Legitimacy of Cambodia-Thailand maps by Sean Pengse

By Phy • July 26th, 2008

Thailand insists the map drawn with US assistance in the late 1960s, after the ruling by International Court of Justice (ICJ) in favor Cambodia in the Preah Vihear case in 1959-1962, be used for border demarcation. Cambodia argues that the 1904-1907 map, annexed to the treaties to which Thailand made with France during the latter’s occupation of Cambodia from 1863-1953, is legitimate.

Sean Pengse, the president of Cambodia’s Border Commission, made his arguments in an interview in Khmer with Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Jul 25, 2008. The map was accepted voluntarily by Thailand in its various agreements with France and Cambodia in various stages: 1904, 1907, 1937, 1947, 1962 and 1991 when the Paris Peace Accord was signed. Besides, Thailand itself was involved in the drawing of the map.

In response to the Thai ambassador to the United Nations who said the map drawn with US assistance should be used in border delimitation, he said that Cambodia has never agreed to that map drawn with the US assistance, not even implicitly. What’s more, Cambodia was not even engaged in the drawing and most importantly the map was not in compliance with the Thailand-Cambodia agreements in 1904-1907, to Thailand was bound under ICJ’s 1959-1962 ruling.

If you speak Khmer, why not spend 10 minutes listening to the whole interview?

It seems Thailand has no choice but to fulfill what’s it has agreed to in the agreements if everything he told RFA is true. In fact, from my observation as a Cambodia news freak, international community and Thailand itself admit the latter is in a weaker position than Cambodia when it comes down to legal support.

I’m interested in hearing from you about this matter, Cambodian or Thai or any other national who are interested in the discussions. Yet, before you have your voice heard, keep in mind, “NO hate speech!” I reserve the right to remove any comments that violate this only one rule.

Comments(5) Legal News, My Thoughts, News Review

Comments

By A Khmer on July 28th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Thanks for sharing. I’d love hear esp. from Thai people on this matter.

By 00000 on July 29th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

i notice that most khmer and thai people think their own contry is right without even reading legal documents regarding ICJ ruling and siamese-franco agreement. On TV, all they show us is a map. The map is nothing, without the supporting written documents. So i have read the Summary of the Judgment of ICJ, hoping to find out who right or wrong in this issue. I don’t want to take side without having enough evidence, but the article left me scratching my head. It’s too technical for me. Since you have skills and knowledge in that legal stuff, it would be nice if you can post in your blog the explanation or simple language of the firsthand document of French Siames Agreement and ICJ ruling so that both Khmer and Thai without legal skill can understand.

By Phy on July 29th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
00000 — I’ve also read the summary of the ICJ ruling, to mean the French Siamese Border Agreement does bind Thailand. Anyway, i will sure read the whole judgment when i can to find out whether or not the map Cambodia insists be used for border demarcation between the two nations is and remains binding on Thailand.

Until then, please share with us if anyone has read it. Thx!

By Fifty Fifty - The ICJ was wrong to create judgement that favoured one country on August 24th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

As an independent without bias or prejudice i offer that it is in the interests of both the Khmer and the Thai people this disputed zone should be co-jointly managed by both countries and declared a PEACE PARK that retains and preserve the cultural heritage and natural fauna & landscape.

A place that the people of both the Khmer and the Thai nations, and tourists from around the World can come visit and experience the great splendor and majesty of Preah Vihear Temple and its surrounds.

Now the bitterness hostility and squabbling will subside as the two parties work together to make this a very special place that people of all nationalities can come and enjoy.

Thanks go out to the people who support this idea i present here. It provides a lasting solution to the security and salvation of this place of significant importance to both the Khmer and Thai people.

By Phy on August 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Fifty Fifty - Why do you think the judgment is biased?

Well, I also wish the two peoples can find a win-win solution in this matter too so we can start stepping up our economic cooperation efforts to catch up with the rest of the world.

 

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