Bangkok: Dr. Jetsada Tonawanik has expressed support for the government's decision to cancel MOU 44, emphasizing that it can be done without parliamentary approval and has no legal standing in Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Jetsada, a former Rak Chart Party prime ministerial candidate, commented on the continuous violations of MOU 44 by Cambodia and previous Thai governments. He pointed out that Cambodia had also violated MOU 43, which, like MOU 44, was viewed as a draft agreement aimed at benefiting specific groups rather than prioritizing national interests. Dr. Jetsada argued that the belief that these MOUs are beneficial is misguided and reiterated his party's stance on their cancellation. He thanked the government for considering the cancellation of MOU 44 and urged that MOU 43 be annulled as well.
Dr. Jetsada addressed the legal concerns surrounding the cancellation, asserting that the government possesses the authority to annul the MOUs without involving Parliament. He explained that neither MOU had been considered by Parliament initially and thus holds no legal weight under international law. He urged that any apprehensions about the impact on bilateral negotiations with Cambodia should be resolved, emphasizing the importance of the intent to negotiate over the document's format. Dr. Jetsada cited successful negotiations between Thailand and neighboring countries like Malaysia and Laos, which occurred without MOUs.
He further stated that the cancellation of MOUs 43 and 44 would enable both parties to resume their sovereign rights over their territories. Thailand would maintain its territorial integrity, while Cambodia could proceed independently before engaging in future discussions. Dr. Jetsada remarked that while immediate talks may not be feasible, neighboring countries will inevitably engage in dialogue eventually. He concluded by stating that the cancellation of the MOUs should precede any future discussions.