Friday, September 23, 2011

Asda, Veerachai removed from JBC

Sept 23, 2011
Bangkok Post

Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee chairman Asda Chaiyanam and JBC adviser Veerachai Plasai are the state officials to be relieved of their posts by the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

The two were trusted by the preceding Democrat-led government in dealing with the conflict of the overlapping border near Preah Vihear temple, the Hindu ruins listed as a world heritage site.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Friday informed the cabinet of the change, made two weeks ago.

Mr Asda, former Thai ambassador to the United Nations, is being replaced by Bandit Sotthiphalarit, a former ambassador to many countries, while Mr Veerachai, Thailand's ambassador to the Hague in the Netherlands, and JBC adviser Chatri Archjananun, chief of Foreign Ministry’s Legal Affairs Division, will be succeeded by Prasat Prasatwinitchai, Thai ambassador in Manila, and Natthawut Phothisaro, Thai ambassador in Tel Aviv.

Mr Veerachai represented Thailand during the hearings in the International Court of Justice in the legal conflict over the Thai-Cambodian border in the Hague in late May this year.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government has a right to restructure, but he wants it to maintain the existing team working on the legal battle in the world court.

Personally, Mr Abhisit said, he wanted Mr Asda to continue to chair the Thai team because he had not caved in to Cambodia's demands when performing his duty.

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