Source: The Nation (Thailand)
BANGKOK, THAILAND, January 17, 2003: Thailand authorities have asked Fine Arts Department Deputy Director General Sod Daeng-iad to suspend renovations on two ancient Hindu Temples as Cambodia believes the temples are in Cambodia. Both countries have set up a joint demarcation committee which will survey the 798 kilometer border to clear up the question of exactly where the border is. Thailand’s Fine Arts Department has already spent US$292,637 on the Sdok Kok Thom temple and $749,151 on the Ta Muen Thom temple. Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai explains that Cambodia has not asked for the return of the temples but he cannot guarantee that the temples will never go to Cambodia. In 1961, Thailand and Cambodia had a similar conflict over the ownership of another temple. The question was taken to the International Court of Justice who ruled in favor of Cambodia. Riots and a breakoff of diplomatic relations have occurred since this first report.