Yuthasak confident calm will prevail after Preah Vihear ruling

[webfact]

PREAH VIHEAR SPAT
Yuthasak confident calm will prevail after temple ruling
SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION
THE HAGUE



BANGKOK: -- DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER Yuthasak Sasiprapha yesterday expressed confidence that peace would be maintained following today's announcement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s verdict on the Preah Vihear case, saying that whatever the judgement, Thailand and Cambodia would work to solve problems peacefully.

Thai 2nd Army Region Commander Chanchai Phuthong and Cambodian 4th Military Region Commander Chea Mon led delegations to a working lunch in Northeastern Surin province to build trust and better understanding on border stability, he said.

"We guarantee safety for people along the border on both sides. Whatever the court verdict, the military will stay in its current positions. We will allow the government and the Foreign Ministry to use diplomatic channels to settle [any] problem with Cambo-dia," Yuthasak told reporters.

Yuthasak, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, are in The Hague to hear the ICJ judgement.

"If people along the border see a movement of troops, it would be just routine rotations for refreshment only," he said. Commanders of both sides have established hotlines for direct communication to avoid misunderstanding, he added.

People along the border feared that disappointment on the ICJ verdict over the Preah Vihear temple could motivate military action on either side. Yutthasak said the government had instructed chiefs of districts and villages to communicate with local residents to remain calm and guarantee their safety.

If there were public protests opposing the ICJ verdict and the government's handling of the issue, local police would step up measures to maintain law and order, he said.

The ICJ ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. Thailand complied with the judgement more than 50 years ago, but argued that the area adjacent to the temple belonged to Thailand.

Cambodia asked the court in 2011 to interpret the 1962 judgement to make clear the boundaries of the temple after military clashes followed souring relations between the neighbours, exacerbated by Thailand's domestic political rift.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose government is under strong pressure from street protests, said whatever the court finds, Thailand and Cambodia must come together to deal with the verdict.

"After the court ruling, our legal team will study the judgement and set a position to deal with it in accordance with the Thai Constitution and law," she said.

"On top of [all this], we have to bear in mind that Thailand and Cambodia are neighbours who cannot run away from each other. We have to maintain friendship and good relations for peace, stability and the prosperity of the Asean region," she said. "We have to cooperate for peace and stability along the border."

"[However] the court rules, both countries agree to allow each of us to take time, as well as respect the rights and stance of each other, in dealing with the court judgement in accordance with our internal laws and procedure," she said.

Before taking action, the government would listen to public opinion for the benefit of national interest and peace, she said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-11

[webfact]

PREAH VIHEAR CONTROVERSY
Classes at over 40 schools in Si Sa Ket called off for ICJ ruling
The Nation



SI SA KET: -- CLASSES AT more than 40 schools on the Si Sa Ket side of the Preah Vihear Temple have been cancelled for two days so that students can stay with their families as the world court delivers its ruling on the territorial dispute with Cambodia today.

Principals, teachers and staff have been instructed to be at work today and tomorrow. At night, monitors are on watch for break-ins.

Schoolchildren need to be close to their families so that they can evacuate their homes if border fighting and artillery shelling break out.

In Bangkok, concrete barricades have sprung up in front of and around the Cambodian Embassy on Pracha-Uthit Road in Wang Thonglang district, partially blocking traffic lanes and causing congestion even on the weekend.

Anti-riot police are standing guard at the main gate and the large space in the back has been turned into a rest area for off-shift police. Heavy traffic jams are expected today before and during the ruling, which will be read out at 4pm Bangkok time.

Samarn Sri-ngarm, a nationalist campaigner, said his group was prevented from entering the temple compound by soldiers.

Samarn insisted on two principles against the ruling, which would probably be in favour of Cambodia - that the 4.6-square-kilometre site that the temple sits on remains under Thai sovereignty, and that a people's assembly be established in place of Parliament.

Another campaigner, Wicharn Thapson, said he was illegally ar-rested by Cambodian soldiers when he and his fellow activists held a meditation ceremony at a wooden bridge leading to the temple. He said the arrests were unlawful because the world court had ruled in 1962 that the bridge was located on Thai soil.


-- The Nation 2013-11-11

[BanTamo]

historic preservation as a pretext for war...what a novel idea. nice work, sua luang nitwits

[Spare]

I am sure the judges will award back the land the Khmer rob from the Siamese. Including Angkor Wat.

[Equalizer]

Amazing Thailand, or Amazing Timing!!!!

[DGIE]

The ICJ ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.

Thailand complied with the judgement more than 50 years ago, but argued that the area adjacent to the temple belonged to Thailand.

Wicharn Thapson, said he was illegally ar-rested by Cambodian soldiers when he and his fellow activists held a meditation ceremony at a wooden bridge leading to the temple. He said the arrests were unlawful because the world court had ruled in 1962 that the bridge was located on Thai soil.

So who really own the place?

[DGIE]

It would not be nice to see neighboring countries are fighting. But this happens even in backyards of greedy neighbors.

How about halving the place? one half is for Cambodia and the other half is for Thailand?