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Cambodia, Thailand await ruling in border temple row - Court rules in favour of Cambodia


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ICJ awards flashpoint temple area to Cambodia

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680905-icj-begins-reading-verdict-of-preah-vihear-dispute/

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Cambodia, Thailand await ruling in border temple row

PREAH VIHEAR, November 11, 2013 (AFP) - Dozens of Thai schools were closed and nervous Cambodian residents dug bunkers Monday ahead of a UN ruling over ownership of land surrounding an ancient temple which has sparked clashes between the two neighbours.


At least 28 people have been killed in outbreaks of violence since 2011 over who owns a patch of land adjacent to the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice is due to rule later Monday on the territorial dispute but there are fears the decision will revive nationalist tensions between the countries and could spark renewed clashes.

Tens of thousands of people were displaced in the fighting, leading Cambodia to ask the ICJ for an interpretation of an original 1962 ruling.

Thailand does not dispute Cambodia's ownership of the temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, but both sides claim an adjacent 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) section of land.

Leaders of the two countries have appealed for calm ahead of the ruling by 17 international judges.

The mood on both sides of Preah Vihear temple was tense early Monday, with tourists still allowed to visit the ancient structure through Cambodia. But journalists were denied access.

Local residents on both sides said they were taking no chances.

"We have already prepared our bunkers in case Thai troops open fire," So Phany, a vendor near Preah Vihear temple, told AFP.

"We are happy that the international community will know clearly that the temple and surrounding land belong to Cambodia," she added, pre-empting the court's decision.

Some local media reports said Cambodia had sent military reinforcements to the area, but army sources declined to comment when asked by AFP.

On the Thai side, some 40 primary schools were closed in one district on the border Monday, according to a provincial education official, Somsak Chobthamdee.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra vowed Sunday to "consult" with Cambodia after the decision to avoid any conflict.

"On Monday evening after verdict is delivered the government will announce its position," she added in a post on her Facebook page Sunday.

The verdict poses a particular challenge for the Thai government, which is already grappling with mass street demonstrations over a controversial political amnesty bill.

If the ICJ rules against Thailand, the country's opposition is likely to direct public anger towards the government of Yingluck, whose divisive brother Thaksin is close with Cambodia's premier Hun Sen.

Monday's ruling will be broadcast live on Cambodian and Thai television.

afplogo.jpg
-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-11

UPDATE

ICJ awards flashpoint temple area to Cambodia

THE HAGUE, November 11, 2013 (AFP) - The UN's top court ruled Monday that the area around a flashpoint ancient temple on the Thai border belongs to Cambodia.

The International Court of Justice interpreted a 1962 ruling saying that "Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear," Judge Peter Tomka said.

afplogo.jpg
-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-11

Please continue here:

ICJ awards flashpoint temple area to Cambodia

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680905-icj-begins-reading-verdict-of-preah-vihear-dispute/

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Is Thailand subject to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice? The kingdom is not a signatory, i.e. it has not declared that it recognizes "as compulsory .... the jurisdiction of the court".

http://www.icj-cij.org/jurisdiction/?p1=5&p2=1&p3=3

This being the case, there appears to be no obligation on Thailand's part to accept today's ruling. Thai nationalists will argue that, in agreeing to accept the ruling, the Yingluck government is agreeing to sell out the country.

Edited by Xangsamhua
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If it goes against us we shall be dignified and gracious as normal in defeat and only give praise to our Cambodian neighbours, you win some you lose some, and we won’t be running about with big wig military generals popping up every two minutes with big guns demanding the land it all belongs to Thailand along with most of Asia.

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PM urges Thais to stay calm on Preah Vihear ruling
By English News

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BANGKOK, Nov 11 - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today urged residents along the Thai-Cambodian border to stay calm as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announces its verdict on the Preah Vihear case today.

The premier, concurrently defence minister, posted a message on her Facebook account "Yingluck Shinawatra", giving moral support for Thais and security personnel living along the borders.

She assured the public that the government has done its best to fight the case in the World Court as filed by Cambodia seeking the interpretation on the 1962 Preah Vihear ruling, in order to protect Thailand's sovereignty and the country's benefits.

The premier urged the people along the border to remain calm, asserting that the government will build peace and order along the Thai-Cambodian border, as they are the foundation of good ties between the two neighbours.

As defence minister, Ms Yingluck also urged the military at Thailand's borders to do their jobs with strength and patience. (MCOT online news)

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-- TNA 2013-11-11

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I must say the timing on this is perfect for a wag the dog scenario. The amnesty thing is looking pretty rough, time for some quickie shelling of Cambodia to help " unite" Thai people against the evil Cambodian people.....

I believe Thailand has lost every ruling regarding this temple, not really sure why they keep flogging

a dead horse. All this whining and hand wringing over 1.8 kilometers, when Thailand has in essence

lost the southern part of Thailand to Muslim rebels. Almost funny if so many people had not died...

Edited by EyesWideOpen
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Is Thailand subject to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice? The kingdom is not a signatory, i.e. it has not declared that it recognizes "as compulsory .... the jurisdiction of the court".

http://www.icj-cij.org/jurisdiction/?p1=5&p2=1&p3=3

This being the case, there appears to be no obligation on Thailand's part to accept today's ruling. Thai nationalists will argue that, in agreeing to accept the ruling, the Yingluck government is agreeing to sell out the country.

technically they are right.

But actually the situation is in a way that Thailand can't win anything. Give up the stony place and forget it, no matter it is fair or not.

Half Thailand was Khmer empire once and have Cambodia was Thailand once.

It can be agreed on something now or they can fight over some stones another 500 years.

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Loss of face BIG time so they will not accept this and have to blame somebody for this 'unfairness' how about some foreigners? Thailand has made itself look petty and pretty stupid over this dispute that it was pretty clear they were not going to win

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Will be interesting to see how soon the Thai military withdraws to the new boundary.

I suppose if they don't move with a day or two, the Cambodian military will start to feel agitated.

Let's see if there is a mass occupancy of Thai nationalist on this postage stamp of land.

Google.... prepare to re-draw thy map.

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