A protest banner in Si Sa Ket slams the government’s failure to oppose Cambodia’s efforts to list the historic Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.

Court tells government to halt all Preah Vihear policy as opposition clamours for Cabinet heads to roll over sensitive sovereignty issue

The Central Administrative Court has slapped a legal freeze on this country's support of Cambodia's listing historic Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site.

"The Cabinet may do nothing following the Thailand-Cambodian joint declaration unless there is a new court ruling," it says in a faxed ruling.

The decision came at about 2am yesterday after the court had deliberated for 13 hours.

Nine People's Alliance for Democracy members had earlier argued Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and the Cabinet had acted illegally in sanctioning the Cambodian decision to list the site.

On Tuesday of last week the Cabinet agreed Noppadon could sign a joint declaration with Cambodia to submit Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site with Unesco at its next meeting in Canada starting on Wednes-day.

The agreement included no dissent over Cambodia's map of the area.

The court ruling means the ministry will now not hold a meeting of Thailand representatives to the Unesco meeting or publish a white paper explaining its position.

No public discussion

Senior ministry official Tharit Jarungwat says the order means it will now not discuss the matter in public.

"We haven't made any other decisions about Cambodia or the Unesco meeting," he says. It's up to the Cabinet if it will appeal the decision.

The PAD yesterday celebrated its victory at its rally outside Government House. "We are glad about the ruling, even though it's a temporary victory," Phiphob Thongchai says.

"To maintain a good relationship with Cambodia the World Heritage listing should be made jointly with Thai-land," Democrat Sukhum-bhand Paribatra says.

Adul Wicheancharoen, a former chairman of Thai World Heritage Site Committee, says the Cabinet resolution needs to be revoked or it will become Thailand's official position with Unesco.

The ruling prompted some to call for the Cabinet to resign as one, and Abhisit said some ministers at least had to go.

"The foreign minister must resign, and Thailand should propose Phimai-Phanom Rung-Preah Vihear as a World Heritage site as well," says historian Nithi Eaosriwong.

Coalition partner Phua Phaendin leader Suwit Khunkitti says PM Samak Sundaravej remains tight-lipped on both the promised change in stance over the listing saga or a Cabinet reshuffle.