Thailand: Kasit appointed to repay PAD

Jatuporn: Kasit appointed to repay PAD

Source: Bangkok Post
By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 19/03/2009 at 04:05 PM
The Democrat-led government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was not formed in a democratic way, opposition Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan told parliament on Thursday.

He claimed during the censure debate that the government appointed People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporter Kasit Piromya to cabinet as foreign minister to repay the yellow-clad group, which had helped bring down the previous administration.

Mr Kasit, participated in the PAD's occupation of Suvarnabhumi airport late last year, is still a suspect in the police investigation, even though the court has not considered the case yet, Mr jatuporn said.

He claimed the foreign minister also had problems with Cambodia and was unable to handle the border dispute between the two countries.

He said the Suranaree task force submitted eight letters to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asking the government to oppose the Cambodian government's construction of a road in the disputed border area, but Mr Kasit took no action.

Mr Jatuporn said it was possible the government allowed this to happen in exchange for Cambodia attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Cha-am, Petchabun, last month.

He said the government had decided to lessen the penalty for protesters who occupied Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports last year from a possible death sentence to a fine of 500 to 10,000 baht. M

Mr Jatuporn said this would benefit the PAD.

"And on top of failing to take action against these lawbreakers, the government decided to reward them.

''What was the prime minister thinking?" Mr Jatuporn said.

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