Noppadon faces action over Preah Vihear debacle
Play
The top court for holders of political positions yesterday began the process of indicting former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama for misconduct over a memorandum of understanding to support Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple becoming listed as a World Heri
Noppadon submitted his account in written form denying the allegations. He was given 60 days to submit more evidence. The former minister has been released on bail of Bt2 million on condition that he does not try to go abroad without written court permission.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission cited Noppadon in 2008 for signing the MoU with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, supporting that country’s proposal to list the Hindu temple as a World Heritage Site. The NACC alleged that the MoU might result in Thailand losing sovereignty of the territory adjacent to Preah Vihear Temple.
Article 190 of the Constitution requires that permission be sought from Parliament before signing any treaty with a foreign country that makes changes to Thai territory. The Constitutional Court in 2008 ruled that the minister violated the charter, as he did not get approval from Parliament first.
However, Noppadon said he still had confidence that his actions at the time were aimed at protecting the territory, rather than losing it.
He said he did not deny signing the document but the Foreign Ministry and many concerned agencies at the time regarded it as a non-binding treaty, and its content made no reference to territorial changes.
“I did not intend to violate the law, but it was not clear what kind of document required parliamentary approval before signing,” he said.
