Cambodia Aims To Develop Area Around Preah Vihear: Thai Democrats

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Cambodia aims to develop area around Preah Vihear: Democrats
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said yesterday that Cambodia is planning to propose that the area around Preah Vihear Temple be developed, at the next meeting of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in June, and hence the government should launch a clear opposition campaign.

He urged the government to apply the January 13, 2010 resolution of the Abhisit Vejjajiva Cabinet, which objected to Cambodia's move to unilaterally have the temple registered for World Heritage status. The resolution also approved a Bt10-million budget for lobbying to stall Cambodia's listing attempt because this move would create tensions between the countries, he said. Hence, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government should follow this resolution and express its standpoint at the WHC meeting, he said.

Chavanond explained that allowing Cambodia to develop the area around the temple could affect Thailand's sovereignty and the work of the Thai team at the International Court of Justice would be wasted.

The spokesman also dismissed Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul's earlier comment that the resolution of the WHC meeting in June would not have any effect on the dispute being handled by the ICJ. He said these two matters could not be separated because if Cambodia was able to manage this area, it would be included in the French-made 1:200,000-scale map, which would not be good for Thailand.

He also urged Yingluck to listen to the opposition's advice and order that the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry, which is handling the WHC issue, object to Cambodia's request that the temple be granted World Heritage status, because this was the root cause of the dispute.

On Tuesday, Surapong presented the map approved by the 1962 Cabinet delineating Preah Vihear's "vicinity" to the current Cabinet for acknowledgement. The Thai legal team will send this map and its coordinates as well as an explanation to the ICJ tomorrow. Cambodia will then send its reaction and the Thai team will send its response to the ICJ on May 3.


-- The Nation 2013-04-25

[Locationthailand]

This is rather a lame claim and something which would be obvious to which ever side wins. Both would 'develop' the site for tourism. So no news really...

[tominbkk]

Imagine if both countries worked together to restore and promote the site.

[FarangTalk]

There are certain nationalist factions including some within the Democrats that will oppose the World Heritage listing in favour of Cambodia at all costs, and those elements are wholly responsible for the debacle we have been witnessing recently.

The Thais are even trying to use their own maps from 1962 when they lost that case?

[hellodolly]

Cooperation is the only viable solution.

Suppose Thailand won the case and Cambodia honored the decision. Thailand could then develop the land into a tourist attraction.

Then when completed Cambodia could shut down the border at Preah Vihear Temple

and it would all be legal Thailand would be left standing there with more egg on their face.

4.2 square kilometers of land to stand on and look at a world heritage site they would have to travel hundreds of miles to get into.

I believe that the Cambodians have been in the process of building a good road into the te,p;e for a few years now.

[whybother]

hellodolly, on 25 Apr 2013 - 13:03, said:

Cooperation is the only viable solution.

Suppose Thailand won the case and Cambodia honored the decision. Thailand could then develop the land into a tourist attraction.

Then when completed Cambodia could shut down the border at Preah Vihear Temple

and it would all be legal Thailand would be left standing there with more egg on their face.

4.2 square kilometers of land to stand on and look at a world heritage site they would have to travel hundreds of miles to get into.

I believe that the Cambodians have been in the process of building a good road into the te,p;e for a few years now.

The case was brought by Cambodia to clarify the 1962 ruling to determine if the land currently in dispute was actually covered. If Thailand win the case, it doesn't mean that they will gain possession of the land. It will just mean that it stays in dispute.

[DocN]

So, okay...first of all: is that really a thing to criticize? Developement as in "jobs", "income", "money" and keeping the place nice and tidy and a sight to see?

Second: I have been to Angkor and I can only tip my hat to the Cambodians. This area is clean, there are signs that tell you where you have to go...and still, the whole area makes a very "natural" impression.

Now take Ayuttaya...basically not nice at all....

So honestly: if I would favor a nation to "develope" the place, it would be Cambodia!

[animatic]

I think the proximity of the sea and land border between

Cambodia and Thailand and the off shore oil and gas reserves

and the Preah Vihear site will make it clear why ;

Changing the angle of the border even 1 degree from

parallel to the main arc of the coast line

by changing the placement of the land boundary around this temple,

as it borders the curving sea side, will mean at 5-10 km off of shore

a drastic change in sea floor rights demarcation, and thus millions of $

in revenues from the as yet untapped reserves.

If the angle changes just slightly, 1/2 degree 1 degree 4 degress, when they

are extrapolated10 km off shore , the area covered either hands dozens of

drilling platforms to Cambodia, or takes dozens from Cambodia

and then they are sitting in Thailand. The country that owns the land

gets the gas and poil revenues.

This is not at all over the temples rights, right of ways, or sovergienty,

though some fools may think so.

But it is about the BILLIONS in oil and gaz under the sea and who gets to sign the contracts

with Big Oil and Big Gaz to bring it up. This is not chicken feed, this is as big a financial investment

for BOTH nations that they have on their long term tables, and will effect growth and national development

for the next century... as well as ensure the deal makers get a HUGE payday into the personal and clan coffers, that would be sufficient to ensure national control for generations.

If you want to start a new dynasty,

you need the biggest possible leverage and financial where withall to do it.

Edited April 25, 2013 by animatic

[hellodolly]

hellodolly, on 25 Apr 2013 - 13:03, said:

Cooperation is the only viable solution.

Suppose Thailand won the case and Cambodia honored the decision. Thailand could then develop the land into a tourist attraction.

Then when completed Cambodia could shut down the border at Preah Vihear Temple

and it would all be legal Thailand would be left standing there with more egg on their face.

4.2 square kilometers of land to stand on and look at a world heritage site they would have to travel hundreds of miles to get into.

I believe that the Cambodians have been in the process of building a good road into the te,p;e for a few years now.

The case was brought by Cambodia to clarify the 1962 ruling to determine if the land currently in dispute was actually covered. If Thailand win the case, it doesn't mean that they will gain possession of the land. It will just mean that it stays in dispute.

I said Cambodia honored it. We all ready know Thailand stand will not change. If Cambodia gets decent transportation into the temple they would have no need of the land. It would be a political issue and if they let Thailand develop it and then close the border down Thailand will have won the case and still look stupid as the only way into the Temple would be hundreds of miles away.

[whybother]

Cooperation is the only viable solution.

Suppose Thailand won the case and Cambodia honored the decision. Thailand could then develop the land into a tourist attraction.

Then when completed Cambodia could shut down the border at Preah Vihear Temple

and it would all be legal Thailand would be left standing there with more egg on their face.

4.2 square kilometers of land to stand on and look at a world heritage site they would have to travel hundreds of miles to get into.

I believe that the Cambodians have been in the process of building a good road into the te,p;e for a few years now.

The case was brought by Cambodia to clarify the 1962 ruling to determine if the land currently in dispute was actually covered. If Thailand win the case, it doesn't mean that they will gain possession of the land. It will just mean that it stays in dispute.

I said Cambodia honored it. We all ready know Thailand stand will not change. If Cambodia gets decent transportation into the temple they would have no need of the land. It would be a political issue and if they let Thailand develop it and then close the border down Thailand will have won the case and still look stupid as the only way into the Temple would be hundreds of miles away.

If Cambodia honour the decision, the area will still be in dispute.

The clarification of the 1962 decision is whether the land "in the vicinity" (ie the land in dispute) is included in the 1962 decision. If it is not included in the 1962 decision (ie Thailand win), then it remains in dispute. Cambodia have nothing to honour.

Edited April 25, 2013 by whybother

[whybother]

I think the proximity of the sea and land border between

Cambodia and Thailand and the off shore oil and gas reserves

and the Preah Vihear site will make it clear why ;

Changing the angle of the border even 1 degree from

parallel to the main arc of the coast line

by changing the placement of the land boundary around this temple,

as it borders the curving sea side, will mean at 5-10 km off of shore

a drastic change in sea floor rights demarcation, and thus millions of $

in revenues from the as yet untapped reserves.

If the angle changes just slightly, 1/2 degree 1 degree 4 degress, when they

are extrapolated10 km off shore , the area covered either hands dozens of

drilling platforms to Cambodia, or takes dozens from Cambodia

and then they are sitting in Thailand. The country that owns the land

gets the gas and poil revenues.

This is not at all over the temples rights, right of ways, or sovergienty,

though some fools may think so.

But it is about the BILLIONS in oil and gaz under the sea and who gets to sign the contracts

with Big Oil and Big Gaz to bring it up. This is not chicken feed, this is as big a financial investment

for BOTH nations that they have on their long term tables, and will effect growth and national development

for the next century... as well as ensure the deal makers get a HUGE payday into the personal and clan coffers, that would be sufficient to ensure national control for generations.

If you want to start a new dynasty,

you need the biggest possible leverage and financial where withall to do it.

You do know that the temple is 500 km from the sea don't you?

[Joe Mamma]

I think the proximity of the sea and land border between

Cambodia and Thailand and the off shore oil and gas reserves

and the Preah Vihear site will make it clear why ;

Changing the angle of the border even 1 degree from

parallel to the main arc of the coast line

by changing the placement of the land boundary around this temple,

as it borders the curving sea side, will mean at 5-10 km off of shore

a drastic change in sea floor rights demarcation, and thus millions of $

in revenues from the as yet untapped reserves.

If the angle changes just slightly, 1/2 degree 1 degree 4 degress, when they

are extrapolated10 km off shore , the area covered either hands dozens of

drilling platforms to Cambodia, or takes dozens from Cambodia

and then they are sitting in Thailand. The country that owns the land

gets the gas and poil revenues.

This is not at all over the temples rights, right of ways, or sovergienty,

though some fools may think so.

But it is about the BILLIONS in oil and gaz under the sea and who gets to sign the contracts

with Big Oil and Big Gaz to bring it up. This is not chicken feed, this is as big a financial investment

for BOTH nations that they have on their long term tables, and will effect growth and national development

for the next century... as well as ensure the deal makers get a HUGE payday into the personal and clan coffers, that would be sufficient to ensure national control for generations.

If you want to start a new dynasty,

you need the biggest possible leverage and financial where withall to do it.

Yes, the Cambodians have been poached by Vietnam and borders screwed up by foreign domination. It seems any new road or development means a way to exploit the natural resources and people.

[Joe Mamma]

I like the old man who lives on the edge of the cliff. If you venture there he has a blessing stick that he places precariously on the top of the sheer cliff just for you..

[Patronus]

Cooperation is the only viable solution.

Suppose Thailand won the case and Cambodia honored the decision. Thailand could then develop the land into a tourist attraction.

Then when completed Cambodia could shut down the border at Preah Vihear Temple

and it would all be legal Thailand would be left standing there with more egg on their face.

4.2 square kilometers of land to stand on and look at a world heritage site they would have to travel hundreds of miles to get into.

I believe that the Cambodians have been in the process of building a good road into the te,p;e for a few years now.

I think I am right in saying that there isn't actually a border point at Khao Phra Wihan.

[MikeOboe57]

This picture nicely shows the folly of the ICJ's 1962 decision. Understandably Cambodia wants to claim more land from Thailand, as until now the temple is almost inaccessible from the Cambodian side.

[animatic]

I think the proximity of the sea and land border between

Cambodia and Thailand and the off shore oil and gas reserves

and the Preah Vihear site will make it clear why ;

Changing the angle of the border even 1 degree from

parallel to the main arc of the coast line

by changing the placement of the land boundary around this temple,

as it borders the curving sea side, will mean at 5-10 km off of shore

a drastic change in sea floor rights demarcation, and thus millions of $

in revenues from the as yet untapped reserves.

If the angle changes just slightly, 1/2 degree 1 degree 4 degress, when they

are extrapolated10 km off shore , the area covered either hands dozens of

drilling platforms to Cambodia, or takes dozens from Cambodia

and then they are sitting in Thailand. The country that owns the land

gets the gas and poil revenues.

This is not at all over the temples rights, right of ways, or sovergienty,

though some fools may think so.

But it is about the BILLIONS in oil and gaz under the sea and who gets to sign the contracts

with Big Oil and Big Gaz to bring it up. This is not chicken feed, this is as big a financial investment

for BOTH nations that they have on their long term tables, and will effect growth and national development

for the next century... as well as ensure the deal makers get a HUGE payday into the personal and clan coffers, that would be sufficient to ensure national control for generations.

If you want to start a new dynasty,

you need the biggest possible leverage and financial where withall to do it.

You do know that the temple is 500 km from the sea don't you?

That doesn't make the border angle issue any different.

Edited April 26, 2013 by animatic

[whybother]

I think the proximity of the sea and land border between

Cambodia and Thailand and the off shore oil and gas reserves

and the Preah Vihear site will make it clear why ;

Changing the angle of the border even 1 degree from

parallel to the main arc of the coast line

by changing the placement of the land boundary around this temple,

as it borders the curving sea side, will mean at 5-10 km off of shore

a drastic change in sea floor rights demarcation, and thus millions of $

in revenues from the as yet untapped reserves.

If the angle changes just slightly, 1/2 degree 1 degree 4 degress, when they

are extrapolated10 km off shore , the area covered either hands dozens of

drilling platforms to Cambodia, or takes dozens from Cambodia

and then they are sitting in Thailand. The country that owns the land

gets the gas and poil revenues.

This is not at all over the temples rights, right of ways, or sovergienty,

though some fools may think so.

But it is about the BILLIONS in oil and gaz under the sea and who gets to sign the contracts

with Big Oil and Big Gaz to bring it up. This is not chicken feed, this is as big a financial investment

for BOTH nations that they have on their long term tables, and will effect growth and national development

for the next century... as well as ensure the deal makers get a HUGE payday into the personal and clan coffers, that would be sufficient to ensure national control for generations.

If you want to start a new dynasty,

you need the biggest possible leverage and financial where withall to do it.

You do know that the temple is 500 km from the sea don't you?

That doesn't make the broder angle issue any different.

It doesn't make the theoretical issue different, but the potential change of the border area in this dispute won't have an affect on the border angle at the sea.

The border goes around in a big curve from this point towards the sea. 99% of that border is not in dispute, so there won't be any change in the land border near the sea.

Sent from my Phone.

[tominbkk]

Is there some mystical/superstitious reason why the temple is important?

[whybother]

Is there some mystical/superstitious reason why the temple is important?

Not really. It's about the land, and more importantly, the difference between the 1904 treaty and the 1908 map.