11 November 2013

Preah Vihear ruling

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s November 11 ruling on the interpretation of its June 15, 1962 verdict that granted Cambodia sovereignty over Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border captured the attention of the nation.

That day, Thais, regardless of their political stripe, waited anxiously on the court’s decision as to whether Cambodian sovereignty over the temple included the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area surrounding it. The dispute over Preah Vihear had been festering between the two countries for more than five decades.

The ICJ had ruled that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of the temple, and that Thailand was obliged to withdraw its forces from the area. However, the court did not decide which country had authority over the larger issue of the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area, as requested by Cambodia in 2011. The temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2008.

The court said Cambodia and Thailand, as parties to the World Heritage Convention, must work together to protect it as a World Heritage Site.

11 November 2013

Preah Vihear ruling

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s November 11 ruling on the interpretation of its June 15, 1962 verdict that granted Cambodia sovereignty over Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border captured the attention of the nation.

That day, Thais, regardless of their political stripe, waited anxiously on the court’s decision as to whether Cambodian sovereignty over the temple included the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area surrounding it. The dispute over Preah Vihear had been festering between the two countries for more than five decades.

The ICJ had ruled that Cambodia has sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of the temple, and that Thailand was obliged to withdraw its forces from the area. However, the court did not decide which country had authority over the larger issue of the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area, as requested by Cambodia in 2011. The temple was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2008.

The court said Cambodia and Thailand, as parties to the World Heritage Convention, must work together to protect it as a World Heritage Site.