InMedia
Lack of public understanding caused by confusing messages and unreliable information has transformed Cambodia's bid to register Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site into a testy political issue.
The People's Alliance for Democracy, a group of senators and the opposition Democrat party are united in their belief that the issue will cause Thailand to lose part of its territory near the temple. They are opposed to the Samak government's approval of a joint Thailand-Cambodia communique on the proposed World Heritage status.
A solution to this problem may be found today, when the Administrative Court is scheduled to issue its ruling on a request for the court to nullify the Samak government's approval of the joint communique. At the same time, a group of senators have asked Unesco to delay its decision on the temple. The PAD and its supporters believe the government has violated Section 190 of the Constitution, which states that any treaty that may result in an alteration of the Thai border or national sovereignty under international law, or affect the country's economic and social security, must be approved by Parliament. In this respect, Parliament must conduct its own investigations and make its decision known within 60 days.
This is a lesson all parties concerned must take into consideration. They must prevent this issue from harming neighbourly relations. For their part, the Thai people must not let nationalism cloud their judgement. We hope this issue can be resolved amicably by Thailand and Cambodia.
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