Thai court rules supporting temple heritage bid was unconstitutional
Updated
A Thai court has ruled the government violated the constitution by backing a Cambodian bid to list a disputed temple as a World Heritage site.
UNESCO added the Preah Vihear temple to its list of protected sites on Monday.
The Constitutional Court has ruled the cabinet should have sought parliamentary approval for the joint communique to list the 11th-century temple.
Thailand and Cambodia have disputed the border around the temple for decades.
The ruling poses a new political threat to the five-month-old Thai government, as the opposition can use the verdict to launch impeachment proceedings against the entire cabinet.
The Thai foreign minister, who had flown to the UNESCO meeting to formally withdraw Thailand's support, is reportedly shocked by the ruling.
Meanwhile, Cambodians were overjoyed at the news of the listing, with fireworks and cultural performances planned for late Tuesday to celebrate.
