BANGKOK, 12 February 2013 The draft statement, which will be used to defend Thailand against Cambodia regarding the land surrounding the Phra Viharn Temple, will be reviewed by various committees before being presented to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in mid April.
Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, who heads Thailand’s legal team in the case, said the draft statement has been completed and will be reviewed by the committees involved in the Phra Viharn case.
Both Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads when it comes to claiming the ownership rights of the land surrounding the holy temple.
The revision is expected to be finished at the end of March and will be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration early April. The statement will be read to the ICJ in a hearing during April 15-19, 2013.
Mr. Phonthep said he is confident in the ability of the Thai legal teams in clarifying and defending any issues put against Thailand. The country has 1,600 pages to be used as evidence in its fight in the world court to claim the land around Phra Viharn Temple.
