Thai FM: Thai-Cambodian relations cordial despite border dispute

July 02, 2009
Source: Xinhua

Thai-Cambodian relations are still cordial and the border dispute near Preah Vihear Temple will be solved, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said here Wednesday.

On June 25, both sides stepped up reinforcements at the disputed border after the Thai government announced it planned to ask the UNESCO to review the World Heritage status given to Hindu Temple of Preah Vihear during the UNESCO committee meeting in Spain last week.

UNESCO's inscription of the temple in July last year is against the UNESCO's regulations and spirit since it has created a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, the Thai government said. Kasit said that in the past the leaders of the two countries held meetings and if there was any problem, the two sides agreed to negotiate peacefully, according to a report of the Thai language news agency.

"It is the responsibility of the army of each country whether to withdraw troops along the border area, but I believe neither country wants another clash," Kasit was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post's website.

It was possible the Cambodian government has misunderstood the Thai intention in asking the World Heritage Committee to review Cambodia's unilateral listing of the 11th-century temple as the world heritage site, Kasit said.

On June 26, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thailand's opposition to UNESCO's listing of Preah Vihear Temple as the World Heritage Site has nothing to do with Cambodia. Abhisit explained the case is a matter between Thailand and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO.

Thailand and Cambodia have historically laid claim to the site, which is located on a mountain top on the Thai-Cambodia border. The disputed area of 4.6 square kilometers has not been demarcated. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia.