Puea Pandin warns on Noppadon vote

Meanwhile, MR Pridiya-thorn Devakula, a former deputy prime minister and finance minister, joined a group of 300 Thai academics, national artists and other professionals in opposing Cambodia's move to apply for the inclusion of Preah Vihear Temple on Unesco's World Heritage Site list.

Besides Pridiyathorn, the letter was signed by Senator MR Priyanantana Rangsit and national artists Noawarat Pongpaibul, Vimolpan Pitata-watchai, Assiri Thammachote, Sompong Sujaritkul and Khunying Jamnongsri Hanjenrak, among others.

Earlier, Thailand insisted on a joint application for the inclusion of the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, but the Samak government quickly decided to endorse Cambodia's bid for a single country's application with Unesco.

The government said there would be no territory loss and its endorsement of Cambodia's bid was supported by the military.

Vatana Asavahame, chairman of the coalition Puea Pandin Party, told party MPs that the government's explanation about the Preah Vihear Temple issue should be the basis for their decision to vote for or against the foreign minister at the end of the two-day censure debate.

Party sources said the party could quit the coalition government if necessary.

Critics said the Cabinet had hastily endorsed Foreign Minister Noppadon's communique with his Cambodian counterpart concerning the perimeter of the ancient Khmer temple despite an unsolved territorial dispute with Thailand dating back nearly five decades.