Testing time for new [Thai] foreign minister

September 9, 2008
The Nation

Saroj Chavanavirat was officially named as the new foreign minister yesterday, replacing Tej Bunnag, who abruptly resigned last week. Saroj has a daunting task in his new assignment, as he will have to represent Thailand in the eyes of the international community at a time when the country's reputation has been dampened by the current political paralysis.

If Saroj can survive the Cabinet term to the year's end, besides having to explain to the international community the current political situation in Thailand, he will have another major assignment to continue: how to organise Asean meetings, with Thailand currently assuming the Asean chairmanship.

Saroj is widely regarded as being qualified for the post, thanks to his extensive experience in foreign affairs. He was the permanent secretary at the Foreign Ministry and served as ambassador to France.

Saroj becomes the third foreign minister in the Samak government in just seven months.

In fact, Prime Minister Samak never put international policy on his agenda. However, the dispute with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple forced Samak's first foreign minister, Noppadon Pattama, to step down because he was accused of failing to protect the country's interests.

Saroj has entered politics at a moment when Thailand is facing unusual and extreme circumstance, when governing politicians are accused of being proxies. The public has become more enthusiastic in participating in democracy and Thailand is under the microscope of the international community due to a series of negative incidents. For instance, the Thai courts have been criticised by certain international media groups for pursuing cases against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

We would not bet on Saroj's longevity in the Samak Cabinet. However, he will still have to prove to the public that he serves the national and public interest despite the current political turbulence. Saroj's performance each day in the Foreign Ministry will matter to the nation.

Border talks with Cambodia to go ahead next month

SAROJ TO DO HIS BEST TO MEND TIES, WILL STICK TO TIMETABLE SET BY PREDECESSOR

Sunday September 07, 2008
ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister-designate Saroj Chavanaviraj has pledged to keep trying to mend ties with Cambodia and do his best to chair the Association of Southeast Asean Nations (Asean) meeting. Mr Saroj, 66, who said he would not give any formal interviews until his appointment is royally endorsed, stressed that he was committed to following the Thai-Cambodia meeting timeframe of the Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).

Under the timeframe, agreed upon between his predecessor Tej Bunnag and the Cambodian foreign minister on Aug 19, both ministers would meet next month after the reduction of troops on the border near the Preah Vihear temple was completed.

Chairing the regional grouping would also be another main duty of the retired diplomat.

He said he would do his best in his new job.

Meanwhile, the commander-designate of the Second Army, Wiboonsak Neeparn, who is also the co-chair of the Thai-Cambodian Border Committee, said the political turmoil in Bangkok could be one of the reasons behind the indefinite postponement of the RBC meeting, which was to discuss the second phase of the troop redeployment in the controversial area around the Preah Vihear temple.

The meeting was to have taken place on Aug 29. Lt-Gen Wiboonsak conceded that Cambodia may not want to hold talks until the political conflict is resolved.

Another reason, he said, was the reshuffle and promotions within the Thai army. He will officially take over the post of Second Army commander on Oct 1.

Lt-Gen Wiboonsak stressed that both countries must honour the basic principle of the military reduction on equal terms.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Cambodia would withdraw all its military personnel from around the temple, which was listed as a World Heritage site on July 8, and install policemen instead.

Cambodia still has about 500 soldiers around the eastern side of the Preah Vihear foothill, while Thailand has deployed about 300 soldiers on the western side of the hill.

Foreign Ministry officials, however, predicted that progress in the Thai-Cambodian talks might not be as satisfactory as many would have hoped amid the political instability in Thailand.

The interim agreement to resolve the Preah Vihear border issues, which has to be endorsed by parliament to comply with the law on treaties, has not gone on the agenda of the cabinet meeting.

The interim agreement, prepared by the ministry with approval from the Cambodian side at a meeting in the resort town of Cha-am last month, was to provide a legal platform for officials to discuss the issues related to the border survey and demarcation under the terms of reference and master plan of the initial JBC agreement.

Thai Prime Minister Nominates Third Foreign Minister in 7 Months

By VOA News
06 September 2008

Career diplomat to be added to current administration

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej nominated a retired career diplomat as the country's new foreign minister today (Saturday), the third in seven months.

The Bangkok Post reports Saroj Chavanaviraj would replace Tej Bunnag who resigned earlier in the week amid the political crisis and street protests surrounding the current administration.

He had replaced Noppadon Pattama who resigned July 10th after backing Cambodia's bid to have an 11th century temple on the countries' shared border declared a World Heritage Site.

Saroj is a former ambassador to France and has held several positions in Thailand's foreign ministry.

He must be endorsed by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej before becoming Foreign Minister.

Mr. Samak is under added pressure to fill the open post because Thailand is hosting a regional summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in December.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters.

Ex-diplomat is new Thai FM

Sep 6, 2008
REUTERS

BANGKOK - THAI Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has chosen retired diplomat Saroj Chavanaviraj as the new foreign minister, newspapers reported on Saturday, the third one in seven months of fraught coalition government.

Mr Saroj, 66, replaces Mr Tej Bunnag, a career diplomat with close ties to the palace who resigned this week amid a political crisis engulfing Mr Samak.

Anti-government activists have occupied Mr Samak's official compound for 12 days, demanding he quit. They have rejected his offer to hold a referendum.

Mr Tej was appointed in July after a row over a temple with neighbouring Cambodia forced out his predecessor.

Finding a quick replacement for Mr Tej was crucial for Bangkok, currently holder of the rotating chairmanship of the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) and host of its regional summit in December.

Mr Saroj retired as ambassador to France in 2001 and has served as the head of various departments in the Foreign Ministry.