Latest news with #WinthaiSuvari
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Royal Thai Army plays down Google Maps showing Prasat Ta Muen Thom as being in Cambodia
FILE PHOTO: A Cambodian soldier (R) stands guard as Buddhist monks and visitors walk around the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26, 2025. - AFP BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Army's spokesman on Wednesday (July 2) sought to allay public concern after Google Maps marked Prasat Ta Muen Thom as being within Cambodia's borders, raising fears that Thailand could lose the site and its surrounding territory. RTA spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari said that map boundaries shown on Google Maps carry no legal weight, and Thailand has consistently exercised sovereignty over the ancient Khmer site. Thailand considers the temple to be located within its territory, specifically in Ban Nong Khanna, Tambon Ta Mueang, Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province. Following the border skirmish near Chong Bok Pass in Ubon Ratchathani on May 28, Cambodia filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming ownership of Prasat Ta Muen Thom, two other Khmer temples, and the Emerald Triangle. Thailand responded by affirming that all four sites are within Thai territory and declared it does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction in the case, rendering the lawsuit ineffective. After the case was filed, several Thai social media users noticed that Google Maps had altered the border near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, showing the Cambodian boundary extending to include the temple. Winthai said many Thais feared that Cambodia had manipulated the map to fabricate evidence and create public confusion, implying that the temple was in Cambodia and that Thailand had encroached on Cambodian territory. However, he explained that Google Maps relies on data from private sources, which is often inaccurate. He emphasised that the boundaries shown on Google Maps hold no legal status under either Thai or international law. He also noted that Thai citizens may submit requests to Google Maps to correct the inaccurate boundary. 'I would like to affirm that Thailand has maintained continuous sovereignty over Prasat Ta Muen Thom. This is supported by geographical evidence and ongoing administrative presence by Thai authorities,' Winthai said. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Army dismisses fake news of Cambodian troops blocking Thai road
BANGKOK: Royal Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvari (pic) on Sunday (June 15) dismissed a claim by a Facebook page that fully armed Cambodian troops had blocked a Thai border road near Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani. Winthai said there was no such incident involving Cambodian troops crossing the border to obstruct the road leading to the Emerald Triangle, as alleged by the Facebook page. The page, which Winthai did not name, claimed that Cambodian soldiers had prevented Thai troops from repairing a road near Chong Bok in Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani. It further alleged that Thai troops attempted to negotiate with their Cambodian counterparts for a second time at around 12.45 pm. However, Winthai said he had verified the information with the military base responsible for the area and was informed that no such incident had occurred. He added that the road used for providing logistical support to the border area near Chong Bok and the Emerald Triangle lies well within Thai territory, and Cambodian troops are aware of this, making it unlikely they would attempt to block it. Winthai concluded that the report was entirely false and should be regarded as fake news. - The Nation/ANN
