PHNOM PENH (AFP)--Flaring nationalist sentiment in Thailand over a contested Hindu temple on the Cambodian border threatens to harm ties between the neighbours, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Friday.
The two countries have reached a deal setting out the border around the Preah Vihear temple, which Cambodia wants to have recognised by the UN's cultural body UNESCO as a World Heritage site, in hopes of drawing tourists.
Thai Foreign Minister Noppadan Pattama has come under fire for agreeing to the deal, which became a key issue in a no-confidence debate against the Thai government this week.
The Thai government easily survived the vote Friday, but the debate has moved the temple to the forefront of domestic politics.
"Political parties in Thailand should not exploit the Preah Vihear temple issue in their domestic struggles. That could cause harm to the good cooperation and friendship between the two countries," Namhong said.
Cambodia closed the temple this week after more than 100 Thais marched to the compound to protest the deal, which they say resulted in Thailand losing territory at the border point.
Namhong insisted that Thailand won't lose any land as a result of the deal.
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