Bangkok Post
The International Court of Justice's decision to set up a "provisional demilitarised zone" around the Preah Vihear temple and order Thailand and Cambodia to immediately withdraw their troops from it will not have a binding effect on Thai sovereignty, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.
"The ruling is a temporary provisional measure and it will not have a binding commitment to Thai sovereignty and the ruling does not place Thailand at a disadvantage," Mr Abhisit said smilingly to reporters yesterday evening after learning of the ruling.
He said he would meet the army chief, the defence and foreign ministers, and representatives of the National Security Council and the Council of State today to discuss measures to be followed in the wake of the ICJ ruling.
"The withdrawal of soldiers is not a simple walk because there are procedures and it requires the prevention of infiltration," Mr Abhisit said.
