PAD told to be careful with border rally [at Preah Vihear]

Published: 30/07/2010

Bangkok Post

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has a constitutional right to rally at the Thai-Cambodian border, but must stay within the law, PM’s Office Minister Ongard Klampaibul said on Friday.

The minister was responding to the declaration by PAD core leaders that they would to lead supporters to rally in the border area against Cambodia’s management plan for Preah Vihear temple.

“The PAD must be careful as the planned rally site is in a sensitive area. A mass gathering there could lead to a misunderstanding between the Thailand and Cambodia,” Mr Ongard warned.

He said the government is not taking its ease over the listing of the ancient temple as a world heritage site. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva closely followed the matter.

Once Natural Resources and Environment Minister and head of Thai team Suwit Khunkitti returns from Brazil, the prime minister would call a meeting of relevant agencies discuss further action against the temple’s management plan, the minister said.

Chartthai Pattana Party spokesman Watchara Kannika warned that the government should not look on the postponement of the consideration on the Cambodia’s management plan by the World Heritage Committee as a victory.

Instead, the government should keep on working to protect the country’s sovereignty and territory, he said.

“More importantly, the government should put the Thai-Cambodia relations issue on the national agenda,” Mr Watchara said.