Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on October 17 pledged to maintain peace and public order along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The PM made the commitment ahead of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s announcement of its final decision on the sovereignty dispute over the Preah Vihear Temple between the two nations.

PM Yingluck was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying that no matter how the ruling goes, Thailand will adhere to peace and both countries must avoid confrontations.

Meanwhile, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said he will chair an ad hoc committee to discuss measures to cope with the ruling and future procedures for joint management on the Thai-Cambodian border.

The Hague-based ICJ is scheduled to deliver its verdict on November 11 in response to a petition lodged by Cambodia to clarify its 1962 judgment related to the disputed area.

Both countries claim the ownership of a 4.6 square kilometre region adjacent to the ancient Hindu temple, which was recognised as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO.

In 1962, the ICJ decided the temple was situated in territory under Cambodia’s sovereignty. But it did not clarify the ownership of the surrounding area, which the two countries dispute over.-VNA