"You're a traitor" : [Noppadon Pattama] Foreign minister told

Sun, June 29, 2008The NationForeign Minister Noppadon Pattama came under verbal assault from a marathon runner who called him a "traitor" just has he was taking off from the starting block.Noppadon was standing next to US Ambassador Eric John at the starting point of the race, witnesses said. The two men co-chaired the opening ceremony of the marathon commemorating the 35th anniversary celebration of the Thai-US relationship.According to witnesses, the runner shouted "Noppadon, you're a traitor" three time as he ran pass the minister.The embarassed minister reportedly told Ambassador John, "This can happen in the democratic system."Noppadon and the government have been strongly criticised by the opposition and the protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy of having hidden agenda in endorsing Cambodia's bid to list... [read full story]