Democrats urge govt to clarify temple stance

News > Local News

CAMBODIA DISPUTE

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.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

facts_only
Post : 564
Send message

Discussion 8 : 07 Jan 2013 at 06.118
Post this to my Facebook
"Mr Surapong should focus less on the criticism of himself and more on winning the dispute, Mr Abhisit said...Democrat list MP Ong-art Klampaibul said the government made that call to shirk responsibility should it lose the dispute." - above

"Nobody should blame the previous government for allowing Cambodia to take this case to court." Abhisit, January 5, 2013
Like dislike 28 people liked / 10 people disliked this comment
sanam-bin
Post : 51
Send message

Discussion 7 : 07 Jan 2013 at 05.557
Post this to my Facebook
People are concerned about a temple and a tiny piece of land ? Three entire provinces in the south are under siege by Islamic terrorists. A 150 teachers have been killed. Bombings are routine. Why aren't people concerned about that ?
Like dislike 68 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
ricefield
Post : 2,386
Send message

Discussion 6 : 07 Jan 2013 at 05.536
Post this to my Facebook
The blind leading the blind. The case was lost years ago but now thanks to the Democrats and their tunnel visiones PAD allies it's likely the disputed territory will now officially become Cambodia. When the JBC was working on demarcation at least Thailand had some hope of gaining some of the disputed ground. Now not so much.
Like dislike 38 people liked / 21 people disliked this comment
amazed
Post : 601
Send message

Discussion 5 : 07 Jan 2013 at 05.385
Post this to my Facebook
Mr. Abhisit wants the government to, "generate public confidence "? In what universe does public confidence enter into the deliberation of any court? Again, we are subjected to opposition politics at it's worse. Aside from some wild declarations from some of the more strident nationalist, I have not heard any suggestions grounded in reality coming from the Dems. It would make more sense to tell the more passionate to get a flag tatoo and work with the Cambodians for the best way both sides can make lemonade.
Like dislike 34 people liked / 17 people disliked this comment
tansri
Post : 738
Send message

Discussion 4 : 07 Jan 2013 at 05.194
Post this to my Facebook
Don't let these Facist mob come out again. Court cases are there, prosecute them quickly.
Like dislike 36 people liked / 14 people disliked this comment
ploydonut
Post : 333
Send message

Discussion 3 : 07 Jan 2013 at 04.233
Post this to my Facebook
I am think that the Democrat and Yellow shirt will team up and use the Temple dispute problem to protest and create bigg biggg protest to remove the Government...I am think the plan has been made, and roughly around the April time will see it happen ka..
Like dislike 22 people liked / 34 people disliked this comment
Victor
Post : 1,351
Send message

Discussion 2 : 07 Jan 2013 at 04.132
Post this to my Facebook
FM Surapong should have kept his mouth shut and wait for the verdict of the World Court. His premature comment was a big mistake. Hope he'll learn from this and not trying to follow his predecessor's again.
Like dislike 25 people liked / 19 people disliked this comment
dao
Post : 4,804
Send message

Discussion 1 : 07 Jan 2013 at 01.111
Post this to my Facebook
Its bad enough Thaksin dragged HunSen into this border skirmish to win points against Abhisit .Just drop it already .
Like dislike 34 people liked / 24 people disliked this comment