PAD rally will only complicate [Preah Vihear] matters: PM

Thai yellow shirt protesters rallied near Preah Vihear on 19th September 2009 that erupted into violence where scores of police, locals and protesters were injured.

By The Nation
Published on August 6, 2010

If the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) held a rally on Saturday, it would only make the Preah Vihear temple issue more complicated, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

"Frankly speaking, the rally could make the situation more complicated, but if they really want to hold the demonstration, it should be done in accordance with the law," he said.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang has called for a demonstration in front of the prime minister's office on Saturday to demand the government revoke the memorandum of understanding on boundary demarcation signed with Cambodia in 2000.

The MoU, which recognises the Siam-French demarcation map, would allow Cambodia to claim Thai territory, Chamlong said.

"As Thai citizens, we have the duty to protect our sovereignty," he said.

With Bangkok still under a state of emergency, any public gathering of more than five people is prohibited. However, Abhisit declined to say if the emergency law would be enforced to block the PAD protest.

The PAD is a government ally, but it seems to have turned against Abhisit due to a difference in opinion over Preah Vihear. The nationalist group was against the Hindu temple getting World Heritage status, and demanded the government fight it too, as well as use force to exercise Thai sovereignty in the area adjacent to the temple.

The Preah Vihear, according to a ruling by the International Court of Justice in 1962, is on territory under sovereignty of Cambodia. Thailand says the court had only ruled on the ruins, not the surrounding area, which is Thai territory.

Abhisit, however, cannot cede to PAD's demands because the Democrat-led government under Chuan Leekpai had signed the 2000 MoU. Instead he is urging the PAD and other groups raising concern over the Preah Vihear issue to help the government come up with solutions.

Chamlong said he wanted to know if the government had a solid plan about what it should do in a year from now, when the World Heritage Committee considers Cambodia's temple management plan.

The Thai delegation managed to convince the panel to consider the management plan during its next session in 2011, but there are no clear ideas on what Thailand would do next.

Preah Vihear was made a World Heritage Site in 2008, obliging Cambodia to produce a management plan for the committee's consideration.

Even though the plan has been delayed by a year, Cambodia says it can still implement the plan. A statement from Phnom Penh said several jobs, such as the enlargement of the buffer zone to the south of the property, have been completed so far.

Meanwhile, despite the hot debate on the temple, the situation along the border province of Si Sa Ket remained calm. However, the situation might get heated as another PAD member Veera Somkwamkid is planning to take a group of protesters to the temple this weekend.

His plan is to disturb the peace of villagers in Ban Phum Srol for clashing with his group in 2008.

However, police and local authorities said yesterday they were ready to control the situation, adding that Ban Phum Srol residents were mostly Khmer natives and wanted no confrontation.

Meanwhile, Thippong Thipkesorn, sub-district police chief for Bung Malou, urged Veera to adjust his plan and seek opinions from local people.