Monday, 2 November 2009

Chavalit's trip to KL won't cause issues


Published: 1/11/2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Sept 2006 coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratkalin believed opposition Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyuth's visit to Malaysia will not produce the same consequences like his visit to Cambodia last month.

Former prime minister Chavalit was widely criticised and accused of worsening the political situation and Thai-Cambodian relations following his one-day visit to Phnom Penh to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, whom he regarded as an old friend.

Gen Sonthi said on Sunday he had not yet received an invitation letter to visit Malaysia with Gen Chavalit.

"I'll see if I'll travel to Malaysia as I don't know the purpose of Gen Chavalit's visit yet.

"But I believe the outcome of this visit would be different from his trip to Cambodia because Malaysia is unbiased and knows the situation in Thailand well," Gen Sonthi said.

On his decision to be the Matubhumi Party leader, the ex-chief of the now defunct Council for National Security said the party executives will decide on this.

Matubhumi core member Areepen Udonsin said Gen Chavalit's trip to Kuala Lumpur would not help improve the violence-plagued southern border provinces.

He believed Gen Chavalit may aim at strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Mr Areepen said Gen Chavalit made a good decision by joining the Puea Thai Party since he had the experience and could calm down impetuous party members.

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