21/12/2011
Wassana Nanuam & Manop Thip-Osod
Bangkok Post
The 8th meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee finally began today in Phnom Penh after a series of clashes this year.
The deadly conflicts were sparked by a long-standing dispute over 4.6 sq-km of land around the centuries-old Preah Vihear Temple.
Cambodia in particular has been looking forward to the GBC as everything seems to be in its favour at the moment.
Thailand was forced to bow to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional order to withdraw troops from a 17.3 sq-km demilitarised zone, of which 8.5 sq-km is in Thailand and 8.8 sq-km is in Cambodia, and allow Indonesian observers into the area.
However, the armed forces’ Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn has previously rejected the ICJ’s ruling, likening it to “practically losing territory”. But since the Pheu Thai-led government has “very good relations” with Cambodian leader Hun Sen, the armed forces have no choice but to follow orders.
With strong ties to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Hun Sen seems to have had very few obstacles in his path.
“We never wanted to pull out the troops. But now it has become an obligation. We have no authority to make any decision about that,” said Gen army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Thailand and Cambodia are expected to sign an agreement to implement a set of joint measures in line with a five-point plan set out by the ICJ.
Other than the withdrawal of troops and deployment of observers, the ICJ also ruled that Thailand and Cambodia must set up a joint security checkpoint, jointly regulate the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda as well as the markets and communities nearby the Preah Vihear temple, and allow Unesco officials to enter the disputed area.
These five issues will be discussed by Defence Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh at the GBC meeting.
Meanwhile yesterday, the Democrat Party accused Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul of allowing Unesco officials to enter the disputed Preah Vihear area alone without seeking permission from Thai authorities.
Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut also berated Mr Surapong for failing to lodge a protest against Unesco’s accusation that Thai troops had damaged the Preah Vihear temple during the clashes earlier this year.
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