FM Surapong Accused Of Failing To Protect Thailand's Interest

[webfact]

POLITICS

FM Surapong accused of failing to protect Thailand's interest

The opposition Democrat Party on Tuesday accused Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul of failing to protect Thailand's interests in the border dispute with Cambodia.

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalsut said the foreign minister failed to protest when Unesco's international coordinating committee (ICC) last Wednesday inspected the ancient Preah Vihear temple on the border between the two countries.

Both Thailand and Cambodia claim sovereignty over a 4.6squarekilometre area next to Preah Vihear - known as Phra Wihan in Thai - which the World Court said in 1962 belonged to Cambodia.

Meanwhile Surapong dismissed the accusation as a Democrat attempt to distort facts for political benefit. "I call on the opposition to stop playing politics. They should avoid causing damage to the country by playing political games," he said.

Chavanond said the Cabinet in December 2008 resolved to reserve Thailand's right for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to notify the country before entering the area claimed by Thailand to examine the temple.

He said Unesco was aware of the Cabinet resolution as it was informed by Thailand's ambassador to France.

According to the Democrat spokesman, this government failed to send any representative to join the ICC examination of the Preah Vihear compound. "Thailand this time failed to abide by our own order and allowed them to pass our territory easily," he said.

Chavanond added that it was likely that Cambodia would try to take advantage of the situation when it came to the border dispute between the two countries.

Chavanond, serving as secretary to Surapong's immediate predecessor Kasit Piromya, claimed that some officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry - increasingly discontent with the foreign minister's actions - were regularly supplying him with information about what Surapong did.

"I do not call for anything more than abiding by the Cabinet resolution to protect our sovereignty," Chavanond said. "I believe [Cambodian Prime Minister] Hun Sen loves this government the most. This government has allowed him to do whatever he likes more than any other government over the past 10 years."

Surapong said that Unesco and Cambodia invited Thailand to join the ICC examination tour but that Thailand turned it down. He added that the opposition should not try to politicise the matter.

-- The Nation 2011-12-20

[ozzieman05]

Yes I agree

Politician should stop playing polotic's

Bus driver stop driving buses

Train drivers stop driving trains

In fact no one should so what they are paid for

So please tell me

what is the opposition job

to sit and sleep all day

I Thinkuth the opposition does their job to well is the Thai Governments feeling

[Reasonableman]

Unheard of, politicians politicising politics. There should be a law!

[janverbeem]

Yes I agree

Politician should stop playing polotic's

Bus driver stop driving buses

Train drivers stop driving trains

In fact no one should so what they are paid for

So please tell me

what is the opposition job

to sit and sleep all day

I Thinkuth the opposition does their job to well is the Thai Governments feeling

Don't worry about that

[animatic]

Yes I agree

Politician should stop playing polotic's

Bus driver stop driving buses

Train drivers stop driving trains

In fact no one should so what they are paid for

So please tell me

what is the opposition job

to sit and sleep all day

I Thinkuth the opposition does their job too well is the Thai Governments feeling

That pretty much sums it up.

The Democrat Shadow Government points out the failings of the PTP Government regularly, in accurate and infuriating detail, in the opinion of the current government, and they want to be left alone under the rock with no one seeing what they do. No such luck.

Edited December 20, 2011 by animatic

[webfact]

Surapong accused of not helping country

TEACHAWAT SUKRAK,

NUNTIDA PUANGTHONG

THE NATION

The opposition Democrat Party yesterday accused Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul of failing to protect Thailand's interests in the border dispute with Cambodia.

Surapong dismissed the accusation as a Democrat attempt to distort facts for political benefit.

"I call on the opposition to stop playing politics. They should avoid causing damage to the country by playing political games," he said.

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalsut said the foreign minister failed to protest when Unesco's International Coordinating Committee (ICC) last Wednesday inspected the ancient Preah Vihear Temple on the border between the two countries.

Both Thailand and Cambodia claim sovereignty over a 4.6-square-kilometre area next to Preah Vihear - known as Phra Wihan in Thai - which the World Court said in 1962 belonged to Cambodia.

Chavanond said the Cabinet in December 2008 resolved to reserve Thailand's right for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to notify the country before entering the area claimed by Thailand to examine the temple.

He said Unesco was aware of the Cabinet resolution, as it was informed by Thailand's ambassador to France.

According to the Democrat spokesman, this government failed to send any representative to join the ICC examination of the Preah Vihear compound. "Thailand this time failed to abide by our own order and allowed them to pass through our territory easily," he said.

Chavanond added that it was likely that Cambodia would try to take advantage of the situation when it came to the border dispute between the two countries.

"My question is whether Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul took part in the examination himself or sent any representative. Surapong obviously failed to follow the Cabinet resolution," Chavanond said.

Chavanond, serving as secretary to Surapong's immediate predecessor Kasit Piromya, claimed that some officials of the Foreign Affairs Ministry - increasingly discontent with the current minister's actions - were regularly supplying Chavanond with information about what Surapong did.

"I do not call for anything more than abiding by the Cabinet resolution to protect our sovereignty," Chavanond said. "I believe [Cambodian Prime Minister] Hun Sen loves this government the most. This government has allowed him to do whatever he likes more than any other government over the past 10 years."

Surapong yesterday said that Unesco and Cambodia invited Thailand to join the ICC examination tour but that Thailand turned it down. He added that the opposition should not try to politicise the matter.

Regarding Cambodia's recent shooting of a Thai Navy helicopter in a border area of Trat province, Surapong said he disagreed with a Democrat call for him to protest to Cambodia formally about the incident, in which there were no injuries. He said Cambodia had expressed regret and that the incident was caused by a misunderstanding.

"This matter should be allowed to end so that it will not lead to further rift," he said.

The foreign minister was speaking in the Burmese capital Naypyidaw while accompanying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on an official trip.

-- The Nation 2011-12-21

[Buchholz]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012031254985/National-news/thaksin-fears-legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

[tlansford]

The opposition Democrat Party on Tuesday accused Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul of failing to protect Thailand's interests in the border dispute with Cambodia.

de-escalation & normalizing the discussions in the border dispute were clearly not in Thailand's interest.

[yoshiwara]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenh...legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

Would this be the same Thaksin who was appointed as an advisor to the Cambodian PM?

One hand washes another.

[Buchholz]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenh...legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

Would this be the same Thaksin who was appointed as an advisor to the Cambodian PM?

One and the same.

Thaksin is prepping the country for the eventual loss of the land while conferring with Hun Sen that if Thailand doesn't dispute the loss, his casino plans in Cambodia can proceed.

It's one of several reasons that Thaksin chose his own cousin to be Foreign Minister when selecting the Cabinet. Sending the gopher to get a Japanese visa and deliver it to him was another.

Nepotism is wonderful.

.

Edited March 12, 2012 by Buchholz

[bigbamboo]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenh...legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

Would this be the same Thaksin who was appointed as an advisor to the Cambodian PM?

One and the same.

Thaksin is prepping the country for the eventual loss of the land while conferring with Hun Sen that if Thailand doesn't dispute the loss, his casino plans in Cambodia can proceed.

It's one of several reasons that Thaksin chose his own cousin to be Foreign Minister when selecting the Cabinet. Sending the gopher to get a Japanese visa and deliver it to him was another.

Nepotism is wonderful.

.

Thaksin is right though. Legally Thailand blew it through complacency decades ago even though topographically (taking the natural watershed line) the land should mainly fall in Thailand. The shame is no one even cared about it with Thais and Cambodians trading happily there until it designated it a UN heritage site and that changed everything.

[animatic]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenh...legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

Would this be the same Thaksin who was appointed as an advisor to the Cambodian PM?

One and the same.

Thaksin is prepping the country for the eventual loss of the land while conferring with Hun Sen that if Thailand doesn't dispute the loss, his casino plans in Cambodia can proceed.

It's one of several reasons that Thaksin chose his own cousin to be Foreign Minister when selecting the Cabinet. Sending the gopher to get a Japanese visa and deliver it to him was another.

Nepotism is wonderful.

.

Not nepotism except for hiring Cousin Dimbulb as FM, this is more cronyism on an international scale.

Noppadom lost his FM chair for trying to give this away a few years back under Samak.

Looks like finally the Kuhn T's gonna give Hun Sen his face making win,

that opens so many back doors.

But casinos are one thing that turns a profit,

but >OIL & Gas RIGHTS< that's something that builds dynasties.

So close and warming to the heart of a megalomaniac,

who wants to dance with the big boys in the big room.

Mr. Shinegra party of One. Please waddle this way.

Edited March 13, 2012 by animatic

[scorecard]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenh...legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

Would this be the same Thaksin who was appointed as an advisor to the Cambodian PM?

One hand washes another.

And would this be the same thaksin who appointed a certain mr. nopadon as the FM, and then nopadon made decisions about this temple without cabinet approval, and was then accused of doing so to benefit his paymaster?

[animatic]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple, while Cambodia has submitted its case in the dispute to the United Nations’ highest court.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday that Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong travelled to The Hague on Thursday to deliver Cambodia’s case documents to the International Court of Justice.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post yesterday, Thaksin, the ousted brother of Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra, made a stark assessment of Thailand’s chances at the ICJ, warning that failure could stoke domestic political tensions. “Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said. He urged the government to explain the facts to the public to avoid serious internal conflict, but said it was unlikely his sister’s government would ask Cambodia to withdraw its case from the ICJ.

Continues:

http://www.phnompenh...legal-loss.html

Phnom Penh Post - March 12, 2012

.

Would this be the same Thaksin who was appointed as an advisor to the Cambodian PM?

One hand washes another.

And would this be the same thaksin who appointed a certain mr. nopadon as the FM, and then nopadon made decisions about this temple without cabinet approval, and was then accused of doing so to benefit his paymaster?

Actually it was with cabinet approval, but not Parliamentary approval, as constitutionally required.

Nopadom (Understand the job? Nope I'm Dumb.) took the fall for his not understanding his job description, but I was surprise more of Samaks Cabinet didn't go down for colluding with him.

Edited March 14, 2012 by animatic

[Buchholz]

Thaksin fears legal loss

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a pessimistic assessment of his country’s chances of winning an international legal battle over the Preah Vihear temple

“Frankly speaking, Thailand is at a disadvantage in this case,” Thaksin said.

... and now his cousin, the subject of the OP, parrots Thaksin's comments...

Foreign Minister says Thailand is at a disadvantage over Preah Vihear

BANGKOK, 14 March 2012 (NNT)-Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thailand would be at a disadvantage if Cambodia brings the Preah Vihear case back to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) although he said Thailand would fight the case to the best of its ability.

Surapong expressed concern that the Kingdom would only stand a chance of getting even or losing in the case.

He noted that the world court’s ruling on the Preah Vihear issue was first made during the administration of the 10th Prime Minister of Thailand, Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, and that the fence built at that time has nothing to do with border demarcation.

According to him, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will call a meeting of lawyers the government has hired to defend Thailand in the territorial dispute on May 10th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also prepared information in the forms of fact sheets, books and documentaries for distribution to the public to raise their awareness about the history of the overlapping zone.

-- NNT 2012-03-14

Edited March 14, 2012 by Buchholz