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.