Thai minister quits in land scandal

Wed, 07 Dec 1994 | Source: AFP

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.

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