FM:Thailand, Cambodia will discuss border solution

BANGKOK, November 12 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that Thailand and Cambodia will discuss a joint solution to their border issues through existing mechanisms. Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Puangketkaew confirmed on Tuesday morning that Thailand does not lose any territory, as there has had no conclusion over an unsettled area in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear Temple along the Thai-Cambodian border yet and Monday afternoon's ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the disputed land came under Bangkok's earlier expectation. Sihasak explained that the ICJ’s ruling did not award the 4.6-square-kilometre land in the vicinity of the ancient Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia, but the World Court's verdict was in line with Thailand’s legal fight against Phnom Penh’s charges at the World Court. Sihasak acknowledged what the ICJ ruled was not more than its verdict issued on the temple in 1962. According to the senior official, Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called for the setting up of a working committee to study the ICJ's latest verdict on November 11 in details and also suggested both countries to hold talks in order to find a joint solution acceptable to both sides. The Hague-based ICJ ruled on Monday afternoon that Cambodia has sovereignty over a promontory around the Preah Vihear Temple, but the World Court rejected Cambodia’s claim on its sovereignty over a nearby hill in the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area, called Phnom Trap or Phu Makheu in Thai. Besides, the ICJ did not address sovereignty beyond the limit of the promontory of the ancient Hindu temple. Sihasak told journalists that the size of the promontory around the Preah Vihear Temple would be known after the consideration of the concerned committee, insisting that any action to be later taken by the government will be strictly followed Article 190 of the Thai Constitution. The ICJ ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear Temple belongs to Cambodia, but the ownership of the surrounding land remains in dispute, prompting Phnom Penh to file the case on the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre-scrub with the ICJ in April 2011. Meanwhile, the general atmosphere in Kantharalak district of Thailand's northeastern Si Sa Ket province near the Preah Vihear Temple along the common border remained calm, as border villagers appeared to be more relieved after the World Court's verdict and continued their normal ways of life. Thai Soldiers of the Suranari Task Force, tasked with security in the border area, were scheduled to meet their Cambodian counterparts on Tuesday afternoon to strengthen their friendly relations. (TNA)