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Published on September 24, 2007

 Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya insisted yesterday he would not quit despite the resignation of two Cabinet colleagues who also exceeded the 5-per-cent legal limit on shareholdings.

Late last week, Aree, plus

Information and Communi-cations Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, and deputy commerce minister Oranuj Osatananda were found to hold shares totalling more than 5 per cent of the equity in various private companies.

Sitthichai announced his resignation on Friday and Oranuj resigned yesterday.

But Aree said yesterday he had no plans to give up his post, adding that he would wait till Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont returns from abroad. The prime minister is in New York for a meeting of the UN General Assembly.

"When the premier comes back I will consult with him," he said.

He also addressed criticism from PM's Officer Minister Thirapat Serirangsan, who has called for the three to step down, and responded to a reporter's question about alleged links between Thirapat and the People's Alliance for Democracy.

"I do not doubt him. I have no comment about the relationship between Thirapat and the People's Alliance for Democracy. People can judge for themselves," Aree said.

In response to Thirapat's comments, Oranuj said in a press conference yesterday she was uncomfortable working with a team that was divided.

Oranuj said criticism from some Cabinet members had prompted her to resign after she had initially vowed to stay on till the end of the government's term.

"I have no problem working with the Cabinet, but just with some Cabinet members," she said yesterday.

She will submit her resignation to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont immediately after his return from an overseas trip. It is expected to take effect on October 1.

"It's uncomfortable to work with a team that is divided in its thinking. This government shows some signs of problems as members criticise others. I don't feel bad about those persons, but they are breaking etiquette. As a team, if they feared that [her business holdings] would tarnish the government's image, they should have sought personal discussion with me. They need not have talked about it in public," Oranuj said.

She insisted it was easy to resign. But she wanted to wait till she could consult with the prime minister. However, she had called Surayud's secretary and told him of her decision.

Smiling as usual and not appearing upset, Oranuj refused to liken her case to that of MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, the former finance minister who resigned after attacks by some ministers. "I don't have any personal problem with the ones who came out to criticise me. Is this a political game? I don't know. I'm not a professional politician."

The deputy minister had said on Friday she would stay on to help the country, but conceded yesterday she was uncomfortable with the criticism.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said last week the three ministers, whose shareholdings exceed the limit under the 2000 graft law, should resign.

Oranuj said she had consulted Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet, who told her to do what would make her comfortable.

"I really wanted to finish the term to work as a team. But my supporters said the longer period means only stones. I could come in for criticism from society. So, I decided to call it quits," she said.

As deputy commerce minister, she was in charge of the Intellectual Property Department, Insurance Department, Public Warehouse Organisation and agricultural crops. Yesterday, she was scheduled to fly to Cambodia for a rice meeting but her trip was cancelled.

A high-ranking official at the ministry said it was sad to see her leave, as Oranuj had been the key player in answering all questions, particularly those regarding the foreign business and retail business laws, as Krirk-krai was often away on overseas trips.

At the end of the press conference, Commerce permanent secretary Karun Kittisataporn and other officials presented her with a bouquet of flowers to show their moral support.

Oranuj holds a stake in a family business, a 20-room guest house registered under the name Ban Dok Pud with a registered capital of Bt3 million. Oranuj holds a 60-per-cent stake in the company.

She also holds a 12-per-cent interest in a 45-room hotel business named Udom Raemruay, whose registered capital is Bt20 million, and a 50-per-cent stake in another hotel called Vieng Tai registered under Boonyaprom Co Ltd, which has a registered capital of Bt100 million.

Oranuj has held the stake for 40 years, having inherited them from her parents. The combined value of the three companies is Bt54.5 million.

In his regular Sunday article published on the Democrat Party website, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on any remaining ministers undecided on whether to resign to review their decisions.

He said in the article, entitled "The Stakes of Ministers, One Year After the Coup, and the New Army Chief", that the administration could continue to function even if some ministers stood down.

While the National Counter Corruption Commission found that ministers exceeded the 5-per-cent cap, the issue was not necessarily a political matter, Abhisit said.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the government faced trouble because Aree was being criticised and questioned by society at large.

"I think he [Aree] may want time to think, but he has not yet shown himself. If he lets this case go on it will not benefit him," Suthep said.

He said Aree had another conflict of interest because his son has taken sides with deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"Whatever he says, people will find it difficult to believe him," Suthep said.

The Thai News Agency quoted Surayud from New York as saying he would consult with Sitthichai and other people involved before deciding on a reshuffle of the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, most people want the ministers involved in the affair to resign, according to the results of an Abac Poll released yesterday. Some 46 per cent of respondents said the ministers should resign, 29 per cent said the ministers should keep working, and 25 per cent had no comment.

However, 48.5 per cent of respondents said that ministers who exceeded the 5-per-cent cap on private equity holdings affected the government's moral image. But 36 per cent said the issue would not have an effect, and 16 per cent gave no comment.

The survey, on Friday and Saturday, covered 1,464 residents of Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Petchanet Pratuangkrai,

 Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation