On 27 May 2011, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya gave an interview to the media regarding meetings between Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and Mrs. Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, in Paris during 25-26 May 2011, stating that the meetings went well and were constructive. He noted that UNESCO had demonstrated a better understanding of the issue and towards Thailand’s rationale for proposing that the World Heritage Committee postpone consideration of Cambodia’s management plan in the area of the Phra Viharn Temple pending the finalization of the boundary negotiations between the two countries. This also includes the proposal that in the long-term, the Phra Viharn Temple should be inscribed as a transboundary property. The Minister recalled that Thailand had proposed to Cambodia and UNESCO that the Temple should not be inscribed unilaterally since it is situated in the area bordering both countries. However, at this stage, Cambodia continues to insist that its management plan be considered at the World Heritage Committee meeting. Further discussion on how to proceed would therefore be needed. The Foreign Minister added that the UNESCO side had participated in the past meetings between Thailand and Cambodia on the issue.
Regarding the dispatch of the Indonesian Observers Team (IOT) to the Thai side of the border, the Foreign Minister said that he had met with his Indonesian counterpart on 26 May 2011, during which they had discussed issues related to the dispatch of an Indonesian survey team to the border area to make preparations for the IOT and the schedule of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting to be held in Cambodia. In this regard, if progress could be made at the GBC meeting regarding the withdrawal of Cambodian troops from the Phra Viharn Temple, Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda, the market, and the community, and if this is carried out by the Cambodian side, then the exchange of notes would take place in order to facilitate the dispatch of the IOT to the border. All this would be in accordance with what has been agreed upon among the Foreign Ministers of Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia on 9 May 2011. Thailand is now waiting for Indonesia’s response as to when its survey team could be sent to Thailand.
The Foreign Minister further stated that much progress had been made in the negotiation process regarding this matter. The Thai and Cambodian Defence Ministers had already met and informed Indonesia of the results of their meeting. In this connection, once the Indonesian survey team is sent to the border, the two Defence Ministers would announce the date of the GBC meeting. At this stage, the Cambodian Defence Minister has already agreed on the convening of the GBC meeting. The issue of troop redeployment is therefore under the purview of the Ministry of Defence of both sides which would be further discussed at the GBC meeting.
Regarding the Cambodia’s submission of its request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the interpretation of the judgment on the case of the Temple of Phra Viharn, including its request for indication of provisional measures, Foreign Minister Kasit said that the Thai side had made due preparations for the case, whether in terms of written documents, photographs, videos, or statements to clarify the issue. The Foreign Ministry has sent officials to undertake research and find information from various sources, including the United Nations and national archives of Thailand and other countries. This would continue. The Ministry has also been in constant consultation with its international legal advisors on the case. In conclusion, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed that Thailand had complied in full with the ICJ judgment on the Temple case.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th