Foreign Minister Kasit will report to face police charges on airport seizure; continues on the job

By k on July 6, 2009

BANGKOK, July 5 (TNA) – Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya, now visiting Qatar, said Sunday he would report to police to hear charges against him regarding the closure of Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport late last year as part of a bid to oust the government of then prime minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Panich Vikitsreth, an assistant to Mr. Kasit, said the minister had been informed of the police decision to charge him — along with core leaders and supporters of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in connection with the seizure of Suvarnabhumi airport, Thailand’s showcase to the world and critical channel for both tourism and business travelers.

Mr. Panich said the minister had already discussed the matter with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva by phone and that he would not stop performing his duties.

Mr. Kasit, according to his assistant, will return to Bangkok within a few days and would “definitely report” to police upon his return.

Police have ordered all of the 25 People’s Alliance protest leaders and high-profile members, including Mr. Kasit, who had invaded and closed down Thailand’s main airport for eight days between November 26 to December 3, to hear the charges on July 16.

The PAD activists are charged with a number of offences, including terrorism and obstructing aviation.

Police also charged 27 PAD leaders and members in the closing of Bangkok’s Don Mueang domestic airport between those days.

They are also required to report and to hear police charges on the same day.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit said the minister could carry on with his official duties but declined to say whether the minister would be asked to leave the ministerial post in near future. He said it would be better for Mr. Kasit to explain the charges to the authorities first. (TNA)

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