Thailand and Cambodia will try to solve the border disputes bilaterally

BANGKOK, 10 February 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has stressed that Thailand and Cambodia will try to solve the border disputes bilaterally by themselves, saying that there is no need to ask France or anyone to help mediate the conflict.

Prime Minister Abhisit stated that Thailand still has clear stance to forge ahead with negotiation with Cambodia although Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that Cambodia will not talk with Thailand anymore on the border dispute.

Upon news report that France will step in to help mediate the conflict, the prime minister responded that there is no need to do so since the two countries can talk under the ASEAN framework. He said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also wants a bilateral negotiation to take place.

Prime Minister Abhisit then suggested that France should help this issue by talking with the World Heritage committee or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) whose head office is in Paris instead.

The Prime Minister added that the prevailing problems have been caused by the pressure on the registration of the Preah Vihear Temple as the world heritage site. He said the World Heritage committee or the UNESCO can help arrange a negotiation session for the two countries.

Prime Minister Abhisit noted that the discussion can be made without the need to wait for the next World Heritage Meeting in June 2011. He however believed that the world community will want the two countries to negotiate after knowing all related facts.