PM thanks rally, blames Noppadon

Bangkok Post
01 Aug, 2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva thanked a group of Thai people for showing their concern for the country after they gathered in front of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)'s local office in Bangkok on July 27 to oppose Cambodia's plan on administering Preah Vihear temple.

The gathering was likely one of the reasons why the Unesco World Heritage Committee (WHC) postponed discussions on the Phnom Penh government's management plan around the Preah Vihear temple to next year, Mr Abhisit said during his weekly broadcast on Sunday morning.

However, he said, confusion within the country might lead to conflicts that could benefit Cambodia in the end.

The government will accept Cambodia's management plan, if the temple is jointly listed between both countries. The government will not cooperate with the WHC if it endorses the plan since it infringes on the disputed border area, he said.

"The problem originated in 2008 when Mr Noppadon Pattama, a foreign minister at the time, supported Cambodia's plan to list Preah Vihear as a world heritage site. This put Thailand in a disadvantage.

"We cannot deny that the most convenient entrance to Preah Vihear is on the Thai side. Therefore, the Thai government has been trying to oppose its listing," the premier said.

He said the government should now work easier as it had seen the documents proposed by Cambodia at the WHC meeting in Brazil last week.

"Actually, there are people who do not agree with me on the legal aspects but we share the same goal, which is protecting the country's sovereignty. I ask all sides to work together and stop arguing since it would give an advantage to another country," he added.