The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has lodged a protest, through an Aide-Memoire dated 13 November, 2008, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, regarding the Kathin ceremony held by Cambodian authorities on 12 November 2008 at the “Keo Sikha Kiri Savara” Pagoda in the Thai territory, as well as the illegal presence of the said Pagoda on the Thai soils. Thailand considers such presence and activities to be a violation of her sovereignty and territorial integrity. Text of the said Aide-Memoire is as follows:
“AIDE-MEMOIRE
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand has the honour to draw the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the Kathin ceremony held by the Cambodian authorities on 12 November 2008 at the “Keo Sikha Kiri Savara” Pagoda in the Thai territory. The local Thai authorities in Srisaket Province reported that approximately 500 Cambodian nationals, 100 Cambodian military personnel, 30 Cambodian Buddhist monks, 37 Cambodian Buddhist novices and 70 vehicles from Cambodia intruded into the Thai territory to attend the said ceremony without permission from the Thai authorities.
The illegal presence of the “Keo Sikha Kiri Savara” Pagoda in the Thai territory, as well as the above-mentioned activities constitute a flagrant and willful violation of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry therefore has the honour to put on record its protest in the strongest terms against these presence and activities.
The Ministry has further the honour to reaffirm its commitment to working constructively and closely with Cambodia within the existing framework of the Thai - Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) with a view to settling boundary issues in a just, peaceful and amicable manner, and in accordance with international law.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.