Vasin Teeravechyan, chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, talks to THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL about the latest attempts to resolve the border spat

http://www.bangkokpost.com/231108_News/23Nov2008_news06.php
Sunday November 23, 2008

ON THE Record

Border meeting 'better than expected', says Vasin


Vasin Teeravechyan, chairman of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary
Commission (JBC), talks to THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL about the latest
attempts to resolve the border spat and the challenges ahead.


What were your impressions before and after the JBC meeting on Nov
10-12 in Siem Reap?


Before the meeting, I thought there would be many problems and I
didn't expect much would be achieved, but the results were quite good.
I thought Cambodia understood Thailand well enough and the meeting
avoided sensitive issues, for example whether to call the temple Preah
Vihear or Phra Viharn. Each side knew each other's weaknesses and
sought a compromise. The meeting was good but I don't know how long
both countries can avoid touching on the sensitive issues.

If the pending issues [the name of the temple and reduction of troops]
are not approved by parliament in this session, will it affect the
negotiations?


I think it will pass parliament in this session. Other issues which
were already agreed by both countries should have no problem moving
forward. For example, the issue on the start of an immediate field
survey and border demarcation at Preah Vihear temple or the setting up
of a coordinating group to take care of future problems could begin
immediately because they are explainable. If parliament does not
agree, we could tackle these issues with Cambodia.


What would the result be if there was no Article 190 in the
constitution?


Certainly, negotiations would be much easier. We used to do bilateral
negotiations informally before requesting parliamentary approval when
everything has been settled. Things are a little different now because
we are required to consult parliament first for an approved framework
for negotiation.


The point is we are handling these negotiations with the best
intentions. But when people [who are opposed to the ministry's
position] refuse to listen to our explanations, they close themselves
off from the other sides of the issue.


I have met former deputy foreign minister Sukhumbhand Paribatra and
asked him to tell the Democrat party about the Preah Vihear temple
issue. I also plan to meet many people to talk about this issue. If
issues like this are pulled into a political game, the country cannot
survive.


Should the JBC conduct border surveys and demarcation in other areas
concurrently with the area near Preah Vihear temple?


Yes, I think so, otherwise the border demarcation process will be
delayed. The two survey and demarcation teams should start together.
Both sides have agreed on this but have not yet decided on other areas
apart from Preah Vihear.


Do you see a change in position by Phnom Penh after finishing the
first round of talks?


Yes. The Phnom Penh government showed its commitment to resolving the
border problems. It cannot be rushed. If either side tries to rush, it
will be at a disadvantage, because they are lots of details to
discuss.


Compared to other borders Thailand shares with its neighbours, does
the Thai-Cambodian border have more problems?


It does have more problems than the Thai-Lao border. But in fact, all
borders have problems because the agreements which Thailand has had
with France and the UK in the past were quite rough. When we pointed
to the watershed on the map, it was not precise. Sometimes we could
not find the names in the new maps, so we have to survey the areas
physically to verify the locations before demarcation can be
finalised.


When will we use the maps for the discussions?


We hope to do that once the survey teams have completed their work.
But the more we touch on the maps, the more problems will arise
[because Thailand and Cambodia use different maps as their
references].


When you decided to accept this position (Chairman of JBC), what were
you most concerned about?


It was the different ideas of people around the country. I was quite
stressed because I had to think of people first before doing anything.
I also reaffirmed with Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat and
everyone I met that I would not get involved in politics.
.

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