Thailand's lawyers team preparing defence in Preah Vihear case

BANGKOK, February 6 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana has left for Britain to discuss Thailand’s defence on a case related to the Preah Vihear Temple at the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) in mid-April 2013, as earlier petitioned by neighbouring Cambodia. Accompanied by his delegation, including lawyers from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Attorney General and Council of State, Pongthep, who was assigned by the Thai Cabinet to handle the case, departed from the country's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday morning. Pongthep told journalists before his departure that he has sent a number of documents to the ICJ and he will, thus, only discuss Thailand’s oral statement to the World Court with legal experts in Britain, noting that Thailand’s lawyers will thoroughly explain the prepared documents to convince the ICJ. Pongthep insisted that Thailand's all lawyers in charge will do their best, but the final decision will rest with the World Court. Regarding an argument that the ICJ has no authority to rule on a territorial issue, the deputy premier said that his team is ready to consider all recommendations, but there will be no elaboration of Thailand's defence against the case for the time being to protect national interest. The deputy prime minister also pointed out that it appears unnecessary for Thailand to discuss a compromise with Cambodia, as the case has already been with the World Court. The ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold public hearings of the case during April 15-19, concerning Phnom Penh's request for the interpretation of its verdict on June 15, 1962 regarding the ownership of the Preah Vihear Temple and an unsettled area surrounding the ancient Hindu Temple situated along the Thai-Cambodian border. (TNA)