Thailand threatens to quit World Heritage group [a mad dog will bite anyone around it, including its owner]

Preah Vihear temple and, inset, Mr. Suwit (top), Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister, and Mr. Rao (bottom), director of Unesco World Heritage Centre.

25th June, 2011
Bangkok Post

Mr Rao informed Mr Suwit that if Thailand and Cambodia could not reach a conclusion on any draft, the centre would forward its draft to the WHC meeting for consideration.

Mr Suwit was against this as it would put Thailand at risk of losing territory if the draft is approved by the WHC.

Thailand is threatening to resign its membership of Unesco's World Heritage Convention.

It says it will resign from the body if a draft agreement on issues regarding the management plan for Preah Vihear temple, prepared by the Unesco World Heritage Centre, is forwarded for consideration to the World Heritage Committee (WHC).

The draft was suggested by centre director Kishore Rao after both Thai and Cambodian versions failed to win each other country's approval.