Bangkok Leaders Continue Criticism of Chalerm over Hun Sen Tape

Written by DAP NEWS -- Wednesday, 07 October 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

Chalerm Yoobamrung, Pheu Thai Party senior MP, has been again criticzed among Bangkok Government leaders over a video clip showing Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya criticizing Cambodia Prime Minister.

Kasit, formerly a senior diplomat, made critical remarks about Hun Sen when he participated in a protest by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) last year, shortly before he became foreign minister, according the Nation media agency on Tuesday.

Priyanandhana Rangsit, an appoi- nted senator who is deputy chair of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, was quoted by the agency yesterday it would be improper for Chalerm to act in such a way.

“It is really improper to attack someone with a matter of the past. It’s not a good idea for ties between the two countries and between Kasit and Samdech Hun Sen,” she said.

She said Kasit’s status had changed and he was now the Thai foreign affairs minister and no longer an activist affiliated with the PAD.

Cambodian Government officials on Tuesday declined to comment on the issue, calling it an internal issue among Thai leaders.

“I could not say and give details related to this problem as it is internal issue among Thai leaders,” Khieu Kanharith, Government spokesman and Information Minister, told DAP News Cambodia on Tuesday. MFAIC Spokesman Koy Kuong on Monday could not give further details.

“I cannot give any details as this problem is internal political issue among Thailand Government leaders,” said Koy Kuong. “Some criticism made by the Thai foreign minister to the premier in the past were for apologized by Kasit.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said it appeared Chalerm was trying every way possible to get his political camp back into power and acting for their benefit. “That could cause damage to the country,” he was quoted as saying by the Nation.

But Suthep said he had no concern that Chalerm’s move might threaten ties with Phnom Penh, as he believed the Cambodian leader had a good grasp of Thai politics.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen is a senior politician with a good understanding of politics. I don’t think I need to call him [to explain about the matter]. But if I have time, I will call on him again to talk about bilateral ties. We must keep good ties with our neighbors,” he said.

“Chalerm, do you love the country? Are you still Thai? If what you are doing causes conflict that cannot be resolved, how will you take responsibility for your actions?’’ Thepthai Senpong, personal spokes- man of the Democrat Party leader, asked the Nation.

Some political analysts said that the political tension in Thailand is increasing as the two powerful party leaders clash, especially over Cambodia’s Preah Vihear Temple.