Thailand at disadvantage over Preah Vihear case: Foreign Minister

BANGKOK, 14 March 2012 (NNT) – Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thailand would be at a disadvantage if Cambodia brings the Preah Vihear case back to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) although he said Thailand would fight the case to the best of its ability.

Mr. Surapong expressed concern that the Kingdom would only stand a chance of getting even or losing in the case.

He noted that the world court’s ruling on the Preah Vihear issue was first made during the administration of the 10th Prime Minister of Thailand, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, and that the fence built at that time has nothing to do with border demarcation.

According to him, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will call a meeting of lawyers the government has hired to defend Thailand in the territorial dispute on May 10th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also prepared information in the forms of fact sheets, books and documentaries for distribution to the public to raise their awareness about the history of the overlapping zone.

Read more: NNT