Suthep to explain opposition to heritage listing to Cambodia

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Suthep to explain opposition to heritage listing to Cambodia

  • Published: 23/06/2009 at 04:53 PM
  • Online news: Transport

Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday he will on Saturday visit Cambodia to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and explain the case Thailand is making to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) about the registration of the Preah Vihear ancient temple as a World Heritage site by Cambodia.

Mr Suthep said the petition is a matter between the Thai government and Unesco, and had nothing to do with Cambodia, which owns the temple.

If all conflict was cleared up, the situation between the two neighbouring countries would improve, he said.

He believed neither Thailand nor Cambodia wanted any problem with each other.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda made a visit to the Thai-Cambodian border area near Preah Vihear temple on Tuesday morning.

His trip followed reports Cambodia had sent troop reinforcements, extra 130mm artillery pieces and T-54 tanks to the border.

News media in Cambodia earlier reported there were unusual movements of Thai troops in expectation that the situation would become tense after Thailand asked Unesco to review the registration of the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong also said his country was ready for any situation which might follow the reinforcement of troops on the Thai side of the border.

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  • Koury Thai

    Discussion 19 : 24/06/2009 at 11:37 PM19

    OK. So, what's next? According to Radio Free Asia, UNESCO committee has rejected Thai attempt to delist PV as world heritage. As I mentioned in previous comment that Suthep trip to Phnom Penh will be a waste of time and resource. In addition, Cambodian foreign affair has not received any formal notice regard to Suthep trip yet. By doing that, it obviously showing that Thai gester toward Cambodia as a small kid whom it can minipulate or say anything it wants to. Abhisit is officially touring Asia major economic power in an attempt to pursuade major investors to come to Thailand to rebuild Thai economy. Does it make sense for Priminister to convince other to come do business without regional security stability?
    Second, Thai has four major problems for foreigner to judge her as a shameful nation. 1). by violate neighboring sovereignty. 2). Intimidate and interfering UNESCO affair. 3). Sitting as ASEAN chairman, Thai shouldn't act above the law. What does the main definition fo ASEAN community? DO NOT INVADE OR CURSING YOUR NEIGHBOR, RIGHT? 4). No clear power who is who. By keep changing priminister like changing cloth, Thai politic has no clear power hierarchy. Like Hun Sen said, it happened only in Thailand that let demonstrators controlled gov't house. Don't use democracy as an excuse for your political turmoil. Least but not last, am I talking to the log?

  • segull

    Discussion 18 : 24/06/2009 at 08:09 PM18

    Bangkokpost, you have posted alot of topics regarding to Thai's campaign(TO ASK FOR THE JOINT LISTING OF PREAH VIHEAR) to UNESCO 33rd meeting in Serville.

    Don't you know that now THE INTENTION OF THAILAND WAS TOTALLY REJECTED BY UNESCO??

  • olay

    Discussion 17 : 24/06/2009 at 06:25 PM17

    Before, we used to think that Thai are our good neightbour event long time ago they took a lot of Khmer's land and temples.. We used to love to watch Thai movies.. we put the photos of thai stars on the wall, at bed room... But now thai to Cambodia is not good anymore.. Look at the country around Thailand, which on is Thai's good neighbour??? Malaysia,no.. Myanma,no.. Lao,no.. South,North,West,East,no..

    Think again... be aware..

  • Kingdown of Siam

    Discussion 16 : 24/06/2009 at 07:20 AM16

    Loss thai, the land of invader.

  • SPICEMAN

    Discussion 15 : 24/06/2009 at 06:10 AM15

    OBSERVER #13, do you know the meaning of the word "Bogus?" That is what the Mexican claim on California & Texas and Cambodian claim on Preah Vihear have in common. They are BOGUS! Until the US gives those states back to Mexico, why we have to give Preah Vihear back to Cambodia?

    Do you know why the Mexican Military has not enforced the Mexican claim? The same will be required of the Cambodian Military over Cambodian claim over Preah Vihear. It eng-go-na happen!

  • APSARA

    Discussion 14 : 24/06/2009 at 04:40 AM14

    So shameful on them. Abhishit will be oust out of office by its people again soon. Mark my words, Thai will have instability and chaos in near future.

  • Observer

    Discussion 13 : 24/06/2009 at 02:43 AM13

    SPICEMAN,

    If what you said is right that "Imagine Mexico demanding half of California and Texas back from the US, citing a few Spanish churches there?", so Cambodia also can claim almost parts of the whole Thailand because there are more than 300 khmer temples throughout Thailand which built by the Khmers. I hope Thailand can accept that, too.

  • Koury Thai

    Discussion 12 : 24/06/2009 at 01:50 AM12

    Don't blame Hun Sen if he trashes Suthep this weekend. I believe Hun Sen has enough of childish politic from Thai. From now on, talking to Thailand is a waste of time and resource.

    OK, readers, why don't we forecaste the future at Preah Vihear area? For me, I believe war is inevitable. When Thai delegates fail to convince UNESCO to agree with them, there will be a war because Thai gov't already has a plan what to do next. Forget about Suthep meeting Hun Sen. There will be no outcome or any concrete agreement.

  • SPICEMAN

    Discussion 11 : 24/06/2009 at 01:17 AM11

    Imagine Mexico demanding half of California and Texas back from the US, citing a few Spanish churches there?

    UNESCO may say whatever it wants, but Preah Vihear happens to sit on a piece of Thai real-estate. So, if UNESCO thinks Cambodia owns those piles of stones, it should have Cambodians taking them back across their border. If not, we can either charge them rent or blowing them up altogether. No more piles of stones, no more problems, case closed!

  • unreal

    Discussion 10 : 24/06/2009 at 12:19 AM10

    The previous government has done the right thing. Abhisit's government is putting more flame to the fire. When will there be peace? Get your sorry troops back to the base.

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