Chavalit denies 'Kra Canal deal'
Play
FORMER PRIME Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh yesterday labelled as groundless media reports about his supposed role in signing a Thai-Chinese cooperation agreement to develop the controversial Kra Canal project.
During a press conference at his Pinprapakom residence, Chavalit said it was untrue he had signed the deal in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on May 15.
“I have to clarify this matter because it may hurt the good relations between Thailand and China,” he said.
“May 15 was my birthday so it’s not possible since I stayed in Thailand with family and friends on that date.
“Later on, a rumour-monger said it [the deal signing] was May 10, not May 15. Again, it’s untrue. I’m not involved in such a hoax.”
According to Chavalit, there was a meeting between a private-sector delegation and the Chinese government, but he was not sure about the content of the cooperation agreement.
He said the supposed rumour-monger wanted to upset Thai-Chinese relations as the international community might misunderstand the claim that he was involved, so he had to clarify things.
However, he admitted that he was photographed on April 10 following a meeting with a group of Chinese businessmen in Thailand concerning a highway construction project, and the Kra Canal – the creation of a canal across southern Thailand to link the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea – was mentioned but no agreement was inked.
