Cambodia, UNESCO sign agreement to continue safeguarding Angkor Wat Temple

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Government of Cambodia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday signed an agreement on safeguarding of the Angkor Wat Temple, one of the World Heritage sites.

The deal was inked between Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, and Anne Lemaistre, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia.

The two-year phase II project will be focused on the restoration of an extension span of the moat embankment at the Angkor Wat Temple, said Rome University's Professor Valter Maria Santoro, head of the Italian technical mission for stone consolidation in the temple.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Sok An said that the second phase project will cost 250,000 U.S. dollars including 200,000 U.S. dollars granted by Italian government and 50,000 U.S. dollars by Cambodian government.

UNESCO launches handbook for Cambodian journalists in reporting food security, nutrition

PHNOM PENH, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday released a bilingual handbook teaching Cambodian journalists how to report news relevant to food security and nutrition.

The Khmer and English guidebook highlighted the general concept of food security and nutrition in simple language for journalists and policy makers to understand, Anne Lemaistre, director of UNESCO in Cambodia, said at the book releasing.

"The handbook will serve as an essential tool to help guide and enhance the journalists' knowledge for accurate reporting and advocating issues such as child mortality, children and women's health, nutrition and food security," she said. "Also, it will allow policy makers to access a wide variety of resources and information to guide them on key issues and to lead them to important information sources."

[Thai] Govt urged to declare stand on convention

15/07/2011
Lamphai Intathep
Bangkok Post

An archaeologist has called on the next government to express its position on the country's member status of the 1972 World Heritage Convention (WHC).

He made the demand during a seminar titled "World Heritage Management," organised by Thammasat University's College of Innovation's Cultural Management yesterday in the wake of the government's announcement last month that it would withdraw Thailand as a member country of the WHC.

Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee, said Thailand resigned as a member country due to the committee's planned consideration of a Cambodian management plan for Preah Vihear temple at the 35th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)'s World Heritage Committee in Paris.

Tharapong Srisuchart, the Fine Arts Department's Archaeology Office director, said Mr Suwit's announcement had not yet come into effect. This meant Thai representative Somsuda Leyavanija, deputy permanent secretary for culture, is still one of the WHC's 21 members, he said.

WHC regulations state that if any member country wanted to resign from the WHC, its government must submit an official letter to Unesco director-general Irina Bokova.

[The Bangkok Post Editorial urges Thailand to] Walk back in to the WHC

4/07/2011
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL

One of the first jobs of the new government must be an urgent reassessment of the Cambodian border problems. The outgoing government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has not handled this issue well. The dead, the wounded and the homeless testify to that. The new government must reverse the walkout at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti.

Border relations with Cambodia, attention to our heritage and history and the country's image, all have been harmed in recent months.

It will be an effort to repair this damage and move ahead, but a determined government can handle the problem.

The faint praise and arm's-length "backing" that Mr Abhisit gave to Mr Suwit is instructive. Deeply involved in an election campaign, the premier sensed that the public had little sympathy for the walkout from Paris. Indeed, it was wrong on many levels.

[Thailand makes] A mistake to snub Unesco heritage convention

July 2, 2011
The Nation

Strangely absent from this discourse are the claims by main Cambodian opposition leader, Sam Rainsy - who has now gone into self-imposed exiled - accusing Hun Sen's long time friend Vietnam of encroaching on Cambodian land.

It appears that Thailand has cut off its nose to spite its face in the dispute over Preah Vihear Temple and adjacent territorial claims

The recent decision by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to walk out of the World Heritage Committee's meeting in Paris may have boosted his popularity here in certain quarters but in the long run Thailand's international standing may be put in an unwanted spotlight.

Thailand has to review its strategy regarding its decision to withdraw from the 1972 World Heritage Convention carefully after the kingdom decided to withdraw from the convention to express its disagreement with the World Heritage inscription of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.

Suwit defended his decision by saying it was made to protect Thailand's sovereignty over the territory adjacent to Preah Vihear. He said it was "too risky" for Thailand to accept the Preah Vihear management plan, in which Unesco and its committee would be asked to dispatch experts for restoration of the temple.

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), expressed her deep regret at Suwit's declaration of Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention. She claimed that the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear, nor did it request any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation.

The International Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but questions remain unanswered over 4.6 square kilometres of adjacent territory.

Suwit: Thailand will rejoin WHC if... [-Suwit must be day dreaming before the election]

1/07/2011
Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post

Unesco's request that Thailand reverse its decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention can be complied with only if Preah Vihear's listing as a world heritage site is temporarily withdrawn, until there is a clear agreement on the demarcation of the border in the immediate area, caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said on Friday.

Mr Suwit announced Thailand's withdrawal and then walked out of a World Heritage Convention (WHC) committee meeting in Paris last week.

The dispute centres on Cambodia's proposed management plan for the temple and the land immediately adjoining it. Bangkok and Phnom Penh both claim sovreignty over 4.6 square kilometres of borderland surrounding three sides of the old Hindu religious ruin, which sits on the end of a promontory.

Suwit may get praised by PAD but that is all

1/07/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti may have been praised by the People's Alliance for Democracy for withdrawing Thailand from the World Heritage Convention last week.

But despite the warm welcome he received from the PAD, which had been pushing for the move, on his return to Thailand earlier this week, members said Mr Suwit would not get more votes from them because of the decision.

That is because PAD has a firm policy of urging people to vote "no" in the election and this will stand.

The opposition has accused the government of pulling out to please PAD supporters and attract votes from the group. And new revelations about what transpired at the meeting last week would seem to back up those accusations.

Thailand’s hard stance on UNESCO under scrutiny

June 29, 2011
Boris Sullivan
Thailand Business News

Thailand announced its departure from the World Heritage Convention with‬ ‪immediate effect on Saturday, after the World Heritage Committee failed to heed its request seeking postponement of the Cambodia’s unilaterally-proposed Preah‬ Vihear Temple management plan, as Thailand fears that it may threaten national sovereignty.

Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, leading the Thai‬ delegation at the 35th session of the WHC meeting in Paris, earlier notified Mr Mounir‬ Bouchenaki, director-general of International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and‬ ‪Restoration of Cultural Property, who represents the director-general of United Nations‬ ‪Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO, that Thailand would leave the World‬ Heritage Convention and would also withdraw from the 21-member World Heritage Committee as the‬ body continues to ignore any negative consequences which may arise from the consideration of the temple management plan which he said overlooks sensitive issues which could adversely affect Thailand’s sovereignty and territory.‬

However, the withdrawal was not fully backed by the Foreign Ministry, a government source said.

[Thai] PM refuses challenge by Hun Sen

WHC decision 'is not Cambodia's concern'

30/06/2011
Bangkok Post

The government has brushed off a challenge by Cambodia that it formally withdraw from the World Heritage Committee, while denying it was playing up the issue for political gain.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said Cambodia should stop interfering in Thai affairs, after its leader Hun Sen stepped into the debate over the government's decision to leave the WHC.

Hun Sen has challenged the government to officially inform the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) if it was serious about withdrawing.

"If you have the heart of a son, you will write a formal letter to the WHC," he told a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh.

Thailand’s hard stance on UNESCO under scrutiny [-Thailand Foreign Ministry does back the withdrawal]

June 29, 2011
Boris Sullivan
Thailand Business News

Thailand announced its departure from the World Heritage Convention with‬ ‪immediate effect on Saturday, after the World Heritage Committee failed to heed its request seeking postponement of the Cambodias unilaterally-proposed Preah‬ Vihear Temple management plan, as Thailand fears that it may threaten national sovereignty.

Thailands Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, leading the Thai‬ delegation at the 35th session of the WHC meeting in Paris, earlier notified Mr Mounir‬ Bouchenaki, director-general of International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and‬ ‪Restoration of Cultural Property, who represents the director-general of United Nations‬ ‪Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO, that Thailand would leave the World‬ Heritage Convention and would also withdraw from the 21-member World Heritage Committee as the‬ body continues to ignore any negative consequences which may arise from the consideration of the temple management plan which he said overlooks sensitive issues which could adversely affect Thailands sovereignty and territory.‬

However, the withdrawal was not fully backed by the Foreign Ministry, a government source said.

Officials from the Foreign Ministry who attended the meeting together with Suwit in Paris were satisfied with their negotiations with the Cambodian delegation on the draft of the World Heritage Committee’s decision.

[Thai] 2nd Army: No reinforcements to border

29/06/2011
Bangkok Post

No troop reinforcements have been sent to the border with Cambodia, there has been only routine rotation of units, Army Region 2 commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon said on Tuesday.

He said it was necessary for soldiers to be on alert around the clock. Thai and Cambodian troops had long confronted each other along the border and a clash could occur at any time without warning.

However, Army Region 2 had not sent reinforcements to the border, he said.

Lt-Gen Thawatchai advised the people who want to visit Ta Muen Tom temple in tambon Ta Miang of Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district to postpone their trip for safety reason.

UNESCO chief regrets Thailand's decision to quit World Heritage Convention

BANGKOK, June 28 (MCOT online news) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova has sent a letter expressing her regret over Thailand's decision to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention.

Mr Abhisit, before the weekly cabinet meeting, showed reporters a letter from the UNESCO chief and said briefly that he would address a news conference on Thailand's stance after today's Cabinet meeting.

National Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, as head of the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, will report the issue to the Cabinet and agencies concerned will study the implication of the UNESCO agency's resolution on Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear after Thailand leaves the convention.

Abhisit: Next [Thai] govt to decide on WHC

28/06/2011
Bangkok Post

The next government will decide whether or not Thailand should rejoin the World Heritage Convention, caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Thailand announced its withdrawal from the WHC on Sunday night.

Mr Abhisit said he had received a letter from Unesco director-general Irina Bokova, who informed him that the World Heritage Convention had not considered Cambodia's proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

Govt urged to delist World Heritage site [- Thailand shooting itself in the foot]

June 28, 2011
By JANJIRA PONGRAI, PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION

Academics yesterday called on the government to delist the country's five Unesco World Heritage Sites, saying the designation was just a meaningless tourism and travel symbol.

"It's a shame for Thailand if the government continues to use the World Heritage sign in front of the sites after its withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention," said Adul Wichiencharoen, a former member of the National World Heritage Committee.

The World Heritage Committee's process of considering the registration of a World Heritage Site is without academic principle, he said.

"The decision to designate a site as world heritage is based on benefits generated from tourism. We did not get any benefit from the designation of World Heritage Site," he said.

[Thai] Army gears up on border [-Thailand looking for a fight with Cambodia after pulling out of the WHC?]

27/06/2011
Bangkok Post

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha praised Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti's decison to withdraw from the World Heritage Convention and said he has ordered soldiers along the Thai-Cambodian border to be prepared.

Gen Prayuth said on Monday the army is overseeing security, monitoring intelligence activities and observing movements along the border in order to protect the country's sovereignty.

More troops and health personnel had been sent to villages near the border area to inform residents about the situation and avert any panic.

"Don't be frightened because I believe no one wants to fight and that holding talks is the solution to the problem," Gen Prayuth said.

"After withdrawing from the WHC, we now have to wait for the decision of the International Court of Justice.

Thai FM holds urgent meeting to ponder next move [-Thailand didn't have a backup plan?]

June 27, 2011
Xinhua

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Sunday called an urgent meeting to consider the next move after Thailand withdrew from the World Heritage Convention in protest against the World Heritage Committee's decision to consider Cambodia's management plan of the Preah Vihear temple.

Representatives from Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Culture and Natural Resources and Environment attended the meeting.

Culture Minister Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation negotiating with the World Heritage Committee in Paris, said on Saturday his delegation had informed the WHC that Thailand resigned as a member country to the convention.

UNESCO Director-General regrets the announcement of Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention

Source: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/772

The Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova has expressed her deep regret following the declaration of the Thai Minister Suwit Khunkitti during the 35th session of the World Heritage Committee being held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 19 to 29 June 2011, on the intention of Thailand to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

Irina Bokova reiterated that "The World Heritage Convention of 1972 is not only the foremost international instrument for the preservation and protection of the world’s cultural and natural properties which have Outstanding Universal Value, but also widely recognized as an important and indispensable tool to develop and encourage international cooperation and dialogue”.

Contrary to widely circulated media reports, the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the Management Plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear nor did it request for any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation. Moreover, it needs to be clarified that UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre never pushed for a discussion of the Management Plan by the Committee.

The decision of the World Heritage Committee on the Temple of Preah Vihear World Heritage site in Cambodia only reaffirms the need to ensure the protection and conservation of the property from any damage. It further encourages the two countries to use the 1972 Convention as a tool to support conservation, sustainable development and dialogue.

[Thai] PM backs withdrawal from WHC

Preah Vihear draft has territorial implications

27/06/2011
Bangkok Post

A government source said last night Thailand now would not be able to apply to host next year's WHC meeting.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has defended the decision to withdraw Thailand from Unesco's World Heritage Convention, saying its approval of Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple would put the country at a disadvantage.

At a press conference yesterday, Mr Abhisit said a draft agreement on the management plan proposed by the convention, which sets the criteria for Unesco's list of the world's most important cultural and natural assets, contained some wording from the Cambodian version of the draft.

He said some sensitive words - "restoration" and "repair" - from the Phnom Penh version of the draft had been interpolated into the draft. Such wording could put Thailand at risk of losing territory, he said, because they could be interpreted as apportioning blame for damage to the temple.

Thailand has found the draft unacceptable, prompting it to withdraw from the WHC, Mr Abhisit said.

UNESCO regrets Thai decision to denounce World Heritage Convention

Source: UN News Centre

26 June 2011 – The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today voiced deep regret after Thailand announced it would denounce the global convention aimed at preserving humankind's most outstanding shared cultural and natural heritage.

A Thai Government minister said yesterday in Paris, where the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is currently meeting, that his country did not support the convention, the latest step in a row involving the Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage List site that was damaged during border clashes earlier this year between Thailand and Cambodia.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said in a press statement issued today that “the World Heritage Convention of 1972 is not only the foremost international instrument for the preservation and protection of the world's cultural and natural properties which have outstanding universal value, but also widely recognized as an important and indispensable tool to develop and encourage international cooperation and dialogue.”

Ms. Bokova said she hoped that Thailand would “carefully consider its future course of action” regarding the convention and “continue to be an active participant” in the discussion of world heritage issues.

Thailand Withdraws From World Heritage Convention in Temple Dispute With Cambodia

June 26, 2011
VOA News

Thailand has withdrawn from UNESCO's World Heritage convention because of a simmering dispute with Cambodia over a 900-year-old temple in a remote border area between the two countries.

Several military clashes at and near Preah Vihear temple since early February have left more than 20 people dead and displaced thousands of others.

Thailand says its withdrawal stems from what it calls a disappointing decision by the World Heritage governing body to place Cambodia's management plan for the temple on its agenda. Bangkok insists contested border demarcation issues be settled before any management plan is considered.