Suwit meets with Unesco chief in Paris

June 20, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti met Unesco director-general Irina Bokova yesterday in a bid to postpone consideration of Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear temple.

The plan, which sets measures to manage the 11th-century Hindu ruins and nearby area of 4.6 sq km, is opposed by Bangkok as it covers areas believed to be on Thai soil.

Without a Thai-Cambodian agreement to jointly demarcate borders, the plan will only escalate the ongoing border dispute, the government says.

Speaking before the meeting with Ms Bokova in Paris, Mr Suwit said he would also ask Unesco to look into Phnom Penh's use of US$50,000 (1.5 million baht) financial aid from the world body. Mr Suwit said Cambodia reportedly spent the money to improve basic facilities at a village outside Preah Vihear temple, not on the rehabilitation of the temple's stairways as claimed.

The minister said he would ask Ms Bokova whether this was in line with the conditions set by Unesco. Bangkok is concerned Phnom Penh may claim ownership over the village area, which is situated in Thai territory.

The minister is heading the Thai delegation at the 35th meeting of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, which began yesterday and runs until June 29.

Consideration of the management plan for the temple, the 62nd agenda of the WHC meeting, is expected to be raised for discussion on Thursday. The Thai team is preparing to send formal letters explaining its stance on the issue to the meeting chairman, who comes from Bahrain, and other WHC members from 19 nations.

Pol Lt Gen Noppadon Chotsiri, director-general of the Royal Thai Survey Department, said the agency had prepared a 3D map to present to the WHC members.

He said the map clearly shows that the temple is situated on Thai soil.

The WHC named the temple a World Heritage site in 2008, which has led to deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.