P. Thai: Parliament must debate MoU

Bangkok Post

9/11/2009 at 01:59 PM

The opposition on Monday called for a general debate on the government's intention to scrap a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on overlapping maritime bounderiesy during this week's joint sitting of parliament.

Opposition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri said that before the MoU could be revoked the government is required to seek opinions from members of parliament under Article 179 of the constitution.

Mr Witthaya said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to seek approval for the debate at tomorrow's weekly cabinet meeting.

The cabinet meeting is due to consider cancelling the MoU, which is a framework for officials to negotiate demarcation of the disputed area in the Gulf of Thailand and joint development of gas and oil resources there. The memorandum was signed  in 2001 during the first  Thaksin Shinawatra government. As Thaksin is now economic adviser to the Cambodian government,  the Abhisit government  views the terms as an inappropriate framework for negotiations.

Mr Witthaya said if the prime minister did not agree to a debate, the oppostion would seek the support of one-third of the Senate under Article 161 of the constitution for a general debate.

He said the issue was sensitive and was affecting relations between Thailand and Cambodia, but Mr Abhisit based his decision on his own opinions.

The opposition chief whip said whether or not former prime minister Thaksin visits Cambodia this week, as announced by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, it ws apersonal matter him to decide hoimself.

Government chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said the coalition whips had discussed the MoU issue.

All cabinet members, particularly Mr Abhisit, were ready to explain how necessary it was to revoke the MoU to protect the country's interests.

Mr Chinnaworn said he did not believe it was necessary for the government to seek approval from parliament before it could revoke the MoU. Article 190 requires parliamentry approval only for making an agreement.  Revoking an agreement does not need the parliament's approval.

However, to make this matter clear, the government should seek an interpretation from the Constitution Court, Mr Chinnaworn said.

Mr Chinnaworn confirmed that if Thaksin visits Cambodia on Thursday for a meeting with economic officials, as announced, Thailand would seek his extradition under the existing treaty between the two countries.

If Cambodia turns down the extradition request, Thailand would pursue the matter through diplomatic channels, Mr Chinnaworn said.

Mr Chinnaworn said the Thai people felt Cambodia had interfered in Thailand's internal affairs of Thailand and he heard talk of people boycotting the casinos just across the border.