Wednesday May 07, 2008 PREAH VIHEAR TEMPLE ROW
Top official abruptly moved
THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama yesterday ordered the abrupt
transfer of a senior ministry official handling the Preah Vihear
temple dispute with Cambodia to an inactive post. Treaties and Legal
Affairs Department director-general Virachai Plasai has been made an
ambassador attached to the ministry, an inactive position.
He was on his way to Phnom Penh with foreign affairs permanent
secretary Virasakdi Futrakul yesterday for talks with Cambodian Deputy
Prime Minister Sok An on the controversial issue of Unesco World
Heritage listing for Preah Vihear.
Krit Kraichitti, currently head of the International Economic Affairs
Department, will replace Mr Virachai.
The cabinet yesterday approved the special reshuffle order.
Tanatip U-patising, who is the ambassador attached to the ministry,
will replace Mr Krit.
It is believed the transfer was linked to Mr Virachai's handling of
the Preah Vihear issue.
Mr Noppadon explained that the transfer was meant to improve
efficiency and working coordination.
''I try to put the right person in the right job. There was no other
reason for the transfer,'' said Mr Noppadon.
He said Mr Krit, who formerly headed the Treaties and Legal Affairs
Department, knows the problem (Preah Vihear) very well.
''Each horse has a lot of experience but I want the horse that can run
on the right track,'' said Mr Noppadon.
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