DPA
Phnom Penh - A lobby group comprised of Cambodian business people, archeologists and lawyers Monday called on the Thai government to return artifacts they alleged had been removed from the border temple of Preah Vihear decades earlier. The newly-formed Khmer Civilization Foundation comprises heavy hitting lobbyists including prominent human rights lawyer Sok Sam Oeun, businessman Moeung Son and leading archeologist Vong Sotheara.
"We ask the Thai government to return artifacts ... from the temple," chairman Moeung Son told a press conference in the capital.
"If the Royal Cambodian Government asks for these artifacts back and Cambodia can identify them, under international law, Thailand should give them back," Sok Sam Oeun said.
The call comes when Deputy Prime Minister Sok An was still overseas after UN-brokered talks with Thailand over the temple in Paris, which has proved a deeply sensitive topic between the neighbours.
Cambodia rejected an offer for Thailand to co-manage Preah Vihear and has asked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to list it as a World Heritage site.
Thailand has disputed the border around the temple but seemed to have resigned itself to the World Heritage listing after the talks.
The temple, known as Prasat Phra Viharn by Thais, is sacred to both sides and was previously occupied by Thailand, but the International Court in The Hague ruled it to be Cambodian in 1962.
The Cambodian government has not yet raised the issue of the return of artifacts publicly.
"We ask the Thai government to return artifacts ... from the temple," chairman Moeung Son told a press conference in the capital.
"If the Royal Cambodian Government asks for these artifacts back and Cambodia can identify them, under international law, Thailand should give them back," Sok Sam Oeun said.
The call comes when Deputy Prime Minister Sok An was still overseas after UN-brokered talks with Thailand over the temple in Paris, which has proved a deeply sensitive topic between the neighbours.
Cambodia rejected an offer for Thailand to co-manage Preah Vihear and has asked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to list it as a World Heritage site.
Thailand has disputed the border around the temple but seemed to have resigned itself to the World Heritage listing after the talks.
The temple, known as Prasat Phra Viharn by Thais, is sacred to both sides and was previously occupied by Thailand, but the International Court in The Hague ruled it to be Cambodian in 1962.
The Cambodian government has not yet raised the issue of the return of artifacts publicly.
13 comments:
Thailand! Thailand! You want to be the most honorable country in the world and yet, you keep on dragging your feet in place that you shouldn't be.
Yup, Th Thais, go back where you are from then,
I think that place is somewhere in Younan province. Haa haa for sure those evil race would be sacked out by Chinese.
But Thais are really a honorable nations? Known for coup d'etat and being slave of Japanese and American?
he heee Thailand is the most honorable nation h ahaaaa???????????
Get Real, Khmer! If we start returning Khmer artifacts to the origin, then next you'll ask us to return Thailand to the rightful owner. Right?
Keep on dreaming, creamin'
You are not in position to make such decision.
But why you accept that Thailand today you have stolen from Khmer?
Such an idiot! he heee
Do not worry we know how to manage it if Thailand is repatriated to Khmer.
Thais are well known for being thieves. They have stolen everything from Khmer.
Thailand is the most honorable nation
h ah ah haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Oh my God! Oh Alah! Oh Buddha! Thailand is the most honorable country ha haaaaa!!!!!!1
I believe your forefather not that bad, until every new generation has change of their heart,Dishonest the khmer king from the ancient time. All of you disgrace your ancestors(Thai people) I wish your heart will change back to be good neighbor or bad thing will happen to your Country(Disaster by nature).
May God bless the kingdom of Cambodia and protect his people.
Thank you lord !!!!!!!!!!!.
yes, that's right. don't keep what don't belong to you, return my stuff asap. '
chan
Stealing artifects started back early 1960's, by those trators lured by thais, Poipet was the gate to selling broken heads, arms...etc.
Thank you for your efforts being kind cambodians, heroes for generation to come.
Neang SA
12:12AM knows enough English to appear in Khmer domain and shad light of his/her gross ignorance. When you stole, you're guilty as charge. To speak with such arrogance is to beastly attack and kill your own God given conscience. Another word you equate yourself with the four legged creature whose instinct is to win with wild nature. Shame on you 12:12AM.
Thank you Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Mr. Moeung Son and Mr. Vong Sotheara for your noble movement. I am very delighted to have nationalist lawyer, businessman and archaeologist. We don't have much businessmen who think about the interest of Cambodia actually. Most of top businessmen are opportunists.
thailand must return all of khmer ancient artifacts. khmer arts and sculptures are uniquely khmer and no other, so stop stealing siem thieves!
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