Thailand border case to ICJ Monday

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has asked the Thai government to present its case on the issue of the Preah Vihear temple ruins next Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said on Thursday.

The Cambodian government has asked the ICJ to interpret its 1962 verdict on the ownership of Preah Vihear and the disputed surrounding area.

The court ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear temple was on Cambodian soil, but its ruling was not clear about ownership of the immediately surrounding, disputed area of 4.6 square kilometres. Thai and Cambodian troops have clashed repeatedly as each side attempted to assert sovreignty.

Mr Thani said the court is expected to spend up to two years considering Cambodia's case.

Cambodia has also asked the ICJ to issue an injunction ordering Thailand to withdraw Thai troops from the disputed area around the Preah Vihear Temple.

The ICJ is expected to rule on the injunction request next month, said Mr Thani.

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