Thailand not to accept Cambodian manage plan on Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, 23 June 2011 (NNT)-Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, Head of Thai delegation in the 35th World Heritage Committee Meeting, has refused to accept the area management plan around Preah Vihear temple proposed by Cambodia, claiming that the content in the plan is incorrect.

After meeting with the Director of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property in the WHC conference, Mr. Suwit explained that Cambodia had intentionally encroached on Thai territory in its area management proposal.

Mr. Suwit further explained that Thailand had always been helpful to Cambodia. This includes the genocide and the civil war which saw millions of Cambodians fleeing violence into the Thai territory. According to him, this shows that Thailand has no intention to invade its neighbor’s territory.

Following his refusal to accept Cambodia’s proposal, the Director of the ICCROM needs to review both Thai and Cambodian area plans and come up with middle ground solution that both nations could agree on.