'Revoke Preah Vihear As World Heritage Site': Suwit

[Lite Beer]

'Revoke Preah Vihear as World Heritage Site': Suwit

By Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has called on the World Heritage Committee to revoke the registration of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site in a bid to resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

"The World Heritage Committee should review its standpoint over the process to approve the registration of Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site," he told senior officials of his ministry.

Suwit has shown a draft decision of the 35th World Heritage Committee meeting and a 3D model of Preah Vihear Temple and its compound to the press.

"Thailand has always insisted to the committee that the border issue must be resolved before registering Preah Vihear Temple as World Heritage Site," he said.

"The committee never listened to us," he added.

Unesco and the committee have asked Thailand to carefully consider its future course of action in respect to the convention and to continue to be an active participant in international cooperation for the protection of the world's outstanding heritage.

Suwit said consideration of whether to continue to participate in the World Heritage Convention would take place after Thailand and Cambodia resolved the border conflict.

The ThaiCambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) is handling negotiations over the conflict.

However, Suwit suggested the next government set up a special working group of experts to continue the process of resolving the dispute.

-- The Nation 2011-07-02

[Kilgore Trout]

Suwit said consideration of whether to continue to participate in the World Heritage Convention would take place after Thailand and Cambodia resolved the border conflict.

So that means like never.....

But in Switzerland you said you would pull out; not surprising, just a bunch of hot wind.

You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....what works in Thailand doesnt work other places eh.....

[hellodolly]

"The committee never listened to us," he added

If he had wanted to be perfectly honest he would have said the committee would not do what we wanted them to do.

But truth seems to be a commodity completly lacking here. Just another case of Thailand setting themselves up as better than any one else.

[animatic]

Such absurdity.

This is not their call at all, the Temple is Not Thai. And having access land to it doesn't give you rights to demand anything.

If the Cambodians build a tramway or cable car up to the temple,

and then block the road access through Thailand to access the temple

then Thailand is just blocked out of any revenue, and has gained NOTHING. And lost much face in the process.

This was clearly not the man to be sent to talk with the commission.

And all the nationalist posturing will not win the No Voters back.

The only ones and I mean ONLY ones impressed by this Thai posturing are the internal nationalist elements, and in the big picture this is just local whining that no other nation cares 2¢ about.

Edited July 2, 2011 by animatic

[sirchai]

However, Suwit suggested the next government set up a special working group of experts to continue the process of resolving the dispute.

However, my wife suggested me to give her more money to set up a special working group of experts to continue the process of resolving issues regarding the difference between Somtham Laos style and Thai style..........

Edited July 2, 2011 by sirchai

[Lite Beer]

OPINION: EDITORIAL

A mistake to snub Unesco heritage convention

By The Nation

It appears that Thailand has cut off its nose to spite its face in the dispute over Preah Vihear Temple and adjacent territorial claims

The recent decision by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to walk out of the World Heritage Committee's meeting in Paris may have boosted his popularity here in certain quarters but in the long run Thailand's international standing may be put in an unwanted spotlight.

Thailand has to review its strategy regarding its decision to withdraw from the 1972 World Heritage Convention carefully after the kingdom decided to withdraw from the convention to express its disagreement with the World Heritage inscription of Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple.

Suwit defended his decision by saying it was made to protect Thailand's sovereignty over the territory adjacent to Preah Vihear. He said it was "too risky" for Thailand to accept the Preah Vihear management plan, in which Unesco and its committee would be asked to dispatch experts for restoration of the temple.

Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), expressed her deep regret at Suwit's declaration of Thailand's intention to denounce the 1972 World Heritage Convention. She claimed that the World Heritage Committee did not discuss the management plan of the Temple of Preah Vihear, nor did it request any reports to be submitted on its state of conservation.

The International Court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia, but questions remain unanswered over 4.6 square kilometres of adjacent territory.

It is really too bad that after all the hype about Asean solidarity, Thailand and Cambodia are unable to get on as good neighbours. Bangkok thinks that Phnom Penh will use this status or momentum with the Preah Vihear situation, locally referred to as Phra Viharn, to strengthen its leverage over the disputed 4.6 square kilometres.

In other words, Thailand is concerned that any acknowledgement of World Heritage activities related to Preah Vihear from the Thai side will be taken as an acceptance of Phnom Penh's sovereignty over the temple and its vicinity.

One cannot deny that the two countries' handling of the dispute is tainted by political motivations on both sides. Political action groups and their leaders shamelessly exploit the issue for personal and political gain at the expense of stability and security.

A number of clashes have erupted along the border and there is no guarantee that this will not happen again. Neither side wants to pull troops back for fear that in doing so they would lose political capital.

Strangely absent from this discourse are the claims by main Cambodian opposition leader, Sam Rainsy - who has now gone into self-imposed exiled - accusing Hun Sen's long time friend Vietnam of encroaching on Cambodian land.

A Cambodian court handed Sam Rainsy a 14-year sentence for instigating unrest. Nothing like that is likely to happen in Thailand because our own exiled strongman, Thaksin Shinawatra, a close friend of Hun Sen, is on the run from the law and has opted for microphone diplomacy to discredit the Thai court that found him guilty of corruption.

The World Heritage Convention says "the inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction which is claimed by more than one state shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute". But we continue to link the two together, perhaps for fear that anything else will give those opposing this view another reason to come out onto the streets for another round of mass protests.

Suwit's denunciation of the World Heritage Convention could affect the plan to list three Thai properties as World Heritage sites.

Thailand, which has accepted the convention since 1987, has five World Heritage sites and the three others are on the tentative list. They are: Phimai Temple, the "cultural route" and associated temples of Phanom Rung and Muang Tam (2004); the Phu Phrabat Historical Park (2004); and the Kaeng Krachan forest complex (2011).

The next government will have to determine Thailand's course regarding this matter. This doesn't feel like a reprieve, as both countries' domestic politics will most likely continue to aggravate this already sensitive border dispute, no matter who rules the roost domestically.

-- The Nation 2011-07-02

[chuang]

Only a moron like Suwit would make such a statement....are most ministers in thailand like to talk nonsense..

I remember during the AIS saga with Singapore they claimed Singapore government were monitoring thai army telephone calls..

and to send their aircraft carrier (white elephant) to attack Singapore.

Then when Singapore was bidding for the Youth Olympic, you had one minister saying Thailand should be the host...because the population of thailand's youth is more than the population of Singapore....

Amazing and Absurd.....

[REM]

It's funny when the 'elite', who act and think they're better than others, act worse than everyone else!!! This should be Politics 101 in every class "Domestic Political Practices Differ from International Political Practices: An In Depth Examination". But then again, they would probably still tell each other they are the best, but can't explain their domestic situation to anyone, not even themselves, or resolve an issue with name calling or bribes.

[vont]

Suwit said consideration of whether to continue to participate in the World Heritage Convention would take place after Thailand and Cambodia resolved the border conflict.

So that means like never.....

But in Switzerland you said you would pull out; not surprising, just a bunch of hot wind.

You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....what works in Thailand doesnt work other places eh.....

....You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....

did you ever try to do that yourself in thailand....?

did you ever in your waking hour try to ever do anything like what you said.... to any thai....?

try not to show off your own self-projection too much.... in public or public forum.... ok? thx

[whybother]

What!! No war with Cambodia so that the election can be called off or to gain the votes of the nationalists? But everyone said ....

[animatic]

What!! No war with Cambodia so that the election can be called off or to gain the votes of the nationalists? But everyone said ....

So I awake somewhat surprised.

[soundman]

Post removed for flaming.

Please try to carry on the discussion in a civil manner.

[Kilgore Trout]

Suwit said consideration of whether to continue to participate in the World Heritage Convention would take place after Thailand and Cambodia resolved the border conflict.

So that means like never.....

But in Switzerland you said you would pull out; not surprising, just a bunch of hot wind.

You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....what works in Thailand doesnt work other places eh.....

....You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....

did you ever try to do that yourself in thailand....?

did you ever in your waking hour try to ever do anything like what you said.... to any thai....?

try not to show off your own self-projection too much.... in public or public forum.... ok? thx

Sure, I would love to try not to act like a toddler throwing a fit when no one else in the entire world agrees with me, ok Vont....thanks

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I think it's a silly thing to do too, but I do have some indications that it was an INCREDIBLY successful electoral move. And without much consequence, the next minister at that department can just rejoin. It's brilliant.

So for this reason alone I have a lot of respect for the guy. And he had some good reason to give the UN the finger; enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

And, last but not least, it sure beats going to war over it!

[whybother]

I think it's a silly thing to do too, but I do have some indications that it was an INCREDIBLY successful electoral move. And without much consequence, the next minister at that department can just rejoin. It's brilliant.

So for this reason alone I have a lot of respect for the guy. And he had some good reason to give the UN the finger; enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

And, last but not least, it sure beats going to war over it!

It will be interesting what the new government's (who ever it is) next move will be.

If the PTP make a quick deal with the Cambodians :-

- that is suitable to the Thai public (particularly the yellow shirts), it would suggest political interference by Hun Sen.

- that is not suitable to the yellow shirts, then expect protests.

If the Democrats quickly rejoin UNESCO, it will be clear that it was just a political move.

[cardholder]

enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

Remind me again exactly what bullshit Thailand has to endure ?

[whybother]

enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

Remind me again exactly what bullshit Thailand has to endure ?

Soldiers being killed and injured by the Cambodians.

[lannarebirth]

enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

Remind me again exactly what bullshit Thailand has to endure ?

Dead sons for one. I wish they'd bulldoze the dam_n thing. Not worth a single more life. Thai or Cambodian.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

Remind me again exactly what bullshit Thailand has to endure ?

UN continuing to side with Cambodia over disputed land, after the temple land itself was already handed to the French, who were running Cambodia at the time. You can wonder how objective the UN really was post WWII but prior to the end of the colonial era. Lot of horse trading going on back then. Thailand did not and does not feel happy about the whole thing. In Thailand's opinion they have already handed over more than they should, so any continuing BS with the UN condoning further land grabs are highly disappointing and unfortunate.

(Just stating general Thai opinion, if you or me agree or not is another matter)

Edited July 3, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[whybother]

UN continuing to side with Cambodia over disputed land, after the temple land itself was already handed to the French, who were running Cambodia at the time. You can wonder how objective the UN really was post WWII but prior to the end of the colonial era. Lot of horse trading going on back then. Thailand did not and does not feel happy about the whole thing. In Thailand's opinion they have already handed over more than they should, so any continuing BS with the UN condoning further land grabs are highly disappointing and unfortunate.

(Just stating general Thai opinion, if you or me agree or not is another matter)

(just to clarify)

Cambodia gained independence in 1954.

The temple was handed to Cambodia in 1962 (by majority, not unanimous, decision), despite the 1904 treaty between (then French controlled) Cambodia and Thailand, and maps not matching the treating and never being officially accepted, although, it must be said, never being officially rejected either. The Thai government, although not happy about it, are not disputing the 1962 decision on the temple and it's land. The other surrounding land is still in dispute as it wasn't ruled on by the 1962 ICJ decision.

The idea that UNESCO would even discuss Cambodia's temple management plan that includes using disputed land is ridiculous.

[animatic]

enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

Remind me again exactly what bullshit Thailand has to endure ?

UN continuing to side with Cambodia over disputed land, after the temple land itself was already handed to the French, who were running Cambodia at the time. You can wonder how objective the UN really was post WWII but prior to the end of the colonial era. Lot of horse trading going on back then. Thailand did not and does not feel happy about the whole thing. In Thailand's opinion they have already handed over more than they should, so any continuing BS with the UN condoning further land grabs are highly disappointing and unfortunate.

(Just stating general Thai opinion, if you or me agree or not is another matter)

"You can wonder how objective the UN really was post WWII but prior to the end of the colonial era."

Are you trying to say the UN was objective before WWII???

Not sure how, since it was founded in 1945.

The League Of Nations never even effectively noticed Thailand or Cambodia.

Thailand accepted the 1909 maps and acquiesced twice since then, now they want to not agree to their earlier agreements. This whole tangle, and the deaths that have come from it, has simply been a way to create nationalist fervor for PAD since they lost a reason to be. But I'll bet PAD will forget PV very fast of it's Thaksins return and amnesties for select people on the docket. So sad people had to die, so that some could maintain their relevance on the national stage.

Edited July 3, 2011 by animatic

[cardholder]

enough is enough with some of the bullshit Thailand has to endure over this non-issue.

Remind me again exactly what bullshit Thailand has to endure ?

UN continuing to side with Cambodia over disputed land, after the temple land itself was already handed to the French, who were running Cambodia at the time. You can wonder how objective the UN really was post WWII but prior to the end of the colonial era. Lot of horse trading going on back then. Thailand did not and does not feel happy about the whole thing. In Thailand's opinion they have already handed over more than they should, so any continuing BS with the UN condoning further land grabs are highly disappointing and unfortunate.

(Just stating general Thai opinion, if you or me agree or not is another matter)

I accept the FACTS that you have stated.

i am, however, still waiting for evidence of the "bullshit" you referred to.

[ra1n85]

Suwit said consideration of whether to continue to participate in the World Heritage Convention would take place after Thailand and Cambodia resolved the border conflict.

So that means like never.....

But in Switzerland you said you would pull out; not surprising, just a bunch of hot wind.

You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....what works in Thailand doesnt work other places eh.....

....You will do what the rest of the world tells you, even if you scream and cry like a baby about it....

did you ever try to do that yourself in thailand....?

did you ever in your waking hour try to ever do anything like what you said.... to any thai....?

try not to show off your own self-projection too much.... in public or public forum.... ok? thx

Sure, I would love to try not to act like a toddler throwing a fit when no one else in the entire world agrees with me, ok Vont....thanks

Glad I'm not the only one seeing this. Yikes.