BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thousands of demonstrators accused the Thai government Wednesday of yielding a disputed border region with an ancient temple to Cambodia, the latest trouble for the embattled prime minister who has been facing daily protests calling for his resignation.
Led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, the crowd gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accused the minister, Noppadon Pattama, of giving into the Cambodians in exchange for business concessions.
The Preah Vihear temple, dating back to the 11th century, has been the subject of a boundary dispute since the 1950s. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the cliffside temple was within Cambodian territory.
The issue resurfaced as Cambodia was preparing to apply to UNESCO for the temple to be listed as a World Heritage Site, a process that requires the inclusion of a map.
Sondhi Limthongkul, a key leader of the anti-government alliance, alleged that Noppadon gave up some territory near the temple in exchange for his «boss» - former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - getting concessions to develop a casino complex on Cambodia's Koh Kong island.
Noppadon served as Thaksin's lawyer and continues to have close ties with Thaksin, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup.
The protesters say the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is merely acting as a proxy for the still powerful Thaksin and have demanded its resignation.
Noppadon denied the allegations.
«The minister of foreign affairs deserves flowers instead of brickbats,» Noppadon said, adding that not «a single square centimeter» of Thai soil was lost during recent negotiations with Cambodia.
He said Cambodia had drawn up two maps, one of the temple and the other of the adjacent area.
Noppadon said the Cambodians will present only the temple map in their upcoming request to UNESCO. The second map, which includes the disputed boundary, will not be an issue and thus Thailand has not yielded any territory, he said.
Led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, the crowd gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accused the minister, Noppadon Pattama, of giving into the Cambodians in exchange for business concessions.
The Preah Vihear temple, dating back to the 11th century, has been the subject of a boundary dispute since the 1950s. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the cliffside temple was within Cambodian territory.
The issue resurfaced as Cambodia was preparing to apply to UNESCO for the temple to be listed as a World Heritage Site, a process that requires the inclusion of a map.
Sondhi Limthongkul, a key leader of the anti-government alliance, alleged that Noppadon gave up some territory near the temple in exchange for his «boss» - former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - getting concessions to develop a casino complex on Cambodia's Koh Kong island.
Noppadon served as Thaksin's lawyer and continues to have close ties with Thaksin, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup.
The protesters say the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is merely acting as a proxy for the still powerful Thaksin and have demanded its resignation.
Noppadon denied the allegations.
«The minister of foreign affairs deserves flowers instead of brickbats,» Noppadon said, adding that not «a single square centimeter» of Thai soil was lost during recent negotiations with Cambodia.
He said Cambodia had drawn up two maps, one of the temple and the other of the adjacent area.
Noppadon said the Cambodians will present only the temple map in their upcoming request to UNESCO. The second map, which includes the disputed boundary, will not be an issue and thus Thailand has not yielded any territory, he said.
8 comments:
Calm down brother Khmer-Thai. We'll work things out.
Let's build Cambodia to be a stronger nation so that our neighbors will respect us a little bit.
The better living standard of Cambodians is the first priority to stop Thai and Vietnamese from insulting us!
This is how stupid ignorant are. They taught their kids (people) to learn fake history and these kids think the disputed area really their. I hope the Thai should sit infront of the national TV and inform to their people that they were wrong and manipulated or twisted history around. So calm down, and tell them that we (Thai) all along have been stealing Khmer lands and belong such as artifacts alot and put in our museum. Damn stupid when do they really teaching their kids about true history! Khmer will win regardless of what Thai wants. Khmer for the win!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually, you should look at yourself in the mirror to see if you are really better than the Khmer-Thai is.
I think when he post this, he already checked himself in the mirror and bravely indicating himself that he is true Khmer 100%. That's why he speak up. Please don't attach or related the name Khmer to the ignorant Thai as you said "Khmer-Thai". Do you get that!!! There is no such thing as Khmer-Thai. Only Khmer, Khmer Kandal, Khmer Krom, Khmer Loeu and Khmer Surin. All those provinces around Cambodia shall return back to Khmer!!!!!
You just put 8:01PM back to his place.
Great job! 9:36 PM. You are the man! And the true Khmer! I am proud of you! All Koun Khmer should wake up in Thailand and rise up against this expantionism from this ignorant neighbor (THAI). Wake up KOUNKHMER!!!!!!!!!
your protest is illegal as the world court ruled in 1962 the same area shaded green belongs to cambodia already. nothing is new about the dispute. cambodia, take them to court again for the last time to make clear to the world thailand's illegal intention on a sovereigned nation of cambodia!
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