Noppadon blasts Suwit for "failure"

Bangkok Post, 26 June 2011

Noppadon Pattama, a lawyer for former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, on Sunday strongly criticised National Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti for withdrawing Thailand from the World Heritage Convention.

Mr Suwit, head of the Thai delegation to the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris, last night announced Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention after a disappointing decision by its secretariat to advance Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Noppadon, a former foreign minister of the Thaksin administration, said Mr Suwit, as expected, failed to convince other members of the World Heritage Convention to postpone consideration of Cambodia's proposed management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.

"You failed because you have few friends in the world forum," he wrote in his personal Facebook page.
Mr Noppadon said the withdrawal from the World Heritage Convention would cause considerable damage to Thailand, which would no longer be able to list its ancient ruins and national parks as world heritage sites.
He said Thailand could take other actions to protect its territoral sovereignty than resigning from the World Heritage Convention.