[Thai] Parliament delays debate on border talks [with Cambodia]

Chai Chidchob on a visit to Cambodia 23th July 2009.

By The Nation
Published on August 18, 2010

Reports from recent Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) meetings were not considered by MPs in Parliament yesterday after pressure from a nationalist group protesting over the border dispute.

Parliamentary Speaker Chai Chidchob [who is a Khmer Surin] said he did not put the JBC reports on the agenda, despite saying the gathering of a nationalist group led by activist Veera Somkwamkid in front of Parliament was nonsense.

Yesterday's session only heard a proposal from a parliamentary committee to keep reports from the session on boundary demarcation secret.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he had submitted agreed minutes from three JBC meetings on boundary talks held over the past two years, but he had no idea when they would be on the agenda for MPs to consider.

Article 190 of the Constitution requires the ministry to submit any negotiation framework, which could lead to changes of borders or territory, so they are approved by Parliament.

The JBC was set up in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Cambodia in 2000 to survey and demarcate the boundary line with officials from the neighbouring country.

Thai nationalists and some senators want the government to revoke the 2000 MoU because they fear losing territory to Cambodia, as the document recognises a French map that suggests areas adjacent to Preah Vihear temple on the border belong to Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the temple and adjacent territory after it was listed as a World Heritage site in 2008. Thailand fears the listing process may undermine its claim to disputed areas adjacent to the temple.

The last JBC meeting was in April last year and talks are only able to continue once the Thai Parliament has endorsed the agreed minutes from the three last meetings.

Veera told his supporters to disperse from their rally outside Parliament after a news report revealed consideration of the JBC documents had been delayed.