Surapong calls for calm on eve of Preah Vihear verdict
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Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has assured the public that the government will consult with Parliament on how to proceed, if the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ) fails to rule in Thailand's favour on the bitter border disp
“We will listen to people’s opinions and will also consult Parliament so that we can make a decision together,” Surapong announced via Yingluck’s “Government Meets the People” programme, broadcast yesterday.
Thailand and Cambodia are awaiting the ICJ’s ruling over a dispute related to the area around Preah Vihear Temple.
Through its 1962 verdict, the ICJ ruled that the Hindu sanctuary is located on Cambodian soil. However, several decades later, Cambodia has asked the ICJ to interpret that ruling. Some analysts believe Cambodia’s move is an attempt to claim the disputed area around the temple.
Surapong, also a deputy prime minister, flew out of Thailand late Friday night for The Hague. Before leaving, he urged Thais not to politicise the Preah Vihear issue.
“Please don’t use it to fuel anti-government sentiment,” he said.
Large numbers of people have taken to the streets this week to rally against the government’s blanket amnesty bill. Surapong also insisted that the government had already backtracked from supporting the highly-controversial bill.
His Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, has agreed that the Preah Vihear issue needs to be dealt with peacefully, no matter what the verdict, Surapong said.
He hoped that when the ICJ announced its verdict tomorrow, Thais would not stage rallies that would lead to skirmishes and loss of life in border areas close to the temple.
Tomorrow’s ruling will be broadcast live on Thai national television and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to address the nation shortly afterwards, according to government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi.
“Please think about the people who live in the border areas too,” said Surapong.
He added that the government had fought in the national interest of the country over the case and denied rumours that the administration’s close ties with Cambodia were paving for way for their collusion on the issue.
Surapong blamed the previous Democrat government for Cambodia’s decision to revive the Preah Vihear issue at the ICJ.
“We have to go to the ICJ now because the Abhisit Vejjajiva government had a number of disagreements with Cambodia,” the foreign minister said. He also attacked the Surayud Chulanont administration, which came to power following the 2006 military coup.
Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut dismissed Surapong’s allegations, saying that the Democrat Party had done its best to protect the country’s national interests.
“The Democrat-led government fiercely protected Thailand’s territory,” he said.
