A group of Thai nationalists, led by Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, the chairman of the royalist Thai Pakdee party, submitted a petition letter today. It was signed by over 100,000 people and demands the cancellation of MoU 44 between Thailand and Cambodia.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was received by an official of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of PM’s Office.
Dr. Warong told the media that the protest group wants the MoU scrapped, but is in favour of negotiations with Cambodia within the framework of the International Law of the Sea.
He said that the setting up of a joint technical committee, to hold talks with Cambodia, is pointless because the government has already acquiesced to Cambodia’s wishes.
He warned that the government will face protests if the government presses ahead and negotiates with Cambodia within the framework of MoU 44.
Responding to the group’s protest, the prime minister stressed that the MoU has nothing to do with Kut Island, which is Thai territory, but relates to the joint development for undersea natural resources, such as oil and gas, in the overlapping claim area.
She explained that, if Thailand and Cambodia cannot agree on the maritime demarcation lines, the two countries should talk about sharing undersea natural resources and urged the protesters to be reasonable.
She also said that the joint technical committee of Thailand will be ready this month and is likely to be chaired by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
