ICJ ruling: PM Yingluck assures the opposition of parliamentary consent

[webfact]

PM assures the opposition of parliamentary consent



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assured the Opposition Wednesday that the government would seek parliamentary approval for every procedure or step of actions in negotiating with Cambodia over the ruling of the International Court of Justice pertaining to the Preah Vihear temple row.

The parliament also told the parliament that the government had never said that it would fully respect the world court’s ruling.

The prime minister led Foreign Minister Suraphon Tovichakchaikul, Ambassador to the Netherlands Virachai Plasai and legal team defending the temple row to address the parliament about the consequences of the court’s ruling and what the government would do in the future regarding the issue. The special session was initiated by the government in order to allow the Opposition MPs to voice their opinions on the issue.

Taking the floor, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded the prime minister to explain about the court’s ruling and what the government would do pertaining to the ruling vis-à-vis Cambodia.

Foreign Minister Suraphong said the special session was meant to allow the Opposition to air their views before the government would hold talks with Cambodia regarding the court’s ruling within the framework of the joint commission.

Ambassador Virachai what he said before that it Thailand has not lost Phu Makheu or the 4.6 square kilometer land surrounding the temple which was claimed by Cambodia. He said that only a small plot of land called promontory would be lost to Cambodia.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-assures-opposition-parliamentary-consent/

-- Thai PBS 2013-11-14

[JoeThePoster]

negotiating with Cambodia over the ruling of the International Court of Justice

The parliament also told the parliament that the government had never said that it would fully respect the world courts ruling.

Wow, or rather chuck wow!

[Thainy Tim]

'the government would seek parliamentary approval for every procedure or step of actions in negotiating with Cambodia over the ruling of the International Court of Justice pertaining to the Preah Vihear temple row.'

Which they will likely win each vote by 310-0

The government had never said that it would fully respect the world court’s ruling.

Not quite the attitude the Cambodians are going to respect when you come to the table.

[webfact]

Govt will make no sneaky pacts over Preah Vihear, Yingluck assures Parliament
Kornchanok Raksaseri,
Khanittha Thepphajorn,
Tanatpong Kongsai
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT will present a framework on Preah Vihear negotiations for parliamentary deliberation as per law, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

Speaking at the general debate in Parliament, she pledged that her government would not abuse its power and act sneaky in making an agreement with Cambodia. She also insisted that there was no conflict of interest or personal interest in dealing with Cambodia.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul also tried to allay concerns that the government would bypass the legislature when conducting bilateral talks with Cambodia once the amended Article 190 is enacted.

Article 190 of the Constitution requires parliamentary approval before the government can make international agreements, however, it was amended earlier this month allowing the government to make pacts with other countries more freely.

The Group of 40 Senators had earlier demanded that the government seek legislative scrutiny of the framework and not just keep lawmakers informed of the issue.

Senator Rosana Tositrakul also voiced suspicion about what she considers an unclear judgement by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). She added that the judgement appeared to pave the way for Cambodia to list the temple as a World Heritage Site without Thailand's consent.

Senator Tuang Antachai reminded the government that it was only obliged to comply with Article 190 as long as the amended version has not gone into effect.

The Law Society of Thailand, meanwhile, issued a statement demanding that the Foreign Ministry release detailed copies of the ICJ judgement, which was issued in both Thai and French. The society said the public was confused on two issues - whether Thailand would have to concede additional territory and if it has lost the case.

LST chairman Det-udom Krairit said he believed that the ICJ had ruled that Thailand hand over additional area, though the exact extent of the territory would hinge on the outcome of negotiations with Cambodia.

He called on the government to review its amendment of Article 190 and ensure the legislature is involved in the Preah Vihear negotiations so as to avoid ending up in a disadvantageous position.

The Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (STR) yesterday demanded that the government kill the amendment of Article 190.

"No matter what, [Yingluck] must immediately stop the process of submitting the amended version of Article 190 for royal endorsement and withdraw it just like the amnesty bill. [The government] should also expedite moves to help Veera Somkwamkid to return to Thailand as promised. He has served a third of the jail term as per the extradition agreement. [He should be able to return to Thailand] before the year-end," the group said in a statement.


-- The Nation 2013-11-14

[casindonet]

Errr....the LST could just download the ruling or judgement from ICJ webpage, simple as that. Or is it that they only prefer the Thailand spinned version rather than the farangs fact version.

[worgeordie]

Still trying to hang on to the land,by any thread,they just

cannot accept the loss of face,although all the time they

must have know, like everyone else that the (ICJ) was

going to rule in favour of Cambodia.better to just move

on and concentrate on more urgent issues that need

attention inside Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[Pimay1]

It speaks volumes about the credibility of a government when the PM has to make a public statement assuring they will not be sneaky in carring on their duties as servants of the public.

[kirk0233]

Has her face morphed from round to triangular? Possibly some of those absences were for some reason other than shopping.

[Brevity]

I was talking to a friend about this and by the end of the conversation we agreed that a solution could be for the 2 countries to agree to make this a unique tourist area controlled and owned equally by both countries. They can advertise it as a history site where people can learn about both cultures at the same time. It would make a good example of cooperation in the ASEAN spirit too and show that Thailand and Cambodia are looking for ways to move forward.

But then my friend started to laugh and shake his head. He said that it might sound good but it could never happen because of things like childish attitudes and egos from both governments. He knows a lot about Southeast Asia, so he's probably right.

[webfact]

PM Yingluck denies ever accepting the ICJ’s verdict on the Phra Viharn Temple dispute

BANGKOK, 14 November 2013 (NNT) - Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the joint sitting of Parliament this morning that she had never officially announced the government’s acceptance of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict on the Phra Viharn Temple case.

However, she clarified by reiterating what she stated before; that whatever the ICJ’s verdict may be, the relationship between Thailand and Cambodia will still stand, and that the government will continue to protect the nation’s sovereignty.

The Thai Ambassador to the Netherlands stated that the ICJ had no power in determining the official borders between Thailand and Cambodia. Furthermore, he also stressed that Thailand did not lose its Phu Makhua region to Cambodia; and that the 1:200,000 map was deemed irrelevant to the case.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed with the government’s stance of not yet officially accepting the ICJ’s verdict, as it is not relatively clear how much land Thailand will lose to Cambodia. Moreover, he urged Ms. Yinglcuk to further clarify the issue to the public.

-- NNT 2013-11-14

[Lakegeneve]

I was talking to a friend about this and by the end of the conversation we agreed that a solution could be for the 2 countries to agree to make this a unique tourist area controlled and owned equally by both countries. They can advertise it as a history site where people can learn about both cultures at the same time. It would make a good example of cooperation in the ASEAN spirit too and show that Thailand and Cambodia are looking for ways to move forward.

But then my friend started to laugh and shake his head. He said that it might sound good but it could never happen because of things like childish attitudes and egos from both governments. He knows a lot about Southeast Asia, so he's probably right.

Such an idea has been previously proposed and can still be implemented at some stage in the future is both states agree to it. However, I do agree with your friends disposition that such an idea is highly unlikely though not impossible.

There are precedents including the one which finally resolved the western hemipsheres longest running territorial conflict between Chile & Ecuador, see post #50 at the bottom of the page in this thread, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680626-nationalists-threaten-violence-if-icj-verdict-goes-in-favour-of-cambodia/page-2

As it is, the implementation of a World Heritage Management plan for Preah Vihear will require co-operation from Thailand given the proximity of where ever the border will finally be demarcated. In essence, that will be the implementation of what you propose.

[Lakegeneve]

I neglected to mention that in the ICJ judgement the court noted that both states were members of ASEAN and thus had obligations to cooperate on many issues.

The Court also reminded both parties of their obligations, "Once a dispute regarding territorial sovereignty has been resolved and uncertainty removed, each party must fulfil in good faith the obligation which all States have to respect the territorial integrity of all other

States. Likewise, the Parties have a duty to settle any dispute between them by peaceful means." (Para 105)

Finally, the court made reference to both states obligations under the World Heritage Convention given the WH status of Preah Vihear.

[Robby nz]

Speaking at the general debate in Parliament, she pledged that her government would not abuse its power and act sneaky in making an agreement with Cambodia. She also insisted that there was no conflict of interest or personal interest in dealing with Cambodia.

That one could be difficult to believe given the sneaky nature of the amendment to the amnesty bill.

However there could just be a conflict of interest and personal interest for big brother who is a great friend and sometime employee of Hun Sen.

But if she is not in parliament when anything goes down she can again deny any involvement, AKA the amnesty bill.

[siampolee]

The parliament also told the parliament that the government had never said that it would fully respect the world court’s ruling.

Wonderful example being set by this government (well at least they are running true to form in their duplicity) no we won't actually take notice of the verdict and go our own way.

Strangely though this self same government berates the anti Amnesty bill demonstrators as lawbreakers and comments concerning treason charges abound and people being sued etc etc.

Perhaps Madam Prime Minister your puppet master and your fellow marionettes should indeed be flattered by the anti Amnesty bill movement who are following faithfully the example you are and have been setting for a considerable length of time by choosing to ignore the I.C.J. verdict. the following of your tactics is indeed the most sincere form of flattery.

However the word hypocrisy springs to mind concerning you and your puppets comments regarding the rule of law and the current

Indeed a fine example of '' Don't do as I do. Do as I say.''.

Edited November 14, 2013 by siampolee

[hellodolly]

I was talking to a friend about this and by the end of the conversation we agreed that a solution could be for the 2 countries to agree to make this a unique tourist area controlled and owned equally by both countries. They can advertise it as a history site where people can learn about both cultures at the same time. It would make a good example of cooperation in the ASEAN spirit too and show that Thailand and Cambodia are looking for ways to move forward.

But then my friend started to laugh and shake his head. He said that it might sound good but it could never happen because of things like childish attitudes and egos from both governments. He knows a lot about Southeast Asia, so he's probably right.

Such an idea has been previously proposed and can still be implemented at some stage in the future is both states agree to it. However, I do agree with your friends disposition that such an idea is highly unlikely though not impossible.

There are precedents including the one which finally resolved the western hemipsheres longest running territorial conflict between Chile & Ecuador, see post #50 at the bottom of the page in this thread, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/680626-nationalists-threaten-violence-if-icj-verdict-goes-in-favour-of-cambodia/page-2

As it is, the implementation of a World Heritage Management plan for Preah Vihear will require co-operation from Thailand given the proximity of where ever the border will finally be demarcated. In essence, that will be the implementation of what you propose.

It is indeed time for Thailand to grow up and act like sensible adults. The facts are that Cambodia no longer needs Thailand for access to the Temple they now have the property to access it on their own.

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assured the Opposition Wednesday that the government would seek parliamentary approval for every procedure or step of actions in negotiating with Cambodia over the ruling of the International Court of Justice pertaining to the Preah Vihear temple row.

What is to discuss just accept it and move on. They can set up a joint committee with the Democrats to discuss with Cambodia the as yet unsettled piece of land. Then bring it to Parliament.

As is she is saying they will do any thing they want because they have the votes in Parliament and will command their people to do as they are told. To ignore their conscience.