Foreign Minister Kasit slams 'crybaby' PAD

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Foreign Minister Kasit slams 'crybaby' PAD
By THE NATION
2011-01-28

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday branded the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) as a "crybaby" for making demands he deemed unreasonable in the border issues with Cambodia.

"Integrity hinges on prudence and maturity. Don't act like a baby and allow feelings to cloud your judgement," he said.
Kasit said the government would not bow to the PAD's demands for cancellation of the 2000 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia, Thailand's withdrawal from Unesco's World Heritage Committee and expulsion of Cambodian citizens from Thai territory.

He made his remarks in an interview aired by the Nation Channel.

He said Thailand had international obligations under the United Nations and Asean to see to it that Southeast Asia became a borderless community and that Cambodia's prosperity was to Thailand's benefit. The two countries are neighbours co-depending on one another, he said, and he questioned the merit of the PAD's call for the use of force to resolve the border dispute.

"The Abhisit Vejjajiva government is not prone to use force or to insult a neighbouring country," he said.

"My message today is intended for all the Thais, not just those in the PAD. Do you want to opt for fighting with Cambodia or retaining ties and helping one another develop the Asean countries together?"

Thailand and Cambodia share the same heritage, and bilateral ties should be based on common culture and traditions instead of picking on differences, he said.

"Instead of confrontation, our 700-kilometre-long border, including rich resources in the sea, should be made to serve the people's aspirations in two countries," Kasit said.

The foreign minister said he had not changed, arguing that even though he once joined PAD-led protests in 2008, he could not comply with what he saw as petulant demands from the PAD. He regarded as inappropriate, the invoking of international relations as bargaining leverage to advance a domestic political agenda.

"My appeal to my compatriots all over the country and in the PAD is that the Cambodian issue should not be used in an attempt to build up political support," he said.

Kasit said he would attend the 7th Joint Boundary Committee meeting between the two countries in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap on February 3 and 4. He would also visit PAD activist Veera Somkwamkid, who has been jailed in Phnom Penh for trespassing and spying.

Meanwhile, PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, who is also secretary-general of the New Politics Party, rejected the foreign minister's allegation that the PAD was forcing the government to wage war against Cambodia.