PAD seeks court border MoU injunction

Published: 29/10/2010

via CAAI

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Friday filed a petition with the Central Administrative Court asking it to hold an urgent meeting to consider issuing an injunction against the approval of the 2000 memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Cambodia.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and the cabinet are named defendants in the petition, which was filed by PAD lawyer Suwat Apaipak, spokesman Panthep Pongpuaphan and coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.

The PAD asked the court to accept the petition for consideration and issue an order for revocation of :

1. The three reports on the second meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission (JBC) on June 5-7, 2000, signed by MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, as Thai chairman of the JBC.

2. The memorandum of understanding of June 14, 2000, signed by MR Sukhumbhand, in his capacity as deputy foreign affairs minister.

3. The announcement and master plan for a survey and land demarcation between Thailand and Cambodia signed on Aug 25, 2003.

4. The parliamentary resolution made on Oct 28, 2008 approving the masterplan for a survey and land demarcation signed by the two countries.

5. The cabinet resolution for the three reports on the JBC meeting to be forwarded to parliament for approval.

Mr Suwat on Thursday warned lawmakers not to vote in favour of the three reports or they would be held in violation of the law.

He said the reports are based on the 2000 MoU which recognises a French map with a scale of 1:200,000 and puts Thailand at a disadvantage.

Mr Suwat's remarks drew a strong reaction from Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, who said on Friday members of the House and the Senate have the right to vote for or against the reports.

Mr Prasopsuk said he did not see that doing so would be illegal because it is the duty of the legislative branch and it is the exclusive right of each lawmaker to vote according to his or her own decision.

He said the PAD has the right to rally on Nov 2, but it has no legitimacy to take legal action against MPs and senators who vote for the reports.

Singchai Thungthong, the Uthai Thani senator, said the PAD was overacting over the border issue.

He said no country in the world has a clearly-defined border line, adding that the government should not dance to the PAD's tune.