BANGKOK (AFP) — Anti-government activists Monday urged Thailand's top anti-corruption watchdog to consider treason charges against the prime minister for backing a deal with Cambodia on a disputed Hindu temple.
The Constitutional Court last week ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet had violated the charter by signing a deal on the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple without seeking parliament's approval.
Foreign minister Noppadon Pattama resigned over the controversy, which has raised the threat of impeachment proceedings against the cabinet.
Now royalist activists from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) want Samak and other top officials, including deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to face treason charges, which are punishable by execution.
Samak and his ruling People Power Party are closely aligned with Thaksin, who was toppled in a coup by royalist generals two years ago.
"The cabinet members, senior officials and former prime minister Thaksin committed severe crimes against the country," PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told AFP.
The PAD submitted a letter Monday to the National Counter Corruption Commission, urging an investigation into the entire 34-member cabinet as well as Thaksin, top foreign ministry officials, and the Thai ambassador to France, the spokesman said.
The letter accused the cabinet of causing Thailand to lose territory to Cambodia, working to benefit a foreign state, and inciting an international conflict.
The scandal began last month when Noppadon signed a deal with Cambodia, backing its effort to win World Heritage status for the temple.
Although the World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, critics of the government have stoked a nationalist uproar, accusing the government of giving away Thai land to Cambodia.
The exact border around the temple has never been agreed. The dispute has raised tensions in both countries, with Cambodia closing the temple after Thai protesters tried to march to the site.
The Constitutional Court last week ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet had violated the charter by signing a deal on the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple without seeking parliament's approval.
Foreign minister Noppadon Pattama resigned over the controversy, which has raised the threat of impeachment proceedings against the cabinet.
Now royalist activists from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) want Samak and other top officials, including deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to face treason charges, which are punishable by execution.
Samak and his ruling People Power Party are closely aligned with Thaksin, who was toppled in a coup by royalist generals two years ago.
"The cabinet members, senior officials and former prime minister Thaksin committed severe crimes against the country," PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told AFP.
The PAD submitted a letter Monday to the National Counter Corruption Commission, urging an investigation into the entire 34-member cabinet as well as Thaksin, top foreign ministry officials, and the Thai ambassador to France, the spokesman said.
The letter accused the cabinet of causing Thailand to lose territory to Cambodia, working to benefit a foreign state, and inciting an international conflict.
The scandal began last month when Noppadon signed a deal with Cambodia, backing its effort to win World Heritage status for the temple.
Although the World Court ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, critics of the government have stoked a nationalist uproar, accusing the government of giving away Thai land to Cambodia.
The exact border around the temple has never been agreed. The dispute has raised tensions in both countries, with Cambodia closing the temple after Thai protesters tried to march to the site.
8 comments:
"The exact border around the temple has never been agreed"
Absolutely wrong, ICJ ruled that It is belong to Cambodia according to Franco-Siam treaty in 1903-07. Thai accepted it but later Thai draw a new border line with do not agree by Cambodian site to fake the world.
They know that their unilateral map is just a piece of junk. But they keep trying in case Cambodia fall for it.
To the world their new map has now value all.
They know that their unilateral map is just a piece of junk. But they keep trying in case Cambodia fall for it.
To the world their new map has no value at all.
Thailand should know the case of this matter was closed way back in 1962.
THE CASE IS CLOSED!!
HOW ELSE DO WE HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW THIS?
THESE MONKEY THAI DO NOT UNDERSTAND HUMAN'S LANGUAGE!!!!!!!!!
Now it is time for Khmer to reclaim those provinces in Thailand.
1-Trat
2-Chantaburi
3-Srah Keo
4-Surin
5-Buri Ram
6-Nokor Reach
7-Kor Rat
8-Udor Theani
and much more!!!!!!
etc..............!!
The Bangkok Post will write more shit until Samak's head fall to the ground.
If they don't succeed the PAD will be extinct along with their king.
Cambodia must returned the Temple back to Khmer People in Issan province, and stop causing anymore trouble for everyone in the region.
4.23: No way, If Khmer in Issan Provinces want the temple, we're all Khmers in Cambodia, and the rest of the world are not oppose them but what Khmer Issan should do is to fight the Siamese to declare the independent and then united with Cambodia that is the best solution and we will not trouble the region as what you said. This is should be clear to you.
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