Puea Thai savages Kasit

Kasit talks to reporters.

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 20th March, 2009

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya came under savage attack for his previous association with the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy as opposition MPs turned their focus on him during the second day of the no-confidence debate on Friday.

Mr Kasit was labelled a terrorist and a criminal.

Puea Thai MPs took him to task for alleged failure to protest against incursions by Cambodian troops into the disputed area adjacent to Khao Phra Viharn temple, called Preah Vihear by the Cambodians.

Democrat MPs rose in his defence, trading verbal blows with their opponents across the chamber.

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

She said he had once demanded a piano from a businessman, claiming that it would be for a senior figure. The piano was later seen at Mr Kasit's home, she said.

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

Democrat MP for Samut Sakhon Rangsima Roadrasmee hit out savagely at Ms Wisaradee, calling her brainless and deriding her for having to read from a prepared statement instead of knowing what she wanted to say.

Ms Rangsima's volley caused several other female MPs to protest loudly in defence of Ms Wisaradee, a first-time MP.

Ms Rangsima was ordered to withdraw her comments.

After the turmoil settled, Puea Thai MP for Chachoengsao Thitima Chaisaeng took the stage, playing video and audio clips of Mr Kasit speaking at a demonstration by the People's Alliance for Democracy after the group's seizure of Suvarnabhumi airport, and of him denouncing Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as a bad guy.

Puea Thai MP Somkid Balthaisong sniped at Mr Kasit's personality and said he was not qualified for the job of foreign minister.

He also claimed Mr Kasit was opposed to the policies of his own government. He said the foreign minister once told the media he hated populist policies, many of which have been adopted by the Democrat party.

Then, Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan accused Mr Kasit of siding with the PAD and leading the seizure of Suvarnabhumi airport last year.

He accused him of damaging the economy, saying the country had lost more than 200 billion baht during the airport;s closure.

Mr Jatuporn branded Mr Kasit a terrorist and a criminal, saying he deserves execution.

Mr Kasit said in reply that he was invited to speak on the PAD's stage as an academic, but was never asked to participate in the planning of the group's activities.

"I do not feel ashamed for going out in public to show my opposition to the Thaksin Shinawatra regime," he said. "I'm ready to join any groups that are against dictatorship."

Then he clarified the border issue, giving the House an assurance that Thai sovereignty would not be damaged.

The talks between the Thai and Cambodian governments on the border conflict have to be on-going and peaceful and cannot be rushed, he said.

The foreign minister insisted that relations between the two countries are sound.