BANGKOK (AFP) — Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama resigned Thursday after a top court ruled that he had violated the constitution -- making him the second minister to leave the cabinet in two days.
"I want to see national reconciliation. In order for the government to continue working to solve the country's problems, I resign," he said in remarks broadcast on national television.
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday ruled that Noppadon and the rest of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's cabinet had violated the charter by failing to seek parliamentary approval for a deal with Cambodia over a disputed temple.
But an emotional Noppadon said: "I insist that I have done nothing wrong. I have not sold out the country. I love Thailand, and would not cause any damage to the country.
"I will take responsibility so that the country can move forward," he added, saying his resignation would take effect from Monday.
The Constitutional Court had already removed health minister Chiya Sasomsub from office after ruling that he had illegally concealed his wife's assets upon taking up his post in February.
Noppadon signed the agreement last month, which was approved by the cabinet, supporting Cambodia's bid to seek World Heritage status for the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.
The Hindu temple has been the subject of a border dispute for decades, and the agreement inflamed nationalist tensions in Thailand.
Noppadon accused the government's rivals of inflating the issue.
"The issue of Preah Vihear has been overhyped to fuel nationalism both inside and outside parliament, and even to incite hatred against Cambodians," he said.
The opposition Democrat Party had already used the verdict as the basis for an impeachment motion against Noppadon.
The party is still considering whether to seek the impeachment of other cabinet members as well.
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