Faces impeachment motion, criminal action
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama greets journalists at Suvarnabhumi airport. He announced his resignation at the airport yesterday after coming under intense pressure over the Preah Vihear temple issue. His resignation takes effect on Monday. |
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama is not yet in the clear, despite his decision yesterday to resign in a show of spirit over the Preah Vihear temple joint communique found to be unconstitutional by the Constitution Court.
Mr Noppadon announced his resignation on his return from Quebec, Canada, where the World Heritage Committee (WHC) agreed to register the temple as a World Heritage site.
Hours before, the opposition Democrat party filed a motion seeking his impeachment with the Senate.
On Tuesday, the Constitution Court ruled that the Thai-Cambodian joint communique backing Cambodia's bid to list the temple was a treaty and required parliamentary scrutiny.
A group of 77 senators who sought the court's ruling is also considering criminal action against Mr Noppadon for alleged violations of the Criminal Code's Articles 119, 120 and 157.
Vicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), said the impeachment motion was considered valid because it was filed before Mr Noppadon's resignation takes effect.
The resignation takes effect Monday.
"I think the opposition saw it [Mr Noppadon's resignation] coming, so they lodged the motion just hours before his resignation announcement.
"He still faces a five-year ban, just like former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair who is being investigated by the NCCC," Mr Vicha said.
Mr Jakrapob is being investigated for alleged power abuse and interference in the affairs of the state-owned National Broadcasting Service of Thailand.
Mr Noppadon insisted he did nothing wrong, saying his resignation was a show of spirit.
"I would like to reaffirm that the Foreign Ministry has done its best in this case and managed to protect our territory and sovereignty and prevent Cambodia from including the overlapping areas for inscription.
"We have done our best, but we feel sorry that this issue has been overly addressed by the nationalism movement.
"The issue has become politicised without looking at the facts, or accuracy," Mr Noppadon said.
"When the dust settles, I'm sure the truth will appear. Time will show that we did the right thing to protect Thai territory and the country," he said.
The minister arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport about 6am yesterday and sneaked out through Gate 4 to avoid protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, who waited for him at the VIP building.
Democrat MPs, led by deputy party leader Sathit Wongnongtoey, filed the impeachment motion with Deputy Senate Speaker Nikhom Waiyaratphanit.
In the motion, the opposition party alleged that Mr Noppadon had intentionally violated the constitution, and was suspected of having "special motives" and vested interests in his support for Cambodia's bid to register the Preah Vihear temple.
"Even though he has resigned from the post, the NCCC will proceed and Mr Noppadon is obliged to explain," said Mr Sathit.
He added his party was gathering information to support an impeachment bid against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on the same charge.
Mr Nikhom said the Senate will examine the validity of the motion and submit it to the NCCC to set up an inquiry.
Besides the prospect of a political ban, Mr Noppadon may also face criminal charges.
Senator Prasarn Marukpitak and his colleagues are considering taking Mr Noppadon to the Supreme Court's Criminal Section for Holders of Political Positions, for lapse of duty.Mr Prasarn said the group will meet today to discuss the possibility and a petition could be filed with the Senate on Monday.
Senator Rosana Tositrakul said the resignation has nothing to do with criminal accountability. The senators will also seek to impeach the cabinet for having endorsed Mr Noppadon's signing of the joint communique with Cambodia, she said.
She called on the government to cancel the joint communique so it cannot be used against Thailand when disputes over overlapping border areas with Cambodia arise.
Meanwhile, air force chief ACM Chalit Phukpasuk said he expected to see a show of responsibility over the Preah Vihear issue from the cabinet.
In other countries, decision-makers took responsibility when their initiatives were not welcomed, he said.
"Individuals should have integrity and when these individuals work as a team, the team should also have integrity. But I do not think we will see it here, not yet," ACM Chalit said.
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