Thailand Sends Delegates to Oppose Preah Vihear Registration as Cambodian World Heritage

The Thai government has sent delegates to the World Heritage Committee to represent Thailand and its position regarding the unilateral listing of Cambodia as the site of the Preah Vihear temple, a world heritage site. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said during his weekly television show “Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit” that the government has sent delegates to sit in as observers to the 33rd World Heritage Committee meeting taking place from June 22 to 30 in Spain, where they hope to reaffirm their objection to the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as solely being the property of Cambodia, arguing that the surrounding area lies in both Cambodia and Thailand. He said that Thailand wants peace and a good relationship between the two countries, and considers the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's, or UNESCO's, move to consider the registration of Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site according to Cambodia's proposal as one that could cause problems and lead to an army clash. As for the relationship with Cambodia, the Prime Minister said that he, along with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya have gathered information concerning Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's concerns with Thailand and will pass along the information to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is set to visit Cambodia for the discussion over the issue. Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama who signed the Thai-Cambodian joint communique on the unilateral listing of Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site and was also ruled inelligible to sign that joint agreement by the constitutional court, is preparing to press charges against Foreign Minister's secretary, Chawanon Intarakomalyasut. Chawanon has accused Noppadon of having caused Thailand to lose territory. Noppadon claimed that the joint communique is not against the law and will help foster better relations between the two countries. He also claimed that the army and Foreign Ministry officials have supported the joint communique.