[Thai] Foreign Ministry readies for talks with Cambodia on ruling

The Nation November 16, 2013 

THE FOREIGN MINISTRY is fine-tuning its plans for negotiations with Cambodia over the World Court's judgement on Preah Vihear Temple, while tensions in the border village of Phum Srol have eased.

Deputy permanent secretary Nuttavudh Photisaro said yesterday that the government would deal with Cambodia on the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice through peaceful negotiation.

The clear aim is to protect the national interest and sovereignty with the intention of being a good neighbour of Cambodia, which along with Thailand would become a member of the Asean Economic Community in two years' time, he said.

"Our stance will not affect national integrity and our reputation in the international community," Nattavudh told a seminar at Chulalongkorn University.

Thailand is in the process of preparing its position after the ICJ ruled that Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole promontory of Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu temple on the two countries' border.

The judgement in effect rejected the unilateral line determined by a Thai cabinet resolution in 1962 to limit the "vicinity" of Preah Vihear. 

The court on Monday used the borderline on the so-called Annex I map to define the limits of the promontory but admitted that it was difficult to translate this line into precise locations on the ground. The ICJ therefore urged Thailand and Cambodia to cooperate in complying with the judgement in good faith. The ruling does not permit either party - Thailand or Cambodia - to impose a unilateral solution. 

The ICJ judgement has become a political issue. Some have tried to corner the government into confessing that the country has lost territory. They want the government to denounce the World Court ruling. 

Thai Ambassador to The Hague Virachai Plasai said that as an official of the Foreign Ministry, he could not say whether Thailand had lost any territory. "What I can say it that we have to talk with Cambodia on the judgement," he said at the Chulalongkorn seminar. 

The government has set up a working group chaired by Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuanketkeow to deal with the ICJ judgement. The group will call a meeting on Tuesday to study the judgement and offer options to the government.

"Parts of the court judgement are in favour of Thailand, and we have the diplomatic skills to negotiate with Cambodia for mutual benefit," Sihasak said. 

In another development, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan visited villagers, soldiers and local officials in Si Sa Ket's Phum Srol village, which is on the border with Cambodia.

People said tensions on the border had eased after the court's verdict as they were confident that there would be no military clashes. 

"As long as the crucial part of the territory in the disputed area of 4.6 square kilometres was not lost, the two countries will be able to negotiate on how to handle the minor part of the Preah Vihear promontory," Charupong said.