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BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand’s government will not appeal a ruling that suspended its endorsement of Cambodia’s bid to see a disputed Hindu temple granted World Heritage status, the foreign minister said Tuesday.

Despite a long-standing territorial dispute over the 11th century Preah Vihear temple site, the Thai cabinet voted two weeks ago to support its neighbour’s application at a UNESCO meeting in Canada this week.

But anti-government protesters succeeded in obtaining an injunction last weekend from the Central Administrative Court to annul the joint communique.

"We have resolved to comply with the court’s decision. We will suspend the joint communique and keep Cambodia informed," Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.

"Our prime minister has already told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that we will send them an official letter," Noppadon said.

The government would seek further legal advice, Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister told AFP.

"We will wait for advice from the Council of State, which I expect to seek in next week’s meeting," Somchai said.

Last week Cambodia closed the temple after more than 100 Thais marched to the compound to protest the deal.

Cambodia had planned to present the joint communique as part of its application to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee tohave the site listed to attract more tourists.

Cambodia last year attempted to have the ancient Hindu temple, perched on a mountaintop on the Thai-Cambodia border, listed by UNESCO. But that effort failed, amid rumours Thailand had blocked the deal.

Cambodia began seeking World Heritage status for the temple, which has long plagued relations between the two countries, nearly six years ago.

Both countries have historically laid claim to the site, which sits on Cambodian soil but can only be easily accessed from Thailand.

Former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk took Thailand to the World Court in 1962 over the two countries’ claim to Preah Vihear. The court ruled the temple belonged to Cambodia.

The Democrat Party on Saturday hit back at remarks by Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, who accused "some Thai politicians" of turning the Preah Vihear temple issue against the otherwise warm ties between the two neighbouring countries.

M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, deputy secretary-general of Democrat Party, a former deputy foreign minister and now serving as the Democrats’ shadow foreign minister, said his party was not happy after "an important person in Thailand’s neighbouring country" expressed negative views on politics in Thailand.

It was understood that the Cambodian foreign minister was criticising the opposition for bringing the temple issue to parliament this week - specifically the Democrats.

"The Democrat Party reaffirms its stance which benefits every party," said the Democrat’s statement.

"The party realises historical, architectural, cultural and religious significances, and thinks it is most appropriate to register Preah Vihear. But the registration must be carried out with proper principle and in line with existing atmosphere."

The shadow minister said his Democrat Party attached utmost importance on "warm relations and good cooperation between Thailand and Cambodia, but said that relations must be based on mutual benefits, understanding and a determination not to take advantage of each other".

It is not only the Democrat Party which is worried about what the Thai government had done on Preah Vihear, the statement said. Senators, journalists, lawyers, academics and representatives of the wider community are also unhappy.

The Administrative Court issued an injunction on Saturday ordering a temporary halt in carrying out further activities related to the Thai cabinet’s endorsement of the Cambodian map of Preah Vihear. (See details in Top Stories)

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Friday accused Thai opposition politicians of exploiting the cross-border dispute to advance their own domestic political agenda. He warned that they might endanger bilateral relations.

He warned that the Preah Vihear issue could "affect the very good friendship and cooperation our two countries have had so far." (TNA)