Govt expects temple plan next month

Thailand expects to receive Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple next month and will see then if it includes the disputed 4.6 square kilometre border area.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva mistakenly said on his weekly radio address on Sunday that the government had the plan in its possession.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said yesterday the management plan, which the World Heritage Committee (WHC) decided last week not to consider during its annual meeting, should be received by the end of next month.

Thailand has yet to study Cambodia's management plan even though it sits on the 21-member WHC.

"We've demanded to see the document for two years. But there hasn't been any progress on the issue," Mr Suwit said.

"As soon as we get the document, we will work on defending the overlapping areas."

Mr Suwit said a special committee had been formed to monitor problems surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, which was granted world heritage status in 2008.

He shrugged off Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An's declaration of victory at the WHC, saying the matter would not be considered until next year's meeting in Bahrain.

Sok An last week declared victory for the Cambodian people, saying the WHC had agreed to consider the Cambodian plan. He also claimed Thailand had agreed to a management plan for areas around the temple.

Mr Suwit said Thailand would closely monitor the WHC meeting in Bahrain for any "irregularities".

"If any problems occur, we will not hesitate to protest and protect the country's interests," he said.

Political activist Veera Somkwamkid yesterday called on Mr Abhisit to clarify Sok An's claim that the two countries had reached an understanding on managing areas near the temple.

He said his network would gather in front of Government House on Saturday to demand an explanation.

Mr Veera said the Cambodian deputy prime minister's comments created misunderstanding internationally and insulted the Thai people.

Meanwhile, former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama has lashed out at Mr Abhisit for holding him accountable for the continuing conflict over the temple.

Mr Abhisit posted a message on his Facebook page saying Mr Noppadon's signing of a joint declaration in June 2008 opened the door for Cambodia to request a unilateral listing for the temple as a world heritage site.

Mr Noppadon, a close aide to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said he did his best to ensure the disputed border area was not included in Cambodia's listing.

Mr Noppadon said Mr Abhisit had been inconsistent on the issue.

As leader of the opposition in 2008, Mr Abhisit had proposed that Thailand join Cambodia to nominate Preah Vihear as a world heritage site.

Mr Abhisit changed his position five months ago when he ruled out the possibility of a dual listing, saying the problem over the disputed zone had to be settled first, he said.

Then, three days ago, Mr Abhisit apparently had another change of heart and said he wanted to pursue a joint listing.

Mr Noppadon criticised the Democrat-led government for its lack of progress in settling the problem and for failing to hold talks on the issue with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

"A year from now, we will see more and more facts about the issue and we will see who is telling the truth," he said.

He urged Mr Abhisit to stop exploiting the issue for political gain and instead to set up a special panel to address the problem for the country's benefit.

Sourced=bangkokpost