BANGKOK, 28 March 2013 Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana, who is leading Thailand’s legal team in the Phra Viharn temple case against Cambodia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has said that the government will air the hearings live on television and radio.
According to Mr Phongthep, the live broadcast would cover parts of the hearing session, with Thai translations voiced over the ICJ medium – French. However, he said it has not been decided yet which parts of the hearings will be covered on live broadcast, and which channel will be asked to air it.
As the head of the Thai legal team, Mr Phongthep stated that the team would fight the case with “utmost determination and care”.
The legal case between Thailand and Cambodia is a result of Cambodia’s request in 2011 for the ICJ to order Thai troops out of the areas around THE Phra Viharn temple.
Between 2008 and 2011, the Thai government, pressured by nationalist groups, sent in troops to areas near the Phra Viharn temple and expelled Cambodian settlements in the areas. Resulting clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops saw injuries and deaths, including civilian death, on both sides.
