Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Thais keep temple off election agenda

Tue, 28 Jun 2011
Australia Network News

Thailand’s government says it will not use a dispute over the management of the Preah Vihear temple site along its border with Cambodia as a ploy in next weekend’s general election.

Analysts have previously accused both countries of using the issue to stoke nationalist sentiment.

The issue was highlighted again by Thailand’s official withdrawal from the UNESCO World Heritage Convention at a committee meeting in Paris.

But Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, deputy secretary-general to Thailand’s prime minister, told Radio Australia’s Connect Asia it will be a non-issue this election.

“We certinaly will make sure there will be peace, security on tbe borders for the peoples of the two countries along the borders,” he said.

“We have no intention to use this issue in the election.

“Of course, there are some disagreements in Thailand domestically but we feel that this will not be the issue and we will not let it be used in the election campaign.”

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