Hun Sen skips Ta Muen Thom temple visit

[CrazyExpat]

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen cancelled his planned visit to Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province and returned home by helicopter on Monday, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.

Hun Sen decided not to visit Ta Muen Thom ruins after Thai authorities insisted his military escort could not carry weapons, Mr Chavanond said.

The Cambodian premier said he understood the regulations and did not want to create tension between soldiers from the two countries, even though he just wanted to travel as a tourist, he said.

Foreign Ministry Information director-general Wimol Kidchob said Mr Hun Sen's visit did not violate the sovereignty of Thailand.

Earlier, 2nd Army commander Lt-Gen Weewalit Chornsamrit said on Monday that a group of Cambodian soldiers had requested Thai permission to visit Ta Muen Thom temple without their weapons, but he explained to them that the situation was unfavourable for their visit because of a possible confrontation with supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

PAD leader Veera Somkwamkid led about 150 protesters who gathered near the temple to oppose Mr Hun Sen's visit.

Lt-Gen Weewalit said the Cambodian soldiers understood the situation and agreed not to enter the temple area.

The Cambodian government had previously twice asked Thai authorities for permission for Mr Hun Sen to visit the ancient Khmer temple.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after the cancellation of Mr Hun Sen's visit that the situation along the border had returned to normal.

Mr Abhisit said that Cambodia's tactic to name a nearby village Ta Muen, like the name of the temple, would not affect Thailand. Cambodia had the right to name a village.

In the morning, Mr Hun Sen officially opened a road leading to the temple and to Ta Muen village. The village has about 400 houses and is about 4 kilometres from Ta Muen Thom temple.

Mr Abhisit also said Thailand has made clear its opposition to Unesco's approval of the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site administered by Phnom Penh.

The government would request the voiding of the listing because the area involves disputed land, he added.

Unesco's World Heritage Committee will rule on July 15 whether to continue listing Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/167853/hun-sen-skips-ta-muen-thom-temple-visit

[Wino]

Quote: Unesco's World Heritage Committee will rule on July 15 whether to continue listing Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

What are the odds Unesco will revoke the listing of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site?

[Beer Chang]

Revoke + 4 is the opening Vegas line.