Deputy PM quits Thai coalition

Suwit, second left, says he is leaving in protest at government policies [EPA]

Al Jazeera
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Thailand's deputy Prime Minister has pulled his party out of the country's ruling coalition.

Suwit Khunkitti said his Puea Pandin Party was protesting against the misguided policies of the government, including the handling of an ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.

The move does not mean that the ruling coalition will be unable to govern, but the pullout is another blow to the struggling administration of Samak Sundarajev, the Thai prime minister.

Samak is facing daily demonstrations demanding his government resign with protesters claiming that the government is interfering with corruption charges against former Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

Protesters have also accused the government of trying to change the military-backed constitution to cling to power. Samak has denied the allegations.

Commenting on the border dispute with Cambodia, Suwit said he was concerned about the "sovereignty of Thailand" but did not elaborate.

Both countries have stationed soldiers near the disputed Preah Vihear temple since July 15, although they agreed in principle on Monday to move the 800 Cambodian troops and 400 Thais stationed in the area.

Border tensions intensified earlier this month after Unesco, the United Nations' cultural body, approved a Cambodian application to have the 11th century temple designated a World Heritage Site.