Bangkok Post
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia could end with an order from the International Court of Justice in The Hague today.
In a petition submitted in May, Cambodia asked the court to issue a temporary injunction forbidding Thai troops from carrying out any activities in a disputed area near the Phrea Vihear temple, which is listed as a World Heritage Site.
In 1962, the court ruled that the ancient Hindu temple belongs to Cambodia. In recent years, Thailand has insisted the ruling covered only the temple and the area around it is Thai territory.
Regardless of the court’s ruling, we believe a Pheu Thai-led government will seek a rapprochement with the Hun Sen government, which is not on good terms with the government of outgoing prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Thai-Cambodian relations is one of six urgent matters that Pheu Thai has pledged to resolve as soon as it takes power. The party will also reduce the prices of gasoline, diesel and cooking gas as promised.
Because he has a longstanding good relationship with Hun Sen, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra can help improve bilateral ties that had been soured under the Democrat-led administration.
As close neighbours, Thailand and Cambodia has common interests to share. Good political ties will help improve cross-border trade and investment, to the benefit of both countries. However, the Pheu Thai-led government must take care that personal gain does not take precedence over the interests of the country.
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