The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday scrambled to distance itself from a proposal by one of its MPs that America employs the use of pork against Islamic Afghanistan.
In an e-mail sent to US President George W Bush, Tinawat Marukpitak suggested America could humiliate Afghanistan with "pork-fat bombs".
Thai Rak Thai spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva rushed to call the US Embassy to explain that Tinawat's suggestion was an individual proposal and had nothing to do with the party.
Suranand also issued a press release to local and foreign press offices condemning Tinawat for expressing this "insensitive idea".
Speaking to reporters, Suranand said the Thai Rak Thai Party condemned Tinawat's action and would demand that the MP explain himself to the party.
"This was a shameful action. How could such an idea come out during this situation?" said the party spokesman.
"He has acted inappropriately without taking into account the sensitivity of the situation and without caring about serious religious and political conflicts".
In his letter, copies of which he handed out to reporters, Tinawat stated that cruise missiles mounted with pork-fat bombs would be "the most effective response that can be brought to bear on the persons in the Islamic countries who are guilty of harbouring these criminals".
He said the use of such bombs would prevent the loss of innocent people's lives.
"We consider the content of the letter totally inconsiderate to the feelings of human beings and insensitive to the delicate situation the world is facing," Suranand said in his press statement.
"Tinawat's point of view is not that of Thai Rak Thai's and he is to be condemned for his poor suggestions."
Government spokesman Yongyuth Tiyapairat said Tinawat should not have added confusion to the situation with comments made "just for kicks".
Thai Rak Thai MP Farida Sulaiman, a Muslim, said Tinawat's proposals were "absurd" and would damage the country's image. They may also fuel further religious conflicts.
She said the party would discuss Tinawat's action today.
Democrat MP Surin Pitsuwan, a former foreign minister and a Muslim, said Tinawat's proposals were "so thoughtless" and thus deserved no comment from him.
Despite learning of the criticism over his suggestions, Tinawat remained defiant and insisted that he had been thinking his proposals over for three days before sending the letter.
Piyanart Srivalo
Benjawan Somsin
THE NATION
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