Surapong calls for calm on eve of Preah Vihear verdict

[Lite Beer]

Surapong calls for calm on eve of Preah Vihear verdict
Chanikarn Phumhiran
Nantida Puangthong
Prapasri Osathanon
The Sunday Nation

Cambodians pass through a border checkpoint in Buri Ram yesterday to stock up on food and other necessities ahead of tomorrow

BANGKOK: -- Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has assured the public that the government will consult with Parliament on how to proceed, if the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ) fails to rule in Thailand's favour on the bitter border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear Temple. The ICJ is expected to hand down its verdict tomorrow.

"We will listen to people's opinions and will also consult Parliament so that we can make a decision together," Surapong announced via Yingluck's "Government Meets the People" programme, broadcast yesterday.

Thailand and Cambodia are awaiting the ICJ's ruling over a dispute related to the area around Preah Vihear Temple.

Through its 1962 verdict, the ICJ ruled that the Hindu sanctuary is located on Cambodian soil. However, several decades later, Cambodia has asked the ICJ to interpret that ruling. Some analysts believe Cambodia's move is an attempt to claim the disputed area around the temple.

Surapong, also a deputy prime minister, flew out of Thailand late Friday night for The Hague. Before leaving, he urged Thais not to politicise the Preah Vihear issue.

"Please don't use it to fuel anti-government sentiment," he said.

Large numbers of people have taken to the streets this week to rally against the government's blanket amnesty bill. Surapong also insisted that the government had already backtracked from supporting the highly-controversial bill.

His Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, has agreed that the Preah Vihear issue needs to be dealt with peacefully, no matter what the verdict, Surapong said.

He hoped that when the ICJ announced its verdict tomorrow, Thais would not stage rallies that would lead to skirmishes and loss of life in border areas close to the temple.

Tomorrow's ruling will be broadcast live on Thai national television and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to address the nation shortly afterwards, according to government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi.

"Please think about the people who live in the border areas too," said Surapong.

He added that the government had fought in the national interest of the country over the case and denied rumours that the administration's close ties with Cambodia were paving for way for their collusion on the issue.

Surapong blamed the previous Democrat government for Cambodia's decision to revive the Preah Vihear issue at the ICJ.

"We have to go to the ICJ now because the Abhisit Vejjajiva government had a number of disagreements with Cambodia," the foreign minister said. He also attacked the Surayud Chulanont administration, which came to power following the 2006 military coup.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut dismissed Surapong's allegations, saying that the Democrat Party had done its best to protect the country's national interests.

"The Democrat-led government fiercely protected Thailand's territory," he said.

-- The Nation 2013-11-10

[soi41]

I was calm until Khun Surapong told me to stay calm!!

"Please think about the people living in the boarder area" said Surapong

That is exactly the point, the Khmer people living on both sides of the boarder, do not have a problem with eachother! Problem is solely created by politicians and nationalist based in Bangkok!!

And now one of those politicians is telling us to think about the people??

[EricBerg]

"We have to go to the ICJ now because the Abhisit Vejjajiva government had a number of disagreements with Cambodia," the foreign minister said. He also attacked the Surayud Chulanont administration, which came to power following the 2006 military coup.

Isn't the missunderstood fugitive a special advisor to the Cambodian government? There'll be big personal gain for him and his clan in it then. The opininion of the Thai people is of no interest to them

[dao16]

Don't think about a cat! What are you thinking about? Ask Derren Brown.

[ratcatcher]

Don't think about a cat! What are you thinking about? Ask Derren Brown.

Perhaps Mr Brown could tell us about Thaksin's future?

[dao16]

Don't think about a cat! What are you thinking about? Ask Derren Brown.

Perhaps Mr Brown could tell us about Thaksin's future?

Haha....I wasn't thinking about that when I posted, but, heck, I would watch that show!!!!!

[hellodolly]

For those of you who missed it things were fine until the yellow shirts started stiring up things in a desperate attempt to appear to be meaningful.

They did it under the Abhist Government and would have done the same if Yingluck was the Prime Minister. Things were not settled but there was no turmoil and hard feelings over it until the Yellow shirts started it up. Yingluck inherited this problem and if it had not been for the yellow shirts there would not be this big of a problem.

On the positive side it shows us what kind of a Government we have if they don't get what they want they will not accept the decision of the ICJ. Not a one of them lives in the area where the problem exists and if it had been left up to the local residents on both sides of the border every thing was OK. They had no problem with it because the land is useless.

Through its 1962 verdict, the ICJ ruled that the Hindu sanctuary is located on Cambodian soil. However, several decades later, Cambodia has asked the ICJ to interpret that ruling

False Cambodia asked that the temple be declared an international heritage spot. It was at that point the Yellow shirts stepped in and started causing trouble.

Here is a true case where two countries can join hands and work together. The land in dispute is only about 4 square miles of rock.