July 14, 2008
Bangkok - The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) handed its letter to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to call for probe into Samak government.
The NCCC was urged to consider treason charges against the prime minister for backing a deal with Cambodia on a disputed Hindu temple.
Without seeking parliament's approval, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet had violated the charter by signing a deal on the controversial temple, according to the Constitutional Court’s verdict.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama resigned last week amidst the threat of impeachment.
"The cabinet members, senior officials and former prime minister Thaksin committed severe crimes against the country," PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told AFP.
The 34-member cabinet as well as Thaksin, top foreign ministry officials, and the Thai ambassador to France were all accused of treason charges, which are punishable by execution.
The cabinet was said to cause Thailand to lose territory to Cambodia, work to benefit a foreign state, and provoke an international conflict.
The exact border around the temple has never been agreed. The dispute has raised tensions in both countries, with Cambodia closing the temple after Thai protesters tried to march to the site.
