Panel advises joint developmentPhikulkaew: Working to find a solution
Senate committee works behind the scenes to find resolution to Thai-Cambodian border dispute - Pheu Thai looks to be well ahead of the Democrats in winning the battle of the slogans - Despite initial pledges of civility, political parties are letting the campaign barbs fly
Published: 28/05/2011
Bangkok Post
There is no end in sight to the strained Thai-Cambodian relations as both sides explore new options for a non-military solution to the border security crisis.
Publicly, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the military have dealt with the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. But behind the scenes, a parliamentary panel has quietly been trying to hammer out a solution to the conflict.
The Senate standing committee on foreign affairs has studied the border conflict for some time although its work has gone unreported by the media.
The panel, headed by Phikulkaew Krairiksh, has interviewed people in the know and compiled information on the impacts of the bilateral fallout.
It has interviewed local experts, academics, and individuals who have borne the brunt of the border hostilities.
Panel members have also visited the border provinces of Surin and Si Sa Ket to see for themselves the reality of the situation on the ground. They have heard the plight and the demands of local officials, soldiers and villagers living in the conflict zones.
Ms Phikulkaew, a Phitsanulok senator and sister of Information and Communication Technology Minister Juti Krairiksh, said the information collected would be presented to France's senate. Paris has played a significant role in meetings held by the World Heritage Committee on the management plan for the Preah Vihear temple in the disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia.
France is believed to have influence over Cambodia, the nation it was once the colonial ruler of.
The villagers on both sides of the common border have been crossing back and forth for centuries and they are so culturally close-knit that it is nearly impossible to tell them apart.
The panel thinks this continued cooperation between the locals can defuse the row that military efforts have failed to settle.
Most recently, Asean has tried to help the countries mediate the conflict by bringing the two sides together for talks. Indonesia, at a recent meeting of Asean ministers in Jakarta offered to send observers to the border area.
But they have yet to arrive, largely due to the Thai government's insistence that all Cambodian troops need to withdraw from the areas around the Preah Vihear temple, the Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda and adjoining areas before Indonesian observers can arrive.
The panel has proposed that the two countries jointly develop the ancient Hindu temple and the disputed area surrounding it.
The dispute might dissipate over time if the borders in the conflict zone are blurred.
The panel will bring to Paris's attention the cultural and ethnic harmony that exists between border residents in both countries and that it is too precious to be jeopardised by security woes.
The information to be submitted to the French senate will make for a strong argument that a peaceful avenue is preferred to the armed clashes in which both sides stand to lose.
Much of the information related to Preah Vihear has been put forth by government agencies and the military. The panel feels that as lawmakers and representatives of the people it has a duty to provide additional information to the WHC in order that the issue can be thoroughly vetted.
The panel has reaffirmed its stand on the joint development of the world heritage-listed site as well as adherence to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding that binds the two countries to border negotiations. The panel reiterated that the MoU must be retained if any negotiations are to have a chance of bearing fruit.
A source in the Senate said the committee disapproved of the government's closure of border posts or a downgrading of the bilateral links since the two countries depended on each other for trade and investment.
Bangkok Post
There is no end in sight to the strained Thai-Cambodian relations as both sides explore new options for a non-military solution to the border security crisis.
Publicly, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the military have dealt with the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. But behind the scenes, a parliamentary panel has quietly been trying to hammer out a solution to the conflict.
The Senate standing committee on foreign affairs has studied the border conflict for some time although its work has gone unreported by the media.
The panel, headed by Phikulkaew Krairiksh, has interviewed people in the know and compiled information on the impacts of the bilateral fallout.
It has interviewed local experts, academics, and individuals who have borne the brunt of the border hostilities.
Panel members have also visited the border provinces of Surin and Si Sa Ket to see for themselves the reality of the situation on the ground. They have heard the plight and the demands of local officials, soldiers and villagers living in the conflict zones.
Ms Phikulkaew, a Phitsanulok senator and sister of Information and Communication Technology Minister Juti Krairiksh, said the information collected would be presented to France's senate. Paris has played a significant role in meetings held by the World Heritage Committee on the management plan for the Preah Vihear temple in the disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia.
France is believed to have influence over Cambodia, the nation it was once the colonial ruler of.
The villagers on both sides of the common border have been crossing back and forth for centuries and they are so culturally close-knit that it is nearly impossible to tell them apart.
The panel thinks this continued cooperation between the locals can defuse the row that military efforts have failed to settle.
Most recently, Asean has tried to help the countries mediate the conflict by bringing the two sides together for talks. Indonesia, at a recent meeting of Asean ministers in Jakarta offered to send observers to the border area.
But they have yet to arrive, largely due to the Thai government's insistence that all Cambodian troops need to withdraw from the areas around the Preah Vihear temple, the Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda and adjoining areas before Indonesian observers can arrive.
The panel has proposed that the two countries jointly develop the ancient Hindu temple and the disputed area surrounding it.
The dispute might dissipate over time if the borders in the conflict zone are blurred.
The panel will bring to Paris's attention the cultural and ethnic harmony that exists between border residents in both countries and that it is too precious to be jeopardised by security woes.
The information to be submitted to the French senate will make for a strong argument that a peaceful avenue is preferred to the armed clashes in which both sides stand to lose.
Much of the information related to Preah Vihear has been put forth by government agencies and the military. The panel feels that as lawmakers and representatives of the people it has a duty to provide additional information to the WHC in order that the issue can be thoroughly vetted.
The panel has reaffirmed its stand on the joint development of the world heritage-listed site as well as adherence to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding that binds the two countries to border negotiations. The panel reiterated that the MoU must be retained if any negotiations are to have a chance of bearing fruit.
A source in the Senate said the committee disapproved of the government's closure of border posts or a downgrading of the bilateral links since the two countries depended on each other for trade and investment.
3 comments:
How about we joint developed all the Khmer temples in Thailand? If they agree, we'll agree to it.
It was joint developed before, local people across the border live in harmony until these Yellow Sit people started to cause trouble.
Agree. How about Cambodia propose a joint development of all the Thai temples? Preah Vihear temple is a Cambodian temple, located inside Khmer territory, so there is no question of a joint management with Thailand. If Thailand wants a joint management of Preah Vihear temple or any other Cambodian temples, then we propose a joint management of all the Thai temples with Thailand. How about that, is it fair?
it is Thai's panel, your decision is nothing involve with Khmer. Khmer is independent state.you no need to tell Khmer what to do. It is Khmer property.
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