BANGKOK, 28 May 2011 – Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has admitted that no conclusion was made in the recent meeting of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in France regarding the Preah Vihear management plan.
After his return from a meeting with the WHC and Cambodian delegates in France, Mr Suwit pointed out that the issue between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear management plan had not been concluded even though bilateral talks had been ongoing and UNESCO had voiced its support for an immediate end to the dispute. He said no approval was granted for Thailand’s request to have the committee’s consideration on the plan postponed.
The Minister indicated that, after this, there would be another bilateral discussion on the matter before the arrangement of the 35th WHC Meeting during 19-29 June, when the Preah Vihear management plan was slated for its official review.
In addition, Mr Suwit stated that Thailand had proposed itself as the host of the 36th WHC Meeting in 2012. Other countries bidding for the opportunity include Russia and Cambodia.
