SINGAPORE, July 22 (TNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has acceded to Thailand's request that Thailand and Cambodia be allowed to solve their border dispute on a bilateral basis, without ASEAN assistance at this point, according to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Banditkul.

Cambodia on Monday petitioned the regional organisation for its help.

Accepting the Thai request, ASEAN will allow Thailand and Cambodia to talk with each other to resolve the dispute over Preah Vihear temple to the utmost of their ability before seeking outsiders to have a role to intervene in the territorial conflict between both countries, according to the Thai deputy prime minister who heads the Thai delegation attending the ASEAN ministerial meeting.

The Thai side's stance was made after Phnom Penh had sought regional intervention in its territorial dispute after talks between Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit and Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Banh failed to end a military standoff around the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong asked Singapore, the chair of ASEAN, to form a regional "inter-ministerial group" comprising foreign ministers of Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Laos to help find a peaceful solution to the current crisis and avoid a military standoff by the two ASEAN members.

"Thai troops with artillery and tanks are building up along the border, constituting a very serious threat not only to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia, but also to peace and stability in the region,'' he said in the letter to Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo late Monday.

Members of the ASEAN delegation were briefed by their Thai and Cambodian counterparts at a working lunch on Tuesday about the situation.

"As ASEAN still insisted on the statement that the chairman put out on Sunday evening, that (we) expect the two sides were going to find amicable solutions to the issues between them and that ASEAN still stands ready to extend any support if the two sides would like ASEAN to play a role. But we did not go any further than that," said ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan

"I think the atmosphere was just to exchange information and to exchange views on matters of ASEAN, of
ASEAN's role in various issues in the region and the issue of Cambodia and Thailand came up as one issue, nothing formal, nothing official," he said.

The Thai delegation head said earlier he welcomed ASEAN's readiness to play an active role in helping solve the territorial dispute.

However, he insisted both countries should be given more time to address the conflict in a friendly and cooperative manner first.

Meanwhile, Lt-Gen Suchit Sitthiprapa, 2nd Army Area Commander, said Thailand might distance troops from
Cambodian soldiers to lessen possible clash, but units will remain near Preah Vihear temple compound until
a solution is found. (TNA)

BANGKOK, July 23 (TNA) - In response to Cambodia's diplomatic offensive concerning the current border spat, Thailand handed a letter to the 15-member United Nations Security Council reaffirming Thailand's intention to solve the dispute through bilateral talks, according to the Thai ambassador to the UN.

Don Pramudwinai told Thai News Agency's morning news TV programme on Wednesday that Thailand had made the move following Cambodia's seeking UN intervention in its dispute with Thailand over ownership of the land adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple.

The land in dispute is a 4.6-square-kilometre parcel overlapping area claimed both by Kanthalarak district in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

"In the face of this imminent state of war, this very serious threat to our independence and territorial integrity, we have an obligation to resort to the UN Security Council,'' Cambodia Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said.

The Thai ambassador to the UN said Cambodia wanted the Security Council to hold an emergency meeting over the issue on Monday (July 28) despite Thailand's objection.

He said, however, that Thailand will ponder further moves pending the council's response over the issue.

"The council will call a meeting tomorrow and we will see to it whether or not the council will hold an emergency session upon Cambodia's request," Mr. Don said.

"How the council members will react and any implications that would affect Thailand remains to be seen," the Thai ambassador to the UN said, adding that Bangkok had disagreed with Phnom Penh's move from the start for fear that it might undermine the solidarity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier expressed concern on Monday over the escalating tension, calling on Thailand and Cambodia to peacefully resolve the conflict after talks between Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh failed to end a military standoff around the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Both Thailand and Cambodia are members of ASEAN which is currently holding its annual foreign ministers meeting in Singapore.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat suggested that the two countries should avoid using multilateral platform.

Asked what the ministry would do if the Cambodian government urges the International Court of Justice to intervene and make a ruling on the disputed area surrounding the ancient temple, he said Thailand has the right to decide whether it should go before the Court with Cambodia.

The UN Security Council cannot force Thailand, he said.

The 11th century temple site was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, Mr. Tharit said, but the ruling did not concern the disputed area. He said further that Ministry of Foreign Affairs legal team is studying the power of the Court. (TNA)

mcot.net thailand

BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA)--Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to his homeland amid tight security Thursday morning, ending 17 months of self-imposed exile abroad since the Sept ember 2006 military coup that ousted him from the country's leadership.

Once stepping on the Thai soil, Mr. Thaksin knelt down, placed both his hands on the ground and bowed down.

At least 600 policemen were deployed at Suvarnabhumi airport where a large crowd of Thaksin supporters, many of them carrying placards welcoming him back, waited anxiously for his arrival.

Mr. Thaksin, accompanied by his aides and a group of journalists, travelled from Hong Kong on a Thai Airways International flight TG603. He was welcomed at Suvarnabhumi airport by members of the present and previous cabinets.

The ex-premier went directly from Suvarnabhumi airport to the Supreme Court and was scheduled to move later to the Office of the Attorney-General to surrender himself to the authorities to fight malfeasance charges.

The Supreme Court's Crime Division for Holders of Political Positions has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Thaksin over the 772-million-baht purchase of Bangkok prime land from the Financial Institutions Development Fund in 2003. The Assets Examination Committee found that he used his position to influence the deal.

The Department of Special Investigation has charged Mr. Thaksin and his wife Pojaman for allegedly concealing ownership of shares in family business, SC Asset. (TNA)




Political News : Last Update : 10:24:11 28 February 2008 (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) - Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed on Wednesday his return to Thailand on Thursday morning from self-imposed exile overseas to fight his corruption charges, but that he would stay out of politics.

Mr. Thaksin was removed in a bloodless military coup in September 2006 while he was abroad and has mostly lived in London since then.

He reiterated in an interview from Hong Kong on Wednesday night his intention was purely to fight corruption charges and he did not want to re-enter politics.

"I will go back home tomorrow to defend myself in a case in which I was unfairly accused....I will not get involved in politics or the People Power Party," he said, referring to the ruling party comprised of his loyalists which won December elections by campaigning as the proxy for Thaksin's former ruling party.

The ousted premier and his wife are charged with corruption in relation to the purchase of a Bt772 million (US$26 million) plot of land in Bangkok's Rachadapisek area in 2003, while he served as prime minister.

The former premier is accused of illegally influencing the deal and helping his wife purchase the government-owned parcel of land at a bargain price while he was in office.

Mr. Thaksin and his wife, who returned to Thailand last month and was released on bail pending trial, have both repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat who oversees the management of the Airports Authority of Thailand or AoT and Thai Airways International said the two organizations were prepared to prepare for Mr. Thaksin’s arrival.

Mr. Santi himself would go to welcome Mr. Thaksin at the gateside.

The former prime minister said he would board Thai Flight TG 603 from Hong Kong and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 9.40 am local time.

The Aot closed Zone G including the parking structure on since Wednesday and stepped up security with over 500 police were being deployed to provide extra security for his return. (TNA)










MCOT Political News : Last Update : 21:52:33 27 February 2008 (GMT+7:00)

Thai new prime minister pleads for chance to run the country
BANGKOK, Jan 29 (TNA) -Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday told Thai people to have confidence in him and pleaded for a chance to run the country despite verbal insults and sarcastic remarks against him in the past.

"Whoever insulted me and looked down on me, you'll have to give me some time. The previous prime minister was a militaryman and he could run the country for 16 months. I'm a politician and I can also do it. I have my team to work with me. Please have faith in us," said Mr. Samak in a speech immediately after a ceremony to be officially bestowed the premiership at His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's command.

Likening the administration of a country to driving a car, Mr. Samak said each person has the responsibility of taking care of each part of the car which can be driven into different conditions whether on bumpy roads, in broad daylight or night time.

"As head of the government who has to drive this car in an abnornal situation, I beg for a chance to solve pending problems for the country's survival," said the outspoken PM. "I have to say this because I've been forced by the situation to do it. I've been insulted by lots of people and I must be patient. Now I'm running the country; so allow me to do it."

In a harsh tone, he strongly emphasised his leadership at the People Power Party (PPP) which commands 233 seats in the 480-seat House of Representatives and despite having been in politics for almost 40 years "this will be the first time that I will take the premier's role."

"I assure all of you that I can do it. The past 24 prime ministers had been patriotic, protecting the religion and loyal to the monarchy. Compared to them, I'm no less loyal to the monarchy," Mr. Samak said. "We have had the monarchy for hundreds of year and the institution will continue to be with us."

Apparently defending ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the stern-faced Samak said, "Whoever dares to accuse others of being disloyal to the monarchy has acted unfairly.The accused person is no less loyal to the monarchy."

A congratulatory banquet was held at Samak's residence in Bangkok's Bungkuem on Tuesday evening. PPP secretary general Surapong Suebwonglee led dozens of PPP members who met at the PPP headquarters and travelled to Mr. Samak's residence in two coaches.

Many other members in the coalition bloc separately arrived to join the function. (TNA)


mcot news: Political News : Last Update : 18:39:20 29 January 2008 (GMT+7:00)

Samak pleads for unity
PPP leader begs coalition partners to stick together to ensure stability of government

By Surasak Glahan & Manop Thip-Osod

People Power party (PPP) leader Samak Sundaravej yesterday begged his five political allies to not split prematurely from the newly-formed 315-seat government to ensure the stability of the new administration.


"How can you ask this kind of qustion? Don't you know the answer will be made by voting in the parliament, not in this room? Do you get it?" — SAMAK SUNDARAVEJ, PEOPLE POWER PARTY LEADER

"I asked for your cooperation to stick together with this figure of 315 [parliamentary seats]," he said at a press conference held jointly with the Chart Thai, Matchimatipataya, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Puea Pandin and Pracharaj parties to confirm their participation in a coalition government.

With these numbers in the 480-seat parliament, the new government should be stable enough, and the five smaller parties should not make any honeymoon period short-lived by splitting away, he said.

None of the five parties' representatives mentioned the issue, except Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong, who said stability would be the responsibility of all parties in the coalition.

Representative of parties at the event were Matchimatipataya secretary-general Anongwan Thepsutin, Chart Thai chief adviser Maj-Gen Sanan Kachornprasart, Puea Pandin chief Suvit Khunkitti and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Gen Chettha Thanajaro.

Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-acha and Matchimatipataya party leader Prachai Leophairatana decided not to be there.

All five parties said they decided to join the coalition led by the PPP because they believed the party backed by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had legitimacy to form a government.

They said they wanted to respect the decision of the majority of voters, who rewarded the PPP with 233 seats in the election.

Political scientist Somjai Phagapasvivat of Thammasat University said the new government could expect the same level of parliamentary stability as that of its predecessor the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, which was dissolved last year for poll fraud.

This is because all the parties, except Chart Thai, are former TRT factions who together worked in the two stable governments under the management of Mr Thaksin, then the TRT leader, he said.

This time there will be "an invisible hand" who will deliver the same management to ensure a strong government, he said.

Threats to the government's stability could be expected from factors outside parliament such as opponents of Mr Thaksin, who may disapprove of the style of Mr Samak in handling the top job, said Mr Somjai.

Despite the five parties confirming they had joined the new government, they did not say whether they would support Mr Samak becoming prime minister.

Mr Samak blasted journalists who demanded answers to the question.

"How can you ask this kind of question? Don't you know the answer will be made by voting in the parliament, not in this room? Do you get it?" he shouted at a journalist who repeatedly asked the same question.

He also declined to answer a number of questions on the new government's economic policies, saying reporters should wait for policy statements to be made in the parliament. He said after the conference that the new cabinet should be ready within the next two weeks.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the PPP-led government not to plunge itself into more conflicts and to not steer its MPs on the "wrong track".

Mr Abhisit was concerned that the new government would use its majority of seats to serve its own interests and intervene in investigations into the Thaksin administration, which was alleged to have abused its absolute parliamentary power.

"Please don't bring back the old problems," Mr Abhisit told reporters as he was going to help campaign for Democrat candidates in a by-election in Udon Thani.

With 163 seats in the lower house, he said the Democrats were ready for the opposition role. "It would not be difficult for us to work with this number," said Mr Abhisit.

Democrat MPs will meet tomorrow to discuss their next political moves and nominate MPs to compete for the House speaker and deputy jobs.

PPP, five parties to form Thai coalition government
BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) – The People Power Party (PPP) and five smaller political parties Saturday jointly announced that they would form a coalition government, almost a month after a general election was held in Thailand.

Leaders and senior executives of the five smaller parties told a press conference, held at a Bangkok hotel, that they had decided to join the PPP-led coalition government in order to enable Thailand to move forward and to resolve crisis
facing the country.

Joining the PPP in the coalition government were the Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Pracharat and Matchimatipataya parties.

Their formal agreement to join the coalition government to be formed will leave the Democrat Party which gained second place in the election after the PPP to sit alone on the opposition bench in the 480-member House of representatives (Lower House).

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej told the press conference that the next step was that the first House meeting will be held Monday, which would be followed by the election of the speaker of the House of Representatives, the prime minister and appointments of cabinet ministers.

Thanking the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties for joining the coalition government, the 72-year-old Samak said the six-party coalition government which commanded 315 seats of the 480-seat total in the House would be strong enough to make a stable government and be able to solve the problems facing the country.

So far no discussions on ministerial portfolios have been reported by the leaders of the six parties, as they have to await the opening of the first session of the House, election of the House speaker and the prime minister before talks could be held, said Mr. Samak, who would become the new prime minister as his party swept most seats in the election.

Mr. Samak, however, sidestepped a reporter's question as to whether the leaders of the five parties joining the coalition would support him to become Thailands next prime minister, saying that: "The question shouldn't be posed and in accordance with the constitution, the prime minister is elected inside the House and not from this (hotel) room."

He said the cabinet line-up would become clearer in the next 15 days.

Apart from Mr. Samak, the key leaders appearing at the press conference were PPP secretary general Surapong Suebwonglee, Chart Thai chief advisor Maj.Gen. Sanan Kachornprasart, Matchimatipataya represented by Secretary General Anongwan Thepsuthin, Pracharaj by its leader Sanoh Thienthong, Puea Paendin by leader Suwit Khunkitti and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Gen. Chetta Thanajaro.

Chart Thai leader Banhan Silpa-archa did not appear at the press conference. (TNA)-E003,E111


Political News :MCOT.COM: Last Update : 17:25:39 19 January 2551 (GMT+7:00)