Hor Namhong: Thai comments over Preah Vihear Temple "stupid"
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 January 2008
The lawyers defending Cambodia at The Hague International Court of Justice in 1962 (Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info)
The Hague International Court of Justice which handed the ownership of Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia (Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info)
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong condemned as "stupid" comments made by a Thai official Friday over a disputed border temple in the north.
Preah Vihear temple, known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn, has become controversial in the unmarked border area, claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Pichasanu Putchakarn told the Bangkok Post Friday that Cambodia’s recent unilateral request seeking UN World Heritage Site status for the temple could upset relations between the two neighbors.
"Thailand has to think of its national interests. We may protest to the Cambodian government through diplomatic channels and try to explain to other countries that Thailand has tried to cooperate with Cambodia in requesting the World Heritage listing of the sanctuary together," Pichasanu told the Post.
"That general is stupid, as he does not know anything," Hor Namhong said Friday, referring to Pichasanu. "Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. That we want to put it into Unesco’s World Heritage is our right."
Cambodia had shown a willingness to negotiate with Thailand "several times," Hor Namhong said. "More Thai experts than the international ones showed up in the negotiation. That is a stupid claim."
Cambodia and Thailand both have troops stationed at the border near the temple, Pichasanu said.
"If Thailand still objects to Preah Vihear being listed as a World Heritgage Site, that is fine. We’ll still keep going," said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith. "We have warned Thailand that if it blocks the entry to Preah Vihear from Thailand again, we will block it forever. Then it is Thailand that will totally suffer from the loss."
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 January 2008
The lawyers defending Cambodia at The Hague International Court of Justice in 1962 (Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info)
The Hague International Court of Justice which handed the ownership of Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia (Photo: NorodomSihanouk.info)
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong condemned as "stupid" comments made by a Thai official Friday over a disputed border temple in the north.
Preah Vihear temple, known to the Thais as Khao Phra Viharn, has become controversial in the unmarked border area, claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia.
Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Pichasanu Putchakarn told the Bangkok Post Friday that Cambodia’s recent unilateral request seeking UN World Heritage Site status for the temple could upset relations between the two neighbors.
"Thailand has to think of its national interests. We may protest to the Cambodian government through diplomatic channels and try to explain to other countries that Thailand has tried to cooperate with Cambodia in requesting the World Heritage listing of the sanctuary together," Pichasanu told the Post.
"That general is stupid, as he does not know anything," Hor Namhong said Friday, referring to Pichasanu. "Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. That we want to put it into Unesco’s World Heritage is our right."
Cambodia had shown a willingness to negotiate with Thailand "several times," Hor Namhong said. "More Thai experts than the international ones showed up in the negotiation. That is a stupid claim."
Cambodia and Thailand both have troops stationed at the border near the temple, Pichasanu said.
"If Thailand still objects to Preah Vihear being listed as a World Heritgage Site, that is fine. We’ll still keep going," said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith. "We have warned Thailand that if it blocks the entry to Preah Vihear from Thailand again, we will block it forever. Then it is Thailand that will totally suffer from the loss."
Labels: Preah Vihear
posted by Cambodian Information Center at 1:49 PM
7 Comments:
I highly commend Khmer officials for promptly reply to this hotly issue. Preah Vihear is ours, and will be forever ours, with or without World Heritage recognition.
Preah Vihear ancient temple was evidently constructed by the Khmer people in Khmer motherland. Not only Khmer people from generation know this, but also the world,especially the incident in 1962 that Khmer won the trial, and except the Siamese, the plunders, that do not know anyything and they just want to steal it from Khmer. Moreover, Siam and Yuon had no land at all. They stole a big chunk from the Khmer Empire. Stop stealing, folks!
Suthisan Janpasa
Janpasa, you are very right. in the medieval time, khmer king built a lot of temples all over the country to protect our social and economical interest. but due to the internal conflict, these two rivals, siameses and vietnam, have been known for stealing our land for centuries after centuries. It sadden that we have a priminister, the puppet to the vietcong, who never care for the poors, the needy, and the disable.
All Stupid or Krobai at all.
"siameses and vietnam, have been known for stealing our land for centuries after centuries." How did they can do it if your leader was strong and not stupid
Khmer said:
All Stupid or thief or rebel ought to know !
It's my land, it's my Temple, it's my country, don't be touch in mine. I don't like the Thief's speach, now it's 21st century, all crasy siam don't steal again. I'm agree with you Suthisan Janpasa.
Jul-01,2008 somantha
Shut up Suthisan!!!!!!!You know shit about Preah Vihear!! the temple listed or not listed as world heritage is not Thais problem, because Preah Vihear belonged, belongs and will belong to Cambodians ONLY!!!!!!!!
SORRY dude!
Unesco had suggested siam to separately list its own park so that along with the Kmer temple the region will become more beautiful.But no,tai wanted to be temple manager instead of parking lot attendant.Tai prepares to form it national (propaganda) commission to deal with world opinion in case tai decide to quit its Unesco membership.
Kmers should generously give enough or more ropes to tais to hang themselve but not an inch of territory because it'll stink. What's wrong being a super parking lot manager ?.It took Kmer kings and Kmers 100's of years to drag those boulders to that site.If tais were/are so nationalist you should be courageously (like us Viets) fought back the Mongolian armies and protected your nanchao.
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