Published: 3/09/2011
Bangkok Post
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will ask Cambodia about alleged secret talks on oil and gas interests between former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Cambodia's deputy prime minister Sok An (pictured).
He said the inquiry seeks to establish if the meetings exposed by Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA) were of benefit to the Thai side.
On Tuesday, the CNPA, a government body under the supervision of Sok An, said Phnom Penh would welcome renewed negotiations with Thailand on resolving claims to the 27,000- square-kilometre stretch of seabed believed to be rich in oil and gas.
The authority said the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, which took power in 2008 and had rocky relations with Phnom Penh, had sought to resolve the dispute prior to this year's election. It said Bangkok and Phnom Penh had held secret talks to try to reach a deal.
Mr Surapong questioned in particular the timing of the meetings, which occurred close to the time when the Abhisit government resolved to revoke the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which involves the overlapping maritime claims.
The revocation did not take effect, however, as it did not receive parliamentary approval.
Mr Surapong called on Mr Suthep and Mr Abhisit to clarify the matter.
The foreign minister, who is scheduled to visit Cambodia on Sept 14, added he would hold talks with Cambodia about the case of Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who have been in jail in Phnom Penh since December on illegal entry and espionage charges.
Mr Suthep has admitted he met Sok An in Hong Kong but only to discuss bilateral relations, as assigned by the then-government.
He denied a claim that he and former defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon had set up an energy company to exploit future deals that could be made from the secret talks.
Mr Abhisit yesterday challenged the foreign minister to delve deeper into the origin of the 2001 MoU, signed by former foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai under the Thaksin government.
He asked why, if his government really had a secret deal that would be to Cambodia's benefit, the other side would issue a statement that seemed to discredit it. The public should monitor the interaction between Cambodia and the Pheu Thai-led government. "Phnom Penh seems to be fond of the government. Is it possible that they have some proposal to offer each other?" he asked.
Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut also dismissed the secret talks allegation. He said Mr Suthep and Mr Sok An met informally in Hong Kong and Kunming last year. Mr Chavanond said he accompanied Mr Suthep to Kunming himself.
He said the Democrats will show a letter which the Foreign Ministry sent in December, inviting Sok An to visit Thailand for further discussions.
The invitation would confirm there was no hidden agenda between Mr Suthep and Sok An, as it was a follow-up to their informal meetings in which both sides agreed to subsequent talks.
However, Sok An did not visit Thailand due to subsequent political unrest.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will ask Cambodia about alleged secret talks on oil and gas interests between former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Cambodia's deputy prime minister Sok An (pictured).
He said the inquiry seeks to establish if the meetings exposed by Cambodian National Petroleum Authority (CNPA) were of benefit to the Thai side.
On Tuesday, the CNPA, a government body under the supervision of Sok An, said Phnom Penh would welcome renewed negotiations with Thailand on resolving claims to the 27,000- square-kilometre stretch of seabed believed to be rich in oil and gas.
The authority said the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, which took power in 2008 and had rocky relations with Phnom Penh, had sought to resolve the dispute prior to this year's election. It said Bangkok and Phnom Penh had held secret talks to try to reach a deal.
Mr Surapong questioned in particular the timing of the meetings, which occurred close to the time when the Abhisit government resolved to revoke the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which involves the overlapping maritime claims.
The revocation did not take effect, however, as it did not receive parliamentary approval.
Mr Surapong called on Mr Suthep and Mr Abhisit to clarify the matter.
The foreign minister, who is scheduled to visit Cambodia on Sept 14, added he would hold talks with Cambodia about the case of Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who have been in jail in Phnom Penh since December on illegal entry and espionage charges.
Mr Suthep has admitted he met Sok An in Hong Kong but only to discuss bilateral relations, as assigned by the then-government.
He denied a claim that he and former defence minister Prawit Wongsuwon had set up an energy company to exploit future deals that could be made from the secret talks.
Mr Abhisit yesterday challenged the foreign minister to delve deeper into the origin of the 2001 MoU, signed by former foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai under the Thaksin government.
He asked why, if his government really had a secret deal that would be to Cambodia's benefit, the other side would issue a statement that seemed to discredit it. The public should monitor the interaction between Cambodia and the Pheu Thai-led government. "Phnom Penh seems to be fond of the government. Is it possible that they have some proposal to offer each other?" he asked.
Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut also dismissed the secret talks allegation. He said Mr Suthep and Mr Sok An met informally in Hong Kong and Kunming last year. Mr Chavanond said he accompanied Mr Suthep to Kunming himself.
He said the Democrats will show a letter which the Foreign Ministry sent in December, inviting Sok An to visit Thailand for further discussions.
The invitation would confirm there was no hidden agenda between Mr Suthep and Sok An, as it was a follow-up to their informal meetings in which both sides agreed to subsequent talks.
However, Sok An did not visit Thailand due to subsequent political unrest.
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