Puea Pandin may pull out of govt over temple issue

Proper explanation is needed, says the party

The Puea Pandin party may pull out of the coalition government if the People Power party (PPP) fails during the censure debate today to explain its speedy support of Cambodia's attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. A source in Puea Pandin said party executives and MPs held a meeting yesterday and party chairman Vatana Asavahame ordered the party to pull out if the PPP could not defend its actions on Preah Vihear because it was an important issue for the nation.

''Ministers of the [Puea Pandin] party admitted to the meeting that there were attempts to rush the issue through the cabinet while no one else was aware of the information and facts concerned.

''The foreign minister claimed it was classified even though it obviously concerns national sovereignty and security under article 190 of the constitution,'' said the source.

The article requires the government to organise public hearings and seek parliamentary approval before signing any international agreements that may affect national sovereignty.

However, last week Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama won cabinet approval to support Cambodia's bid to list Preah Vihear as a World heritage site. This came after the armed forces agreed to the new map proposed by Cambodia.

Mr Noppadon categorised the agreement to support the Cambodian side as a joint communique, not an international treaty which requires parliamentary endorsement.

Still, critics note the agreement will revoke Thailand's right to reclaim the ancient temple if new evidence comes to light after the International Court of Justice ruled in favour of Cambodia's ownership of the temple in 1962.

Puea Pandin spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakorn admitted yesterday that the issue concerned his party.

So far, the details of the agreement have not been publicised, although the issue concerns national sovereignty which MPs must join forces and do their best to protect, he said.

''All politicians should prioritise issues that concern national sovereignty. The Puea Pandin party MPs will listen to the government's explanation before making a decision,'' he said, referring to the vote by Puea Pandin MPs after the debate.

Puea Pandin has 24 votes in the House, while the six-party coalition has a total of 316 votes.

The Democrats, the sole opposition party, have 164.

The debate is scheduled to be held from this afternoon until tomorrow.

Banharn Silpa-archa, leader of the coalition Chart Thai party, confirmed yesterday that his party would remain in the coalition with the PPP and stay in the national administration.

Mr Banharn ruled out the possibility of the five other coalition parties defecting to the Democrats to form a new government.

He told reporters that Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Pracharaj, Matchimathipataya and the Democrats would have a total of only 244 votes, only four more than half the total number of seats in the House of 480, which would not be enough to form a strong government.

With this number of votes, there would be a risk of factions rebelling, said Mr Banharn.

PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang pointed out yesterday that the Democrats were grilling only PPP ministers and it hoped that the five other coalition partners would defect to it. He said the Democrats would be disappointed.

Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul said yesterday that the censure debate would at least prompt a cabinet reshuffle and possibly radical change.

The Preah Vihear temple, the economic doldrums and the leasing plan for 6,000 new air-conditioned public buses, which has been approved by the cabinet, are among the crucial issues up for debate.

The Democrats will grill Mr Samak, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan, Mr Noppadon, Transport Minister Santi Prompat, Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri, Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat and Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.