The cabinet on Tuesday endorsed a still secret new map of Preah Vihear temple and surrounding area that it says protects Thai interests while neighbouring Cambodia applies for the UN to declare it as a World Heritage Site.
Related story. Temple in dispute. Click here.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama saidhe is prepared to clarify the government's position in a coming non-confidence debate, when the opposition Democrat Party may challenge the Preah Vihear stance.
The Opposition earlier cast doubts regarding the new map of the historic temple, suggesting that the foreign minister might have compromised Thailand's national interests over the issue.
The minister also emphasised that all details in the new map would be released after the World Heritage Committee meets in July to consider the matter.
Mr Noppadon explained that he could not reveal what he described as "official secret information" now under joint consideration among the Royal Thai Survey Department, the Foregin Ministry and state agencies concerned.
But he said the disputed and undemarcated 4.6-square kilometre area surrounding and adjacent to the temple complex itself is not included on the map.
The 21-nation committee is scheduled to meet in Quebec beginning July 2 to decide whether or not to grant the world heritage site status to the temple.
Historically, both Thailand and Cambodia have claimed the ancient Khmer-built Hindu temple complex astride the mutual border in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province in the northeast, but practical access is only
possible from the Thai side.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy on Tuesday issued a statement calling on Foreign Ministry officials to argue against Mr Noppadon on the temple issue.
Pipob Thongchai, a core leader of PAD, said in the latest civil disobedience announcement that the group wanted to urge Thai ambassadors, charge d' affaires, consuls, and officials of the Foreign Ministry to carry out a mission to maintain the country's sovereignty.
In particular, they should come out to make an argument over the controversial issue on the historic Preah Vihear temple. (TNA)
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