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THE HAGUE, 11 November 2013, (NNT) – On Monday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously ruled Cambodia’s sovereignty over a disputed temple on its border with Thailand extends to the natural promontory bearing the monument.
However, according to the Thai Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Virachai Plasai, the court rejected Cambodia’s claim that it was also awarded a nearby hill, called Phnum Trap or Phu Makheu in Thailand, by the 1962 ICJ ruling that was being interpreted in the judgment.
The ambassador added that Cambodia had only won a small piece of the disputed territory; however the exact amount is being calculated.
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Suraphong Tovichaichaikul said both Thailand and Cambodia are satisfied with the court’s ruling.
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Thai military top brass have met with their Cambodian counterpart on Monday morning to boost ties between the two countries before the International Court of Justice’s ruling in the afternoon.Lt. Gen. Chanchai Phoothong, chief of Army Region 2 along with other high ranking Thai military officers have just met with Gen Chia Mon, Cambodia’s deputy army chief and his team at a hotel in Surin, a province on the Thai-Cambodian border to talk on how to ensure peace after the ICJ ruling.Both sides agreed to increase channels of communication to better understand each other which will lessen risks of misunderstanding that can lead to arm clashes, according to Lt. Gen Charnchai.
He also said the two countries also agreed to explain more to people living close to the common border to prevent any panic that might be caused by the ruling.
Gen. Chia Mon also expressed his confidence that the ruling would not lead to an armed conflict and both military and the government of Cambodia wanted to solve the decades-long dispute with Thailand under diplomatic methods.
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The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has ordered schools near the Thai-Cambodian border to close ahead of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling over the disputed 4.6-square-km land next to the Phra Viharn temple on Monday evening.The OBEC stated that over 100 schools in Buriram, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket have been ordered shut down until Tuesday. If tension escalates after the ruling, the educational agency may order the closure to last for up to one week.Border communities, schools and administrative bodies are closely monitoring the situation as some political groups have earlier said they may decide to incite violence in the name of patriotism.
Clashes had broken out between Thai and Cambodian troops in 2011 along the disputed stretch of the border, breaching a shaky ceasefire agreed in February of that year. Villagers on both sides of the border were evacuated to safe areas after troops exchanged gunfire, artillery and grenades.
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Head of Thai legal team Virachai: Cambodia doesn’t gain 4.6 sq km; Thailand, Cambodia ordered to co-operate in protection of site as world heritage
ICJ rules Thailand, Cambodia have to adhere to 1962 court ruling on Preah Vihear case, hold talks to settle dispute, orders Thai to pull out soldiers from Preah Vihear promontory
ICJ rules it has authority to judge on Cambodian petition requesting ICJ to interpret original 1962 ruling
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