Plodprasop questions Suwit's decision [-Suwit's mistaken gamble?]

26/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention may require prior approval from parliament as doing so involves territory and national integrity, Pheu Thai Party deputy leader Plodprasop Surasawadee said on Sunday.

Mr Plodprasop was referring to Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention after its secretariat to decided to advance Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple for consideration.

Thailand had tried unsuccessfully to push for postponement of the World Heritage Convention's consideration of the management plan for the Preah Vihear temple until the Thai-Cambodian boundary in dispute was clearly defined.

The withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention was made last night by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris.

Mr Plodprasop said this was a serious matter and the Thai people should be given a clear explanation.

He questioned if Mr Suwit's decision was agreed on by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Since withdrawing from the World Heritage Convention was a matter involving territory and national integrity, why the government had done so in a hurry without first seeking parliamentary approval.

As a general elelction would be held in a week from now, he wondered why the government did not leave the decision to be made by the next government.

Mr Plodprasop said without Thailand in it, the World Heritage Convention could continue to hold a meeting. Thailand's absence would even make it easier for the convention to make a decision without an obstruction.

The withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention had only deprived Thailand's chance to list many ancient ruins and national parks as world heritage sites which could draw a large number of tourists, he said.