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Published on October 12, 2007

Prime Minister Sura-yud Chulanont yesterday vowed to stay put as premier to steer the nation into December's election.

"We have already come to this point and I don't think there's a problem for us to help make sure that our country will be heading into the election," Surayud said.

The National Legislative Assembly(NLA) on Wednes-day held a censure debate against the ethics of the government. NLA member Prasong Soonsiri accused the premier of encroaching on a forest reserve by owning land and a resort at Khao Yai Thiang, Nakhon Ratchasima.

Surayud said he thought the debate was a good thing as they exchanged information and he was ready to talk to Prasong.

Asked why he himself did not answer the accusations in the assembly, but assigned PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan to answer instead, Surayud said he had already clarified the issue earlier this year.

"I didn't answer by myself because NLA members had raised many issues, so it was Thirapat's responsibility as the minister in charge of ethical and moral issues of the government," the premier said.

He said he assigned Thirapat to only explain the important points. If any questions remained there would be a chance to answer them in the future, he said.

Meanwhile, Prasong yesterday slammed the prime minister for failing to answer any questions relating to his questionable land holding at a Nakhon Ratchasima forest reserve during the two day debate on ethics.

"The people and the local press should know whether Surayud has clarified anything about his Khao Yai Thiang plot," Prasong said.

He said he sympathised with Thirapat for having to rebut charges on Surayud's behalf without knowing all the issues involved.

Surayud's plot was located far away from the land allocated to villagers under a Cabinet resolution, hence there was no justification to encroach on the forest reserve, he said.

Surayud has been aware of the legal issues relating to his plot since December and should have asked authorities to check on the legality of his land possession, he said, calling for the prime minister to stop squatting on the forest reserve.

Prasong said he would not assess the outcome of the debate because the people could form their own opinion.

"The debate has been concluded but the legal proceedings might continue if victims evicted and jailed for encroachment will file a complaint questioning why they were arrested while Surayud is left untouched," he said.

Prasong also stated that he would petition the National Counter Corruption Commission to look into the matter.

However Surayud said he was personally ready to clarify everything but he did not want to make any conflict.

"I intend to see the country go to the election," he insisted. The election date is set for December 23.

In the latest development after the debate, an anti-corruption activist in Khon Kaen yesterday filed a police complaint accusing Surayud of encroaching on a forest reserve in Nakhon Ratchasima and cited the general debate on the issue as evidence.

Khumpong Phumiphukheow asked Khon Kaen police to open a criminal investigation into the matter.

He urged police to target authorities, including the Natural Resources and Environment minister, as accomplices.

"The debate in the NLA has singled out Surayud for encroachment and as a citizen crusading against corruption, it is my duty to bring the matter to the attention of police," he said.

Khon Kaen duty officer Lt Colonel Wiset Pakdiwuthi said he would forward the complaint to relevant authorities in charge of encroachment.

INDEX up

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed at a 12-year high yesterday in

spite of the National Legislative Assembly's debate against Premier Surayud Chulanont on Wednesday, due to an inflow of foreign capital as investors looked beyond the current political bickering to the general election on December 23. The market rallied 1.6% to reach 889.06 points.Turnover was brisk at Bt33.92 billion. Foreign investors have bought Thai shares with a net position of Bt11.39 billion since early September.

Visit Ongpiattanakul, deputy managing director of Trinity Securities, said: "A half-a-percentage-point cut in the overnight Fed Fund rate in the previous meeting is the major force for capital that is flowing into the Asia region. So, we have to keep eye on the Fed [to see] if it will cut the rate further. If it holds at 4.75 per cent, a portion of capital might flow back into the Wall Street market."

Given the track record over the past three general elections since 1996, the SET index is expected to surge one month ahead of the poll.

The Nation