The disputed temple of Preah Vihear/Khao Phra Viharn is in the news again, ahead of the new Thai PM’s meeting with his counterpart in Cambodia. Thailand’s proposing a shared responsibility over the management of the 11th century Khmer temple owing to an unresolved border dispute.
Preah Vihear to top the agenda of Samak’s visit to Cambodia
Bangkok Post, 29 February 2008
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”Due to the unsettled border, Cambodia cannot register the ruins alone. If Cambodia wants to apply for World Heritage status, the proposal should be jointly submitted with Thailand because the area is supervised by two countries.
”If Cambodia pushes on with its idea, it should not include the 7.2 sq km disputed area because it means Thailand might lose its sovereignty over the area in question,” the source said.
It sounds like a reasonable enough concern on the Thai side. Hopefully, a respectful outcome between the two nations will ensue.
