PAD threatens to take to streets again over Preah Vihear, makes seven demands

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The ongoing battle with Cambodia over the ancient Hindu temple Preah Vihear has renewed the political fervour of the nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who threatened yesterday to hold street protests if the government failed to reject the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said yesterday that the government needs to meet his group's seven demands or it will besiege Government House again.

"If there are any issues for which people deem a huge rally is necessary, we will rally at the same old place - Government House," Chamlong told the press. Co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul backed him up by saying PAD wanted to protect Thai territory since the previous governments, including the Democrat and the Pheu Thai-led ones, had failed to perform their duty.

"If nobody is interested in what we are demanding, then let us just hand Thailand over to anyone who wants to invade our territory," Sondhi said at the press conference.

The PAD has been igniting nationalistic sentiment since 2008, when Cambodia proposed to get Preah Vihear listed as a World Heritage Site. It ousted Noppadon Pattama from his post as foreign minister under Samak Sundaravej's government because he supported the Cambodian proposal, and then seized Government House and Suvaranabhumi Airport to force Somchai Wongsawat's Cabinet to step down in late 2008.

Thailand's political battles later spilled over to Phnom Penh when the PAD managed to force Abhisit Vejjajiva's government to block Cambodia's moves to make the ancient temple a World Heritage Site.

Then Cambodia took the case to ICJ asking for an interpretation of the scope and meaning of its 1962 verdict, in which it ruled that the temple was located on Cambodian territory. Phnom Penh wanted the ICJ to explain who has sovereignty over the area surrounding the temple, which Thailand claims as its own. The ICJ will listen to another round of testimony in April and expects to deliver its final verdict later this year.

PAD spokesman Panthep Phuaphongphan said his group would submit its seven demands to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday, in which the government will be encouraged to speak up at The Hague in April and officially denounce the ICJ's jurisdiction.

Once it has rejected the court's jurisdiction, Thailand will no longer have to comply with the court's injunction to withdraw troops from the disputed area, he said, adding that the government should also force all Cambodian people out of areas considered Thai territory.

He also called on the government to restore its standing with the UN Security Council to ensure that it will side with Thailand, adding that the United Nations and the Asean should exercise their respective charters to guarantee Thai sovereignty over the area and prevent foreign intervention.

Like Abhisit's government, this government should also denounce Unesco's World Heritage Convention, he said. The last demand was that the government help bring back national activists Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanpaiboon, who were arrested in Cambodia for trespassing and espionage, he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul called a meeting with concerned officials to review the government's strategy in the Preah Vihear case. He said that he had confidence in the information and evidence collected by the legal team, led by Thai Ambassador to the Hague Virachai Plasai.

"But if the outcome is not what is expected, then government will be concerned about the people's feelings, as a certain group in the country is trying to spread the misconception of lost territory," he said.

Opposition leader Abhisit said the government was not taking this issue seriously or using its good relations with Cambodia to benefit national interest.

"Without strong commitment from the government, we are not sure if we can win the trial. Nobody should blame the previous government for allowing Cambodia to take this case to court. Cambodia exercised its right to ask the court to interpret the [1962] judgement," Abhisit said, adding Thailand must protect its rights in the court.

-- The Nation 2013-01-05

"......(PAD), who threatened yesterday to hold street protests if the government failed to reject the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)."

PAD spokesman Panthep Phuaphongphan said his group would submit its seven demands to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday, in which the government will be encouraged to speak up at The Hague in April and officially denounce the ICJ's jurisdiction.

What's PAD's hidden agenda..storm and besiege Governtment House again?

Thailand needs rest, not mobs in the streets again.

What an idiots (with their own agenda's but it's NOT about the ancient the Hindu temple Preah Vihear )

Surapong is as useful as a chocolate teapot and then has the audacity to blame the previous administration for his ineffectiveness

"......(PAD), who threatened yesterday to hold street protests if the government failed to reject the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)."

PAD spokesman Panthep Phuaphongphan said his group would submit its seven demands to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday, in which the government will be encouraged to speak up at The Hague in April and officially denounce the ICJ's jurisdiction.

What's PAD's hidden agenda..storm and besiege Governtment House again?

Thailand needs rest, not mobs in the streets again.

What an idiots (with their own agenda's but it's NOT about the ancient the Hindu temple Preah Vihear )

I agree.

So much emotion which resolves nothing. People killed for nothing. Just get out and vote. That is the only place you can truly make a difference. When they take away your vote, then take to the streets.

Hopefully they mean government house in phnom penh

Surapong lackadaisical

Army is ready to fight

PAD to take to the streets

I wonder who stands to personally benefit from any oil concessions in the GoS.....

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect App

"the Asean should exercise their respective charters to guarantee Thai sovereignty over the area and prevent foreign intervention."

Somebody should tell him that Cambodia are an ASEAN member as well.

Nobody cares about the temple, they are fighting over oil and gas plots offshore. Big money involved. The temple being used as a front.

Give Preah Vihar back to the Hindus, I say.

Nobody cares about the temple, they are fighting over oil and gas plots offshore. Big money involved. The temple being used as a front.

I do agree with what you are saying, how ever I wont be surprised if they actually sort the gas fields out very quickly when push comes to shove, as some of the interested parties want the money from the gas in the bank while they are a big wig.

I think the "Yellows" could have egg on their face over this issue very easily. It is clear that the spirit of the judgements previously were in favor of Cambodia. It is a bit like pissing into a 25 knot head wind.

"Re-Drawing" the countries boundary though might open a can of worms down in the south though.

Edited January 5, 201313 yr by Chao Lao Beach

Nobody cares about the temple, they are fighting over oil and gas plots offshore. Big money involved. The temple being used as a front.

I do agree with what you are saying, how ever I wont be surprised if they actually sort the gas fields out very quickly when push comes to shove, as some of the interested parties want the money from the gas in the bank while they are a big wig.

I think the "Yellows" could have egg on their face over this issue very easily. It is clear that the spirit of the judgements previously were in favor of Cambodia. It is a bit like pissing into a 25 knot head wind.

"Re-Drawing" the countries boundary though might open a can of worms down in the south though.

If they redraw the boundary based on the original agreement, that would probably go in Thailand's favour. The agreement said that the border would be on the watershed which would put the temple in Thailand. Unfortunately, the maps produced by the French went off the watershed around the temple putting the temple in Cambodia.

Nobody cares about the temple, they are fighting over oil and gas plots offshore. Big money involved. The temple being used as a front.

I do agree with what you are saying, how ever I wont be surprised if they actually sort the gas fields out very quickly when push comes to shove, as some of the interested parties want the money from the gas in the bank while they are a big wig.

I think the "Yellows" could have egg on their face over this issue very easily. It is clear that the spirit of the judgements previously were in favor of Cambodia. It is a bit like pissing into a 25 knot head wind.

"Re-Drawing" the countries boundary though might open a can of worms down in the south though.

The prime ministers brother just bought a major slice of an oil and gas services company, with his mate from Nestle. And his other good golf pal Hun Sen is in on it all too.

The PAD know this. That's all there is to it.

I visited Prah Viharn temple 14 years ago and both sides couldn't have given a shit about it, was run down and neglected.

Lord Vishnu would not be happy at all.

Edited January 5, 201313 yr by DaamNaam

While one party is concerned with first cars and higher wages, the other party is concerned about a temple shrine which has been awarded by the international World organization to Cambodia for over two years ago?

What does this temple mean to a bunch of PAD losers who do the exact opposite of what Thai culture Buddhism principles proposes?

While one party is concerned with first cars and higher wages, the other party is concerned about a temple shrine which has been awarded by the international World organization to Cambodia for over two years ago?

What does this temple mean to a bunch of PAD losers who do the exact opposite of what Thai culture Buddhism principles proposes?

The temple was awarded to Cambodia 50 years ago.

The PAD issue is about the adjoining land that the ICJ hasn't ruled on ... yet. That is what Cambodia has asked in the current ICJ case: "Did you rule on the adjoining land in 1962?"

The temple was awarded to Cambodia 50 years ago.

The PAD issue is about Whipping up ersatz nationalism for internal political malarky

Whats fun is watching how many Expats swallow the hook line and sinker and come out yapping about oil and gas rights with a straight keyboard.

The Thais are such bad losers when they don't get their way. Like little spoilt children.

The temple belongs to the Khmers, it is a Khmer Hindu temple. It was demarcated on the Cambodian side of the border.

Everyone seems to forget Thailand's habitual land grabs of Khmer and Cambodian territory, especially during WWII when fascist general Phibun invaded and claimed much of Western Cambodia for Thailand, only to be forced to give it all back when Thailand ended up on the losing side at the end of the war. Victory Monument in Bangkok commemorates that shameful land grab.

Throughout recent history Thailand has been the aggressor along the border with Cambodia, training, arming and conducting raids with Khmer Rouge cadres while Pol Pot was given safe refuge in Trat after his odious regime was ousted by the Vietnamese.

The Thais are such bad losers when they don't get their way. Like little spoilt children.

The temple belongs to the Khmers, it is a Khmer Hindu temple. It was demarcated on the Cambodian side of the border.

Everyone seems to forget Thailand's habitual land grabs of Khmer and Cambodian territory, especially during WWII when fascist general Phibun invaded and claimed much of Western Cambodia for Thailand, only to be forced to give it all back when Thailand ended up on the losing side at the end of the war. Victory Monument in Bangkok commemorates that shameful land grab.

Throughout recent history Thailand has been the aggressor along the border with Cambodia, training, arming and conducting raids with Khmer Rouge cadres while Pol Pot was given safe refuge in Trat after his odious regime was ousted by the Vietnamese.

Ayutthaya is a Khmer Hindu temple too. Does it belong to the Khmers?

My favourite bit of the Jurassic PAD demands is that Thailand should restore its status with the UN Security Council so that the latter would side with Thailand.What an appalling collection of fruitcakes.

The temple was awarded to Cambodia 50 years ago.

The PAD issue is about Whipping up ersatz nationalism for internal political malarky

Whats fun is watching how many Expats swallow the hook line and sinker and come out yapping about oil and gas rights with a straight keyboard.

I'm actually involved in it. It ain't yapping.

The temple was awarded to Cambodia 50 years ago.

The PAD issue is about Whipping up ersatz nationalism for internal political malarky

Whats fun is watching how many Expats swallow the hook line and sinker and come out yapping about oil and gas rights with a straight keyboard.

I'm actually involved in it. It ain't yapping.

Actually i have first hand knowledge that it was not the PM's brother but actually Suthep from the Democrats brother who bought a major slice of a gas and oil company.

Ayutthaya is a Khmer Hindu temple too. Does it belong to the Khmers?

Ayutthaya was a Siamese Kingdom established in the mid 14th century BC.

Preah Vihear is a national symbol of Cambodia and a Khmer Hindu temple.

Ayutthaya is a Khmer Hindu temple too. Does it belong to the Khmers?

Ayutthaya was a Siamese Kingdom established in the mid 14th century BC.

Preah Vihear is a national symbol of Cambodia and a Khmer Hindu temple.

I stand corrected. I thought the temples were built earlier.

Isn't Angkor Wat the national symbol of Cambodia?

Isn't Angkor Wat the national symbol of Cambodia?

It is one of them, didn't stop the Thais trying to forcibly take it last century though.

Preah Vihear is one of the oldest Khmer temples I believe, and it is on the Cambodian immigration card.

Ironically Ayutthaya has World Heritage Status, the very thing the PAD is protesting against being given to Preah Vihear.

Typical PAD......utterly useless war-mongering over a tiny patch of useless scrubland. After Thailand's standing in the International community is slowly recovering from the coups, dodgy governments and the slaughter in Bangkok, we have this bunch of idiots demanding that the country denounces the ICJ and, presumably, goes to war with Cambodia!

Contrast this idiocy with Yinglick"s co-operation with Cambodia over mine clearing in the region, and I know who I'd rather have running the Country.

The temple was awarded to Cambodia 50 years ago.

The PAD issue is about Whipping up ersatz nationalism for internal political malarky

Whats fun is watching how many Expats swallow the hook line and sinker and come out yapping about oil and gas rights with a straight keyboard.

I'm actually involved in it. It ain't yapping.

Actually i have first hand knowledge that it was not the PM's brother but actually Suthep from the Democrats brother who bought a major slice of a gas and oil company.

wrong again.

The Thais are such bad losers when they don't get their way. Like little spoilt children.

The temple belongs to the Khmers, it is a Khmer Hindu temple. It was demarcated on the Cambodian side of the border.

Everyone seems to forget Thailand's habitual land grabs of Khmer and Cambodian territory, especially during WWII when fascist general Phibun invaded and claimed much of Western Cambodia for Thailand, only to be forced to give it all back when Thailand ended up on the losing side at the end of the war. Victory Monument in Bangkok commemorates that shameful land grab.

Throughout recent history Thailand has been the aggressor along the border with Cambodia, training, arming and conducting raids with Khmer Rouge cadres while Pol Pot was given safe refuge in Trat after his odious regime was ousted by the Vietnamese.

Ayutthaya is a Khmer Hindu temple too. Does it belong to the Khmers?

Ayutthaya is a city, and the temple ruins there were never Khmer and have always been Buddhist with Hindu influence.

Get your history staight please

Ayutthaya is a Khmer Hindu temple too. Does it belong to the Khmers?

Ayutthaya was a Siamese Kingdom established in the mid 14th century BC.

Preah Vihear is a national symbol of Cambodia and a Khmer Hindu temple.

Bit OT, but not "BC" - That Kingdom was formed from earlier ones in the region - 14th century AD.

Please . . . no more protests, no more "taking to the streets", no more storming of buildings, no more "he said/she said" . . . govern effectively, efficiently, honestly and things would go a lot better here . . . and that goes for any and all of the various colored shirts.

My prediction, that you guys can hang me from

PAD tries to mount protests and use this as an indirect way of attacking the government.

minimal support is generated as Thais are tired of the bickering

Civilian authorities respond to PAd sponsored protests with overwhelming force, crushing the protests before they can get out of hand.

thailand just can't afford any more of these violent protests. UDD or PAD, it's bad for the country.

The Thais are such bad losers when they don't get their way. Like little spoilt children.

The temple belongs to the Khmers, it is a Khmer Hindu temple. It was demarcated on the Cambodian side of the border.

Everyone seems to forget Thailand's habitual land grabs of Khmer and Cambodian territory, especially during WWII when fascist general Phibun invaded and claimed much of Western Cambodia for Thailand, only to be forced to give it all back when Thailand ended up on the losing side at the end of the war. Victory Monument in Bangkok commemorates that shameful land grab.

Throughout recent history Thailand has been the aggressor along the border with Cambodia, training, arming and conducting raids with Khmer Rouge cadres while Pol Pot was given safe refuge in Trat after his odious regime was ousted by the Vietnamese.

Ayutthaya is a Khmer Hindu temple too. Does it belong to the Khmers?

There are many Khmer style temples in Thailand, but unlike Preah Vihear or Khao Phra Viharn in Thai, Ayuttaya is not located anywhere near the Cambodian border so your point is moot.

Also, Ayuttaya temples are unlikely to be Khmer influenced; more likely you are referring to Phimai, about 45km north of Nakorn Ratchasima as well as other temples in Surin, Sri Saket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.

Edited January 5, 201313 yr by Tomtomtom69