Interference in govt, he says, citing academics
POST REPORTERS
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej indirectly criticised the Administrative Court over its ruling which blocked cabinet's approval of Thailand's support for Cambodia's listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.
Mr Samak said he agreed with academics who believed that the ruling interfered with the work of his administration.
The academics feared it could set a precedent and would damage the credibility of the administration in dealing with other countries.
The ruling ran counter to the checks and balances system between the administrative, legislative and judicial branches, he quoted academics as saying.
"Their comments are worth considering," the prime minister said in his weekly address, broadcast nationwide on NBT television and on radio.
The issue is the centre of attention in Thailand and in Quebec, where the World Heritage Committee (WHC) will consider whether to list the temple ruins as a new World Heritage site.
Chairman of the Thai World Heritage Committee Pongpol Adireksarn told Thai PBS last night that Cambodia looked set to secure the support of the WHC for its proposal.
In an earlier interview, he admitted that most of the 21 members who have the final say on new World Heritage sites have backed Cambodia.
"The Thai World Heritage Committee sounded out their position on the Preah Vihear listing. Most [committee members] agreed with Cambodia," he said.
Trying to avoid landing himself in legal trouble with the court, Mr Samak said he backed "law academics" who raised concerns about the Administrative Court's injunction against the cabinet's decision.
The court ruled on June 28 to put on hold the cabinet's resolution of June 17 endorsing the joint communique by Thailand and Cambodia concerning the temple.
Thailand backed Cambodia's bid to list the temple, after Phnom Penh limited the proposal to only the temple and left out a disputed 4.6-square-kilometre area.
The next day Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama signed the document with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
The International Council for Monuments and Sites (Icomos), the body which advises the WHC on cultural properties, said the two countries submitted the document on May 22.
But Mr Noppadon said that document was only an agreement in principle pending cabinet approval.
In Quebec, the Thai government now cites the Administrative Court injunction as a reason to delay the listing.
The Thai committee, which is acting as an observer at the meeting, wants a joint nomination by Thailand and Cambodia.
One hope for Thailand now lies in the recommendation by Icomos on the issue forwarded to the WHC.
The council opposed listing the temple alone, as it was linked historically to other ruins nearby.
The temple is in Cambodia but some of the ruins lie both in the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear, Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and the overlapping area.
"Icomos considers that the values of Preah Vihear are not limited to the monument alone.
"Icomos considers that the full value of the temple of Preah Vihear is inextricably linked to its surrounding landscape," it said.
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