ID :
12127
Fri, 07/11/2008 - 11:04
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http://m.oananews.org//node/12127
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Thai foreign minister resigns over Preah Vihear dispute
BANGKOK, July 11 (TNA) - Embattled Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama on Thursday announced his resignation, effective Monday, following heavy criticism and continuing protests over the Preah Vihear issue.
Mr. Noppadon is the fourth minister to have resigned from his post in the five-month old coalition government led by Prime Minister SamakSundaravej.
His decision came two days after the Constitution Court ruled that his signing a joint document backing Cambodia's bid to list the long-disputed Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site without endorsement by theThai parliament was in breach of the country's supreme law.
Mr. Noppadon told a press conference at the Foreign Ministry that he wanted to see "reconciliation in the country" and decided to "show spirit by resigning from his post effective July 14." "I reaffirm that I have done nothing wrong," the foreign minister said. "I have not sold out nor have I caused any damage to the country." The former legal advisor of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned home Thursday after attending the annual session of the UNESCOWorld Heritage Committee in Quebec City, Canada.
On Monday, the 21-member committee approved the Cambodian application andlisted the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as the World Heritage site.
Mr. Noppadon was in the hot seat amid strong criticism from anti-government protestors led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) as well as the opposition Democrat Party and some academics for having allegedly tried to rush through the temple deal with Cambodia which might undermine Thailand's claim to a 4.6-square kilometre zone adjacentto the temple which is claimed by both countries.
Reiterating that his actions were to prevent Thailand from losing territory, and transparently, Mr. Noppadon said the joint communique was signed after careful discussion with military commanders and concernedsenior officials.
The foreign minister also said he respected the court's injunction, butheld that the decision would "become a case study" for future reference.
Mr. Noppadon's decision came after the Democrat Party planned to beginformal impeachment proceedings against him.
The Constitution Court had already removed health minister Chaiya Sasomsup from office after ruling on Wednesday that he had violated the constitution by failing to disclose his wife's shareholding in excess of five per cent in a private company within 30 days of taking up his post inFebruary.
Jakrapob Penkair bowed out as minister to the prime minister's office in May after being charged with lese majeste, or defamation of the monarch, following a speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand inAugust last year.
Earlier Sutha Chansang called it quits as social development and human security minister citing poor health as main reason for leaving. (TNA)
Mr. Noppadon is the fourth minister to have resigned from his post in the five-month old coalition government led by Prime Minister SamakSundaravej.
His decision came two days after the Constitution Court ruled that his signing a joint document backing Cambodia's bid to list the long-disputed Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site without endorsement by theThai parliament was in breach of the country's supreme law.
Mr. Noppadon told a press conference at the Foreign Ministry that he wanted to see "reconciliation in the country" and decided to "show spirit by resigning from his post effective July 14." "I reaffirm that I have done nothing wrong," the foreign minister said. "I have not sold out nor have I caused any damage to the country." The former legal advisor of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned home Thursday after attending the annual session of the UNESCOWorld Heritage Committee in Quebec City, Canada.
On Monday, the 21-member committee approved the Cambodian application andlisted the 11th century Preah Vihear temple as the World Heritage site.
Mr. Noppadon was in the hot seat amid strong criticism from anti-government protestors led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) as well as the opposition Democrat Party and some academics for having allegedly tried to rush through the temple deal with Cambodia which might undermine Thailand's claim to a 4.6-square kilometre zone adjacentto the temple which is claimed by both countries.
Reiterating that his actions were to prevent Thailand from losing territory, and transparently, Mr. Noppadon said the joint communique was signed after careful discussion with military commanders and concernedsenior officials.
The foreign minister also said he respected the court's injunction, butheld that the decision would "become a case study" for future reference.
Mr. Noppadon's decision came after the Democrat Party planned to beginformal impeachment proceedings against him.
The Constitution Court had already removed health minister Chaiya Sasomsup from office after ruling on Wednesday that he had violated the constitution by failing to disclose his wife's shareholding in excess of five per cent in a private company within 30 days of taking up his post inFebruary.
Jakrapob Penkair bowed out as minister to the prime minister's office in May after being charged with lese majeste, or defamation of the monarch, following a speech at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand inAugust last year.
Earlier Sutha Chansang called it quits as social development and human security minister citing poor health as main reason for leaving. (TNA)
