Thai] EC checking Panich's credentials as MP

Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Nation

The Election Commission on Tuesday formed a panel to check into the credentials of Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth following his sentencing in Cambodia for a suspended jail term on the offence of illegal entry.

EC member Prapun Naigowit said the panel will have 30 days to complete its task.

Under Article 106 of the Constitution, MP sentenced for imprisonment or suspended jail term will be disqualified from holding the House seat. An exception is granted for minor offence or negligence.

Prapun said the panel would have to determine whether the verdict by a foreign court is applicable to Panich's job status.

Should the EC rule to disqualify Panich, this will prompt a mandatory judicial review by the Constitution Court.

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TPN [Yellow Shirt] protesters submit petition to [Thai] King

18/01/2011
Bangkok Post

About 1,000 protesters of the Thai Patriots Network marched from in front of the Government House to the grand palace on Tuesday morning and lodged a petition against the government to His Majesty the King.

They said the government had failed in its handling of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute and not done enough to secure the release of the seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

The protesters, led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong, began to move on foot at 9.59am from the Government House despite having learned that four more Thais arrested in Cambodia, except Veera Somkwamkid, a TPN coordinator, have been granted bail.

Mr Chaiwat, holding a lamp and a list of 82,000 names of TPN supporters, led the procession.

The protesters arrived at the Grand Palace at 11.15am. They lodged the petition at the Wiset Chaisri gate.

Mr Chaiwat alleged that the Thai and Cambodian government had conspired to release the four Thais and keep Mr Veera in detention to prevent him from returning to take part in the protest.

Although six of the seven Thais had been freed on bail, the TPN's objective is to bring all seven of them back to Thailand, he said.

The TPN would further announce a new protest - this one against the country's justice process, he added.

Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai said 450 policemen had been assigned to maintain law and order during the TPN protest.

Thawil Pliensri, secretary-general of the National Security Council, said a rally like the one being held by the TPN would continue to take place as long as there is not a law on public gatherings.

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[Bangkok Post] Weekly highlights [: The border trespassing Thais]

14/01/2011
Veera Prateepchaikul
Bangkok Post

The foolhardy adventurism of seven Thais remains the talk of the town two weeks after their arrest by Cambodian soldiers. Meanwhile in Bangkok, business owners at Ratchaprasong intersection can no longer tolerate the red-shirt protests and ask the UDD to give them a break.

The border intrusion saga involving seven Thais who were caught by Cambodian forces before the year's end took a turn for the better, but only slightly, when the Phnom Penh Municipal Court decided on Thursday to release two of the detainees on bail.

The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh put up one million riel, about 7,500 baht, for each of them - Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and Ms Narumol Chivarattana. They were released on the condition they must not leave Cambodia and must report to authorities when summoned.

Mr Panich and Ms Narumol have taken temporary refuge at the Thai embassy.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya disclosed that a group of Cambodian border crossers held in Thailand were sent home in return for the release of the two Thais.

The other five Thais, including Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the Thai Patriots Network, a splinter faction of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, were still being detained at Prey Sar prison in the Cambodian capital on charges of illegal entry and trespassing on a military area. Mr Veera and Ms Ratree each face an additional charge of spying.

The seven were arrested while on a trip they said was to investigate alleged intrusions into Thailand near a border village in Sa Kaeo province by Cambodian people. A video clip posted on YouTube showed Mr Panich, talking with a man via mobile phone and admitting that his team was on Cambodian soil. The inspection trip led by Mr Panich had the blessing of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Meanwhile in Bangkok, members of the Thai Patriots Network (TPN) led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong rallied in front of Government House Thursday to demand the resignation of Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit. They threatened to block the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing, which is a major trading post for Thais and Cambodians alike. Besides, the Cambodian border town of Poipet boasts several casinos which attract thousands of Thai punters, especially on weekends.

But TPN members will face stiff resistance if they carry on with their threat to shut the border checkpoint. Some 1,500 local people from several districts of Sa Kaeo province staged a rally Thursday at Muang district to protest against the TPN, which was later reported to have cancelled the protest.

On the political front, the main spotlight of the week was on the conflict between the Democrats and their coalition partners over a single issue in the charter amendments bill which passed the first reading in the parliament and which narrowly won the endorsement of the constitutional amendments scrutiny committee by only 18 votes to 17 on Tuesday, with the chairman casting the deciding vote.

The issue is about the proportion of constituency and party list MPs in the House of Representatives. The amendments bill seeks to change the ratio from 400 for constituency MPs and 80 list MPs to 375 and 125 respectively. The coalition parties, minus the Democrats, want the seating formula to revert to the 400 and 100 formula specified in the previous constitution of 1997.

The minor coalition parties, which include Bhumjaithai, Chart Thai Pattana and Puea Pandin, argue that the 375 plus 125 formula will benefit only the Democrats, as it will help them win more party list seats.

After their proposed formula was outvoted in the constitutional amendments scrutiny committee led by Democrat MP Therdpong Chaiyanant, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart of the Chart Thai Pattana Party told reporters that he was confident that their formula would, in the end, be accepted.

So far, the Democrats have stuck to their guns and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has been assigned to discuss the matter with the coalition partners.

The opposition Puea Thai Party has supported the dissenting coalition parties’ formula although they have boycotted the government’s charter amendments bill from the very beginning. The party wants to revive the 1997 charter with changes made to the chapter regarding the Privy Council.

Another significant event of the week was the rally on Tuesday by some 2,000 business operators, vendors, employees and residents at Ratchaprasong shopping district against red-shirt protests, which they say have seriously affected their lives, businesses and livelihood generally.

The Ratchaprasong Square Traders Association said that red-shirt protests during March and May last year caused big losses for some 2,000 business operators, to the tune of 11.2 billion baht, and that the protest on Sunday Jan 9 this year alone cost them about 100 million baht in lost sales.

RSTA wants the red-shirts to protest elsewhere and the government to find a suitable location for future gatherings by all political groups. The traders also called on the government to accelerate the passing of a law on public gatherings to ensure that such activities do not cause hardship or inconvenience to other people.

A discussion is under way between representatives of the red-shirt movement and the Ratchaprasong business operators about the next protest, scheduled for Jan 23, at Ratchaprasong intersection.

Another topical political issue of the week was the government’s nine New Year "gifts" for the Thai people announced by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last week as part of the government’s ambitious Pracha Wiwat programme.

The nine gifts are; continued free electricity for households which use less than 90 units a month; credit arrangements for taxi drivers to buy new cars; social security coverage for informal workers; registration of motorcycle taxi-drivers so they are freed from having to pay under-the-table fees to loca mafia; additional trading spots for vendors; and the freezing of the price of LPG for home and transport sector use.

Criticism of the handouts range from borrowing future money to curry favour from voters ahead of the coming general election and putting the burden on future generations, weakening the Thai people to the extent that they will have to depend on government handouts, and potentially bankrupting the economy.

Among the critics was Privy Councillor Kasem Wattanachai, who voiced serious concern over the populist policies. He said that politicians all over the world are of the same mould – that is, they care only about getting votes in an election.

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Thai activists vow to ramp up tensions

http://news.asiaone.com/

via CAAI

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

The Nation/Asia News Network

As the trial of the seven detained Thais dragged on in Phnom Penh and the Thai government struggled to get them released quickly, the Thai Patriots Network yesterday threatened to escalate tensions with Cambodia.

"If the government won't take any action, the network will bring people to shut the border gate by ourselves," leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said.

The border crossing at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaew province, opposite Poipet in Cambodia, is the major gateway for trade and tourism between the two countries, with billions of baht of goods in transit per year.

Foot traffic has dropped by 60 per cent since last month after the arrest of the seven Thais, said Benjaphon Rodsawasdi, deputy commander of Sa Kaew Immigration Police.

The number of travellers crossing the checkpoint from either side has plunged from 3,000 to only 1,000 per day, he said.

The Thai Patriots Network, which is associated with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), called for a major rally in front of Government House in Bangkok today to pressure the government to seal off the border.

The border area is basically under martial law, which authorises the military to control the situation and movement of people.

Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said the Burapha Task Force and Sa Kaew governor would look after the situation. The Thai Patriots Network could gather at the border area as long as it maintained law and order, he said.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister, said the group should not do anything to make the situation more complicated and difficult to resolve.

The network got angry after the government failed to rescue the seven Thais - including yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and Democrat Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth - from the Cambodian prison.

The seven were taken into custody by Cambodian authorities late last month near Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaew while they were inspecting the disputed border area. The Foreign Ministry said they had walked 55 metres into Cambodia.

All seven were charged with illegal entry into the country and illegal entry into a military zone, with a possible combined sentence of 18 months.

Veera and his close aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were also charged later with espionage for alleged attempts to collect information that might compromise Cambodia's national security. That charge could bring them a maximum 10-year imprisonment.

They were taken to court to testify again yesterday but Veera refused to speak via the court-appointed Khmer interpreter and requested an interpreter from the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Chavanond said.

It was a court regulation not to allow interpreters from outside to provide services to defendants, he said.

Veera told reporters shortly before entering the courtroom that "they're trying to force me to accept the accusation".

Veera's action prolonged the hearing while the other five detainees were still waiting for the court's decision on their requests to be freed on bail.

The Thai Patriots Network accused their government of taking no effective action to put pressure on Phnom Penh to send the group back. They argued that the seven had been arrested in Thai territory and the Cambodian court had no authority to try them.

Thailand and Cambodia are in conflict over the boundary at many spots including the areas adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear and Ban Nong Chan.

The Cabinet had approved more than Bt500 million (S$21.2 million) for military readiness to protect the border with Cambodia, Thanathip said.

The budget was allocated for an emergency situation, and was not a secret budget as reported by the media, he said. The military would spend the money for logistics supplies to its mission to defend the border.

-- The Nation/Asia News Network

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Thai Foreign Minister to meet Cambodian counterpart soon

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Jan 13 - Amid renewed tension between Thailand and Cambodia following the arrest of seven Thais for an alleged trespass into the neighbouring kingdom, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Thursday that he expects to meet his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong next week.

The Thai foreign minister made the remarks as a Cambodian court today granted bail for Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and Naruemol Chitwaratana of the People’s Network Against Corruption and Santi Asoke network after they were detained with the remaining five Thais for two weeks.

Mr Kasit said the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh and the defense lawyers are seeking to help the other five detainees as fast as possible, adding that Mr Panich and Ms Naruemol are now staying at the embassy, and their families will visit them there.

"The foreign ministry is doing its best to help the seven Thais without giving priority to any particular person among them," asserted Mr Kasit, following criticism over the release of the Democrat MP.

The ministry has used various channels to coordinate the issue since the first day, both informally and formally, stated the minister, adding that any action which will improve the situation will be done, such as the release of Cambodians detained by the Thai Immigration Office.

Mr Kasit said he will meet with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in Indonesia where the foreign ministers meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is scheduled to be held from Saturday until Monday, Jan 15-17.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier said he had talked with Mr Panich by phone after he was granted bail and asked him to convey messages to the six other Thais that the government is doing its best to help and they should take care their health, particularly Ms Naruemol who is now having health problems.

Regarding criticism that the government is focusing on help for Mr Panich only, Mr Abhisit said the government has sought bail for all seven detainees and is now waiting for the consideration of Cambodian court case by case.

The government has always been cautious so that it could help everyone and the attempt will continue as this is only the beginning," said Mr Abhisit.

Meanwhile, members of Thailand Patriots Network on Thursday rallied at the foreign ministry on Bangkok's Rama VI Road, verbally attacking what they describe as a poor performance of the ministry regarding help for the seven detainees and demanded that Mr Kasit resign from his post for his slow response on the matter.

The ministry's entrances were closed to prevent any intrusion into its compound. No violence incident has been reported.

The Cambodian court today allowed Mr Panich and Ms Naruemol to be temporary freed under bail under three conditions: they must not leave the country, give 1 million Cambodian riels (about Bt10,000) each as bail bond and must be ready to appear at court upon receiving a summons.

The seven Thais were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Khmer territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into Cambodia and also trespassing into a Cambodian military zone.

But Mr Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon have been pressed with additional espionage charges. (MCOT online news)

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Thai issues cross into Cambodia

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Jan 13, 2011 (The Straits Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- An added charge of espionage has been brought against two Thai nationals who appeared in a Cambodian court to face trespassing charges.

Analysts say the matter reveals how Thailand's domestic political issues are undermining its relations with Cambodia.

The pair -- Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriots Network, a faction of activist group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and his aide Ratree Pipattanapaibul -- entered Cambodia last month. They were among seven Thais arrested on Dec 29 after they crossed into Cambodia while on an inspection visit to a disputed border area.

It is not clear when a verdict on the case will be delivered. The court is expected to respond to a bail request by the end of the week.

The Thai-Cambodia border is not fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia. It is an issue that the neighbours have long been at odds over.

The PAD has periodically whipped up nationalist sentiment over the issue, pressing the Thai government to take a tougher stand with Cambodia over the disputes. The latest incident risks snowballing into yet another war of words between the two countries.

Observers believe it was a deliberate move by Veera's Thai Patriots Network to further provoke nationalist passion among supporters of the royalist PAD.

In 2006, the PAD, whose supporters are known as the 'yellow shirts', helped oust then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and in 2008, it also helped sabotage his loyalist People Power Party.

Initially, the PAD supported the ruling Democrat Party, but elements of it have grown increasingly critical of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he is a weak leader, and accuse the government of rampant corruption.

The group now has its own political party -- the New Politics Party -- which it will field in a general election that may come this year.

Since all parties claim to fight against corruption and to protect the monarchy, the border dispute with Cambodia -- Thailand's ancient rival -- is "all that is left for the PAD", wrote Bangkok Post commentator Voranai Vanijaka.

The PAD has planned a rally in Bangkok on Jan 25 to protest against the detention of the seven Thais in Cambodia. To maintain its credibility, the group will try and ensure that the rally is big, analysts say.

"Keep whipping up that nationalist fervour and more people will show up," wrote Mr Voranai.

This is not the first time Veera has had trouble with the Cambodian authorities. In August last year, he was arrested for trespassing in Cambodian territory but was eventually released.

In September 2009, he led a crowd of supporters to the border near the controversial Preah Vihear temple, and ended up in a pitched battle with local Thai villagers who resented the nationalists' provocation of Cambodia.

This time, the presence of Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, who is close to Mr Abhisit, in the group of seven Thais reportedly incensed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen -- and embarrassed the Thai government.

Panich -- who until his election was deputy minister for foreign affairs -- may have been manipulated into "deliberately or naively" crossing the border in an action designed to "make Veera into a martyr", a senior Thai official said on condition of anonymity.

The MP was visiting the border to look into land title problems that his constituency members said they were facing, officials have said. But going with Veera was his undoing, the official said.

About 30 members of the Thai Patriots Network protested at Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs this week against what they said was the government's failure to obtain the release of the seven.

"They want to bring this government down; they want a national government," the senior official said. Many elements in the PAD, which detests the largely pro-Thaksin 'red shirt' movement, also openly support the idea of military rule.

The Thai government has admitted that the seven crossed into Cambodian territory, but insists they were acting on their own.

Mr Hun Sen has said nobody can interfere with the courts in Cambodia.

Maintaining cordial relations will be a challenge in the face of the provocation from Thailand's ultra-nationalists, and both governments are trying.

"Both countries know what is at stake," said the Thai official.

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Thai Patriots Network cannot close Sa Kaeo border checkpoint: Suthep

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Jan 13 -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thursday that the government will not allow the activist Thai Patriots Network to push its agenda and close the Sa Kaeo border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district as threatened to urge the government to help seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Mr Suthep said the government has given every assistance in trying to help the detainees, and he personally believed the talks were the best way to find a solution, He expressed confidence that using threats will not bear fruit.

As for the Thai Patriots Network's plan to rally at the Thai-Cambodian border area at Aranyaprathet and threaten to close the border to pressure the Thai and Cambodian governments to release the seven Thais, Mr Suthep said he has ordered local officials to carry out their duties as normal.

However, he said, the government would not let the political activist network close the border as it could violate other people's rights.

"The protesters could demonstrate in accordance with their rights but the border closure will not be allowed as the area is business area, the people of the two countries are crossing to each other territory. The government wants to see the good relations between the two countries and eases the rift," he said.

The deputy premier said the government could not stop the Thai Patriots Network to have negative feeling and dissatisfied with the government's attempt to help the seven Thais.

He said people could have different idea but the government did not want the see any group divided against each other.

He added that even though both the red- and yellow-shirt people groups are planning to rally against the government, it was not necessary to reinstate the emergency decree. The authorities can keep the situation under control using ordinary law.

Mr Suthep said the government earlier had invited Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok An to attend meeting on Preah Vihear disputes but get no confirmation on the trip after the incident of seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the Thai Patriots Network who had already gathered at Government House on Wednesday announced to step up their protest at Government House.

Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a core member of the Thai Patriots Network, on Wednesday said in members of his group may close the permanent Aranyaprathet-Poipet checkpoint in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district to pressure Cambodia to release the seven Thais.

He said the closure was aimed at preventing Thai gamblers from crossing the border to patronise casinos in Poipet and barring illicit activities along the border including smuggling of contraband, drugs and the movement of illegal labour.

However, the decision of the so-called patriots network movement would be discussed among its leaders at 4pm.

The seven Thais, including Democrat member of parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

However, the latest report from Phnom Penh said the Cambodian Court has granted bail for Mr Panich and Naruemol Chitwaratana, but has not allowed them to return to Thailand. (MCOT online news)

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New border crossing hits snag

Published: 13/01/2011

The opening of a new permanent border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia may be further delayed by the current tension along the border, Burapa Task Force commander Maj-Gen Walit Rojanapakdi said on Thursday.

Thai Patriots Network members rally in Buri Ram on Jan 11 to demand seven Thais arrested by Cambodian officials be released.

Maj-Gen Walit, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, was referring to the new border checkpoint between Ban Nong Ian in tambon Tha Kham of Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province and Stung Bo in Bantey Meanchey province of Cambodia.

Cambodia proposed the opening of this checkpoint two years ago. The proposal had been considered by a joint Thai-Cambodian committee, the Sa Kaeo governor, and the National Security Council (NSC). It is about to be forwarded to the cabinet for final approval.

The new checkpoint was intended to ease the heavy traffic through the Khlong Luek- Poi Pet checkpoint.

It is also part of an exclusive economic zone project to make Aranyaprathet the gateway to Cambodia, Vietnam and Indochina.

"As commander of a unit in the area, I will propose that the opening of the new border checkpoint be delayed for some time because it is not far from the the Klong Luek - Poi Pet checkpoint, where the situation is not yet normal.

"This would affect local people involved in the cross-border trade," Maj-Gen Walit said.

Ban Nong Ian is located between border posts Nos 50-51, where the boundary is clearly defined by a stream.

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Thai activists vow to ramp up tensions

Thu, Jan 13, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

As the trial of the seven detained Thais dragged on in Phnom Penh and the Thai government struggled to get them released quickly, the Thai Patriots Network yesterday threatened to escalate tensions with Cambodia.

"If the government won't take any action, the network will bring people to shut the border gate by ourselves," leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said.

The border crossing at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaew province, opposite Poipet in Cambodia, is the major gateway for trade and tourism between the two countries, with billions of baht of goods in transit per year.

Foot traffic has dropped by 60 per cent since last month after the arrest of the seven Thais, said Benjaphon Rodsawasdi, deputy commander of Sa Kaew Immigration Police.

The number of travellers crossing the checkpoint from either side has plunged from 3,000 to only 1,000 per day, he said.

The Thai Patriots Network, which is associated with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), called for a major rally in front of Government House in Bangkok today to pressure the government to seal off the border.

The border area is basically under martial law, which authorises the military to control the situation and movement of people.

Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defence Ministry, said the Burapha Task Force and Sa Kaew governor would look after the situation. The Thai Patriots Network could gather at the border area as long as it maintained law and order, he said.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister, said the group should not do anything to make the situation more complicated and difficult to resolve.

The network got angry after the government failed to rescue the seven Thais - including yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and Democrat Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth - from the Cambodian prison.

The seven were taken into custody by Cambodian authorities late last month near Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaew while they were inspecting the disputed border area. The Foreign Ministry said they had walked 55 metres into Cambodia.

All seven were charged with illegal entry into the country and illegal entry into a military zone, with a possible combined sentence of 18 months.

Veera and his close aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were also charged later with espionage for alleged attempts to collect information that might compromise Cambodia's national security. That charge could bring them a maximum 10-year imprisonment.

They were taken to court to testify again yesterday but Veera refused to speak via the court-appointed Khmer interpreter and requested an interpreter from the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Chavanond said.

It was a court regulation not to allow interpreters from outside to provide services to defendants, he said.

Veera told reporters shortly before entering the courtroom that "they're trying to force me to accept the accusation".

Veera's action prolonged the hearing while the other five detainees were still waiting for the court's decision on their requests to be freed on bail.

The Thai Patriots Network accused their government of taking no effective action to put pressure on Phnom Penh to send the group back. They argued that the seven had been arrested in Thai territory and the Cambodian court had no authority to try them.

Thailand and Cambodia are in conflict over the boundary at many spots including the areas adjacent to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear and Ban Nong Chan.

The Cabinet had approved more than Bt500 million (S$21.2 million) for military readiness to protect the border with Cambodia, Thanathip said.

The budget was allocated for an emergency situation, and was not a secret budget as reported by the media, he said. The military would spend the money for logistics supplies to its mission to defend the border.

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Thai Patriot Network cannot close Sa Kaeo border checkpoint: Suthep

BANGKOK, Jan 13 (MCOT online news) -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thursday that the government will not allow the activist Thai Patriot Network to push its agenda and close the Sa Kaeo border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district as threatened to urge the government to help seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Mr Suthep said the government has given every assistance in trying to help the detainees, and he personally believed the talks were the best way to find a solution, He expressed confidence that using threats will not bear fruit.

As for the Thai Patriot Network's plan to rally at the Thai-Cambodian border area at Aranyaprathet and threaten to close the border to pressure the Thai and Cambodian governments to release the seven Thais, Mr Suthep said he has ordered local officials to carry out their duties as normal.

However, he said, the government would not let the political activist network close the border as it could violate the other people rights.

"The protesters could demonstrate in accordance with their rights but the border closure will not be allowed as the area is business area, the people of the two countries are crossing to each other territory. The government wants to see the good relations between the two countries and eases the rift," he said.

The deputy premier said the government could not stop the Thai Patriots Network to have negative feeling and dissatisfied with the government's attempt to help the seven Thais.

He said people could have different idea but the government did not want the see any group divided against each other.

He added that even though both the red- and yellow-shirt people groups are planning to rally against the government, it was not necessary to reinstate the emergency decree. The authorities can keep the situation under control using ordinary law.

Mr Suthep said the government earlier had invited Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok An to attend meeting on Preah Vihear disputes but get no confirmation on the trip after the incident of seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the Thai Patriot Network who had already gathered at Government House on Wednesday announced to step up their protest at Government House.

Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a core member of the Thai Patriots Network, on Wednesday said in members of his group may close the permanent Aranyaprathet-Poipet checkpoint in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district to pressure Cambodia to release the seven Thais.

He said the closure was aimed at preventing Thai gamblers from crossing the border to patronise casinos in Poipet and barring illicit activities along the border including smuggling of contraband, drugs and the movement of illegal labour.

However, the decision of the so-called patriots network movement would be discussed among its leaders at 4pm.

The seven Thais, including Democrat member of parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

However, the latest report from Phnom Penh said the Cambodian Court has granted bail for Mr Panich and Naruemol Chitwaratana, but has not allowed them to return to Thailand.

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Thais questioned on spying

Thai detainee Veera Somkwamkid is escorted by police into Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday. (Photo by: Pha Lina)

Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Two Thai nationals facing espionage charges in connection with their arrest for trespassing in Banteay Meanchey province last month appeared for questioning at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday, as tensions mounted in the high-profile case.

The two were part of a group of seven people, including Thai parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth, who were apprehended by Cambodian troops in Banteay Meanchey’s O’Chrou district.

All seven have been charged with illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military base, charges that carry a maximum combined sentence of 18 months in prison.

On Tuesday, detainees Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Taiputana Taiboon were also formally charged with collecting information that may damage national defence, a charge that could net them up to ten years in prison.

“The investigating judge, Ms. Chang Sinath, upheld the charge against my client,” said Pich Vicheka, Veera’s Cambodian lawyer.

“My client, however, remained silent under interrogation.”

While the Kingdom’s courts provide their own interpreters, Veera refused to speak without an interpreter appointed by the Thai Embassy, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said on Tuesday that Bangkok was “concerned about the new charges”.

“We have always believed that the seven people did not intend to encroach into Cambodia … but we hope that they will have a chance to defend themselves in a court of law,” he said.

“We certainly respect the judicial process in Cambodia, and we hope the issue will be resolved as soon as possible, paving the way for the suspects to return to Thailand as soon as possible.”

Veera, a former leader of the “Yellow Shirt” People’s Alliance for Democracy, now heads the Thailand Patriot Network, a PAD splinter group. Ratree is reportedly his secretary.

Veera and the nationalist Yellow Shirts have staged repeated rallies at the Thai-Cambodian border to protest against alleged Cambodian encroachment.

He joined Panich on last month’s ill-fated excursion in an attempt to “investigate” the border demarcation process.

Pich Vicheka said on Tuesday that the detainees had yet to receive a response to a bail request submitted on Monday. A trial date has not yet been set.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Hun Sen said the detainees could not expect to win early release if they are convicted.

“After they are convicted, they have 30 days to make an appeal, and after the conviction is effective, they have to serve two thirds of their sentences before we consider whether there is a pardon or not,” the prime minister said.

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Two Thais arrested in Cambodia face additional charge

via CAAI

January 10, 2011

Two of the seven Thai nationals arrested in Cambodia late last month have faced additional charge, court officials said Monday.

Veera Somkwamkid, who led a People's Alliance of Democrats group called the Thailand Patriot Network, and Ratree Taiputana Taiboon, known as Veera's secretary, face additional charge, Phnom Penh Municipal Court officials, who preferred not to be named, said on Monday.

The charge was mentioned as their attempt in "collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security," according to the court.

According to Cambodia's laws, they may face five to ten years imprisonment if found guilty.

The two, along with five other Thai nationals, including Thai Democratic Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth, were charged on Dec. 30 last year for illegal entry into Cambodia and unlawful entry into military zone. They may face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty.

Cambodian troops detained them following their entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey Province on Dec. 29 last year.

Panich claimed that he had traveled to the area to investigate residents' complaints that Cambodian troops were intruding into Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the seven Thais had no intention to cause any harm to Cambodia and is seeking their release on bail.

However, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday that no one deserved to make any intervention into the case which is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court.

Source: Xinhua

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Spying charge against [Thai] yellows-shirts a farce

11/01/2011
Veera Prateepchaikul
Bangkok Post

The fact that only two of the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian forces for illegal entry were charged with spying clearly shows that they were selectively targeted.

Hard-core yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, now face spying charges in addition to earlier charges of illegal entry and trespassing on a military area.

Clearly, the espionage charge brought by the Cambodian prosecution was selective because the other five Thais on the same trip to investigate alleged intrusions into Thailand by Cambodians, who were arrested at the same time, were spared the same charge. They include Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth.

The charge itself, which under Cambodian criminal law carries a maximum imprisonment of 10 years, is at best a farce.

First of all, the area where they were arrested is, according to the Thai military, about 55 metres over the border into Cambodia, and has no military or economic significance whatsoever and nothing worth spying on.

Secondly, the mere fact that only Mr Veera and his secretary were charged indicates that the Cambodian government might have wanted to teach them, Mr Veera in particular, a lesson.

Mr Veera was arrested once before by Cambodian authorities for trespassing on Cambodian territory but was eventually released. He has been actively involved in a campaign by the self-styled Thai Patriots Network, a splinter faction of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, for the scrapping of a memorandum of understanding on border demarcation between Thailand and Cambodia.

The spying charge revives memories of an incident over a year ago when Sivarak Chutipong, a Thai engineer working at Cambodia Airport Traffic Services, a Thai firm based in Phnom Penh, was arrested on an espionage charge by Cambodian authorities for passing information about the flight schedule of a plane carrying former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to a Thai embassy official.

Sivarak was detained on Nov 12, 2009 and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and fined 10 million riel (about 100,000 baht) for espionage on Dec 8 that year. The following day he was granted a royal pardon by King Sihanouk Sihamoni and flew back to Thailand.

Mr Sivarak was then seen as a scapegoat in the diplomatic spat between Thailand and Cambodia over Phom Penh's appointment of Thaksin as a special economic adviser.

But the two neighbouring countries are in the process of mending fences and relations were improving when the seven Thais were caught by Cambodian forces.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was right when he said no one - not even the United Nations or former prime minister Thaksin - could interfere in the Cambodian judicial process.

But the fact that the two yellow-shirts were selectively targeted for the spying charge gives rise to the suspicion that the Cambodian government might have played a role in the trumped up charge.

As such, the charge may have a negative impact on the relationship between the two countries.

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Thailand's antigovernment red shirts gear up for elections

Thai antigovernment 'red shirt' protesters gather at Bangkok's shopping district, decorated in red colors on Jan. 9. The protesters marched across Bangkok on Sunday, in the first peaceful and symbolic demonstration since the government lifted an emergency rule in the capital. (Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters)

Tens of thousands of Thailand's antigovernment 'red-shirt' protesters took to Bangkok's streets over the weekend demanding democracy and promising to keep up the pressure as Thailand turns toward elections this year.

January 10, 2011

By Simon Montlake, Correspondent

The Christian Science Monitor

Bangkok - Tens of thousands of antigovernment “red-shirt” protesters rallied in Bangkok Sunday in their largest show of force since Thai troops violently broke up protests last May.

Rally leaders demanded justice for those killed in May and vowed to keep pressing the government.

The boisterous rally, which drew at least 30,000 people, came as Thailand braces for an election that must be called by the end of this year and will be bitterly contested. Last year's bloodshed, the worst in a generation, has left a highly-polarized political landscape and calls for national reconciliation have faltered.

A rival royalist group is preparing to rally on Jan. 25 and has stirred up tensions on the disputed Thai-Cambodia border, where seven Thais, including a ruling party lawmaker, were recently arrested for illegal entry. The group shut down Bangkok’s international airports in late 2008, helping to topple an elected government loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

“The underlying conflict is still not resolved,” says Kan Yuenyong, director of Siam Intelligence Unit, a research center in Bangkok.

Hours before Sunday’s rally, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva used a televised speech to unveil new policies for low-income families. His aides say that the government is trying to reduce tensions by reaching out to disaffected voters on both economic issues and social justice, a rallying cry of the red shirts. These reforms include constitutional changes and new media regulations.

Justice?

“This is part of reconciliation. The broader aim is to reduce injustice,” says Panitan Wattanyagorn, a spokesman for Mr. Abhisit.

In the aftermath of the May protests, in which 91 people died, mostly red-shirt protesters shot in street clashes, the government promised a full investigation.

But the powerful military has stonewalled an independent inquiry, to the frustration of victims’ families. Investigators have also struggled to identify masked gunmen who fought alongside the red shirts.

At Sunday’s rally, protesters held aloft gilt-framed photos of the dead and pinned up gruesome pictures of corpses. Candles were lit in their memory at a makeshift altar with a collection box stuffed with donations. A woman with horror movie make-up daubed on her face held a sign that read in Thai and English: “Abhisit is the great PRETENDER. One Land, Double Standard.”

Patama Thooppae, a cashier in a nightclub, said any reconciliation was “impossible” while Abhisit holds power. “We want democracy,” she says, indicating the swelling crowd in the shadow of a shopping mall torched last May.

Abhisit has promised to call elections once the situation calms down. Last month, he lifted a state of emergency imposed during the protests. Some analysts have predicted a poll by mid year to take advantage of strong economic growth and higher public spending.

Mr. Panitan says the government is already in “campaign mode” and this will ease political tension. “By shortening our term in office and giving the power to the people to decide on their parliament, this can contribute to reconciliation,” he says.

Change coming?

Having survived last year’s upheaval, the ruling Democrat Party appears confident of reelection, say analysts. But it has lost the last three elections to parties led by or allied with Mr. Thaksin, who continues to pull strings from afar and has plenty of supporters. He made a brief phone-in to Sunday’s rally, promising to help Thailand recover its democracy.

“The Democrat Party and its allies have persuaded themselves that the (red-shirt) threat is diminished. But we’ve yet to see whether that’s true or not,” says Chris Baker, a historian of Thailand and coauthor of a critical biography of Thaksin.

A peaceful election that returned the current government with a democratic mandate could tamp down protests though the red-shirt movement is likely to endure in some form. But a victory for the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party would set the stage for further confrontation, particularly if Abhisit’s military backers refuse to accept the result. This could mean a repeat of the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin and exposed the fault lines in Thai politics.

Last May, hundreds of red shirts were arrested under the state of emergency. Human rights groups say that many were jailed arbitrarily on flimsy evidence.

The government has agreed to release some detainees. But courts have refused to grant bail to protest leaders held on terrorism charges. In contrast, prosecutors have repeatedly postponed an indictment of the royalists who seized the airports in 2008, fuelling red-shirt complaints of double standards.

Frederico Ferrara, an assistant professor at Hong Kong’s City University and author of "Siam Unhinged," a series of critical essays, argues reconciliation has become a hollow slogan. “A better word for what the government has been trying to do is something like "restoration"– to re-educate the skeptical, terrorize the reticent, and crush the undaunted,” he writes in an e-mail.

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Court slaps 2 Thais with spying charge

Immediate release not possible, says Hun Sen

11/01/2011
Bangkok Post

The seven Thai suspects arrested for trespassing into Cambodia have plunged deeper into trouble as two of them have been slapped with an additional charge of espionage.

Under the new charge, Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, a splinter group of the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, identified as Mr Veera's secretary, could face between five and 10 years in jail if found guilty.

The two were additionally charged with "collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security", according to Phnom Penh Municipal Court officials.

The two are among the group of seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 last year, which included Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, when they entered a disputed area claimed by Cambodia near Nong Jan village in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district adjacent to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

The Cambodian court earlier charged them with illegal entry and trespassing on a military area.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen strongly reaffirmed yesterday his government's position to allow the Cambodian judicial process to take its course.

The Phnom Penh Post quoted Hun Sen as saying that the Thai parliamentarian and six other Thais arrested on trespassing charges will have to serve at least two-thirds of their jail sentences if convicted.

"Nobody, not even the United Nations or former Thai prime minister Thaksin [Shinawatra], could interfere in the Cambodian judicial process for an immediate release for them," Hun Sen said via the Bayon television station.

"We will talk about this further when the court has completed its procedure, but the law is the law, the court is the court, and the government cannot influence or order the court to do this or that for a political compromise."

If found guilty of the charges against them, the seven could file an appeal within 30 days.

Hun Sen said that on the night of Dec 29, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya called him about 10 times but he did not answer the phone.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday submitted bail requests for the seven Thai detainees with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the court would make a decision on bail within five days.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called an urgent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Mr Kasit to discuss ways to help get the seven Thais released.

"We are looking at trends in the case. Our goal is to help them to be released and our sovereignty must not be violated," said Mr Abhisit.

Meanwhile, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of the Thai Patriots Network, said the Thai embassy in Cambodia had tried to bar the network's legal team from meeting the seven Thais. This could affect their court defence and consequently deprive them of an opportunity to return to Thailand.

He said the network had also petitioned the UN asking it to intervene.

"We will not accept the Cambodian court's ruling as the court procedures are not in line with the fourth Geneva Convention," he said.

Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara yesterday denied Cambodian media reports that Thai soldiers had shot at Cambodians along the border, saying the troops only fired in response to gangs who sneaked into Thailand to fell trees and then opened fire on the soldiers when discovered.

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Cambodian court to decide on fate of 7 arrested Thais: Hun Sen

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 10 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday dismissed a possible political deal on the fate of a Thai ruling party lawmaker and six other Thai political activists who have been charged with illegally crossing into Cambodian territory late last month.

Speaking to a gathering of college students, Hun Sen said only the Cambodian courts have the right to decide the case.

"Intervention from any quarters will not be accepted at this moment," he said, adding that he does not expect the case to affect relations with Thailand.

Thai Democrat Party parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth and six activists of the People's Alliance for Democracy allegedly crossed the border between Thailand's Sa Kaeo Province and Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey Province on Dec. 29 and were detained by Cambodian soldiers.

They were charged by a Cambodian court on Dec. 30 with entering Cambodia illegally and trespassing in a Cambodian military zone.

Panich, a member of a parliamentary committee on boundary affairs and a former vice foreign minister, was quoted by Thai media as saying the seven visited a disputed border area after receiving a complaint from Thai villagers who claimed that Cambodian troops had intruded into their rice fields.

Thai media reports said Panich and his group were walking in a paddy field when they were detained.

On Monday, the prosecutor at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court filed an additional charge against two Thai activists for attempting to collect information "that may cause harm to Cambodia's defense affairs."

The Cambodian court has not yet decided on the date of the trial.

Since Cambodia's ancient temple of Preah Vihear in a border area claimed by Thailand was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008, Thai and Cambodian troops have faced off in the area and deadly skirmishes have erupted on several occasions.

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Thai activists seek UN help for seven Thais detained in Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 10 (MCOT online news) – The Thai Patriots Network on Monday submitted a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN office in Bangkok seeking assistance for seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong led activists from the Thai Patriots Network to the world body’s Bangkok regional headquarters to present the letter to the UN Secretary-General.

Mr Chaiwat said that that matter was of concern to the UN because the area where the seven were arrested was used by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to accommodate Cambodian refugees in 1975 after asking for permission from Thailand.

After the UNHCR moved out, some Cambodians have continued to live there. Accordingly, Thailand believes the arrest of the seven Thais is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Mr Chaiwat said, arguing that the Cambodian court has no authority to rule in the case but must send it to an international body for adjudication.

The network called on the UN to help the seven detainees, he said, adding that he believed the letter would reach the UN secretary-general on Tuesday and the group's overseas members will follow up on the reaction from the world body.

The seven Thais, including Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and Thai Patriots Network leader Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers Dec 29 as they inspected the border area in Sakaeo province.

The detainees face two charges -- one of illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, punishable by three to six months of imprisonment and deportation, while the other involved trespass into a Cambodian military area without permission, punishable by a three to six months jail term and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.

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[Thai] PM meets top security officials to help Thais detained in Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 10 (MCOT online news) – Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday called an urgent meeting with top security officials to find measures to help seven Thai detainees who continue in Cambodian custody.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya attended the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the prime minister said the meeting discussed measures to assist the seven men after the Cambodian court delivers its verdict with an aim to secure their release without any residual impact on the country.

“We will map out clear guidelines, but [that] cannot be elaborated now. The issue must be followed up and revised. So far, there has been no discussion on downgrading relations,” Mr Abhisit said.

The Thai premier made the statement after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that only the Cambodian court would decide the fate of the seven Thai detainees.

"I simply confirm that no one can intervene in the judicial system, neither the government, nor foreigners, or Cambodians,” Mr Hun Sen was quoted as saying during a graduation ceremony at the Vanda Institute in Phnom Penh on Monday.

"I tell them that it is impossible, no matter which path you enter from, even from the United Nations, because the case is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court, which must be respected," he said.

Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said a lawyer has already submitted a bail request for the seven Thais and it will take no more than five days for the court to consider it. If the court grants bail and sets bail conditions, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh stands ready to provide assistance to them.

Mr Thani however said the Cambodian court has set no date for the ruling but progress is expected in the next few days.

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PM calls meeting to help 7 Thais

10/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called an urgent meeting late Monday afternoon to discuss ways to expedite the release of the seven Thai border-crossers now being held at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.

Mr Abhisit said he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Foreign minister's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the ministry hoped the seven Thais would not face extra charges.

The ministry would weigh up the situation before reporting to Prime Minister Abhisit about whether he should to make a direct phone call to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The secretary said all seven detainees were allowed meetings this morning with relatives who travelled to Phnom Penh last night.

The seven were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 while on an "inspection trip" near a disputed border area in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district adjacent to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

The Cambodian court charged them with illegal entry and illegal trespass on a military zone. The two charges carry a combined maximum penalty of 18 months in jail.

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[Thai] Army denies killing Cambodians [-Thai soldiers are not only at good at shooting Cambodians, they are also good at denying as well!]

10/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon denied a report that Thai soldiers killed innocent Cambodians on Sunday, saying the troops were only protecting a wildlife refuge in Si Sa Ket which has been encroached upon by illegal loggers.

He said on Monday the soldiers retaliated after an unidentified group of trespassers ignored their warnings and fired shots at them.

The clash erupted when the soldiers spotted and challenged the strangers while patrolling Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary in Khun Han district in Si Sa Ket, which borders Cambodia.

Lt-Gen Thawatchai was reacting to a report that Cambodian authorities intend to send a photo of Cambodians killed by Thai soldiers to the Thai government.

Thai soldiers returned to the scene of the clash in the forest this morning and found chainsaws and evidence of trees being cut. They did not see any injured or dead people, the lieutenant-general said.

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