Sanity needed in temple row

EDITORIAL

Published: 24 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will chair a high-level meeting tomorrow with the military top brass, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, the Thai ambassador to the Hague and the government's legal team to discuss how Thailand will win its claim against Cambodia in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 4.6 square kilometres of disputed territory around the Preah Vihear temple.

After the meeting, members of the press will be briefed about what was discussed and the government's position pertaining to the dispute.

It wants to make sure the public is accurately informed to avoid any misunderstandings and head off the conspiracy theory spread by certain extreme nationalists that the government is selling out over the disputed land to Phnom Penh in exchange for business interests pursued by certain individuals.

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spiceman
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Discussion 7 : 24 Jan 2013 at 09.107
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Khun Eric #6, if the UK had the right to cross 8,000 miles of a vast Atlantic Ocean, in order, to defend their 2 tiny rocky islands off the coast of Argentina, can you tell me why can't Thailand walk a few steps to defend our land underneath that darn Hindu Temple? Please, let me remind you that, unlike what Preach Vihear meant to Thailand, the Falklands has absolutely nothing to do with either the territorial sovereignty or the national security of the UK. The ICJ is supposed to be a court of justice, and can you find any justice between the two cases I've mentioned above? "No Justice, No Peace," right?
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Eric
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Discussion 6 : 24 Jan 2013 at 08.486
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Khun Spiceman, unfortunately for all the chest beating and nationalistic cry, should ICJ ruled negatively, we can't do want we really want. If we don't comply, it will go to the Security Council for affirmative action which Thailand can ill afford. However looking at the court composition, I think Thailand stand a good chance for a good verdict. Only France and perhaps Italy may side the Cambodia but are outnumbered by under and developing countries members who are more sympathic to a amicable solution.
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spiceman
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Discussion 5 : 24 Jan 2013 at 08.315
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Khun Aussiedoug #4, for Thailand, it is not about any manmade structures, but all about territorial sovereignty and national security. If we can't, or rather, aren't willing to defend our territory, even with all of the advantages given by the high terrain features (hills), we are compromising our national security big time. One of most important principle of warfare, laid down by Sun Tzu's Art of War, is to protect high grounds at all costs.

"Camp in high places, facing the Sun. Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare." (Sun Tzu, Art of War)
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aussiedoug
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Discussion 4 : 24 Jan 2013 at 08.054
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Can anyone explain why a bhuddist country like Thailand wants a wrecked Hindu temple and a couple of inhospitable acres out in the boonies at any price? Thailand has many other pressing problems that politicians on all sides seem unable or unwilling to solve, and wasting money sitting in expensive hotels in Europe with greedy lawyers is just a further waste of time and money. Has anybody suggested half each to Cambodia?
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hopper
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Discussion 3 : 24 Jan 2013 at 07.193
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So far we have heard many encouraging voices of the reason from Thai people, whether they are ordinary bloggers or academics or even politicians. If we reject the arbitration from ICJ, what else solution can we turn to, but war between the 2 countries. Curiously enough, the gun jumping anticipating the ICJ court ruling is on the Thai side only, with PAD group leading the pace. Not on the Cambodian side. ICJ is an institution internationally accepted by almost every country in the quest for a peaceful solution to any problem. Of course like any court verdict, you may appeal, which Thailand forgot to do so over half century ago.
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upena
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Discussion 2 : 24 Jan 2013 at 05.572
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The article was OK until you got to this:

For that matter, the ICJ has a moral responsibility _ not just a legal obligation _ to avoid pushing the two countries into a corner so they have no other option but armed confrontation.

The ICJ has the responsibility to hear the case and make a decision based on facts. If the ICJ says that the 4.6 km belongs to Cambodia, then that is the decision and Thailand needs to abide by it. If you claim that a favorable decision for Cambodia will automatically lead to an armed confrontation, then it will only be because Thailand refuses to accept the decision. Don't blame the ICJ.
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spiceman
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Discussion 1 : 24 Jan 2013 at 05.341
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The terrain features surrounding Preach Vihear, according to today's satellite map, clearly conform with all international legal precedents in Thailand's favor. Therefore, Preah Vihear lies within Thai border. However, as all the "Big Boys," like the UK, China, and etc, had demonstrated in the past and even recently, that their borderlines could be anywhere, as long as, the arms of their Military can reach it. So, according to them, anything goes! So, our bottom line is whether we want to give Preach Vihear to Cambodia, Yes or No, and for what? Forget about what the toothless ICJ wants, but what do we really want?
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Sanity needed in temple row | Bangkok Post: opinion