Kasit leaves for Phnom Penh

30/12/2010
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Thursday flew to Phnom Penh to negotiate for the release of seven Thais, including an MP, arrested on Wednesday for trespassing.

Mr Kasit was accompanied by Thani Thongpakdi, director-general of the Information Department, Mathurapojana Itharong, deputy director-general of the Consular Affairs Department, and high-level Foreign Ministry officials.

The foreign minister said before his departure that he would first look into the circumstances of how Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) activist Veera Somkwamkid, and five other Thais were arrested when they visited Sa Kaeo to inspect the disputed border area yesterday afternoon.

Ministry officials had been sent to examine the border point in question so that he could negotiate with Cambodian authorities for their release.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants the seven to be released because he had an agreement with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that if people of either side were arrested in connection with the border dispute, the other side could seek the release of its people, he said.

Mr Kasit said he would today meet and talk over the matter with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Mr Panich and his team's trip to the border had nothing to do with the government. The Bangkok MP went there in his capacity as a member of the Joint Border Commission. It was not known whether the team had encroached on the Cambodian soil., he said.

Mr Kasit said he had a reserve plan, in case Cambodia refuses to release the seven Thais.

Prime Minister Abhisit said earlier today that the seven Thais should be released immediately and without conditions.

"Both countries have agreed that there must not be soldiers from either side in the area where the seven Thais were apprehended.

"We should not talk about them [the seven Thais] appearing in a Phnom Penh court now, the main point is no armed forces should be in the area in the first place.

"There is no deadline for their release as we'll have to wait for the talks between Foreign Minister Kasit and his counterpart," the prime minister said.

Mr Abhisit admitted that he had assigned Mr Panich to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border dispute issue with the PAD yellow-shirt group.

He said representatives of the Royal Thai Survey Department and other agencies had been sent to inspect the area where the seven Thais were arrested.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and armed forces commanders this morning had a serious discussion with Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda about the arrest of seven Thais by Cambodia for trespassing.

Gen Prawit, who looked tense, said to reporters: "We are following up the matter and coordinating with Cambodia."

He said the seven had probably not trespassed into Cambodia as the boundary has yet to be clearly defined.

A source said Gen Prem told Gen Prawit and other military leaders to quickly find ways of helping the seven Thais.

The generals questioned whether it was the seven Thais or the Cambodian soldiers who had trespassed, but said Mr Panich and Mr Veera should have asked soldiers or police to accompany them if visiting an area in dispute, said the source.

Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Democrat Party MP Panich should have known better than to have entered the disputed frontier area where he was captured.

"It is quite unusual for a man like Mr Panich, who was formerly an assistant to the foreign minister, to be arrested. He should know the law and the situation between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the disputed border," Mr Prompong said.

He said it was not normal that the seven Thais visited the disputed border area without advising the Cambodian authorities first. Their trip to the border area was inappropriate and he wondered if there was a hidden political agenda.

"As an MP, Mr Panich should be more careful because his action could affect Thailand, increase the tension between the two countries and put Thailand at a disadvantage in future negotiations. His action certainly lacks maturity.

"I personally believe Mr Panich had good intentions, but the government must clarify Mr Panich's action.

"After an explanation, I think the Cambodian government would release the seven detainees," Mr Prompong said.

He said the government can ask the opposition for help, because it also has concerns for the well-being of the seven Thais.

Mr Prompong said he was worried that a certain group of people would exploit the incident. He said this nationalistic group might worsen the Thai-Cambodian situation and cause trouble for people living along the border area.

Mr Panich yesterday asserted in a telephone interview they were on Thai soil when they were detained. He said Thai farmers had land title deeds within the area.