On 8 October 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered a speech on “Sovereignty over Border Area between Thailand-Cambodia” and “the Royal Thai Government’s Foreign Policy on Neighbouring Countries” at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). Gist as follows:
1. The Royal Thai Government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has continued to undertake the foreign policy to strengthen cordial relations with other countries, including its neighbours, ASEAN member countries and international community, with the “connectivity” and “development cooperation” among its high agenda. Foreign Minister Kasit emphasized the significance of transportation network development and bridging developmental gap among neighboring countries during the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Emerald Triangle Cooperation and the Mekong-Japan Ministers’ Meeting in Siem Reap on 3 October 2009.
2. The Government has clear foreign policy to solve problem in a peaceful manner. The said policy is in line with the accepted norms of international community that all countries should resolve the conflict through negotiation, instead of war.
3. Regarding the border demarcation between Thailand and Cambodia, the negotiations of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on the Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) has so far yielded a lot of progress. Both sides were able to sign the three Agreed Minutes, which is now under consideration of the Thai Parliament.
4. As for the overlapping maritime boundary between Thailand and Cambodia, the Thai Foreign Ministry, Royal Thai Navy and Energy Ministry have drafted a negotiation framework to be submitted for consideration of the Cabinet and the Parliament.
5. Pursuant to criticisms that the Government has caused Thailand to lose an area of 4.6 square kilometers adjacent to the Temple of Phra Viharn as a result of construction of road, market, temple and housing by the Cambodian side in the area, the Government has continuously protested against Cambodia in accordance with the international law, which maintains Thailand’s rights and sovereignty on the area. In the end, both Thailand and Cambodia must resolve the issue through peaceful negotiation.
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