LAWMAKERS, border experts and historians have rounded on Thai attempts to scupper Cambodia’s bid to become a permanent member of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

About 40 Thai parliamentarians vowed last week to oppose the Kingdom’s move, senior Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap told the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

He dismissed their threats as insignificant, insisting Cambodia stood an excellent chance of being voted in.

“I am optimistic that the 186 countries serving as members of the World Heritage Committee will vote on October 26 to support Cambodia as a permanent member,” he said.

Elections for the World Heritage Committee are due to run from today to Wednesday in Paris. Twelve of 21 countries currently on the committee are due to retire. Meeting once a year, the committee determines which sites are granted World Heritage status.

Deputy Prime Minister Sok An – who has been lobbying in Africa, Central America, Europe and Oceania – expects 143 of 186 countries to vote in support of Cambodia, he said.