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The Thai government has reportedly nullified the Joint Communique it signed with Cambodia on 18th June 2008 for the listing of Preah Vihear temple.

The Thai media quoted Mr. Chavanond Intaramakomasit, the Thai Foreign Ministry Secretary of State, as saying that the Thai government has decided to cancel the Joint Communique as it has been already nullified by the Thai Constitutional Court.

Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, said the nullification of the Communique by the Thai government does not affect the Preah Vihear inscription in the World Heritage List as the temple has already been internationally recognised as listed.

He said the listing of the Preah Vihear temple does not concern Thailand. Besides, the temple has already been inscribed, therefore the cancellation of the Joint Communique by Thailand is Thailand's internal affairs which does not concern Cambodia.

Mr. Yim Sovan (pictured), spokesman for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said the current Thai government must honour what have been agreed by the previous governments. He concurs Mr. Koy Kuong's view that the invalidation of the Joint Communique by the Thai government does change the status quo of the Preah Vihear inscription.

He said the inscription of the Preah Vihear temple is a fait accompli as the international community recognised that Cambodia won the ownership of the temple in the International Court of Justice in 1962, including the 4.6 squared kilometres claimed by Thailand.

Source: Khmer Sthapana newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization