Politics should be kept out of Preah Vihear decision

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BURNING ISSUE
Politics should be kept out of Preah Vihear decision
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai people, whether they love or hate this current government, have no reason to politicise the coming International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. It's too dangerous.

Bruising nationalism over the years since 2008 has taught this country a painful lesson. Internal conflict always poses a negative impact on the international arena and, as in this case, developed into a military clash between two neighbouring countries, Thailand and Cambodia, claiming a number of lives on both sides.

The issue would be no problem these days if conservative nationalists back in 2008 had not forced the government at the time to oppose Cambodia's plan to list the Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site. There would have been no military skirmish if the government had known how to use flexibility and diplomatic skill in dealing with the government in Phnom Penh.

On top of everything, Cambodia would not have needed to bring the case before the World Court for interpretation of the 1962 judgement - if the previous government had not made several attempts to derail the World Heritage inscription, just for its political gain over conservative nationalists.

All rational human beings know clearly that a World Heritage inscription of Preah Vihear would never have caused a territorial loss to Thailand. The rule is very clear and the practice is very precise. The World Heritage Committee's resolution indicated that the disputed area adjacent to the Hindu temple on Dangrek Mountain was not included in the World Heritage management plan.

None of the conservative groups and key leaders in previous governments cared about such rules and practices. They simply wanted some serious accusations to use against their political enemies. They hoped disputes with Cambodia would bring domestic political support to them and their political allies.

The issue proved bad luck for the conservative politicians, those who employed a nationalist campaign over the Preah Vihear Temple and lost in the subsequent general election. The majority of Thai people love their country, of course, but they are rational and prefer living with Cambodia peacefully to avoid conflict and war.

Unfortunately, damage has already occurred to this country and neighbouring Cambodia. Military clashes cost lives of people along the border. The war in early 2011 achieved nothing. The boundary was not changed. Phnom Penh felt it had no choice but to bring the 1962 judgement up for the interpretation of the World Court in April 2011 in order to have a clear boundary for Preah Vihear. The ICJ is scheduled to deliver its verdict on November 11.

Nobody can halt the Pandora's-box effect. Many Thai people are waiting in anxiety for the verdict and its consequences. Conservative nationalist groups still exist and have said they will renew their crusade against the World Court and the current government, which has to take responsibility if Thailand loses in the court battle.

The ICJ case comes at around the same time as these conservatives are looking for ammunition to fire against the government. It is difficult to predict the verdict and the outcome of the battle between this group and the government. But whatever they do will do damage to the country for sure.


-- The Nation 2013-10-23

[JCauto]

Good Lord! Did I just read a sensible editorial in the Nation about Preah Vihear? Did their usual Editorial staff go on vacation or something?

I would be interested to review the Nation's editorials at the time to see how well these views coincide...

[tomross46]

The government wants to keep politics out of the decision. It was politics and politicians that got us into this mess. The French made treaties than broke them. Colonial powers only wanted the wealth of Siam, and used the threat of war to get.

[FangFerang]

This area is very small. People are more important. Nothing will change from the decision..no humans displaced or dead. To those living there, nothing will change whatsoever. Do people really need to die over an issue that does not hurt anyone?

I hope not. No matter what the decision, life for the locals will not change. What are people becoming angry for? Is a Thai more Thai because they yell and fight over a piece of land they have never visited?

[FangFerang]

This area is very small. People are more important. Nothing will change from the decision..no humans displaced or dead. To those living there, nothing will change whatsoever. Do people really need to die over an issue that does not hurt anyone?

I hope not. No matter what the decision, life for the locals will not change. What are people becoming angry for? Is a Thai more Thai because they yell and fight over a piece of land they have never visited?

[rubl]

Strange topic title. I would think the ICJ decision will not have any politics inside ?