Kasit bears brunt of criticism

Analysts: UDD protests may gather momentum

By: BANGKOK POST REPORTERS

Published: 21st March, 2009

Newspaper section: News

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was given a particularly rough ride during the two-day censure debate, but the Democrat-led coalition government appears to have emerged largely unscathed prior to the House vote today.

Putting on a brave face After pondering the opposition’s allegations and resting his head to shake off tiredness, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya manages a smile before standing to defend himself. Photos by THITI WANNAMONTHA.

But political analysts say it will likely give momentum to the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra alliance's street protests.

Political observers and academics did not believe the two-day censure debate would lead to a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the ministers who were targeted.

Academic Narong Boonsuayfan, of Walailak University, said the opposition Puea Thai party hoped to use the debate to draw people to join a planned rally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) next Thursday at Sanam Luang.

''The opposition needs to justify its political campaign against the government. The information from the debate is likely to be used and expanded in its street protests,'' he said.

Political scientist Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, of Chulalongkorn University, said the debate failed to touch upon the government's handling of the country as it should have.

Puea Thai repeated the ''same old story'' which had been circulated within the pro-Thaksin community, but this time the story went out via the public media outlets, he said.

''With this debate the opposition managed to incite hatred using the public media outlets,'' he said.

At the focus of the second day of the debate was Foreign Minister Kasit for his ''personality issues'' and his support for the People's Alliance for Democracy's storming of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports late last year.

It is reported that certain government MPs are considering withholding a vote of confidence for him.

Puea Thai MP for Chiang Rai Wisaradee Techatheerawat said Mr Kasit was not fit for the foreign affairs portfolio because he had created enemies and caused disunity during his terms as Thai ambassador to several countries.

''He even quarrelled with a Thai scholar in Russia,'' she said.

Ms Wisaradee then accused Mr Kasit of demanding 50 tickets from Thai Air ways International, saying they would be used for promoting tourism. Instead, the foreign minister's relatives were seen taking free flights to Japan, she said.

Another woman Puea Thai MP debating against Mr Kasit yesterday was Chachoengsao MP Thitima Chaisang.

She presented a video clip of Mr Kasit speaking at a PAD protest following the Suvarnabhumi airport seizure.

Ms Thitima also played a voice clip of Mr Kasit talking to the foreign media, saying that it was fun with excellent music and food joining the group's rally at Suvarnabhumi airport.

Another clip showing Mr Kasit denouncing Cambodia leader Hun Sen as a bad guy. Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan, also a core member of the UDD, said Mr Kasit's earlier hostile stance toward Cambodia put him in an awkward position as foreign minister.

He accused Mr Kasit of failing to protest against Cambodia's construction of a road in the disputed border area in exchange for securing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's attendance at the recent Asean summit.

The foreign minister was also accused of acting like an ''international terrorist'' for his support of the airport seizures. Mr Kasit responded aggressively to the opposition MPs. He said he joined the PAD's rallies to fight against the corruption of the Thaksin regime and he was not ashamed of it.

On the border dispute with Cambodia, the minister denied allegations that he allowed Cambodia to encroach on Thai soil.

Mr Kasit said he had cooperated closely with the Thai military and that negotiations to settle the disputes with Phnom Penh were under way.

''We do our best to protect our sovereignty. There is no conflict of interests.'' On the Hun Sen issue, he said that the Cambodian leader threatened to give Thailand an ultimatum to pull out troops from the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple. He made his remark about Hun Sen's character at the time to protect Thailand's sovereignty.

But later he learned that Hun Sen made his comment because he was misinformed about the situation.

''My verbal attack was meant to protect Thailand's benefits,'' Mr Kasit said, ''but it was a misunderstanding.''

On the alleged disunity among civil servants, he said he took strong action against those who committed irregularities and corruption so he was disliked by the people affected.

About the THAI tickets, Mr Kasit conceded that he contacted the carrier about the possibility of reducing ticket prices to support Thai students in Japan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also spoke in support of Mr Kasit saying that he was not a PAD leader but only invited to speak at PAD rallies.

''However, if authorities concerned charge that he is guilty, I will not protect him,'' said the prime minister.

''I appointed Mr Kasit [as foreign minister] based on his qualifications, not in return for the kindness

[of the PAD],'' he said.