SA KAEO, Oct 28 – Thailand and Cambodia confirmed today that the judgement by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Cambodia’s request for interpretation of its 1962 ruling concerning the Preah Vihear temple would not jeopardise relationship between the two countries.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told a press conference at the Thai border province that he held a one-hour talk with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Nam Hong on pre- and post-verdict preparations to ensure peace along the border.
He said Thailand and Cambodia agreed that the two countries would remain on good terms no matter what ICJ judgement on November 11 will be.
The regular meeting of Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) is a significant mechanism for the two countries bilateral relationship and the foreign ministries of both countries have played their roles in preventing misunderstanding among the Thai and Cambodian people after the ICJ’s ruling, he said.
Mr Hor Nam Hong also gave assurances that the bilateral relationship would not be affected after the ICJ judgement and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on all parties to be patient and accept the verdict for the sake of peace between the two countries.
Thai Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thailand recently informed a meeting of army chiefs of 29 countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim of the Thai-Cambodian legal dispute currently pending the World Court decision.
The meeting urged Thailand and Cambodia to solve the conflict in a peaceful manner, he said, adding that Thai people should not over-react prior to the court’s ruling and the military would adhere to the law as well as avoid clashes on the border.
