Suwit defends his Preah Vihear role

Published: 2/07/2009 at 05:27 PM
Online news: Security

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti on Thursday insisted he was able to get Thailand about one year of extra time to raise its concerns over the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco) listing of Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site.

Mr Suwit admitted Preah Vihear had already been listed as a world heritage site, as Pongpol Adireksarn, former chairman of the Thai World Heritage Committee, had said.�

But Cambodia had yet to formally complete its obligations by �presenting a management plan �for safeguarding and developing the temple, �including a map of the buffer zone around the site.

Because of Thailand's opposition to the listing, coupled with Cambodia's inability to submit its plan by February this year, the WHC decided to give Cambodia until next February to do so.�

This has given Thailand the opportunity to raise its concerns over its border dispute with Cambodia, said Mr Suwit.

Mr Suwit said Unesco has been told the two countries have not been able to settle their border dispute.� "We need to explore ways of settling the dispute to end the Thai-Cambodian conflict over the listing of Preah Vihear," he added.

Asked whether Thailand would try to seek a bilateral listing of the temple, Mr Suwit said this could be done only after the disputed border has been clearly demarcated. �

�

About the author

Writer: BangkokPost.com

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Share your thoughts

For more candid, lengthy, conversational and open discussion between one another, use our Forum

Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

dragon

Discussion 12 : 06/07/2009 at 08:17 AM12
Cambodia delegates just back from Spain, AND they claimed a big success over the temple affair while the other side was heavily defeated with a big loss and shameful face as UNESCO never let them include their unlawful agendas in the meeting also,for next year meeting in Brazil someone said he/his country will got a chance again but this is just a cheating word to himself and his people."Never happen as international body knows clearly about this,u can cheat your people but u can not cheat UNESCO" . U can not hide the truth..hehe...Mr.SooWheat, re-think your bad plan again:*8) !
To Discussion 2

Discussion 11 : 04/07/2009 at 10:30 PM11
To "Discussion 2":
"Khmer empire steal the land from Funan"??? Are you saying "Ayuthaya steal the land of Sokothai"??? And do you know how Champa disappear from the map? And where was Champa Kindom??? I think you really need to double verify what you have learnt.
Kon Khmer

Discussion 10 : 04/07/2009 at 05:18 PM10
Dear. All Thai people and those who love their beautiful Thailand, I know you all realize that there is a controversial dispute over Preah Vihea Temple after Unesco listed the ancient architecture into the WHC and recognized that this ancient value temple is 100% belonging to Cambodia.
I ask you all on behalf of you are my neighboring people, and used to have a very good relationship to Cambodia.
1. Unesco is an international organization working closely with the world’s heritage. In this NGO I think that there are many specialized and expertized scholars and law makers working to identify all world’s heritage of each country around the world.
You, especially, your top leaders and other respected professors who have the highest education and reputation, some of you are PM, deputy of PM, top military commanders , political professors, environmental experts, historical professors, well-known lecturers, sensible scholars and moral educators. You should use all your knowledge and creative opinion to develop your country but why you are trying to use all useful knowledge to cheat and destroy your country?
I am very regret that all of you are the most idiot educators and try to use all the knowledge you have to invade my fatherland.

Have you ever thought that all people around the world are waiting to see your aggressive ambition and vulgar idea?
The modern Khmers, not the ancient Khmers, can devote or sacrifice their lives to protect the Khmer sovereignty and fatherland.
This message I would like to send to all Thai people to take more consideration over the current activities of their leaders.
What are your leader doing and why ?
I think that all the current Thai leaders are using Preah Vihea dispute to earn the political profit from the own people and try drawing more attention to all Thai opposition supporters to support their party’s policy. This is the real game that Thai ruling party’s Prime Minister is playing to convince other opposition supporters to support his party’s policy
Please be careful, this game you shouldn’t play because it is very dangerous and painful experience for all Thai people in the future. I bit you will lose everything even though your shorts that you are wearing it not only land. Moreover the history will record you (all current Thai leaders not People) in the worst Thai historical books in the coming centuries.
My best regards
From Kon Khmer.
News Man

Discussion 9 : 03/07/2009 at 07:48 AM9
My Friend! Do not beleive mr Suwit, plan for conservation, cambodia have already submit. Problem is map of buffer zone. Cambodia ask for delay to next year. But UNESCO said that it understand the situation very well, so Cambodia do not need give this map to it. Cambodia anounce this formal result.
boon

Discussion 8 : 03/07/2009 at 07:45 AM8
The present Thai Government is famous in using retroactive law to change situation to their favour. They have arrogantly gone straight to UNESCO and by-passing Cambodia for any talk. The world body should beware that it will not be dread into Thai domestic politic. The temple issue is a shameful political issue created by masterminds of PAD with the support of democrats to overthrow a people elected government of Thailand.
Andy

Discussion 7 : 02/07/2009 at 11:35 PM7
Mr Suwit stop flogging the dead horse you lost this a long time ago why are you stirring things up is it just to make trouble. Live and let live isn't it time to move on. The craziest thing is it isn't even a buddhist temple it's a Hindu temple. Don't you want peace with your neighbours.
Roy

Discussion 6 : 02/07/2009 at 09:56 PM6
logically speaking and legally speaking preah vihear temple already belong, and awarded to cambodia, and Thailand arrogantly try to take it away.What ever reasons Thailand have i still not convence, instead im beginning to see arrogance. How much more if UNESCo had given it to Thailand, and Cambodia will arrogantly take it, maybe twould be more worst than What they are doing now.

Roy
Dara

Discussion 5 : 02/07/2009 at 08:20 PM5
To Mr. Suwit,

If you and your country (Thailand) strong enough.. Why not go to International Court again like in 1962...

Come on..

Thailand, you talked too much. make the world confusing.

Let go to World court again. If you are strong..(Thailand).

I can say, 1000 of your life, if your foot (Thailand) enter to world court again, This time, you will lost more than this..
justice

Discussion 4 : 02/07/2009 at 07:19 PM4
The current government is trying to cover up its face because they have pressed the previous foreign minister out of his position on this issue. Of course, Thai government is well known to brush off any wrongdoings under the rug and present the news in their favor. Buying the time simply means they want people to forget about it. In a year from now, the topic of Preah Vihear will be forgotten. Shame on Thailand!
Khmergene

Discussion 3 : 02/07/2009 at 06:18 PM3
Khun Suwit, see out what we said in our newspaper. Khmer has already submitted the document to UNESCO since 04 April.

Watch out and don't confuse the people.

More go to www.everyday.com.kh

1 2 Next Last

Suwit defends his Preah Vihear role