MoU vote faces stiff opposition

Issue 'too complex' for a referendum: PP

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut is urging the government to withdraw its plan to hold a referendum on the controversial memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Cambodia signed in 2000 and 2001, saying such complex international issues fall squarely within the government's remit - not the public's.

Mr Natthaphong, who heads both the opposition and the People's Party (PP), voiced strong reservations about Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's proposal to let the public decide on whether Thailand should retain or revoke the two MoUs — known as MoU 43 and MoU 44 -which define frameworks for resolving land and maritime boundary disputes with Cambodia.

Citing a recent Nida Poll, he said around 70% of respondents admitted they had little or no understanding of the MoUs' content, with 44% saying they did not understand them at all.

This, he said, raises serious doubts about whether a referendum could genuinely reflect the people's will.