BANGKOK, 15 November 2013 Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has urged the opposition party to desist from criticizing and interpreting the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) verdict on the Phra Viharn Temple case, as it could greatly affect bilateral relations between Thailand and Cambodia.
Ms. Yingluck stated the Phra Viharn case is a delicate issue and she would like the opposition party to cease any attempts in bringing the verdict into the political lime light; however, she is ready to clarify the matter should the opposition petition for a no confidence debate.
No contacts have yet been made to Hun Sen regarding the matter; therefore, any attempts to undermine or criticize the verdict would hamper the nation’s ties with its neighbor, stated Ms. Yingluck.
Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkaew reported that a committee set up to study the ICJ’s ruling will meet to discuss the verdict on Tuesday, November 19.
On a related note, Mr. Virachai Plasai, Thai ambassador to the Netherlands and head of the Thai legal team for the case, stressed that the ICJ’s designated borders for the two countries, although still able to be approximated, cannot yet be made known to the public, as more details need to be clarified, and such information could affect future negations with Cambodia.
