Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya reported to police after returning from Qatar on Monday afternoon to acknowledge charges relating to the People's Alliance for Democracy's occupation of Bangkok's two airports last year.
Mr Kasit is one of the 36 people summoned by police to hear criminal charges, including terrorism and violation of the emergency decree, over the PAD's blockades of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
He reported to police before the July 16 deadline set by police, and was released after hearing the charges.
The minister is scheduled to visit New Zealand from July 7 to 12 and Egypt from July 14 to 18.
Chavanond Intarakomalsut, his secretary, said Mr Kasit was not worried by the charges and insisted that he was at the PAD protest only as a guest speaker.
The opposition Puea Thai party has called for Mr Kasit to resign, saying that the minister lacked the legitimacy to represent the country at international meetings, particularly the Asean Ministerial Meeting to be held in Phuket later this month.
Mr Kasit's secretary said the minister would continue to perform his duties. Leading members of the ruling Democrat Party also said it was not yet necessary for him to resign.
Somchai Sawaengkarn, a senator, said that legally Mr Kasit is still innocent since he has not been convicted, unlike former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was convicted in the Ratchadapisek land case and is still facing other charges, but Puea Thai MPs still claim he is innocent.
The senator said several ministers in the Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat governments were charged in many cases but they continued to hold on to political posts.
He said Noppadon Pattama had to resign as foreign minister because the Administrative Court ruled that he was in the wrong after National Anti-Corruption Commission pointed out that he had violated Article 190 of the constitution by signing an agreement to support Cambodia's listing of Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site without consent from parliament.
Mr Noppadon's case was different from that of Mr Kasit, said senator Somchai.
Mr Kasit has scheduled a press conference for 8pm Monday.
Relate Search: foreign minister, kasit, PAD, airports, police, charges
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- Writer: BangkokPost.com


