Yuthasak confident calm will prevail after temple ruling
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DEPUTY DEFENCE MINISTER Yuthasak Sasiprapha yesterday expressed confidence that peace would be maintained following today's announcement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s verdict on the Preah Vihear case, saying that whatever the judgement,
Thai 2nd Army Region Commander Chanchai Phuthong and Cambodian 4th Military Region Commander Chea Mon led delegations to a working lunch in Northeastern Surin province to build trust and better understanding on border stability, he said.
“We guarantee safety for people along the border on both sides. Whatever the court verdict, the military will stay in its current positions. We will allow the government and the Foreign Ministry to use diplomatic channels to settle [any] problem with Cambo-dia,” Yuthasak told reporters.
Yuthasak, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, are in The Hague to hear the ICJ judgement.
“If people along the border see a movement of troops, it would be just routine rotations for refreshment only,” he said. Commanders of both sides have established hotlines for direct communication to avoid misunderstanding, he added.
People along the border feared that disappointment on the ICJ verdict over the Preah Vihear temple could motivate military action on either side. Yutthasak said the government had instructed chiefs of districts and villages to communicate with local residents to remain calm and guarantee their safety.
If there were public protests opposing the ICJ verdict and the government’s handling of the issue, local police would step up measures to maintain law and order, he said.
The ICJ ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. Thailand complied with the judgement more than 50 years ago, but argued that the area adjacent to the temple belonged to Thailand.
Cambodia asked the court in 2011 to interpret the 1962 judgement to make clear the boundaries of the temple after military clashes followed souring relations between the neighbours, exacerbated by Thailand’s domestic political rift.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose government is under strong pressure from street protests, said whatever the court finds, Thailand and Cambodia must come together to deal with the verdict.
“After the court ruling, our legal team will study the judgement and set a position to deal with it in accordance with the Thai Constitution and law,” she said.
“On top of [all this], we have to bear in mind that Thailand and Cambodia are neighbours who cannot run away from each other. We have to maintain friendship and good relations for peace, stability and the prosperity of the Asean region,” she said. “We have to cooperate for peace and stability along the border.”
“[However] the court rules, both countries agree to allow each of us to take time, as well as respect the rights and stance of each other, in dealing with the court judgement in accordance with our internal laws and procedure,” she said.
Before taking action, the government would listen to public opinion for the benefit of national interest and peace, she said.
