Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed his government’s policy to hold a referendum on the proposed cancellation of the border MoUs with Cambodia, stressing that his administration “will never allow Thailand to be put at a disadvantage”.
Speaking at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, Mr Anutin, who also serves as interior minister, told reporters that everything was being conducted in line with the stated policy.
The remarks came after Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno said he would soon convene a meeting to consider the legal framework for holding a referendum on the 2000 MoU on border demarcation between Thailand and Cambodia (commonly known as MoU 43) and another memorandum concerning overlapping maritime claims (MoU 44).
When asked how the process would move forward, Mr Anutin said both the House and Senate committees were conducting studies on the issue and that Mr Bowornsak would compile and summarise their findings. “There must always be a way forward,” the prime minister said.
Asked whether Thailand could unilaterally withdraw from the agreements, Mr Anutin said the matter must be carefully examined. “We must weigh all possible benefits and disadvantages,” he said. “But what I can assure you is that this government will never let Thailand lose out. I’ve made this clear — we have teams negotiating, studying and assessing the implications before any decision is made.”
The prime minister confirmed that the results of the studies from the ad hoc parliamentary committees chaired by Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob would be sent to the cabinet. “The cabinet will then assign someone — possibly the foreign minister, defence minister, or interior minister — to review and conclude the findings,” he said.
Mr Anutin said the process would proceed according to due process. He reiterated that the referendum plan was part of the policy announced to parliament and would continue until the committees’ studies were completed.