Suwit urged to continue with temple talks in Paris

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will try to convince Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to stay on as head of the Thai delegation to a World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris in June.

Mr Suwit has said he would quit the delegation, citing conflicts with the Foreign Ministry over the country's stand at the meeting which will consider Cambodia's proposal to manage the disputed land around the Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Suwit said he was unhappy with the Foreign Ministry's position, saying it could put Thailand's sovereignty over the land at risk.

Mr Abhisit said yesterday Mr Suwit had not informed him of his decision. Mr Suwit only said there were "some differing views".

Confirming his decision to quit, Mr Suwit did not spell out what the Foreign Ministry's position was but implied the ministry wanted the delegation to proceed with Cambodia's proposal for the management plan for the 4.6 square kilometres of land.

He said Thailand and Cambodia must complete demarcation at the temple first.

The WHC has scheduled a meeting for June 19-29 in Paris to consider Cambodia's proposal to manage the land around the temple which was registered as a world heritage site in 2008.

"Since the Foreign Ministry has a different point of view to me, the national committee on world heritage should assign it to head the world heritage delegation. I don't want to create the impression that we lack unity. That will cause us to be disadvantaged in the talks," Mr Suwit said.

A source at the national world heritage committee said Mr Suwit wanted to resign to devote his time to campaigning for the election.

Mr Suwit was concerned his involvement in the discussion of Cambodia's management plan could hurt his popularity, the source said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi insisted the government had a clear policy to urge the World Heritage Committee to halt consideration of Cambodia's management plan.

"All parties have complied with the government's policy on the listing of the Preah Vihear temple that the WHC should not consider the management plan until the border problem has been resolved," Mr Thani said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban insisted Mr Suwit could not resign at this point.

"As long as Mr Suwit is still a cabinet minister, he must continue with his duties," Mr Suthep said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday dismissed Mr Suwit's claim of a conflict between the foreign and the environment ministries.