Thai-Cambodian border trade remains normal amid temple row

SI SA KET, THAILAND, January 27 (TNA) - Despite a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand over disputed area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, cross border trade between peoples of the two countries at Chong Sangam border pass in Bhu Sing district of Si Sa Ket province remains normal presently. Cambodian shoppers continue crossing the Thai border and buy mostly consumer goods as lawyers of the two countries prepare to explain to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague in April the stance on the ownership of 4.6 square kilometres of scrubland next to the temple. ICJ ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains in dispute. The conflict between the two countries erupted shortly after UNESCO approved Cambodia's bid to have the temple named a World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Thailand claims ownership of 4.6 square kilometres of scrubland next to the temple. Police in Bhu Sing district said the ongoing dispute does not interrupt the cross border trade and there is no report so far of Cambodia moving heavy war weapons or reinforcements in to the disputed area. Amid cross normal trade, Thai combined government forces continue monitoring on whether illegal trade or drug smuggling is conducted in the border area. Meanwhile, ABAC Poll said its recent survey conducted on over 2,000 people in 17 provinces nationwide found that 67 per cent of the total respondents believed that the dispute would not end even after the ICJ’s ruling possibly late this year while 64.7 per cent opined that the issue would become a political game and 76.1 per cent said the issue should be settled by judicial process. Up to 82.5 per cent of the respondents said the Thai government still did not give enough details on the temple row to the people while more than 90 per cent of them said let the ICJ give the verdict which would bring peace to the two neighbouring countries. (TNA)