Bangkok Post
Thailand’s legal team is well prepared to present the country’s position on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today and tomorrow, interim Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.
The Thai team will argue that the ICJ, based in The Hague, has no jurisdiction to decide the borders of countries.
The Cambodian government last month asked the court to explain its ruling in 1962 that the 11th century Preah Vihear temple is located in Cambodia.
Thailand argues that the verdict covers only the ancient ruins, not the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre surrounding area.
“Thailand is ready to contest Cambodia’s claim on any stage and I want Thai people to be confident that the government can protect the country’s best interests,” Mr Abhisit said.
The suggestion by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (Unesco), which earlier approved Cambodia’s application to declare Preah Vihear a world heritage site, that its world heritage committee delay consideration of Cambodia’s plan to manage the immediate surroundings of the ruins is the best solution and this argument carries a lot of weight, he said.
Thailand’s legal team will now explain its case to all the committees of Unesco, he added.
Yesterday, Cambodian cabinet minister Sok An said Phnom Penh was confident Unesco would accept its Preah Vihear management plan.
“Cambodia has enough legal documents, that are internationally recognised, to support the temple management plan in Cambodian territory,” Mr An said.
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