On 29 May 2011, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Thailand’s international legal advisors to discuss Thailand’s position and strategies prior to the oral hearing regarding the indication of the provisional measures at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 30-31 May 2011. This follows Cambodia’s request to the Court to consider the indication of provisional measures pending the Court’s consideration of its other request for an interpretation of the judgment on the case of the Temple of Phra Viharn.  Earlier on 28 May, the Foreign Minister also met with representatives from the Thai authorities concerned, including the Royal Thai Survey Department, the Fine Arts Department, the Council of State and the Office of the Attorney-General.

After his meeting with the legal advisors, Foreign Minister Kasit gave an interview to the media, saying that the meeting was held to make final preparations for Thailand’s presentation of its case to the ICJ at the oral hearing.  During the said meeting, he took this opportunity to brief the advisors on the result of the special meeting of the Thai Cabinet on 23 May 2011, including the Cabinet’s recommendations and concerns.

Regarding the order of presentation among the Thai legal team at the oral hearing on 30 May 2011, Foreign Minister Kasit said that the hearing would begin with the Cambodian side’s presentation of the case requesting the ICJ for indication of provisional measures at 10.00-12.00 hrs., followed by the presentation by the Thai side at 16.00-18.00 hrs.  In this regard, Mr. Virachai Plasai, Thai Ambassador to the Netherlands, in his capacity as Agent of the Thai Government, would deliver his statement to provide an overview of the matter.  This would be followed by the statements by Professor Alain Pellet, who would address the issue of the Court’s jurisdiction regarding the interpretation of the 1962 judgment; Professor James Crawford, who would focus further on the Court’s jurisdiction in considering the indication of provisional measures; and, lastly, Professor Donald McRae, which would concentrate on the request made by Cambodia regarding provisional measures.  The Foreign Minister added that he has been in constant consultation with the three legal advisors, and that the Thai working group has also been working closely with them for more than two years.

Click here for more information about Thailand’s international legal advisors on the current case pertaining to the Temple of Phra Viharn.

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29 May 2011