Government Reiterates Its Strong Intention to Protect Thailand’s Sovereignty on the Phra Viharn Temple Issue

(08/01/2013)

The Government has reiterated its strong intention to protect Thailand’s sovereignty in the case concerning the Thai-Cambodian border dispute on the issue of the Temple of Phra Viharn. It is taking the opportunity to give explanations on the issue to create better understanding among the people through all media channels. As certain groups of people are planning to stage protests against the Government’s handling of the border dispute, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged them to demonstrate peacefully and not to politicize the issue. She assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, who is a legal expert, to work with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul in looking into the case. The Prime Minister stressed that the Government would do its best for the national interest and that it would adopt diplomatic means to avoid tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. The Government wanted various groups to express their opinions and listen to the views of others in an effort to join forces in protecting the country’s sovereignty. She said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could set up a team of spokespersons to give explanations on the issue, without seeking Cabinet approval. If there is any important issue that needs a decision, the issue must be brought up to the National Assembly for consideration, since it is the duty of every party to help seek a resolution. The situation is that Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice to interpret its judgment on 15 June 1962 in the case concerning the Temple of Phra Viharn. Cambodia also wants the court to explain on the sovereignty of the disputed area surrounding the temple. The Thai government is scheduled to present oral arguments to the International Court of Justice on 17-19 April 2013. The court ruling on the disputed area is likely to be made in late 2013. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul stated that the Government is willing to listen to the people’s opinions on the issue. Four mechanisms have been established regarding the Temple of Phra Viharn case. The first mechanism is the Committee Representing Thailand in the Case Concerning the Temple of Phra Viharn, which consists of the Foreign Minister, the Defense Minister, representatives from the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Survey Department, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of the Council of State. The second mechanism is the Special Committee for the Consideration of Conventions. The third one is a team of legal advisors, appointed by the Prime Minister. The fourth mechanism is the Thai-Cambodian Joint Working Group, with Deputy Supreme Commander General Worapong Sanganetra representing the Thai side. The Thai Ambassador to The Hague, Mr. Weerachai Palasai, represents the Thai government at the court, while the Cambodian government is represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Hor Namhong.