Monday, 07 January 2013
By
MCOT
SI SA KET, Jan 7 - The situation along the
Thai-Cambodian border in this northeastern Thai province remains calm
today amid renewed tension due to the Thai Foreign Ministry’s handling
of the Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) temple dispute.
Residents in Si Sa Ket lead their lives normally but closely
monitoring news after Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul
admitted he was not confident Thailand will win the Phra Viharn (Preah
Vihear) temple dispute filed by Cambodia in the International Court of
Justice (ICJ) in the Netherlands.
Veerasit Koksee, 67-year-old resident of Phum Srol village in
Kantaralak district, said he follows the news every day and urges
concerned agencies to clarify the issue with the public as news reports
are inconsistent.
Pan Kingsaeng from Sokkampom village, the coordination point of the
so-called activist group Dhammar Yatra Pitak Siam is located, said the
group retains their protest stage there and is prepared to rally again.
Mr Pan, a Dhamma Yatra group activist, said he calls on the
government to solve the border dispute as soon as possible. He pledges
the group's stage is ready to be a forum of public opinion.
Meanwhile, trade at Chong Sangam border pass in Bhu Sing district is
normal with Thai and Khmer traders doing business as usual. The Preah
Vihear conflict has not been discussed in the area.
The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia erupted shortly after
UNESCO approved Cambodia's bid to have Phra Viharn temple named a World
Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Thailand claims ownership of 4.6 square
kilometres of scrubland next to the temple.
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