Bangkok: The House Foreign Affairs Committee is preparing to summon Prime Minister Prayut Chan o cha and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew to provide clarification on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Thailand and the United States concerning rare earth minerals. The committee demands transparency regarding the negotiation procedures and requests impact studies related to security, the economy, and the environment, while criticizing the concealment of information from the public.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sarasnan Annoppaporn, an MP for Khon Kaen from the Pheu Thai Party and Chairwoman of the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, addressed the MOU on cooperation regarding "critical minerals" between Thailand and the United States. She emphasized the significance of this agreement, highlighting its potential long-term impacts on the public. Despite the government's stance that the MOU is non-binding and can be terminated at any time, concerns arise over the lack of public disclosure about the negotiation partners and the background of the agreement.
Ms. Sarasnan pointed out that the current government, having assumed office less than 30 days after its policy statement to Parliament, has already entered into significant agreements with foreign nations. However, no factual information has been shared with the Thai public or Parliament regarding the negotiation process, or the potential impacts on the populace, the environment, the economy, and national security. She noted that Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in the Pheu Thai government, confirmed that this matter was never addressed at the negotiation table. Ms. Sarasnan urged the government to disclose all pertinent details to foster understanding and trust.
As Chairwoman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Sarasnan intends to invite Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, alongside Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew and other relevant officials, to clarify the matter to the committee. She stressed the importance of public understanding of every step in the process related to the rare earth MOU, expressing her determination not to tolerate any governmental misuse of power that could harm the public.