2009-10-05 12:15:54
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of visitors to the Preah Vihear Temple complex dropped by a-third in the third quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, according to a local media report on Monday.
The decrease was a reaction to the ongoing dispute with Thailand over ownership of the land surrounding the World Heritage site, Kong Vibol, director of Preah Vihear province's tourism department, told the Phnom Penh Post.
The official also blamed a general downturn in tourism arrivals, bad weather and lingering fears of influenza A/H1N1.
Only 12,214 people visited the temple complex in last quarter, down 33.93 percent from 18,487 visitors over the same period a year earlier, he was quoted by the report as saying.
The number of foreign visitors dropped 44.6 percent to 426, and the number of domestic tourists went down 34.04 percent to 11,788, Tourism Department figures showed.
Over the period, 47,682 people visited the province, including 40,857 from other parts of Cambodia, down 32.78 percent year-on-year, and 6,825 foreign visitors, down 89.17 percent, the Post reported.
Kong Vibol said he expected a recovery in the last quarter as the peak season begins and the global economy continues to show signs of recovery. Dissipating border tensions would also help, he added.
The Post said that Prime Minister Hun Sen announced in early September that Cambodian troops at the temple would be withdrawn following a bilateral agreement that effectively ended the 13-month standoff over the temple.
Om Phirom, chief of the temple's Heritage Police, said at the time the drawdown in troops led to a surge in tourist numbers, with around 200 Cambodian and 50 foreign tourists daily.
Editor: Bi Mingxin
*************
Source: CHINA VIEW
Showing posts with label Preah Vihear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preah Vihear. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
PM Abhisit: Thai-Cambodian border situation 'normal'
BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday that he believes Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's comment regarding Thai-Cambodian border disputes was aimed to impact Cambodia’s domestic political audience and that the overall situation along the Thai-Cambodian border is normal and bilateral relations are going well.
International media--Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP)--Monday quoted Mr Hun Sen as telling Cambodian officials that anyone from Thailand illegally intruding into Cambodian territory but claimed by both countries would be shot.
The Cambodian leader also said that if Thai officials negotiating the border demarcation present Thai maps during bilateral talks, Cambodian officials “should tear them up or walk out.’
Answering questions in Parliament Thursday, Mr Abhisit said he believed that Mr Hun Sen's remarks were aimed for his domestic benefit.
The situation at the border is normal, the military personnel of both countries are stationed as usual, particularly around the disputed area that they both claim, he said.
Mr Abhisit added that the remarks simply were Mr Hun Sen's style, considered normal, as it had happened many times.
However, he said, Thailand remains ready to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty, but any steps taken will be carried out carefully to avoid conflict and to protect Thailand's interests.
The government also affirmed the use of peaceful mean to solve the border disputes and the disputes between Thailand and Cambodia were not come from Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya.
Members of the Opposition Puea Thai Party always charged Mr Kasit of being unfit to serve in government for his support for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which seized Bangkok’s two airports late last year, as well as for his denouncing Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen regarding a disputed temple on the border.
Mr Abhisit said after Mr Kasit assumed his post, he had visited Cambodia on several occasions without problems. Bilateral relations between the two neighbours remain positive, as some bilateral agreements were reached recently.
Moreover, the Cambodian premier also affirmed in past meetings that he would not let the border disputes obstruct expanded cooperation, the Thai premier said.
Mr Abhisit said he believed that the border disputes flared up when Noppadon Pattama was Minister of Foreign Affairs and signed a joint communique with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An in June 2008 to support the Khmer application to list the 11th century temple as a World Heritage site.
When Mr Abhisit assumed office last December, he said his government must resolve the border dispute.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries flared after the United Nations cultural body UNESCO approved Cambodia's bid in July last year to list the 11th century temple as a world heritage site, while the question of sovereignty over the 4.6 square kilometres of surrounding land has never been clearly resolved, angering some Thais who continue to claim Thailand’s ownership of the site. (TNA)
***************
Source: TNA
International media--Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP)--Monday quoted Mr Hun Sen as telling Cambodian officials that anyone from Thailand illegally intruding into Cambodian territory but claimed by both countries would be shot.
The Cambodian leader also said that if Thai officials negotiating the border demarcation present Thai maps during bilateral talks, Cambodian officials “should tear them up or walk out.’
Answering questions in Parliament Thursday, Mr Abhisit said he believed that Mr Hun Sen's remarks were aimed for his domestic benefit.
The situation at the border is normal, the military personnel of both countries are stationed as usual, particularly around the disputed area that they both claim, he said.
Mr Abhisit added that the remarks simply were Mr Hun Sen's style, considered normal, as it had happened many times.
However, he said, Thailand remains ready to protect the kingdom’s sovereignty, but any steps taken will be carried out carefully to avoid conflict and to protect Thailand's interests.
The government also affirmed the use of peaceful mean to solve the border disputes and the disputes between Thailand and Cambodia were not come from Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya.
Members of the Opposition Puea Thai Party always charged Mr Kasit of being unfit to serve in government for his support for the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which seized Bangkok’s two airports late last year, as well as for his denouncing Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen regarding a disputed temple on the border.
Mr Abhisit said after Mr Kasit assumed his post, he had visited Cambodia on several occasions without problems. Bilateral relations between the two neighbours remain positive, as some bilateral agreements were reached recently.
Moreover, the Cambodian premier also affirmed in past meetings that he would not let the border disputes obstruct expanded cooperation, the Thai premier said.
Mr Abhisit said he believed that the border disputes flared up when Noppadon Pattama was Minister of Foreign Affairs and signed a joint communique with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sok An in June 2008 to support the Khmer application to list the 11th century temple as a World Heritage site.
When Mr Abhisit assumed office last December, he said his government must resolve the border dispute.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries flared after the United Nations cultural body UNESCO approved Cambodia's bid in July last year to list the 11th century temple as a world heritage site, while the question of sovereignty over the 4.6 square kilometres of surrounding land has never been clearly resolved, angering some Thais who continue to claim Thailand’s ownership of the site. (TNA)
***************
Source: TNA
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Cambodia halves border troops
Aug 30, 2009
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA has halved the number of troops around an ancient border temple that has been the scene of bloody clashes with Thailand, the defence ministry said on Sunday.
There have been several skirmishes between the two countries on the disputed frontier around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia since the ruins were granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008.
'We have pulled out 50 per cent of the troops from Preah Vihear temple,' said Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence.
'This shows that the situation at the border is really getting better, and that both countries have a mutual understanding of peace,' he added.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week said Thailand had just 30 soldiers on the border, meaning that Cambodia could stand some troops down and send them back to their provincial bases.
'We still have enough troops remaining to protect our territory,' said General Chea Dara, deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
He said if Thailand 'shows a softer manner' they could cut the numbers further. 'However, if anything happened, our troop mobility would be very swift,' he told AFP.
Thailand in June reignited the row over the temple when it asked world heritage body UNESCO to reconsider its decision to formally list the temple in Cambodia.
Cambodia and Thailand have been at loggerheads over the land around the Preah Vihear temple for decades. Although the World Court ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, the most accessible entrance to the ancient Khmer temple with its crumbling stone staircases and elegant carvings is in northeastern Thailand.
The last gunbattle in the temple area in April left three people dead while clashes there in 2008 killed another four people. The border between the two countries has never been fully demarcated, in part because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia. -- AFP
*******************
Article from The Straits Times
Link: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_423273.html
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA has halved the number of troops around an ancient border temple that has been the scene of bloody clashes with Thailand, the defence ministry said on Sunday.
There have been several skirmishes between the two countries on the disputed frontier around the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia since the ruins were granted UN World Heritage status in July 2008.
'We have pulled out 50 per cent of the troops from Preah Vihear temple,' said Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence.
'This shows that the situation at the border is really getting better, and that both countries have a mutual understanding of peace,' he added.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week said Thailand had just 30 soldiers on the border, meaning that Cambodia could stand some troops down and send them back to their provincial bases.
'We still have enough troops remaining to protect our territory,' said General Chea Dara, deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
He said if Thailand 'shows a softer manner' they could cut the numbers further. 'However, if anything happened, our troop mobility would be very swift,' he told AFP.
Thailand in June reignited the row over the temple when it asked world heritage body UNESCO to reconsider its decision to formally list the temple in Cambodia.
Cambodia and Thailand have been at loggerheads over the land around the Preah Vihear temple for decades. Although the World Court ruled in 1962 that it belonged to Cambodia, the most accessible entrance to the ancient Khmer temple with its crumbling stone staircases and elegant carvings is in northeastern Thailand.
The last gunbattle in the temple area in April left three people dead while clashes there in 2008 killed another four people. The border between the two countries has never been fully demarcated, in part because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia. -- AFP
*******************
Article from The Straits Times
Link: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_423273.html
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thai, Cambodian army chiefs say temple hostilities over
Asia-Pacific News
At least seven soldiers from both sides were killed in occasional clashes around the temple complex since mid-2008 in a tense standoff that has had other members of the ASEAN regional bloc concerned.
At a meeting on Monday between military top brass from both sides in
'I would like to clarify again that there will be no more problems between
His opposite number, General Pol Saroeun, echoed that.
'We have the same view. Our goal is to achieve peace and solidarity with each other as siblings,' Pol Saroeun said.
Their meeting came just days after Prime Minister Hun Sen announced
The 11th-century Hindu temple, which sits on
Source: Asia-Pacific News M&G: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1497161.php/Thai-Cambodian-army-chiefs-say-temple-hostilities-over
Cambodia to recall some troops at border: PM
www.chinaview.cn 
2009-08-22
"We are monitoring to withdraw the troops from the frontiers and we need soldiers to help the local farmers during this time," the premier said at the opening ceremony of irrigation in Pursat province, southeastern part of
"But in case we have problem at the border, we can mobilize our troops so quickly to border area," he said, adding that "we are moving back our troops of Kompong Thom and Siem Reap provinces to their headquarters from the border."
"I hope there is no fight each other again there," he stresses. Cambodian and Thai troops have confronted at areas near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple since July, 2008 when the UNESCO listed the temple as the World Heritage Site of Cambodia.
Moreover, Hun Sen said that "in modern age, we need to discuss the matters with each other and we do not want to see any people shed their blood."
Troops tension at border is becoming ease and both side plan to measure the areas soon to plant border markers.
********
Source: China View http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/22/content_11927585.htm
Friday, April 24, 2009
Cambodian, Thai defense ministers to meet for easing border tension
www.chinaview.cn 2009-04-23 19:58:58
PHNOM PENH, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Tea Banh, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, said here on Thursday that he and his Thai counterpart will hold a meeting to find a solution to the border tension between the two countries.
"I and my Thai counterpart will meet with each other in Siem Reap province on April 27 and 28 in order to find ways to ease the border tension, and avoid new armed clash near the Preah Vihear temple and other places along our border," he said.
The meeting has been delayed twice since February, and "we are waiting for the Thai side to deal with the issue peacefully and without military confrontation," he added.
Tea Banh was unsure whether the next meeting will be conducted as scheduled, as Thailand is still obsessed with internal instability.
On April 3, Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, killing two Thai soldiers.
Since July 2008, troops from both sides have stationed near the temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and two armed confrontations last year sparked brief concerns of war.
The two neighboring countries have never fully demarcated their disputed 800-km-long border, mainly due to their different interpretation of historical maps and the landmines left over from decades of civil war in Cambodia.
Editor: Wang Guanqun
************************
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/23/content_11245079.htm
Thursday, April 23, 2009
PVihear damages estimated
Written by Thet Sambath
Residents around the market at Preah Vihear temple say they want compensation from
RESIDENTS near the Preah Vhear temple complex where a market was destroyed by Thai rocket fire in early April have calculated damages in excess of US$9 million, a representative announced Tuesday.
Some 260 property owners have submitted thumbprints to documents requesting compensation from the Thai government for losses incurred when Thai soldiers opened fire on the market April 3.
"We've calculated the value of properties destroyed by Thai soldiers at $1.2 million", president of the Khmer CiviliSation Foundation, Moeung Sonn, reported Tuesday. "However, we've submitted a claim for $9.2 million to the Thai government to compensate people's properties, businesses and mental health," he explained.
Moeung Soun said many victims of property damage have also suffered serious mental health repercussions. "One of the victims has been out of control since her property was burned down by Thai soldiers' rockets," he said. "She's now seriously ill and is being treated in Battambang hospital. Other victims are also experiencing mental health problems."
Moeung Sonn said the complaint will be sent to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and copies are to be sent to King Norodom Sihamoni, the King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Thai embassy.
He added, however, that compensation will ultimately be determined by the Cambodian government's willingness to confront Thai authorities.
"Our government has evidence of Thai rocket debris and has a duty to serve Cambodians and resolve the problem for them," he said.
Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the Post Tuesday that the ministry had not yet received the complaint and would meet to determine measures after its receipt.
Meanwhile, commune officials are working to independently calculate property damages and address losses.
"Our officials have registered people's property damages, but totals have not yet been calculated", Kao Long, governor of Choam Ksan district, said Tuesday.
*****************************
This is an article from The
Original text with photo can be found here: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009042225438/National-news/PVihear-damages-estimated.html
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Democrat calls for FM to reveal Cambodia's new map
The Democrat party called on the Foreign Ministry on Sunday to reveal the new border lines for
Deputy party leader Alongkorn Polabutr expressed concern the ministry appeared to be withholding details of the Cambodian proposal.
Several rounds of negotiations followed and
He doubted the government would compromise on the issue that could benefit former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was reportedly keen about investing in Koh Kong province in
Alongkorn said the ministry should make the issue transparent by showing details of the map to the public before Unesco considers the Cambodian proposal between July 2 and 10.
The Cabinet is scheduled to endorse
Alongkorn said yesterday was the 46th anniversary of that ruling.
It should be noted the
A seminar on the controversy was conducted in Si Sa Ket province yesterday, where many panellists expressed doubts on the Thai government's expected admission of
Last week, some residents in Si Sa Ket called for the removal of Cambodian communities from overlapping areas.
********************
Shared by BT
Cabinet to endorse new map, enabling Cambodia to propose temple to Unesco
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on
The Cabinet will endorse
The military was reportedly dissatisfied with the new map
"I have worked with
After several rounds of negotiations,
Residents in northeastern Si Sa Ket province protested, wanting the Cambodian community to be removed from overlapping areas.
Sompong Sucharitkul, former Thai ambassador to
The government should not commit to anything that could be deemed as recognition of
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the government had handled the case with transparency and would not allow the country to lose any sovereignty over territory.
"We are working on the World Heritage issue, so please do not mix this up with other issues that could complicate the matter and create misunderstandings between the two countries," Tharit said.
*******************
Shared by BT
Anniversary of Preah Vihear ruling to be held at in Cambodia
www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-12 10:32:39
PHNOM PENH, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Khmer Civilization Support Association (KCSA) has announced its celebration of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s 1962 ruling that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia rather than Thailand, will be held Sunday at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh, local newspaper the Mekong Times reported Thursday.
"The ceremony is being held in gratitude to our Cambodian ancestors who built Preah Vihear," said the KCSA statement, adding that it was also dedicated to former King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodian head of state when the ICJ ruling was made.
The ceremony is also being held to thank the Cambodian government for maintaining sovereignty and integrity until the temple is registered as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site list, said the KSCA.
The UN body will discuss the temple's listing at talks to be held early next month in Quebec.
The KSCA announcement comes as the Thai government studies in detail a new drawing of the temple grounds that Cambodia submitted last week.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungwat told The Bangkok Post Wednesday that further talks between Thai and Cambodian officials are needed because the Cambodian map of the area slightly differs from the border map used by Thailand, the Mekong Times said.
Pai Siphan, spokesman for the Cambodian Council of Ministers, said Wednesday that the term "map" as opposed to "drawing" was causing confusion.
"We use the word drawing, as it was a drawing submitted to UNESCO and Thailand. We have sent the drawing to the Thai side and they approved it," he said.
He added that, according to Cambodian law, the legal premises of each temple are adjudged to be 30 meters starting from the base of its outer buildings.
"Currently Preah Vihear temple fences are too near the gate of the temple, which indicates that Thailand has moved its border markers into Cambodian territory," said the spokesman.
*****************
Shared by BT
PHNOM PENH, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Khmer Civilization Support Association (KCSA) has announced its celebration of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s 1962 ruling that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia rather than Thailand, will be held Sunday at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh, local newspaper the Mekong Times reported Thursday.
"The ceremony is being held in gratitude to our Cambodian ancestors who built Preah Vihear," said the KCSA statement, adding that it was also dedicated to former King Norodom Sihanouk, Cambodian head of state when the ICJ ruling was made.
The ceremony is also being held to thank the Cambodian government for maintaining sovereignty and integrity until the temple is registered as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site list, said the KSCA.
The UN body will discuss the temple's listing at talks to be held early next month in Quebec.
The KSCA announcement comes as the Thai government studies in detail a new drawing of the temple grounds that Cambodia submitted last week.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungwat told The Bangkok Post Wednesday that further talks between Thai and Cambodian officials are needed because the Cambodian map of the area slightly differs from the border map used by Thailand, the Mekong Times said.
Pai Siphan, spokesman for the Cambodian Council of Ministers, said Wednesday that the term "map" as opposed to "drawing" was causing confusion.
"We use the word drawing, as it was a drawing submitted to UNESCO and Thailand. We have sent the drawing to the Thai side and they approved it," he said.
He added that, according to Cambodian law, the legal premises of each temple are adjudged to be 30 meters starting from the base of its outer buildings.
"Currently Preah Vihear temple fences are too near the gate of the temple, which indicates that Thailand has moved its border markers into Cambodian territory," said the spokesman.
*****************
Shared by BT
Call to oppose Cambodia may lead to unnecessary rift
By comment & analysis
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Published on
Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr appeared to have misled some people and may be sparking unnecessary rifts with Cambodia when he suggested the government should remain opposed to Phnom Penh's move to list the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
If entertained, such a suggestion could mean a revision of an agreement that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An sealed in
After rounds of negotiation since the previous government,
The Cambodian authority had sent a new map of its annexation to
The Cabinet will endorse the map soon to enable
The opposition Democrats blamed the government for mishandling the case.
Allowing
Sompong Sucharitkul, former Thai ambassador to
It was right that the Thai government at the time announced its disagreement to the ICJ's ruling in favour of
But such an announcement contradicted the action since the Cabinet on
Thai authorities then withdrew troops from the temple and removed Thai nationals out of the area.
Sompong's statement that the current government should not change its position and recognise Cambodian sovereignty over Preah Vihear could be somewhat misleading since it had de facto already changed its position and recognised Cambodia's sovereignty 46 years ago.
De jury, the ICJ's ruling in 1962 was deemed the final decision and there was no appeal procedure.
The foreign minister at the time was Thanat Khoman and he was also a former Democrat leader.
He reserved the right to refile the case if there is a new international law relating to the case in favour of
The rush to discredit the government by ignoring and tinkering with historical fact to shore up nationalistic sentiment is not healthy for
If some Cambodian parties decide to pick on the issue of Preah Vihear to whip up anti-Thai sentiment for their own gains, it could cause a lot of trouble and perhaps strain cordial relations.
The fire went beyond the embassy grounds, igniting an anti-Thai rampage that destroyed Thai properties and interests in that country, some of which cannot be compensated by money alone.
Diplomatically speaking, cooperation with
****************
Shared by BT
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE
NSC satisfied with new map
WASSANA NANUAM
The National Security Council (NSC) is satisfied with the new version of the border map of the Preah Vihear temple site re-drawn by Cambodia, but says a field survey is still needed to verify all the details.
Experts from the Royal Thai Survey Department will conduct a joint survey with Cambodian officials to make sure the new map does not include the overlapping areas, the source of the long-running dispute between the two countries since the International Court of Justice's ruling that the ancient temple belonged to Cambodia.
The NSC's decision was announced following its meeting yesterday. After the completion of the survey, the matter will be forwarded for cabinet consideration before Thailand replies to Cambodia whether it agrees with the new map, said Tharit Jarungwat, chief of the Department of Information under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The map was re-drawn and handed to Thailand last Thursday following an agreement between the two countries to do so during a Unesco-brokered meeting in Paris late last month.
If Thailand approves it, Cambodia will use the map in applying with Unesco _ the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation _ for registration of the temple as a World Heritage site early next month in Canada.
Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit said in most part the redrawn map by Cambodia was in line with what Thailand wanted, and the disagreements that still remained only involved some minute details.
''The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be handling the remaining problems [the disagreed part] so that relations between the two countries are not affected,'' Gen Boonsang said.
He expects the two countries to soon reach a deal on the issue.
But an agreement on the joint development and management of the area could be signed in future, he said.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama earlier said that according to the new map only the temple and 30 metres of its adjacent areas would be put up for listing.
Cambodia's previous proposal to Unesco also included the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre border between Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district and Preah Vihear province for listing.
*************
Shared by BT
WASSANA NANUAM
The National Security Council (NSC) is satisfied with the new version of the border map of the Preah Vihear temple site re-drawn by Cambodia, but says a field survey is still needed to verify all the details.
Experts from the Royal Thai Survey Department will conduct a joint survey with Cambodian officials to make sure the new map does not include the overlapping areas, the source of the long-running dispute between the two countries since the International Court of Justice's ruling that the ancient temple belonged to Cambodia.
The NSC's decision was announced following its meeting yesterday. After the completion of the survey, the matter will be forwarded for cabinet consideration before Thailand replies to Cambodia whether it agrees with the new map, said Tharit Jarungwat, chief of the Department of Information under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The map was re-drawn and handed to Thailand last Thursday following an agreement between the two countries to do so during a Unesco-brokered meeting in Paris late last month.
If Thailand approves it, Cambodia will use the map in applying with Unesco _ the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation _ for registration of the temple as a World Heritage site early next month in Canada.
Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit said in most part the redrawn map by Cambodia was in line with what Thailand wanted, and the disagreements that still remained only involved some minute details.
''The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be handling the remaining problems [the disagreed part] so that relations between the two countries are not affected,'' Gen Boonsang said.
He expects the two countries to soon reach a deal on the issue.
But an agreement on the joint development and management of the area could be signed in future, he said.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama earlier said that according to the new map only the temple and 30 metres of its adjacent areas would be put up for listing.
Cambodia's previous proposal to Unesco also included the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre border between Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district and Preah Vihear province for listing.
*************
Shared by BT
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thai FM: Cambodia will register Preah Vihear temple only, prepare new map
BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) -- Cambodia has agreed to register only the ancient Preah Vihear temple ruins themselves as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leaving the surrounding area disputed by Thailand and Cambodia unresolved, and to prepare a new map showing the ruins for consideration by UNESCO and Thailand, Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said Saturday.
Mr. Noppadon, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officials met in Paris for 10 hours on Thursday. The Thai foreign minister told a press conference that the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere.
The Cambodian government agreed to limit its registration of the Preah Vihear temple only as a World Heritage site, and would submit new map of temple premises to the Thai government and UNESCO for consideration on June 6.
Thailand supports Cambodia in registering the ancient temple ruins as a World Heritage site, Mr. Noppadon said, indicating that he would forward the outcome of the meeting to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and related government agencies as soon as possible .
Agreements reached at the meeting were contained in a joint communiqué and must be approved first by both the Thai and Cambodian governments, he said.
The revised map, prepared by the Phnom Penh government and submitted when it applied for registering Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site last year, must be studied again whether it was appropriate, said Mr. Noppadon. Thailand earlier held that the dispute over the disputed 4.6 sq. km. area adjoining the temple ruins has yet to be settled.
Historically, Thailand and Cambodia have both laid claim to the temple, which sits astride the border in Thailand's Si Sa Ket, but easy access is only through Thailand.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia. (TNA)-E111
************************
Shared by BT
Mr. Noppadon, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officials met in Paris for 10 hours on Thursday. The Thai foreign minister told a press conference that the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere.
The Cambodian government agreed to limit its registration of the Preah Vihear temple only as a World Heritage site, and would submit new map of temple premises to the Thai government and UNESCO for consideration on June 6.
Thailand supports Cambodia in registering the ancient temple ruins as a World Heritage site, Mr. Noppadon said, indicating that he would forward the outcome of the meeting to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and related government agencies as soon as possible .
Agreements reached at the meeting were contained in a joint communiqué and must be approved first by both the Thai and Cambodian governments, he said.
The revised map, prepared by the Phnom Penh government and submitted when it applied for registering Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site last year, must be studied again whether it was appropriate, said Mr. Noppadon. Thailand earlier held that the dispute over the disputed 4.6 sq. km. area adjoining the temple ruins has yet to be settled.
Historically, Thailand and Cambodia have both laid claim to the temple, which sits astride the border in Thailand's Si Sa Ket, but easy access is only through Thailand.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia. (TNA)-E111
************************
Shared by BT
Monday, May 12, 2008
Self-censoring Thai PM threatens to sue newspapers
BANGKOK -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who has a notoriously combative relationship with his country's press, threatened on Sunday to sue two local newspapers.
Speaking on his weekly "Talking Samak Style" television show, the prime minister took two unnamed papers to task over their reporting of disputes over a temple on the Thai-Cambodia border.
Samak, who is known for his gruff, straight-talking style, recently cancelled his twice-weekly press briefings because he said he was worried he would publicly utter "rude words."
In his latest attack on the media, he said the newspapers had accused him of trading claims over the temple -- which is on Cambodian soil but to which Thailand has historically laid claim -- for financial gain over oil deals.
"That is absolutely unacceptable," he told viewers. "Tomorrow (Monday) my lawyer will certainly have a job to do. The only way out is through the court."
Samak did not give any details of the offending newspapers, or specifics of the allegations.
Thailand and Cambodia have historically both laid claim to the Preah Vihear temple, an ancient Hindu site perched on a mountaintop on the Thai-Cambodia border. The World Court in 1962 ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia.
The United Nations culture organization UNESCO last year decided against granting the temple coveted World Heritage status.
Rumors swirled that Thailand had blocked Cambodia's efforts to have Preah Vihear listed, but Cambodian officials denied this, and Samak has said he will not hamper attempts by Cambodia to try once again to have the site listed.
A former TV chef and self-styled "man of the people", Samak led the People Power Party (PPP) to an election victory last December and often uses his Sunday television show to complain about the Thai media.
When he announced he would no longer give his press briefings, he said that the public believed he used impolite words. "So to solve this problem and so that I do not utter such rude words, I must not talk," he explained.
*************
Extracted from Agence France-Presse
Shared by BT
Speaking on his weekly "Talking Samak Style" television show, the prime minister took two unnamed papers to task over their reporting of disputes over a temple on the Thai-Cambodia border.
Samak, who is known for his gruff, straight-talking style, recently cancelled his twice-weekly press briefings because he said he was worried he would publicly utter "rude words."
In his latest attack on the media, he said the newspapers had accused him of trading claims over the temple -- which is on Cambodian soil but to which Thailand has historically laid claim -- for financial gain over oil deals.
"That is absolutely unacceptable," he told viewers. "Tomorrow (Monday) my lawyer will certainly have a job to do. The only way out is through the court."
Samak did not give any details of the offending newspapers, or specifics of the allegations.
Thailand and Cambodia have historically both laid claim to the Preah Vihear temple, an ancient Hindu site perched on a mountaintop on the Thai-Cambodia border. The World Court in 1962 ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia.
The United Nations culture organization UNESCO last year decided against granting the temple coveted World Heritage status.
Rumors swirled that Thailand had blocked Cambodia's efforts to have Preah Vihear listed, but Cambodian officials denied this, and Samak has said he will not hamper attempts by Cambodia to try once again to have the site listed.
A former TV chef and self-styled "man of the people", Samak led the People Power Party (PPP) to an election victory last December and often uses his Sunday television show to complain about the Thai media.
When he announced he would no longer give his press briefings, he said that the public believed he used impolite words. "So to solve this problem and so that I do not utter such rude words, I must not talk," he explained.
*************
Extracted from Agence France-Presse
Shared by BT
Monday, April 28, 2008
Unesco calls off joint talks
Separate meetings now on Preah Vihear listing
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation has cancelled a meeting with Thailand and Cambodia in Paris over efforts to put the Preah Vihear temple on Unesco's World Heritage list.
The meeting was supposed to be this Friday and Saturday, with Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama leading the Thai side in the talks.
The meeting has been tentatively rescheduled for May 13, Mr Noppadon said.
The talks will concentrate on Cambodia's proposal to register the ancient ruins, which are right on the border with Thailand.
The only easy access is through Thailand, and some of the border is not demarcated and claimed by both sides.
Unesco will now send its representative, Francesco Caruso, for separate talks with the Thai and Cambodian governments.
The UN agency gave no reason for the change.
Mr Caruso has been appointed by Unesco as a special coordinator between Thailand and Cambodia on the issue and is due in Bangkok next month.
"The Thai government welcomes the proposal and is ready to meet and discuss in good faith with Cambodia the outstanding issues so as to facilitate the process of registration of the temple," the ministry said.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed in principle to jointly manage Preah Vihear and other ruins in Thailand in the area, but will not allow the project to affect the plan to demarcate the border there.
Preah Vihear, called Khao Phra Viharn in Thai, is on the Cambodian side of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.
But it does not look like the issue will be easily settled.
On April 10, the government handed an aide-memoire to Cambodian ambassador Ung Sean to protest against the deployment of Cambodian troops at the ancient temple.
The government said the troop deployment violated Thailand's territorial sovereignty in the disputed areas along the border, and was also against the spirit of a memorandum of understanding in 2000 concerning the area around the temple.
The Cambodian government countered by summoning Thai ambassador Viraphand Vacharathit to deny all the allegations a day later.
**************************
General news extracted from Bangkok Post
Shared by: BT
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation has cancelled a meeting with Thailand and Cambodia in Paris over efforts to put the Preah Vihear temple on Unesco's World Heritage list.
The meeting was supposed to be this Friday and Saturday, with Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama leading the Thai side in the talks.
The meeting has been tentatively rescheduled for May 13, Mr Noppadon said.
The talks will concentrate on Cambodia's proposal to register the ancient ruins, which are right on the border with Thailand.
The only easy access is through Thailand, and some of the border is not demarcated and claimed by both sides.
Unesco will now send its representative, Francesco Caruso, for separate talks with the Thai and Cambodian governments.
The UN agency gave no reason for the change.
Mr Caruso has been appointed by Unesco as a special coordinator between Thailand and Cambodia on the issue and is due in Bangkok next month.
"The Thai government welcomes the proposal and is ready to meet and discuss in good faith with Cambodia the outstanding issues so as to facilitate the process of registration of the temple," the ministry said.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed in principle to jointly manage Preah Vihear and other ruins in Thailand in the area, but will not allow the project to affect the plan to demarcate the border there.
Preah Vihear, called Khao Phra Viharn in Thai, is on the Cambodian side of Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.
But it does not look like the issue will be easily settled.
On April 10, the government handed an aide-memoire to Cambodian ambassador Ung Sean to protest against the deployment of Cambodian troops at the ancient temple.
The government said the troop deployment violated Thailand's territorial sovereignty in the disputed areas along the border, and was also against the spirit of a memorandum of understanding in 2000 concerning the area around the temple.
The Cambodian government countered by summoning Thai ambassador Viraphand Vacharathit to deny all the allegations a day later.
**************************
General news extracted from Bangkok Post
Shared by: BT
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thailand and Cambodia to tackle temple dispute in Paris
Bangkok - Thai and Cambodian officials will meet in Paris next week to tackle their ongoing dispute over the registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site, media reports said Friday. Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama has confirmed that he will head a delegation to discuss the contentious bilateral issue with Cambodia on May 2-3 at the invitation of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said the Bangkok Post newspaper.
UNESCO reportedly wants both sides to discuss Cambodia's proposal to register Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu temple that straddles the Thai-Cambodian border, as a heritage site.
Thailand blocked the Cambodian proposal last year on the grounds that there is an ongoing territorial dispute about parts of the temple compound that were to be included in the World Heritage Site.
Ownership of Preah Vihear has been a contentious issue between Thailand and Cambodia for decades.
The dispute was taken to the International Court of Justice, which ruled on June 15, 1962, that the temple belonged to Cambodia.
Although the temple, perched on a cliff overlooking Cambodia, is now under the management of the Cambodian government, the easiest access to the site for tourists is via Thailand.
It is hoped that the demarcation disagreement will be settled before the next World Heritage committee meeting from July 4 to 12 in Canada.
*********************
News extracted from The Earth Times
Shared by: BT
UNESCO reportedly wants both sides to discuss Cambodia's proposal to register Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu temple that straddles the Thai-Cambodian border, as a heritage site.
Thailand blocked the Cambodian proposal last year on the grounds that there is an ongoing territorial dispute about parts of the temple compound that were to be included in the World Heritage Site.
Ownership of Preah Vihear has been a contentious issue between Thailand and Cambodia for decades.
The dispute was taken to the International Court of Justice, which ruled on June 15, 1962, that the temple belonged to Cambodia.
Although the temple, perched on a cliff overlooking Cambodia, is now under the management of the Cambodian government, the easiest access to the site for tourists is via Thailand.
It is hoped that the demarcation disagreement will be settled before the next World Heritage committee meeting from July 4 to 12 in Canada.
*********************
News extracted from The Earth Times
Shared by: BT
Friday, April 11, 2008
Formal protest filed with Phnom Penh
Asked to remove troops from disputed area
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
The Foreign Ministry yesterday protested to
Virachai Plasai, the chief of the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department, summoned Cambodian ambassador Ung Sean to register a protest against
Under the MoU, both countries agreed not to do anything to change the area in question.
This is the fourth time in five years that
''This time we summoned the Cambodian ambassador to protest against them sending in troops and police and clearing landmines in the overlapping area in Si Sa Ket province,'' said Mr Virachai.
He said although the two countries have a joint border committee looking after their 800-kilometre border, it might take another 10 years to demarcate the 195km border in the Preah Vihear area, as the two countries use different maps. The disputed area covers 2,900 rai, or 4.6 square kilometres.
However, negotiations which aim to put in place a joint management over the disputed area are underway and expected to be in place before the border demarcation is completed, Mr Virachai said.
''Today's protest is done on a legal basis in an attempt to protect
The Preah Vihear conflict came up after
Shared by BT; extracted from the Bangkok Post
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
