Thai troops stay put in temple area

Nov 23, 2011
Bangkok Post

Thai troops will not withdraw from the 17.3 square kilometre demilitarised zone drawn up by the International Court of Justice until instructed to do so by the government, Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn said yesterday.

"Until now, we have not received any instruction from the government so we will maintain our troops in our existing responsible areas," Gen Thanasak said.

The ICJ ruled on July 18 following a request by Cambodia that both Thailand and Cambodia should withdraw their soldiers from the disputed area and allow observers from Asean, which Indonesia has volunteered for, to have access to the area pending a court decision on ownership rights to land next to the temple.

The ICJ set up the provisional demilitarised zone covering an area of 17.3sq/km, of which 8.5sq/km is determined as on Thai soil and 8.8sq/km in Cambodia.

Gen Thanasak argued at the meeting of military top brass at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters that to withdraw Thai troops from the demilitarised zone would mean Thailand practically loses sovereignty over the area.

"The armed forces do not follow the instructions of the ICJ _ we abide by the instructions of the government," the supreme commander said.

He said if the government wants the armed forces to follow the ICJ instruction, it must give a clear order to do so.

"[At this stage] if Thai troops would have to seek approval from Asean observers before entering the disputed area, it mean that the country would practically lose its territory," Gen Thanasak said.

The Thai government submitted a 900-page report on the disputed Preah Vihear temple issue to the court on Monday.

According to Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, the report contains 300 pages of detailed narrative and 600 pages of annexes.

But he said he could not disclose details unless given permission by the ICJ.

At the same time, a Thai military source at the Thai-Cambodian border said the Cambodian military has inquired about conducting an interview with Thai military leaders regarding the ICJ provisional measures.

It has prompted concern among the Thai military that border violence might break out again.

Security along the border has been stepped up, the source said.