Opposition asks Senate to censure PM

Published: 6/11/2009 at 04:07 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Opposition chief whip Witthaya Buranasiri has called on senators to sign in support of a general no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for recalling the Thai ambassador to Cambodia.

As the House of Representatives session had already closed opposition MPs could not bring on a no-confidence debate themselves, but under Article 161 of the 2007 Constitution, one-third of senators can sign their names in support of a meeting for a general debate of no-confidence.

Mr Withaya said the censure debate was needed to determine whether the prime minister had violated the Article 82 of the charter on international relations.

“The recall of the Thai ambassador seems to be a wrong foreign policy decision and it has widely affected the Thai people and hurt relations with Cambodia. It also has severely damaged the country,” the opposition whip said.

Deputy Puea Thai spokesman Pitthaya Pugkaman, a former Thai ambassador, said the recall of the Thai senior envoy to Cambodia was an overreaction. The government should not have reverted to such strong diplomatic action so quickly, and should instead proceed with step by step retaliation.

“I consider the government has let personal feelings decide its foreign relation policy. This has severely hurt economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries,” Mr Pitthaya said, adding that the situation could escalate if no action is quickly taken to ease tension.

He said Mr Abhisit must be held responsibility for all consequences of the latest conflict.

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a khmer in Phnom Penh

Discussion 13 : 08/11/2009 at 01:35 AM13
nice comments from bubba #12.
i just cannot understand why readers cannot restrain themselves and give only objective and fact based comments rather than too nationalist and extremist ones?
Bubba

Discussion 12 : 07/11/2009 at 01:08 PM12
MICHAEL #8" "It is sad to see that Thai sovereignity is being questioned by Cambodia PM Hun Sen and some Thai politicians instead of protecting the supremacy of the motherland Thailand"

How is Thai sovereignty being questioned? Nowhere, by nobody. You are mixing things up and I suspect either your vocabulary is lacking or you are unable to understand the meanings of these things.

- "supremacy of the motherland Thailand"?

What supremacy. What makes you think Thailand has, or wants to claim supremacy over Cambodia? Again, I think your vocabulary is wanting or you have not got a grip on the meanings of words and phrases.

- "you should take pride to protect Thailand first or else you are not fit to be called a Thai"

You must realize people believe that protecting Thailand means to refuse to allow the military coup to dismantle democracy. The country is divided by those that believe in democracy and one-man-one-vote and those that think the poor are too stupid to have their votes counted.

Those that support Taksin believe they are doing what is best for the country. The are also the majority of the people.

I can not for sure say either way which side is right but, I believe democracy is the only way forward. And as much as I dislike Taksin he was the man voted into power by the people. That's democracy. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
Ramon

Discussion 11 : 07/11/2009 at 07:30 AM11
Michael #8, you should know politicians better. They will do anything to win the power, anywhere in the world. Have you ever heard that Suu Kyi and her party call for international community to pressure on, and stop aids to Burma government? I guess some politicians may even want the Burma government to be removed by force. How many Iraqi politicians back American invasion of Iraq to topple Sadam. How many times that Sam Rainsy called for international community to stop aids to Cambodia? and ....

You can say because those governements are not good, not democratic so on and so forth. But I tell you, everything is subject to interpretation.

Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed for the same reason.
Mike Barringtor

Discussion 10 : 07/11/2009 at 03:39 AM10
Every second day there's a censure here and a no-confidence motion there, what a joke these Puea Thai minions are, aside from being an ultra-corrupt party with zero ideas, hands down they must be the most annoying politicians in the world.

As usual Tony tells it like it is.

Oh, and lest I forget: Hun Sen is an evil despot and anyone who supports him is an apologist for a vile villain.
ricefieldradio

Discussion 9 : 07/11/2009 at 12:14 AM9
A few days ago the PM was saying that the government would no longer worry about what Thaksin did. Today they have overreacted about Thaksin and caused a big stir.

The government reacts to everything that Thaksin does and says. If they were smart they would not keep pulling him in and making headlines. They should totally downplay anything he does to the point of not even commenting. No comments from Suthep and the gang and no traumatic news, it's that simple.

The government is playing Thaksin's game but they don't have the slightest idea about the rules. That's not good fore the country as a whole.
Michael

Discussion 8 : 06/11/2009 at 09:44 PM8
It is sad to see that Thai sovereignity is being questioned by Cambodia PM Hun Sen and some Thai politicians instead of protecting the supremacy of the motherland Thailand, they are questioning the Thai government of the strong reaction against Cambodia. This is why Thailand is now being bully because of the disunity among the Thai politicians. Whether you are reds, yellows or what ever colors you belong to, as long as you are called Thais, you should take pride to protect Thailand first or else you are not fit to be called a Thai.

No country in the world will the people side other nations against its own country except Thailand. How can the politicians or educators teach the young people to be royal to the nation and put the nation first. I hope soldiers and polices who are nation protectors will stand up and take pride to put the country first before anything. It is a shame for the Thai politicians to sing the Thai national anthemn everyday and deep in their heart there is no loyalty at all to Thailand but to Cambodia.

I am not a Thai and cannot explain the mentality of these Thai politicians when people question me "This happens only in Thailand where Thai politicians are questioning their own sovereignity and supremacy of Thailand. Wake up Thai politicians, put Thailand first before personal interest, or else you are not fit to be in the parliament and teach any young people about the word "Loyalty to the nation."
Voice

Discussion 7 : 06/11/2009 at 07:02 PM7
No matter how badly your heart and emotions tell you to retaliate, one should never stoop on the political front to do that.

Even if PM Hun Sen is wrong to say and do what he did, it is incorrect to retaliate in this fashion. I am no politician or diplomat but I know hot heads do not achieve anything.

Our government should also examine our own actions if we actually threw the first punch.
Bubba

Discussion 6 : 06/11/2009 at 06:18 PM6
TONY: as often, you are on your soap box making sweeping statements.

How exactly do you think Taksin betrayed Thailand? There is no treasonous act he has committed, except in the vivid imagination of people like you.

How have the PTP aided and abetted Taksin? He is abroad.

I think I will desist from further commenting what you write. Hogwash.
hadenough

Discussion 5 : 06/11/2009 at 06:02 PM5
Some people just don't get it! Hun Sen has made a big mistake in giving Thaksin a job. Thaksin is dangerous enough when he is far away but next door in Cambodia!??? Instability is caused; it doesn't just happen! The opposition in Thailand is not interested in the well being of the country. It is a tool of Thaksin, whose only interest is himself!
Steve

Discussion 4 : 06/11/2009 at 05:31 PM4
hey Tony! I agreed with you that Hun Sen is a dictator, but international relation has its regulation and norms. Abhisit's decision is overacted. Abhisit and Hun Sen are all exploiting the national instability and maybe more people behind that two! so cautious observation and some legal action should be taken to make sure the relation between neighbor countries is not worsening.

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Opposition asks Senate to censure PM