Abhisit outmanoeuvred by Hun Sen on disputed temple [-War threat against Cambodia?]

July 30, 2010
By Thanong Khanthong
The Nation

"If Cambodia insists on managing Preah Vihear, Thailand should respond in kind by closing the borders and stopping all trade with its neighbour. This would be the first warning. Thai soldiers on the border are on high alert. If the first warning goes unheeded, we should reserve the right, under our sovereignty, to drive out any nationals infringing upon our land."

THE DISPUTE between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple complex has once again flared up to rattle the national psyche. However, this time the Abhisit government appears to be inept in its diplomatic manoeuvring, and completelyunprepared for the campaign by Cambodian Prime minister Hun Sen.

After securing World Heritage status for Preah Vihear, Cambodia is now launching a follow-up drive to manage the ancient site, which lies on a mountainside in what is currently Cambodian territory, but which can be accessed only from the Thai side of the border demarcation.

A 21-member Unesco committee has been meeting in Brazil this week and, it will be voting on whether to approve the Cambodian management plan for Preah Vihear. If the approval is effected, Thailand could technically lose sovereignty over 4.6 square kilometres of disputed land near the 11th-century Khmer temple, as well as the area around the temple.

Thailand appears to be totally isolated on the issue. Most of the major powers are backing Cambodia on the management plan for the temple. This will allow interested parties a window of opportunity to take part in the development project for Preah Vihear, plus other business deals with Cambodia afterward.
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