Described: 16 Nov 2024 at 06: 03
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government is expected to approve the establishment of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC ) to discuss the development of disputed maritime areas in the Gulf of Thailand.
The JTC, which is being formed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is likely to be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who likewise serves as defence secretary.
When the government approves the JTC’s creation and his visit as its head, Mr. Phumtham declared on Friday that he is ready to move on to the talks with Cambodia.
He stated that experts from numerous organizations, including the Geological Department of the Royal Thai Navy and the Council of State, will be present at the JTC.
Mr. Phumtham claimed that the government would employ high-level experts to ensure that complex problems are properly addressed.
He argued that the contentious Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) signed in 2001 with Cambodia provides the framework for the negotiations and will allow the two nations to resolve the maritime border dispute peacefully.
Maris Sangiampongsa, the foreign affairs minister, may propose the JTC’s approval for the negotiations on Tuesday, according to a cause.
Despite the public’s doubts about whether the document may actually help the nation, critics of the MoU are urging the authorities to withdraw it.
Social activist Sonthiya Sawasdee requested yesterday that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra renounce the MoU to avoid any problems that might occur from discussions based on it.
If the government does n’t take the public’s request, he said he would petition the Administrative Court to intervene and order the revocation.
Due to concerns about his enrollment, Mr. Sonthiya also requested that Ms. Paetongtarn hold off the visit of former finance minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong as the new chairman of the Bank of Thailand.
He claimed that Mr. Kittiratt’s interview, which is scheduled to take place in the year after his ouster, might violate the rules because he had previously advised former prime minister Srettha Thavisin and that this position was widely regarded as a political office.
If the government does n’t verify Mr. Kittiratt’s eligibility, he said he would ask the Constitutional Court for a decision.
Another advocate, Veera Somkwamkid, on Friday said that besides the 2001 MoU, the 2001 Joint Communique between Thaksin and former Thai head Hun Sen on June 18, 2001 may even lead to coastal province damage and maritime resources.
He demanded that the Pheu Thai-led state answer every question honestly and honestly and dispel any doubts about the MoU.