Source – Bangkok post
The government assured the public that Koh Kut in Trat province would not be lost to Cambodia, but denied taking any action concerning the island.
According to the Bangkok Post, the opposition Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) objected to the use of the contentious 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia to pursue joint development of marine resources in the Gulf of Thailand, which prompted Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to deny the request on Wednesday.
Also serving as deputy prime minister, Mr. Phumtham said the Pheu Thai-led government had done nothing about Koh Kut and asked why the matter had come up.
He stated that the government was responsible for preserving the country’s sovereignty and that it would try its best to protect Thai territory.
At a press conference yesterday, prominent PPRP figures opposed any talks on joint development of oil and gas resources in the Gulf under the 2001 MoU framework, arguing that doing so would result in Thailand losing some of its territory, putting Koh Kut in the spotlight.