Cambodian soldiers gard Prasat Preah Vihear
29 July 2010
The Nation
Unesco's World Heritage Committee has decided to postpone consideration on the controversial Preah Vihear Temple management plan from yesterday to tonight.
The postponement came after Cambodia's representatives requested an urgent talk with Thai Natural Resource and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti who is at the WH committee meeting in Brazil.
The panel will decide the matter again at about 10pm Bangkok time.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday considered options to retaliate against Unesco if the WH Committee approved the controversial Preah Vihear temple management plan.
PM revealed the option although the United Nations agency has guaranteed that the Hindu temple's inscription has nothing to do with the disputed border areas with Cambodia.
Among the options suggested by ministers was for Natural Resource and Environment
Suwit Khunkitti threatened to stage a walkout, and withdraw Thailand's membership from the Unesco committee.
Abhisit blamed the Unesco committee for listing Preah Vihear, which had created conflict between the two neighbouring countries. "If Unesco accepts the plan, it will create a wide rift between the people of the two countries," he was quoted by a source as saying at the Cabinet meeting.
Abhisit had instructed Suwit to lobby for a delay of the Preah Vihear management plan until the border dispute with Cambodia could be settled.
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