THE WORLD COURT

'Thais won't accept ICJ ruling in temple dispute'

Khanittha Thepphajorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A yellow-shirt group yesterday submitted letters to the United Nations, the Army chief and the Supreme Court president, demanding rejection of the ongoing International Court of Justice hearing into the Thai-Cambodian dispute.

Hundreds of members of the United Front of Patriotic Thais for the Protection of Thai Territory (UFPTP), led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong, gathered at the Royal Plaza at 11am and paid their respects to the King Rama V statue. They then formed a procession and marched to the Makkhawan Rangsang Bridge to submit a letter to the UN office.

Before the march, Chaiwat announced his group was invoking Articles 70 and 71 to protect the national interest by rejecting the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the dispute over the Preah Vihear Temple. Chaiwat said his group wanted to advise the UN that Thais would never accept ICJ jurisdiction and they opposed the government and politicians who "betrayed" the nation by handing over national interests to others.

Chaiwat submitted the UFPTP letter to Adnan Alini, an adviser to the UN office in Bangkok. The letter was supported by copies of 1.2 million signatures Chaiwat claimed his group had gathered in opposition to the ICJ's involvement. The UFPTP demonstrators moved on to Army headquarters and submitted a letter to the Army chief via Lt-Colonel Satit Wongsamlee, an officer on duty at the Army Secretariat.

The protesters then marched to the Supreme Court and submitted a letter to the court president via a court official. Chaiwat read a statement in front of the court, demanding the judiciary counter-balance the government's power to stop it from giving away the country's sovereignty. The group dispersed at 2.30pm. Chaiwat said his group would rally on Kood Island in Trat on February 2.

Meanwhile, Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said he hoped the UFPTP would not break the law in its demonstrations.

He said the Army and the government were waiting for a ruling from the ICJ before planning the next move.

The Army chief said he preferred bilateral talks with the Cambodian government on how to settle the dispute over the land plot near the Preah Vihear Temple.

-- The Nation 2013-01-22

The Govt seems not to be able to harness National pride. They can ill afford to have more damage against their track record and Thai's no matter what political sensibility, have proven they are swing voters. The phone will be running hot to Dubai for sure.

The Govt seems not to be able to harness National pride. They can ill afford to have more damage against their track record and Thai's no matter what political sensibility, have proven they are swing voters. The phone will be running hot to Dubai for sure.

No surprise there will be opposition and it's the same with internal politics - if one party says "black" the other immediately says "white" not much of a thought process. Reminds me of the US

The Govt seems not to be able to harness National pride. They can ill afford to have more damage against their track record and Thai's no matter what political sensibility, have proven they are swing voters. The phone will be running hot to Dubai for sure.

Why would the government want to stoke the flames of nationalism? I didn't realise that was a prerequisite for a government.

The only thing left to play for PAD is the Nationalism card.

The think they still need to exist till Thaksin's clan is eradicated, but have no direct function, so continue to troll out the nationalism card on the temple,to attempt to stay relevant and hold their force together.

The only thing left to play for PAD is the Nationalism card.

The think they still need to exist till Thaksin's clan is eradicated, but have no direct function, so continue to troll out the nationalism card on the temple,to attempt to stay relevant and hold their force together.

Agree totally. PAD has folded and have nothing left. The factions like the recent Pitak Siam are splits but all grasping at straws as the stranglehold and probable dictatorship (hardly anything democratic about it) on Thailand by the Shinawatra clan seems inevitable.

The only thing left to play for PAD is the Nationalism card.

The think they still need to exist till Thaksin's clan is eradicated, but have no direct function, so continue to troll out the nationalism card on the temple,to attempt to stay relevant and hold their force together.

Agree totally. PAD has folded and have nothing left. The factions like the recent Pitak Siam are splits but all grasping at straws as the stranglehold and probable dictatorship (hardly anything democratic about it) on Thailand by the Shinawatra clan seems inevitable.

They might get more support if they focused on a platform to provide a true, sustainable & fair democracy along with a viable plan to reduce corruption. I would like to say eradicate corruption but the goals need to be realistic. The path to achieving these goals need to include a drastic reform of the education system. Using the land around the temple or the "clan" as their sole focus is simply not enough. Proposing sustainable solutions to win the hearts of the people will turn into a genuine force to be reckoned with. And, find a charismatic, sincere leader who does not carry any baggage.

2013

4 sqkm of land

military actions possible

many dead

...it is more than just pathetic!

So their numbers have dwindled from the few thousnds that attended the Pitak Siam rally, to the few hundreds now. By the time they rally on Kood Island they will probably all fit into one rowing boat - with luck, it will sink and that will be the end of them.

A pathetic bunch of war-mongering, jingoistic hasbeens.

The only thing left to play for PAD is the Nationalism card.

The think they still need to exist till Thaksin's clan is eradicated, but have no direct function, so continue to troll out the nationalism card on the temple,to attempt to stay relevant and hold their force together.

Agree totally. PAD has folded and have nothing left. The factions like the recent Pitak Siam are splits but all grasping at straws as the stranglehold and probable dictatorship (hardly anything democratic about it) on Thailand by the Shinawatra clan seems inevitable.

They might get more support if they focused on a platform to provide a true, sustainable & fair democracy along with a viable plan to reduce corruption. I would like to say eradicate corruption but the goals need to be realistic. The path to achieving these goals need to include a drastic reform of the education system. Using the land around the temple or the "clan" as their sole focus is simply not enough. Proposing sustainable solutions to win the hearts of the people will turn into a genuine force to be reckoned with. And, find a charismatic, sincere leader who does not carry any baggage.

Sadly I think the corruption and greed is at such a level, education has fallen by the way side. It is 'us-or-them' mentality and greed the motivating force. Democracy is the excuse, but greed the motivating factor. Logic IMHO does not exist in Thai's bless their little back smiling hearts. As to giving up land - unheard of.

The Govt seems not to be able to harness National pride. They can ill afford to have more damage against their track record and Thai's no matter what political sensibility, have proven they are swing voters. The phone will be running hot to Dubai for sure.

Why would the government want to stoke the flames of nationalism? I didn't realise that was a prerequisite for a government.

You are not aware of the issues?

Chaiwat said his group wanted to advise the UN that Thais would never accept ICJ jurisdiction

It's always nice to here someone stating with such confidence 'we Thai'.

The Govt seems not to be able to harness National pride. They can ill afford to have more damage against their track record and Thai's no matter what political sensibility, have proven they are swing voters. The phone will be running hot to Dubai for sure.

Why would the government want to stoke the flames of nationalism? I didn't realise that was a prerequisite for a government.

You are not aware of the issues?

Since when does ptp want to fight with Cambodia? That is reserved for the pad.

The Govt seems not to be able to harness National pride. They can ill afford to have more damage against their track record and Thai's no matter what political sensibility, have proven they are swing voters. The phone will be running hot to Dubai for sure.

Why would the government want to stoke the flames of nationalism? I didn't realise that was a prerequisite for a government.

You are not aware of the issues?

Since when does ptp want to fight with Cambodia? That is reserved for the pad.

Precisely, and a few other splinter groups with equally nationalistic ideas.

Mind you with the Foreign Minister warning things could get wrong at a time where we look forward to a BMA governor election, continued rumours on constitution changes and a few billion Baht budgets to be spread around, one may wonder what the Pheu Thai led government has to gain in stoking unrest amongst 'less friendly' opponents who can easily be (mis)identified as democrats-led, sponsored, etc., etc.

Of course this current government clearly stands above all misschief with their emphasise on transparency, we'll tell you all (later, probably, ifyou keep asking)

the United Front of Patriotic Thais for the Protection of Thai Territory (UFPTP)

Shouldn't that be UFPTPTT ?

Check the night sky, the dummy has been spat into lunar orbit.

Pathetic wittle children.

the United Front of Patriotic Thais for the Protection of Thai Territory (UFPTP)

Shouldn't that be UFPTPTT ?

Pffft....

Anyone seriously think ptp and the reds are going to make a fuss over this when it essentially allies them with the PAD?

No way, never. They even have the army on a leash about this.

No wonder this country is standing still. It's like a broken traffic light. Yellow, red, yellow, red, yellow, red...

No green in sight.