Civil network to gather at Govt House; will ask govt to clarify Preah Vihear dispute

BANGKOK, Aug 6 (MCOT online news) - A network of civil groups will gather outside Government House on Saturday, demanding the government to clarify the Preah Vihear dispute.

People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang said the movement will not do anything against the law during their Saturday demonstration, saying the government contacted the group for talks but the timing has not yet been fixed.

Bangkok and other nine other provinces remain under a state of emergency, which bans gathering of more than five people.

The PAD leaders will announce their stance Friday at noon after the group meets.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong said the gathering will not represent a resolution of the New Politics Party and party executives will not go on stage to speak as it can then be considered a politically-motivated protest. The New Politics Party was formed by the PAD leadership.

Mr Chaiwat said the protesters would march to Gate 4 of Government House at 8am .

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thursday that Thailand is now waiting for an 'appropriate time' to hold talks with neighbouring Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple dispute, while urging civil groups to refrain from rallying under a state of emergency.

Activist Veera Somkwamkid who lead the so-called 'Thailand Patriot Network' said earlier that his network comprised of 52 civil groups will rally in Si Sa Ket province bordering Cambodia on Saturday, asserting the move is about the protection of national sovereignty, not politically motivated colour-clad reasoning.

Mr Veera said the government has ignored the problem, as seen from the mistake that the previous government made in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia in 2000.

Under the MoU between Thailand and Cambodia on the survey and demarcation of land boundary dated 4 June 2000, both sides agree not to carry out any work resulting in changes of environment of the frontier zone, pending the survey and demarcation of the common land boundary.

Tension between Thailand and Cambodia arose after the Thai government delegation objected to Cambodia's unilateral management plan of the ancient temple as the two neighbours could find no common ground to settle the disputed 4.6 sq km of land adjacent to the temple which was granted world heritage status in 2008.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -- UNESCO -- through its World Heritage Commission (WHC) consequently last week postponed its discussion of the plan until next year when it meets in Bahrain.

The deputy premier said the Cabinet has already appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suwit Khunkitti to form a committee to prepare information to argue against Cambodia’s attempt to propose a temple management plan.

Mr Suthep urged the activists to hear the correct information on the dispute, while warning those who plan demonstrations at Government House that the State of Emergency is still in force in the capital and that the gathering is considered as violating the law.

He urged the activists to send their representatives to submit their complaint letter to him or to the premier and asked them to bear in mind the law and order of the country.

In August 2008, PAD seized Government House to pressure the then coalition government of Samak Sundaravej to resign. They staged protests in late 2008 that led to a nine-day blockade of Bangkok's airports in an attempt to oust the then prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. PAD opposed deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed both prime ministers were proxies of Mr Thaksin.
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