20 July 2010
Source: Thai-Asia Network
Thai historians are petitioning the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for it to remove consideration of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site from its agenda as well as take down its flag in the area.
Local historian Thepmontri Limbapayom has submitted a request to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, office in Thailand calling for the body to not consider Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site during its upcoming summit.
Thepmontri has argued that rescinding the consideration of Preah Vihear from UNESCOs agenda would reduce tensions currently brewing between Thailand and Cambodia, noting that UNESCO, as part of the United Nations, must work for peace.
He also asked that UNESCO remove its flag from the temple.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who will represent Thailand at the UNESCO summit, commented on the matter, saying that Cambodia has not yet submitted any documentation for Preah Vihear.
UNESCO regulations dictate that documents supporting the registry of a World Heritage Site must be handed in no less than six weeks prior to its meeting, leading Suwit to believe that Cambodia's latest announcements may have only been rumors.
Nonetheless, the natural resources minister made it known that Thailand would seek to convince the summit that registration of Preah Vihear for Cambodia alone would be an infringement of Thai sovereignty, as the area still remains in dispute.
People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sonthi Limthongkul alleged during his “Thailand Weekly” television program that the Thai government has allowed Cambodia to encroach on the Kingdom's land, reasoning that UNESCO has regulations against considering disputed territory.
Sonthi noted that the loss of Preah Vihear would cost Thailand 1.5 million Rai of land and trillions of baht.
Local historian Thepmontri Limbapayom has submitted a request to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, office in Thailand calling for the body to not consider Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site during its upcoming summit.
Thepmontri has argued that rescinding the consideration of Preah Vihear from UNESCOs agenda would reduce tensions currently brewing between Thailand and Cambodia, noting that UNESCO, as part of the United Nations, must work for peace.
He also asked that UNESCO remove its flag from the temple.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who will represent Thailand at the UNESCO summit, commented on the matter, saying that Cambodia has not yet submitted any documentation for Preah Vihear.
UNESCO regulations dictate that documents supporting the registry of a World Heritage Site must be handed in no less than six weeks prior to its meeting, leading Suwit to believe that Cambodia's latest announcements may have only been rumors.
Nonetheless, the natural resources minister made it known that Thailand would seek to convince the summit that registration of Preah Vihear for Cambodia alone would be an infringement of Thai sovereignty, as the area still remains in dispute.
People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sonthi Limthongkul alleged during his “Thailand Weekly” television program that the Thai government has allowed Cambodia to encroach on the Kingdom's land, reasoning that UNESCO has regulations against considering disputed territory.
Sonthi noted that the loss of Preah Vihear would cost Thailand 1.5 million Rai of land and trillions of baht.
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