Abhisit: Noppadon to blame

Noppadon showing the media map of Preah Vihear to be included in the Unesco inscription.

Bangkok Post
Published: 25/07/2011

All current border problems with Cambodia are a consequence of former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama signing a joint communique with Cambodia and supporting Phnom Penh's unilateral request for the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site, caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.

He was responding to criticism by Mr Noppadon of the Abhisit government's performance at the hearings at the International Court of Justice, where Cambodia has filed a case requesting an interpretation of the 1962 ruling on ownership of Preah Vihear temple, which awarded the actual ruins to Cambodia.

Mr Abhisit said Mr Noppadon's support allowed Cambodia to advance its case in demanding the right to manage the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area around the temple ruins, and his government was then left to find ways to protect the Thai territory.

Asked if there would be any problem in protecting Thai soil when the new government headed by the Pheu Thai Party, which Mr Noppadon supports, takes office soon, Mr Abhisit said he hoped the new government would do its best to protect the national interest.

The border issue had a number of sensitive factors in terms of military strategy and law.

He said his government had been able to block Cambodia's attempts to occupy the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area over the past three years, and presenting its case to the International Court of Justice had led to the court ordering the withdrawal of Cambodian and Thai forces from the disputed area.

Mr Abhisit said he hoped the new government would listen to the armed forces, which were determined to protect the nation's sovereignty.