PAD Slams PM Abhisit For Backtracking On Border Meeting

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PM Slammed for Backtracking on Border Meeting

The People's Alliance for Democracy slams the prime minister for going back on his word that the country will not take part in further Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission meeting as long as the Thai Parliament does not endorse the previous meeting minutes.

People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, spokesman Parnthep Puapongpan said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had earlier said that further Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission, or JBC, meeting cannot be held as long as the Thai Parliament does not endorse the previous meeting minutes.

However, Parnthep noted the Foreign Ministry is moving ahead with hosting the meeting even though the meeting minutes have not been endorsed, thus proving that the PM was lying.

Parnthep said the military's refusal to join the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee, or GBC, meeting in Indonesia and its objection to Indonesian troops' presence in Thai territory to observe the Thai-Cambodian situation shows its opposition to the government's policy on this issue.

The PAD spokesman said the group will move ahead with the “Vote No” campaign, which should pick up after the Songkran holiday.

PAD coordinator Prapan Khoonmee applauded the military's move in not allowing Indonesian troops into the country but he urged soldiers to go a step further and push out the Cambodian settlement on disputed territory.

He said the military should not just hold a press conference to slam the government but should show the country's military prowess against Cambodia.

Prapan said Cambodia's refusal to grant royal pardon for the two jailed Thais, Weera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, by saying that they must serve two-thirds of their jail term first, is a slap on the face for Thailand.

He questioned why the Thai engineer found guilty of espionage was granted royal pardon right away without having to serve any of his jail term.

Praphan believes the two will be released during the election to boost the popularity of the Pheu Thai Party.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-07