Thai minister quits in land scandal

Thai minister quits in land scandal

BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai suffered a
setback yesterday, when Suthep Thueksuban, the deputy minister of
agriculture, resigned rather than face a no-confidence motion
next week over a land scandal.

Suthep, a member of Chuan's Democrats, protested his innocence
in the controversy, but said he had not been able to get a fair
hearing on the issue.

The Democrats head the country's five-party coalition
government.

"No matter how I tried to explain, it seemed no one would
listen," Suthrep told reporters after submitting his resignation
to Chuan during a weekly cabinet meeting yesterday.

Opposition leaders have alleged that agriculture ministry
officials manipulated a land reform package to benefit rich
supporters rather than the poor.