Thai Foreign Ministry readies for talks with Cambodia on Preah Vihear ruling

[webfact]

Foreign Ministry readies for talks with Cambodia on ruling
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE FOREIGN MINISTRY is fine-tuning its plans for negotiations with Cambodia over the World Court's judgement on Preah Vihear Temple, while tensions in the border village of Phum Srol have eased.

Deputy permanent secretary Nuttavudh Photisaro said yesterday that the government would deal with Cambodia on the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice through peaceful negotiation.

The clear aim is to protect the national interest and sovereignty with the intention of being a good neighbour of Cambodia, which along with Thailand would become a member of the Asean Economic Community in two years' time, he said.

"Our stance will not affect national integrity and our reputation in the international community," Nattavudh told a seminar at Chulalongkorn University.

Thailand is in the process of preparing its position after the ICJ ruled that Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole promontory of Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu temple on the two countries' border.

The judgement in effect rejected the unilateral line determined by a Thai cabinet resolution in 1962 to limit the "vicinity" of Preah Vihear.

The court on Monday used the borderline on the so-called Annex I map to define the limits of the promontory but admitted that it was difficult to translate this line into precise locations on the ground. The ICJ therefore urged Thailand and Cambodia to cooperate in complying with the judgement in good faith. The ruling does not permit either party - Thailand or Cambodia - to impose a unilateral solution.

The ICJ judgement has become a political issue. Some have tried to corner the government into confessing that the country has lost territory. They want the government to denounce the World Court ruling.

Thai Ambassador to The Hague Virachai Plasai said that as an official of the Foreign Ministry, he could not say whether Thailand had lost any territory. "What I can say it that we have to talk with Cambodia on the judgement," he said at the Chulalongkorn seminar.

The government has set up a working group chaired by Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuanketkeow to deal with the ICJ judgement. The group will call a meeting on Tuesday to study the judgement and offer options to the government.

"Parts of the court judgement are in favour of Thailand, and we have the diplomatic skills to negotiate with Cambodia for mutual benefit," Sihasak said.

In another development, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan visited villagers, soldiers and local officials in Si Sa Ket's Phum Srol village, which is on the border with Cambodia.

People said tensions on the border had eased after the court's verdict as they were confident that there would be no military clashes.

"As long as the crucial part of the territory in the disputed area of 4.6 square kilometres was not lost, the two countries will be able to negotiate on how to handle the minor part of the Preah Vihear promontory," Charupong said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-16

[chooka]

Give it up Thailand, you lost. Time to turn to other issues before you get another smack in the face with the back of a shovel.

[casindonet]

I totally cannot understand Thailand mentality on this issue...they already lost. Time to move on....get a life. The longer they drag this issue, the more they'll lose face.

Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[worgeordie]

Nothing to negotiate ,accept the facts,and move on.

unless you are trying to lease said land,so you can

proclaim the land was never lost its still Thailand,

would not put it past the Government,anything to

save face,and the sort of stupid idea they would

come up with,going off some of the ideas they have

come up with in the past.

regards Worgeordie

[rogerdee123]

Well remember PTP has their "ace in the hole" ... i.e. their supreme leader/criminal in exile is a "special advisor" or something to Hun Sen. This is a good excuse for him to go back and cut another deal ... of course 'for the good of Thailand'.

[jpduggan]

What talks are they readying for? Thailand lost and Cambodia won, end if story!

[Doc46]

Easy as pie,,,,,,,,,Get the F,,,n map, survey the place and piss of the once on the wrong side of the surveyed line,,no questions no arguments no meetings no discussions ,,,,,,done, peace of cake,,,,,,(Land in this case) and nobody has to lose face

[LomSak27]

Fascinating rogerdee123

This issue, this whole clown act, was created, lock stock and barrel, by the Democratic party and their yellow mob - it was non issue until the Dems decided to play the knee jerk nationalism card in a desperate attempt to descredit the PTP and the evil Taks man

Or did you forget that part. ADD is so prevalent these days

[Thainy Tim]

"Our stance will not affect national integrity and our reputation in the international community," Nattavudh told a seminar at Chulalongkorn University.

Nope, that was shot to pieces over the last year or so.... You can't polish a turd.

Interesting to see how the Cambodian half will interpret Yingluck's statement pertaining to not accepting the ICJ ruling or words to that effect. With the refusal to withdraw the troops in accordance with the ruling.

I am sure that will set a delightful mood in the Cambodian camp before a word is even exchanged.

[hellodolly]

BANGKOK: -- THE FOREIGN MINISTRY is fine-tuning its plans for negotiations with Cambodia over the World Court's judgement on Preah Vihear Temple, while tensions in the border village of Phum Srol have eased.

the only reason they have eased is because Thailand had ratcheted them up with their we won't except the verdict and then when the anti government demonstrators showed them how much the people were against them started backing down.

[bigbamboo]

I wonder what Hun Sen and Thaksin decided?