Not to affect border

BANGKOK, 28 June 2011  – Thailand is confident that its recent withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention will not affect the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border, and it can still work with the World Heritage Committee, according to Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and Acting Government Spokesperson Panitan Watanayagorn.

Mr Panitan gave the press conference after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had showed to the media a letter he received from UNESCO Director-General Irina Gueorguieva Bokova.

The UNESCO director-general expressed her concerns in the letter over possible consequences after Thailand has decided to withdraw from the convention. She also insisted that UNESCO’s operation on the world heritage restoration is in the same direction as Thailand.

The deputy secretary-general stated that any restoration effort must not affect the common border between Thailand and Cambodia. He noted that Bangkok will be ready to listen if UNESCO is able to find solutions which can enhance confidence of all sides.

Asked if the withdrawal is an appropriate decision as the government is only a caretaker administration, Mr Panitan responded that the duty to protect national sovereignty belongs to the government, and Thailand should withdraw from anything that will put the nation at risk.

The spokesperson confirmed that the Thai-Cambodian border remains normal, and there is no troop reinforcement as mistaken by Cambodia. He said Thailand’s official letter to UNESCO declaring the resignation is in progess, but Thailand can still work with the World Heritage Committee.