect of renegotiating the boundaries of the 17.3-square-kilometre PDZ established by the International Court of Justice in July.

“The world court has marked the demilitarised zone, but now that both countries have good relations, we think we can discuss the matter first,” he was quoted as saying.

Thailand seeks to adjust Preah Vihear demilitarised zone [-Siem Min Choal Kh-buon!!! Will Hun Xen fall for this dirty Thai trick?]

Thai-Khmer Ties

March 14, 2012
Panya Tiewsangwal
The Nation

Thailand is planning to propose that the International Court of Justice-determined "demilitarised zone" near the controversial Preah Vihear Temple be adjusted, Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimapakorn said yesterday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday approved the setting up of a working group to comply with the court order, he said, noting that the panel would discuss the idea with its Cambodian counterpart.

"The world court has marked the demilitarised zone, but now that both countries have good relations, we think we can discuss the matter first," he said.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) marked the 17.3 square kilometres adjacent to the Hindu temple as a demilitarised zone to prevent further clashes between the two nations while it works on interpreting the 1962 ruling on the temple as requested by Cambodia.

ICJ should be allowed to rule on temple [- Siem min choal khbuon!!!]

December 28, 2011
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

It is not a good idea to ask Cambodia to withdraw the Preah Vihear case from the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s consideration, as it could lead to an escalation of the boundary dispute over the temple, rather than a permanent solution.

Conservative figures in Thailand have demanded the government exploit its good relations with Cambodia to end the ICJ's pending interpretation of its 1962 ruling.

Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul said earlier that he might seek a chance to raise the proposal with Cambodia when he visits the country later this week. If Cambodia agrees to withdraw the case, the two countries would try to settle the dispute through bilateral negotiations.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Sukumol Khunploem

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

19/08/2011
Kultida Samabuddhi
Bangkok Post

Mrs Sukumol made a good start when she dealt with the issue of Cambodia's listing of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and the Sbek Thom Khmer shadow theatre on Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage. She did not blindly switch into nationalistic mode when a forwarded email accusing Phnom Penh of "stealing the Thai heritage" was circulated. The minister explained that the listing had nothing to do with intellectual property or copyright issues and vowed to consult all relevant agencies about the matter before making any move. She also commented that "it is normal for countries in the same region to share similar cultural traits".

Cambodia and Thailand in hand gesture dispute

August 18, 2011
ABC Radio Australia

Thailand's new culture minister says her first priority in office will be to reclaim cultural recognition ownership of a graceful hand position called the 'jeeb'

In 2008, Cambodia registered shadow theatre on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the list included the hand gesture in question.

Presenter: Liam Cochrane

Speaker: Professor Supote Prasertsri, an adviser to various cultural and academic groups in both Thailand and Cambodia

Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)

PRASERTSRI: From the Cambodian side it's very old, I mean as you know the Cambodian civilisation started in the 4th century AD, and reached its highest stage about 12th century, a lot of carving temples, stone temples, bas relief, you can see now both in I would call, in ancient Khmer empire. Now you can see in Thailand and Cambodia a lot of hand gestures, many kinds of hand gestures.

COCHRANE: And what does the inclusion of this gesture on the UNESCO list, what does that actually mean?

PRASERTSRI: Well first I would like to invite everyone to look at UNESCO website and select culture, and go to the world heritage, you will see currently there are 136 members belonging to the Intangible Heritage Committee, and the hand gesture

COCHRANE: I believe Cambodia is a member but Thailand is not, is that correct?

Preah Vihear - a matter of shared responsibility

In this photo taken on July 6, 2011, a Cambodian police officer stands near the 11th century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear.

2/08/2011
Vitit Muntarbhorn
Bangkok Post

Any discussion of the recent decision of the International Court of Justice on the request for provisional measures concerning a dispute surrounding an ancient temple, which has been a bone of contention between Thailand and Cambodia for ages, is likely to raise emotions and passions in this region.

While some will debate on the question of "who won", "who lost", the preferred way ahead is to aim for greater rationalisation and see the issue as a matter of shared responsibility for all.

The dispute dates back to the World Court's decision in 1962, with the presence of 12 judges voting as follows:

"The Court, by nine votes to three, finds that the Temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia;

[Thai] Defense Council: Use GBC to Negotiate Troop Withdrawal

29 July 2011
Thai-ASEAN News Network

The Defense Council recommends the withdrawal of Thai and Cambodian troops from the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple to be discussed at the next meeting of the General Border Committee.

Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng disclosed yesterday after a meeting of the Defense Council that the council suggested the government to negotiate with Cambodia through the General Border Committee on the troop withdrawal from the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple as ordered by the International Court of Justice.

Thanathip further said that the existing bilateral mechanisms with Cambodia will be used to talk about the matter and negotiations are needed to create better understanding between the two countries.

Reneging an agreement signed by Thailand in 1907? ... Dream on

Preah Vihear and the old map we should never have agreed to

July 23, 2011
By Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation

The International Court of Justice issued an order last Monday for both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their military from a disputed border area covering a total of 17.3 square kilometres.

The demilitarised zone consists of 8.5 sq km of Thai territory and 8.8 sq km of Cambodian territory.

This includes a Thai portion of 4.6 sq km next to the Phra Viharn/Preah Vihear temple which was earlier listed unilaterally by Cambodia as a World Heritage Site.

Back in 1962, the court ruled that the ancient Hindu temple belonged to Cambodia, but it stopped short of making any ruling on border demarcation, which went beyond its authority.

Due to the legacy of colonial rule in Indochina, border demarcation has been a highly sensitive issue between Thailand and Cambodia ever since the 1962 ruling.

To date, there has been no mutually acceptable demarcation along the border between the two countries.

Playing by other's rules is a losing game [... for Thailand]

July 22, 2011
By Thanong Khanthong
The Nation

It is a mistake for Thailand to appear before the court and put its argument. Thailand is not a member of the World Court, and it therefore has no obligation to follow the Court's orders. (sic!)

A high-level Thai military officer supervising the Thai-Cambodian border has pointed out that the International Court of Justice's orders on Monday have put Thailand at a disadvantage in the territorial dispute with Cambodia (see http://www.oknation.net/blog/kobkab/2011/07/19/entry-1.)

Of the six orders announced by the International Court of Justice, four go against Thailand's interests, the military officer who asked not to be named said.

Moreover, the ICJ has gone beyond Cambodia's provisional requests in issuing orders. Cambodia requested in April that the ICJ, known as the World Court, issue 1) injunctions for Thailand to withdraw its troops from the disputed site, 2) a ban on all Thai military activity in the area surrounding the Preah Vihear/Khao Phraviharn temple, 3) an order for Thailand to refrain from any act or action which could interfere with its rights.

Let us go through the court orders one by one.

The first court order says Thailand and Cambodia shall immediately withdraw their military from the provisional demilitarised zone indicated. The Thai military officer commented that Thailand loses on this first count because its legal team argued in the court that Cambodia's provisional requests for the withdrawal of Thai troops from the border area must be thrown out.

But the ICJ insisted on its jurisdiction and competence by taking up the 50-year-old case again as requested by Cambodia.

Siem Min Choal Khbuon, Yuon Min Choal Put - Poem in Khmer by Chhaya Khemarak

Preah Vihear verdict was a slap in the face for Thai nationalists

July 20, 2011
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
The Nation

Monday's verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Preah Vihear Temple case is a slap in the face for members of the Bangkok establishment.

They should not have shot themselves in the foot in the first place. They have been politicising the Preah Vihear issue since 2008 in attempts to undermine their political opponents. They successfully created instability along the border. They even "declared war" with Cambodia to justify their confrontational policy. Now they have been told to remove themselves from the disputed area.

There are four main "orders" in the ICJ verdict. First, both parties must immediately withdraw their military personnel currently present in the provisional demilitarised zone and refrain from any military presence within that zone and from any armed activity directed at it. Second, Thailand should not obstruct Cambodia's free access to the temple, and the two countries should continue their cooperation within Asean and allow observers to have access. Third, each country should inform the court of their compliance with the mentioned provisional measures. And fourth, these measures are binding and create international legal obligations with which both countries are required to comply.

Emerging from the ICJ meeting in The Hague, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, a former distinguished member of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and a known anti-Hun Sen figure, continued to unashamedly explain away the Preah Vihear case rather than facing the truth.

Thailand ready to abide by UN court's ruling over temple [-Thai disingineous face saving action?]

July 19, 2011
ABC Radio Australia

The United Nations' highest court has ordered Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw their troops from the disputed border regions around the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Presenter: Sen Lam

Speaker: Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, spokesman for Thai Government

Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)

DR PANITAN: We welcome the court decision, in regards of asking the Cambodia troops to withdraw from what the court called the demilitarised zone, that's what we've been asking Cambodia to do all along.

LAM: But Bangkok did not want the International Court of Justice to proceed, to begin with, so is Thailand disappointed with this decision?

DR PANITAN: We are a good member of the United Nations. We will follow the good practice that we have been adopting since we became a member of the UN. But we also need to follow internal procedures, based on our Constitution. Rulings must also be worked out by the internal committees of Parliament, the Parliament that will come in the next few weeks.

LAM: Well, the Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya says that Bangkok will honour the ICJ ruling but will hold more talks with Phnom Penh over its claims - why was this not done before? What's changed since Indonesia's foreign minister Marty Natalegawa tried to act as mediator a few months back?

2007 Thai Govt Secret Map on Preah Vihear

Dear All,

There is no gain or no loss for any party here so far. The orders simply are temporary measures pending the ICJ resolution/decision of Cambodia's application for Interpretation.

The fact that ICJ ruled that it has the necessary jurisdiction/competence to ascertain Cambodia's Application for provisional measures/ injunctions, is a great win for Cambodia. This ruling is unprecedented. I would not have been surprised if the Court ruled otherwise, i.e. accepting Thai's sumbission that ICJ has no competence to accept and decide Cambodia's Application after over 50 years later of the decision (1962).

In term of the demilitarised zone coverage, the zone covers more Thai territory than Khmer's, a bit more, about 1 km from the boundary line (to the north) as depicted on the 1908 (Dangrek Section) map.

See attached maps for reference. Please note the 1st Page of this document is the Secret Map drawn and used by the Thai Govt in 2007 for submission to UNESCO for PV as World Heritage.

Regards,

Bora Touch

2007 Thai Secret Map on Preah Vihear
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/60306684?access_key=key-1llx84x362qbt14t87ya