Pongsak denies PM's PNG visit linked to Thaksin

Pongsak denies PM's PNG visit linked to Thaksin

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA : Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal denies Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to Papua New Guinea is to follow up business plans her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, discussed there in 2006.

Mr Pongsak's denial came after Sirichoke Sopha, an opposition MP from the Democrat Party, said last Thursday in his Facebook account that Thaksin was interested in oil and gas businesses in Papua New Guinea and was behind Ms Yingluck's trip.

Mr Pongsak admitted Thaksin had visited Papua New Guinea just after the 2006 coup d'etat that had overthrown his government.

The minister said Thaksin had met the leader of Papua New Guinea at that time and the pair held trade negotiations. However, there has not been a natural gas deal with Papua New Guinea since then, he said. Mr Pongsak insisted Ms Yingluck's visit to Papua New Guinea yesterday and today has nothing to do with what Thaksin had discussed.

He said Ms Yingluck was there to develop diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea and her trip had nothing to do with any activity of the energy business delegation that accompanied her.

"Prime Minister Yingluck's visit to Papua New Guinea has nothing to do with Thaksin. Do not link every energy issue with Thaksin. Thaksin has plans for the national interest so he went for trade negotiations.

"I do not think this should be concealed or is any embarrassment because nothing has taken place at a cost to the nation," Mr Pongsak said.

He said any energy deals could be examined because most energy companies were listed and were subject to thorough examination.

Mr Pongsak, who accompanied Ms Yingluck to Papua New Guinea, also said the government is trying to develop good ties with Port Moresby and expects good relations to precede future energy deals involving the Thai private sector. Papua New Guinea has large reserves of natural gas and coal.

On Oct 16, 2009, Thaksin said in his Twitter account that he was in Papua New Guinea and that the country had hefty gold, oil and gas reserves.

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