Nsc Backs Joint Development Of Disputed Temple Zone

[Lite Beer]

NSC backs joint development of disputed temple zone

The Nation

Paradorn

BANGKOK: -- National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanathabutr said yesterday that the agency would promote joint Thai-Cambodian development of the disputed area around Preah Vihear Temple, adding that if the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules that the 4.6-square-kilometre area belongs to Cambodia, Thailand must respect the decision.

"If we stick to our principles as a member of the United Nations and the world community, we must respect the court's decision for the sake of peace, otherwise the matter will snowball into a big issue,'' he said.

However, Paradorn said he was still optimistic about the case, adding that it is likely the court will decline to accept the case, or, if it does, decline to rule on whether the disputed area belongs to either country.

"What both countries want is peace. If there is a problem, there will certainly be negative consequences, but if we bring about joint development, it would be a better way out,'' he said.

Paradorn made the comments after a meeting of top officials working on the Preah Vihear case headed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

A security source said a representative from the Thai military reported to the meeting that while there had been no further clashes between the two countries in the disputed zone, Cambodia had violated a memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 by building two houses near Wat Kaewsika. The Thai military had sent two letters of protest to Cambodia, but the houses remain standing.

Paradorn was not concerned about political rallies over the Preah Vihear case. "At this stage, the government has a good approval rating. Although there have been attempts by the same old groups to stage a movement, local people in Si Sa Ket [province, opposite the temple] do not want that, as they want to live in peace. Since the current government took power, local trade and the local economy is booming. Locals say they do not want rallies. We are going to live in the Asean economy, which will force us to live together peacefully,'' he said.

The military has suggested the Foreign Ministry file a complaint with the ICJ seeking an injunction before the trial starts, the source said.

The prime minister will opt for bilateral negotiations with the Cambodian government to prevent confrontations, the source said.

Democrat Party deputy leader Thaworn Senneam said that if the government believed it has a good rapport and strong ties with the Cambodian government, it should ask Phnom Penh to withdraw the case and settle out of court.

Over the past year, the government had done nothing to protest Cambodia's move, even though Phnom Penh had issued a statement on the disputed zone that distorted the facts, Thaworn said.

He criticised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul for making excuses ahead of time, such as by stating that the result of the case would be either a "tie" or a loss for Thailand.

The government had only rushed to act on the case after political groups demanded the government protect the country's sovereignty, Thaworn said.

-- The Nation 2013-01-27

[Locationthailand]

See - there are some sensible people who believe the ruling from the ICJ should be upheld. And of course no-one seems to have taken into account the thoughts of the Si Sa Ket residents who also appear to be happy enough to live in harmony. Only time will solve this one but most of the Bangkok Thai's I speak to are adamant Thai's will not give up land. Stalemate?

[berg1666]

Wow, common sense?

[catmac]

Common sense, along with respecting the wishes of the local community. A credit to the present Government's attempts to bring about a peaceful settlement to what, in reality, is a pathetic squabble over a tiny patch of worthless scrubland.

Now contrast that to the jingoistic war-mongering of the yellow underpants brigade and the mealy mouthed words of the Dem spokesman.

[Thai at Heart]

Oh buggar that, let's have a war.

Doesn't the NSC involve the any directly also? If so. Good.

[mca]

" I have had a discussion with the PAD over the temple issue and in the interests of good relations with our neighbours they have magnanimously agreed to cede this much Thai soil to Cambodia, All PAD asks Cambodia to do in return is to issue a government statement admitting they're a bunch of shifty, dishonest, inbred, uneducated, black magic invoking <deleted> who're not as good as the glorious Thai people. Well, Thai people who're not from Isaan, poor or never had a decent education. They're scum too "

Edited January 27, 2013 by mca

[Robby nz]

I posted on this several years ago saying much the same thing but going a bit farther saying it could be developed into a jointly managed tourist area with the temple as a centerpiece, reforested and have native animals (not the ones that eat people) and birds introduced.

Had something like this been done it would now be returning cash to both countries and no doubt the villagers would be a lot better off than they are now, also those who have died would still be alive.

Of course that takes good will on both sides and no outside interfearence from advisors.

Instead we have petty squables that are a drain on both countries funds.

But wait could all this be an elaborate cover for secret negotations over the much more valuable marine area and who gets the profit from the oil we are told is in that area?

[khunken]

Common sense, along with respecting the wishes of the local community. A credit to the present Government's attempts to bring about a peaceful settlement to what, in reality, is a pathetic squabble over a tiny patch of worthless scrubland.

Now contrast that to the jingoistic war-mongering of the yellow underpants brigade and the mealy mouthed words of the Dem spokesman.

Absolute crap. The current government (aka Thaksin) don't give a sh*t about the land. They are more concerned about kowtowing to Hun Sen. Surapong who is supposed to be Thailand's foreign minister is defending Hun Sen instead of supporting the Thai opposition against foreign interference.which any fair-minded government would do.

I hope the issue is peacefully resolved but the PTP is going about it in the wrong way.

[Buchholz]

Common sense, along with respecting the wishes of the local community. A credit to the present Government's attempts to bring about a peaceful settlement to what, in reality, is a pathetic squabble over a tiny patch of worthless scrubland.

Now contrast that to the jingoistic war-mongering of the yellow underpants brigade and the mealy mouthed words of the Dem spokesman.

Absolute crap. The current government (aka Thaksin) don't give a sh*t about the land. They are more concerned about kowtowing to Hun Sen. Surapong who is supposed to be Thailand's foreign minister is defending Hun Sen instead of supporting the Thai opposition against foreign interference.which any fair-minded government would do.

I hope the issue is peacefully resolved but the PTP is going about it in the wrong way.

Have faith. Thaksin's "brother" is on the scene to open the throng of joint Thai-Cambodian tourist stands selling carved wooden frog croakers... in exchange for the casinos elsewhere.

National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Paradorn Pattanathabutr today quoted an intelligence report saying that more than 4,000 red coloured shirts have been circulated in the market and that the authorities suspect some ‘third party’ instigators will disguise themselves as Red Shirt activists and mingle with non-Red Shirt demonstrators at the Royal Plaza on Saturday.

Rather unsurprising that Thaksin's "brother" Paradorn would be putting forth the latest fake reds claim like just his "kinfolk" did before him.

Edited January 27, 2013 by Buchholz