DPM:ICJ will rule on Preah Vihear-related case in Nov

BANGKOK, October 16 (TNA) - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has officially informed Thailand that it will rule on the Preah Vihear Temple-related case next month. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is visiting South Korea, told TNA on Wednesday that the registrar of The Hague-based ICJ has informed the Thai Ambassador to The Hague that the World Court will give its verdict on the territorial dispute case between Thailand and Cambodia on November 11, 2013, as it has postponed its consideration of a dispute between Chile and Peru. Surapong noted that the reschedule by the World Court has no impacts on its ruling because testimonies and defense were done at their best and it is good because the case will be concluded quickly and Thai people can understand the issue. Surapong said he has already informed Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of the update. According to the deputy premier, he will raise the matter with the National Security Council (NSC) and will discuss what the Thai government should do after the World Court's upcoming ruling. The deputy prime minister acknowledged Thai authorities plan to merge the Joint Boundary Commission with the General Border Committee and representatives of the combined Thai panel will then negotiate with neighbouring Cambodia the joint use and management of areas next to World Court's verdict on the Preah Vihear Temple-related case. The Thai deputy premier pointed out that it is possible to create understanding with Cambodia because Premier Yingluck and her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen have had good understanding with each other. The deputy prime minister insisted that the Thai government does everything with transparency and will have the ICJ's ruling from The Hague to be live televised and translated for Thai people and to be distributed in printed copies. (TNA)