Thailand appoints head of legal team for Preah Vihear case

5 May, 2011
Source: Xinhua

Thai Ambassador to the Hague and the former Director General of Legal Department of Foreign Ministry, Veerachai Palasai, was appointed as the head of Thai legal team to defend Thailand at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Preah Vihear issue, local media reported Wednesday.

Cambodia has sought the ICJ's interpretation of its judgment on the ancient Preah Vihear temple, accusing Thailand of repeated aggression in attempts to claim Cambodian territory.

In 1962 the ICJ ruled in favor of Cambodia by awarding the temple to the country but Thailand argued that the court ruled only on the sandstone ruin, not the 4.6 square-kilometer plot of land surrounding the Hindu temple. As a result, both countries have laid claim over the disputed area.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Wednesday that he had already discussed the issue with three legal advisers during his recent visit to Geneva of Switzerland.

"My meeting with the foreign legal advisers is a preparation for Thailand's defence in the World Court against Cambodia's complaint," the Nation online quoted Kasit as saying.

The ICJ has invited Thailand to enter the verbal argument session from May 30 to 31 and Veerachai will represent Thailand in the session.

Both countries will present their documents and arguments in the session.

Border tension near the 900-year-old Hindu temple often caused sporadic skirmishes between the two countries. Conflict was flared up in 2008 as the UNESCO, upon Cambodia's request, inscribed the temple as a World Heritage Site, resulted in military build-up on both sides and border clashes.

The latest round of deadliest cross-border fighting around ancient temples of Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai, 150 kilometers west of Preah Vihear, was believed to stem from the issue of Preah Vihear temple, claiming 18 people lives of both countries and forcing 100,000 Thai and Cambodian residents to flee their homes since erupted on April 22.