Democrats urge govt to clarify temple stance

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Democrats urge govt to clarify temple stance

Published: 7 Jan 2013 at 00.24
Online news: Local News

The opposition Democrat Party is pressing the government to clarify its stance on the country's court battle with Cambodia over the ownership of the land around Preah Vihear temple.

Somsak Kosaisuk, a former yellow-shirt co-leader, left, and former constitution drafter Sqd Ldr Prasong Soonsiri greet each other before a seminar held Sunday to discuss the Preah Vihear temple dispute on the Thai-Cambodia border. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The disputed temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) 51 years ago.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul needs to generate public confidence ahead of the court battle with Cambodia, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday.

The foreign minister has said he will consider suing anyone who criticises him for saying Thailand may not come out on top in the territorial dispute.

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tomo
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Discussion 28 : 07 Jan 2013 at 19.4828
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Disc11,I am absolutely no fan of the Democrats and thier leaders.But i totally agree that the way Abhisit and Kasit handled this was totally out of order.They caused a confrontation that killed soldiers on both sides and terrorised the civilians just for what?For a temple and a pitch of land.Thailand must except the ICJ judgement and get on with it.Wars dont work.
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antitahaan
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Discussion 27 : 07 Jan 2013 at 16.5727
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Their real intention is not resolve the border-dispute problem. They wish an endless dispute in that area for using a brainwashing-tool of raising a patriotism of peoples. If resolved this problem no matter what shape it is, they would probably be discouraged a settlement of the territorial issue. In some cases, To remaining an endless territorial issue is of importance for showing its meaning of some organization's power existence and improvement of image against their group through pretending to have a patriotism. This is not a true patriotism.
It calls "propaganda" as a political tool.
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beer_sing
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Discussion 26 : 07 Jan 2013 at 14.2826
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Any importance to know what the government stance is, if one cannot accept the verdict of ICJ.
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christhai
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Discussion 25 : 07 Jan 2013 at 14.0025
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This problem must be solved by Diplomatic talks. Not by PAD and Democratic party ho only want to provoke violence and sprid chaos in the country !!
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nighthawk
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Discussion 24 : 07 Jan 2013 at 13.4824
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If Abhisit offer to help the government win the case, I'll kiss the ground he walks on and vote Democrat next time. C'mon Mark forget the differences for a while, just do it for the country, please?
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pheakdey
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Discussion 23 : 07 Jan 2013 at 13.4623
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Mr Abhisit said the foreign minister needs to inform the public about what the government is actually doing to win the court battle. don't worry Abhisit the final outcome in October hope will go your way, but somehow Thailand has to accept it either you like it or not and move on.
In the 1962 ruling, the ICJ ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, but the court made no decision on whom the land around the temple belonged to.
the ICJ didn't have to make a judgement separately, according to the ANNEX-I map that the court was using. the judges look at it the surrounding area is locate inside the Cambodia's territory.
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mutley
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Discussion 22 : 07 Jan 2013 at 11.2322
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The deep South has already been mentioned. The 3 provinces were ceded to Thailand, or Siam as it was then, by the British in 1903 to make border demarcation easier much the same as France did with the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Nothing but trouble ever since. Why doesn't Thailand just hand the 3 provinces back to Malaysia? Or is that different?
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DonAleman
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Discussion 21 : 07 Jan 2013 at 10.5421
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Thailand also displaying disrespect for the ICJ which has said Cambodia
is the temple owner.
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abbub
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Discussion 20 : 07 Jan 2013 at 10.1820
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The PAD are a spent force and have no meaningful political platform to offer the people.

They still say they want only 30% of government elected by the people and 70% appointed by "experts" (of their ilk, I am sure.

By appealing to nationalist feeling and trying to rally around the flag, they are making a sort of last stand at trying to appear to have some legitimacy. They should be relegated to the dust heap of Thai history and forgotten so Thailand can move ahead and evolve democratically.
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Eric
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Discussion 19 : 07 Jan 2013 at 09.5819
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I rather have the PAD mobilized their efforts to pressure the government to do something for the south. They are not nationalistic by any measurement but an opportunistic group doing their bidding for the invisible hands. Times have changed and this rightist movement will not achieved the kind of attention like before.
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Democrats urge govt to clarify temple stance | Bangkok Post: news