BANGKOK, 30 Oct 2013, Thailand cannot withdraw its membership from the World Court as the nation is bound by the United Nations’ codes, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The comment was made by Seehasak Puangketkeaw, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, in response to activists’ demand that Thailand pull out of the World Court and reject its ruling on the Phra Viharn territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
He elaborated that it was impossible to simply renounce the World Court membership, as doing so would mean the country would no longer be a member of the United Nation. Mr. Seehasak pointed out that the nation had contemplated doing so before but soon discarded the idea, as the UN demanded that its members be members and under jurisdiction of the World Court.
Meanwhile, locals of Baanphumisarol in Kantaraluck District of Srisaket Province have begun evacuation drills, preparing for whatever the outcome of the ICJ’s ruling on the case may bring. Residents, however, admitted they were afraid of the resurgence of Thai-Cambodian violence and ready to escape at a moment’s notice despite the Government’s peace assurance.
