Unesco to hear Thai viewpoint

15 Feb, 2011
Source: Bangok Post

The cabinet has told the Culture Ministry to inform Unesco that Thailand would not agree to it sending a team to inspect Preah Vihear temple at this time, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Tuesday.

Mr Panitan said the message would be passed on when special representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) visit Thailand on a cultural exchange mission.

Unesco also plans to send officials to inspect what damage was done to world heritage site during the recent fighting in the disputed area between Thai and Cambodian troops.

The spokesman said the Thai trade exhibition would still open in Phnom Penh on Feb 17, when Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri would have a chance to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to exchange opinions.

The cabinet also assigned Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to attend the World Heritage Committee meeting in France, where he would stress that Thailand wants the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site put on hold.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reported to the cabinet on the United Nations Security Council's call for Thailand and Cambodia to settle their conflict and reach a permanent ceasefire agreement.

Mr Abhisit expressed the hope Cambodia would resume cooperating with Thailand under various bilateral mechanisms - including the Joint Boundary Committee and Joint Committee on Thai-Cambodian cooperation, Mr Panitan said.

PM's Office Minister Ong-art Klampaiboon reported to the cabinet on the damage caused toThailand by the recent border clashes.

The prime minister assigned the interior and defence ministries to build more bunkers to shelter border villagers and to improve communication procedures and routes for emergency evacuations.