Reactions to Noppadon Pattama's announcement to list Preah Vihear reservoir and staircase as Thailand's World Heritage site

KI-Media Note: The following are reactions to the news that Thailand's Foreign Minister plans to ask UNESCO to list the Preah Vihear reservoir and staircase - both of which are located inside the disputed border zone - as World Heritage site. The report also indicated that Hun Sen's regime agrees to this Thai request, which is tantamount to recognizing that the dispute border zone now belongs to Thailand.

--- From Julio Jeldres ---

Dear Friends,

I do not know if you have seen the piece below put out some minutes ago by the Thai News Agency.

How can Thailand ask UNESCO for World Heritage Protection over the reservoir and staircases leading to the Preah Vihear temple when they are located "on disputed land", would not this be part of Thailand's desire to get UNESCO to recognize Thai sovereignty over the reservoir and staircases? when the matter has not yet been finalized by the joint Thai-Cambodian Committee.

I find it appalling that the RCG has agreed to Thailand doing this, as stated in the report, without waiting for the assessment of the joint Committee. Anything goes in HS's Cambodia!

Regards
Julio Jeldres

--- From Kenneth So ---

Dear All,

This is unbelievable! The Thai is setting a trap for Cambodia. If the RCG agrees to the Thai proposal and the UNESCO recognizes the reservoir and the staircases leading to Preah Vihear temples, then it's a fait accompli for Thailand concerning the disputed area. Thailand is using UNESCO to arbitrate for her and Cambodia is not even aware of it. Once the UNESCO agrees to put the reservoir and the staircases in the World Heritage List, then it means that UNESCO recognizes that the disputed area belongs to Thailand. The RCG is cooperating with Thailand without even realizing it. We are handing the disputed area to Thailand in a silver platter. What a shame!

Regards,
Kenneth So

Thai FM seeks temple reservoir, stair status as World Heritage site

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) -- Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said Sunday he planned to seek cabinet approval on applying for the reservoir and staircases leading to Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

Speaking on radio, Mr. Noppadon said he would submit documents related to the stream and the staircases to the Thai cabinet and then request the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which meets in Canada July 2-10 to consider listing the two places as Thai territory at the World Heritage site.

Sra Trao or Huay Trao is a stream reservoir running through the bedrock foundations on the plain at the foot of Preah Vihear, before it sinks into a subterranean tunnel reinforced by rock walls.

The Phnom Penh government will apply for registration of the ancient temple itself as a World Heritage site during the upcoming UNESCO meeting as both Thailand and Cambodia signed a joint communique Wednesday endorsing the Cambodian application.

Defending his position that the statement would not give away Thai territory, Mr. Noppadon said the delay in seeking registration of the reservoir and the staircases as the World Heritage site arose because he has been foreign minister only four months and has to solve immediate problems first.

The Thai foreign minister said he had discussed his plan with the Cambodian government, which had no objection.

However, Mr. Noppadon said UNESCO may not be able to consider the request of the Thai government at next month's meeting due to time constraints, but he said it is nonetheless better to apply first and let the organisation's committee consider the application later.