[Thai] PM tells Thai team to fight temple row ‘head on’

Thursday, 28 March 2013  
By  MCOT  
 

BANGKOK, March 26 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today urged the Thai delegation to work with fullest capacity in its defence of Thai interests in the Phra Viharn temple conflict at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) next month.

Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana said the premier met with high-level officials for the latest update on preparations by the Thai team on the Phra Viharn (Preah Vihear) dispute.

Veerachai Paladisai, Thai ambassador to The Hague, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat and Mr Phongthep were among those present in the meeting.

The issue will be tabled to the National Security Council meeting on Friday after which the statement by the Thai team at the ICJ will be approved in the next Cabinet meeting.

The ICJ has set April 15-19 for Thai and Cambodian oral statements on the dispute. Cambodia is scheduled to take the floor on April 15, to be followed by Thailand the next day.

After a one-day intermission, Cambodia will give a closing statement on April 18 and Thailand will follow.

Mr Phongthep said a verbal statement authorises the speaker to adjust some wording to get straight to the point.

He said today’s meeting also discussed the possibility of broadcasting the hearing to Thai people but no conclusion was reached on the means of such a broadcast and what television station would be in charge.

The hearing can be viewed via the Internet, he said.