Thailand clarifies its stance on gibe at Prime Minister Hun Sen and Preah Vihear temple

29th December, 2008
Kampuchea Thmey newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Khmerization

Thai Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya (pictured), has on 26th December made public statements for the first time regarding the Preah Vihear issues and regarding his gibe at Prime Minister Hun Sen when he was in the opposition.

Regarding Preah Vihear temple, Mr. Kasit said that Thailand has no intention of reclaiming the ownership of this temple, but Thailand will continue to co-operate with Cambodia to help protect and preserve Preah Vihear. He added that the Preah Vihear disputes will be resolved in accordance with the 1904-1907 Khmer-Thai treaty, in accordance with the 1962 verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in 2000.

In 1962, the ICJ adjudicated to give ownership of the temple to Cambodia. However, the territories surrounding the temple are still in disputes. The new Thai PM, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, when in opposition, accused former Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama for supporting the Unesco inscription of the Preah Vihear temple. He went further by saying that the ICJ only judged to give the ownership of the temple to Cambodia, but the lands around and under the temple belong to Thailand.

A Cambodian official told Kampuchea Thmey newspaper that Mr. Abhisit’s comments were the comments of a person who is ignorant of history by saying that his comments must be ignored. At that time Thai protesters have demanded that the Thai government does everything within its power to reclaim back the Preah Vihear temple. One Cambodian historian described the demand as ignorant and unwise.

Mr. Kasit, who used to be a member of the PAD, said clearly that he will change the resolution of the previous Thai Foreign Ministry. He said that Thailand will continue to negotiate with Cambodia on border issues in the not too distant future.

Mr. Kasit has touched on the subject of his gibe at PM Hun Sen when he was with the PAD. He said that his past comments regrading Preah Vihear and his gibe at PM Hun Sen will not affect the Khmer-Thai relations, especially with PM Hun Sen because he had a close and friendly working relationship with PM Hun Sen for the Paris Peace Agreements since 1989. Mr. Kasit added that PM Hun Sen was the first world leader to send his congratulations to newly-elected Thai PM, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, after his election by the Thai parliament.