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Thai wants to share the name and called it Phra Viharn-Preah Vihear

Posted by admin on Feb-3-2009

4/02/20
By THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Bangkok Post

Negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia over Preah Vihear have stumbled over the spelling of the name of the famed ancient temple.

A Thai official said yesterday officials of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission were trying to find a way around the problem so border negotiations could proceed.

Vasin Teeravechyan, who chairs the commission, said a solution acceptable to the two countries would be found.

Thailand insists on using “the Temple of Phra Viharn-Preah Vihear” on documents used in the negotiations. Cambodian officials strongly object, saying Preah Vihear is internationally accepted.

Mr Vasin, who is a retired Foreign Ministry official, said the name proposed by Thailand was very common in international negotiations on the issue.

The Temple of Phra Viharn-Preah Vihear has been approved by parliament for the framework negotiations with Cambodia. Thailand will use it in documents to be signed with Cambodia.

The meeting will be concluded today.

The two countries have been unable to settle on a plan to reduce troops in the disputed area which covers 4.6 square kilometres between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear.

Mr Vasin refused further comment on the issue. But earlier he said Cambodia had told the meeting it had no soldiers stationed in the area.

The Cambodia delegation is led by Senior Minister Var Kim Hong.

Despite the disagreement over the name of the temple, the two countries will set up another team to survey the borderline for demarcation between Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani and Phu Sing district in Si Sa Ket, which is 195km long.

Thailand and Cambodia have already formed a survey team to study the disputed area near the ancient temple which was the scene of a military clash last year.

A plan to reduce the number of soldiers near the disputed area is expected to be included in talks when Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan visits Phnom Penh on Friday.

Nov
17

PM Abhisit: Thai official meets detained engineer; Legal process to be clarified Wednesday

Posted by admin

1258447117BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) - Legal procedures in the case of the Thai engineer arrested on spy charges by the Cambodian authorities will be clarified Wednesday, Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday, confirming that the Thai charge d’affaires in Phnom Penh met the detained man for the first time in a Cambodian prison and helped him telephone his mother, telling her he is fine.

Siwarak Chothipong, 31, a Thai national employed at Cambodia Air Traffic Service (CATS), was arrested last week after being accused of giving information about ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight schedule to a consular official at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

The Thai premier said that he has talked to Mr Siwarak’s mother who is now deeply concerned for the well-being of her son.

“She told me that she wants to see her son and urges for his release as soon as possible,” said Mr Abhisit.

“What she requested was what the Thai government is trying do to right now.”

Mr Abhisit said there is a chance that Mr Siwarak will be freed, but everything must be conducted within established legal processes. The Thai official there met Mr Siwarak Tuesday and gave him some necessary medicine.

The Thai government is conferring with Cambodian authorities to conform to the Cambodian legal process and is sending a lawyer to help Thai national there, while Cambodia is also following international practice.

Asked how Thailand will respond to Cambodian government claims regarding the Thai engineer’s actions, the Thai premier said that there is still no clarity as to what specific charges have been made. He said he hoped that legal procedures relating to the charges will be clarified on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Thai charge d’affaires in Phnom Penh was allowed to meet Mr Siwarak at a Cambodian prison on Tuesday for the first time since he was detained last week.

The Thai official helped Mr Siwarak telephone his mother, telling her not to worry and that the Cambodian authorities were giving him good care.

The diplomatic falling out between the Thai and Cambodian governments flared up after the Cambodia appointed Mr Thaksin as its economic adviser. The two kingdoms recalled their respective ambassadors in retaliatory actions.

Mr Thaksin visited Cambodia last week to lecture over 300 Cambodian businessmen and economists as his first assignment. The Thai government submitted an extradition request of the fugitive former premier, which was immediately rejected by itsCambodian counterpart. (TNA)

  1. Paula Said,

    Thai needs to understand the ICJ law first.

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