Joint panel to study JBC MoUs [Thailand's stalling tactics?]

Chai Chidchob, with garland, greeted by Cambodian National Assembly chairman Heng Samrin (R) during his visit to Cambodia early last year. Chai Chidchob is a Khmer Surin.

Published: 2/11/2010

Bangkok Post

The joint sitting of the House and the Senate on Tuesday resolved to set up a joint committee to study three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed by the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission (JBC) and report in 30 days.

The three memos must be endorsed by parliament under Article 190 of the constitution in order to go into effect.

The resolution, passed by a vote of 260-10 with 57 abstentions, is for a joint parliament committee - comprising 23 MPs and seven senators - to be set up to study the three memos for 30 days.

The joint sitting, chaired by Parliament President Chai Chidchob, began at 9.30am.

Some of the lawmakers called for the government to withdraw the three MoUs, reasoning that the matter required careful consideration as a number of People's Alliance for Democracy protesters were gathering to oppose them in front of parliament.

There might be problems if they were endorsed right away, they said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said the government would look after the country's best interests in handling the demarcation of the border in dispute.

"The past disputes showed that a clearly defined border line would prevent and ease tensions between the two countries. It would also ensure mutual security along the border," Mr Kasit said.

He said the government has opted not to station soldiers in the disputed area bcause it wants to solve the border conflict through peaceful means. Doing this does not mean a loss of territory.

Prime Ministe Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had three recent meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who now understands that the three JBC memos under the 2000 MOU must undergo a parliamentary process, as required by the constitution.

It is necessary for Thailand to show sincerely that it wants to use bilateral mechanisms to solve problems, he said.

Mr Abhisit said he had no objection to parliament setting up a joint committee to study the MoUs.

In a subsequent vote, the joint sitting resolved to up the joint committee to study the memos for 30 days.