Thai Foreign Minister Quits Over Temple's World Heritage Status

Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - Thailand's Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattana has submitted his resignation after a court found him guilty of signing an agreement over the disputed Preah Vihear Temple deal.

The Thai Constitutional Court ruled that Pattana had violated the constitution by signing a Thai-Cambodian Joint Communique over the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site.

Noppadon's resignation will take effect July 14, he said Monday during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry.

The Democrat Party submitted an impeachment motion against Pattana before he made his announcement.

UNESCO gave the Preah Vihear Hindu Temple World Heritage status on Monday. The temple is near the Thai-Cambodian border.