Preah Vihear hearing begins in ICJ

Published: 15 Apr 2013 
Bangkok Post 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague began hearing the final oral arguments in the legal battle between Thailand and Cambodia over their disputed area around the border temple of Preah Vihear just after 3pm Thailand time on Monday.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat leads a final meeting of officials on Sunday on the eve of the International Court of Justice's hearing on the disputed area with Cambodia. (Photo courtesy of the Foreign Ministry)

Cambodia went first, opening its case on Monday. Thailand is to open its case on Wednesday

The court has been asked to rule on the ownership of a disputed 4.6 square kilometre area, immediately adjoining the temple ruins, claimed by both countries. Ownership of the disputed territory, on their mutual border, was not mentioned in the original 1962 ruling giving the temple to Cambodia.

The Cambodian legal team argues the ruling in 1962 includes the disputed territory around the old Khmer-Hindu temple.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong is leading a Phnom Penh delegation to the hearing, with three foreign lawyers advising the country, according to ministry spokesman Koy Kuong.

"We have already prepared.... What we want is justice. We do not want anything from the other side and we do not want to lose what we own legally," he told AFP.

His arguments will be countered by a Thai legal team under Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, with Thai ambassador to the Netherlands Virachai Plasai a key man working with foreign lawyers.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat is also in The Hague with Mr Surapong.

After a meeting on Sunday in The Hague to prepare final statements for the hearing, Mr Surapong and ACM Sukumpol both expressed confidence in the outcome.

The hearing is divided into two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, in the Netherlands. Thailand times for the two sessions are 3pm to 6pm, and 8pm to 9.30pm.

The public can follow the hearings in French, with English and Thai translation, at www.phraviharn.org, on NBT Channel 11, and on three radio stations; the Radio Thailand frequencies are FM92.5 and AM891, and Saranrom Radio AM1575.

Thailand will have its first turn on Wednesday followed by Cambodia again on Thursday, and Thailand again on Friday.

The ICJ's ruling is expected to be made in October.