On 21 November 2011, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave a briefing to the press at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thailand’s formal submission of its written observations to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 21 November 2011. Gist as follows:

1. Thailand will be formally submitting its written observations to the ICJ on 21 November 2011 at 11.00 hrs according to the time in The Hague, Netherlands (or 17.00 hrs Thai time).  The written observations will be approximately 300 pages in length with an annex of approximately 600 pages (altogether approximately 900 pages).  The Foreign Minister expressed his confidence that the information and evidence presented by Thailand will be favourably considered by the ICJ because the Thai side had studied all issues comprehensively.  The disclosure of the details of the written observations is, however, subject to the ICJ’s permission.

2. Foreign Minister Surapong also expressed his confidence in Thailand’s team of advisors on international law who are all very capable and knowledgeable and comprised of renowned academics, legal experts and professors.  Members of the team have also been advisors on international law for other governments like France and New Zealand as well as having held positions in the International Law Commission of the United Nations.

3. Furthermore, the Foreign Minister emphasized that despite a change in government, there was continuity in Thailand’s approach in handling the case regarding Cambodia’s request for the ICJ to interpret its judgment on the Temple of Phra Viharn case of 1962.  The previous government had established three committees, namely, (1) The Committee Representing Thailand in the Case Concerning the Temple of Phra Viharn; (2) The Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Working Group in Support of the Proceedings Before the International Court of Justice on the Case Concerning the Temple of Phra Viharn; and (3) Special Committee for the Consideration of Conventions with a view to preparing Thailand’s position regarding the ICJ’s consideration.  These committees have been working without interruption and to date no changes were made to their membership except for those whose positions were changed according to the appointment of the new Cabinet, such as the Foreign Minister or the Defence Minister.

4. With regard to the implementation of the ICJ’s order on provisional measures which the Government had submitted for a general debate of the National Assembly in accordance with Section 179 of the Constitution on 15 November 2011, the Foreign Minister stated that further discussions with Cambodia within the framework of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) may involve further consideration of the National Assembly in accordance with Section 190 of the Constitution.

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24 November 2011