Minister praises resignation

Minister praises resignation

BANGKOK (AP): The Thai foreign minister has praised a controversial deputy for resigning over the diplomatic row he caused by helping a woman to publicly accuse Kuwait's ambassador of sexual harassment.

Last month, foreign ministry secretary Ong-art Klampaiboon arranged for the woman, who had gone to the ministry to complain about the envoy after police told her they could do nothing because of diplomatic immunity, to give a news conference.

Ong-art offered on Tuesday to step down to take responsibility for the resulting uproar, which Kuwait has said could jeopardize relations between the two countries.

Foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan said in a statement on Tuesday that Ong-art's resignation could help smooth ruffled feathers.