Bangkok Post
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's private jet was denied a permit to fly over Thailand en route to Cambodia, where he arrived on Tuesday, according to a source.
The request was filed with the Department of Civil Aviation under the Transport Ministry two weeks ago and passed on to the air force.
"The air force received a report from the department and rejected the request," said the source.
Thaksin's plane was forced to take another flight path.
The comment came after Cambodian authorities accused Thailand of spying.
A Thai engineer at Cambodia Air Traffic Services was arrested by Cambodian police on charges of spying.
Cambodia, meanwhile, accused the Thai air force of violating Cambodia's airspace.
Siwarak Chotphong was accused of stealing flight information on Thaksin's journey from Cambodia, and supplying it to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia's national police spokesman Kirt Chantharith said Mr Siwarak was charged with releasing information related to Cambodia's national security.
"He tried to search for information related to Thaksin's flight so he could send it out of the country," he said.
Police were investigating whether more people were involved.
Cambodian deputy national police chief Sok Phal said the spy allegations prompted Phnom Penh to expel the Thai embassy's first secretary Kamrob Palawatwicha on Thursday.
"The first secretary ordered the man to copy the schedule of Thaksin's return flight, and that's why he was expelled," Sok Phal said.
The Foreign Ministry and the air force denied the charges.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said the arrest was an act of intimidation and Thaksin had caused a lot of trouble for the two countries.
"The spying claim is malicious and false.
"Thaksin feels he must destroy Thailand and collaborate with Hun Sen," Mr Kasit said.
He had told the Thai embassy to Cambodia to look after Mr Siwarak, who had been detained and questioned by Cambodian authorities.
Mr Kasit said there are now seven staff members left working at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian government is obligated to ensure their safety.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government would take care of Mr Siwarak in the same way it treated all Thais facing legal charges abroad.
Air force spokesman Gp Capt Monthon Satchukorn said the air force had always strictly complied with aviation regulations and never intruded in Cambodia's airspace.
"And in the current situation we are taking extra precautions to avoid provocation," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday met army chief Anupong Paojinda and deputy army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Gen Anupong also called a meeting with 2nd Army commander Lt Gen Vivalit Chornsamrit and senior officers to discuss the government's stand towards Cambodia.
The request was filed with the Department of Civil Aviation under the Transport Ministry two weeks ago and passed on to the air force.
"The air force received a report from the department and rejected the request," said the source.
Thaksin's plane was forced to take another flight path.
The comment came after Cambodian authorities accused Thailand of spying.
A Thai engineer at Cambodia Air Traffic Services was arrested by Cambodian police on charges of spying.
Cambodia, meanwhile, accused the Thai air force of violating Cambodia's airspace.
Siwarak Chotphong was accused of stealing flight information on Thaksin's journey from Cambodia, and supplying it to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
Cambodia's national police spokesman Kirt Chantharith said Mr Siwarak was charged with releasing information related to Cambodia's national security.
"He tried to search for information related to Thaksin's flight so he could send it out of the country," he said.
Police were investigating whether more people were involved.
Cambodian deputy national police chief Sok Phal said the spy allegations prompted Phnom Penh to expel the Thai embassy's first secretary Kamrob Palawatwicha on Thursday.
"The first secretary ordered the man to copy the schedule of Thaksin's return flight, and that's why he was expelled," Sok Phal said.
The Foreign Ministry and the air force denied the charges.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said the arrest was an act of intimidation and Thaksin had caused a lot of trouble for the two countries.
"The spying claim is malicious and false.
"Thaksin feels he must destroy Thailand and collaborate with Hun Sen," Mr Kasit said.
He had told the Thai embassy to Cambodia to look after Mr Siwarak, who had been detained and questioned by Cambodian authorities.
Mr Kasit said there are now seven staff members left working at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. The Cambodian government is obligated to ensure their safety.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government would take care of Mr Siwarak in the same way it treated all Thais facing legal charges abroad.
Air force spokesman Gp Capt Monthon Satchukorn said the air force had always strictly complied with aviation regulations and never intruded in Cambodia's airspace.
"And in the current situation we are taking extra precautions to avoid provocation," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday met army chief Anupong Paojinda and deputy army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Gen Anupong also called a meeting with 2nd Army commander Lt Gen Vivalit Chornsamrit and senior officers to discuss the government's stand towards Cambodia.
7 comments:
See, that guy that worked in Cambodia airport was a spy. They knew where and when Thaksin is flying now...
Hun Sen you must charge this guy for life for interfering Cambodia affair.
Khmer Poipet,
I think the guy was spying for Bangkok post too, because this newspaper has always speculated about thaksin trip to Cambodia.
Cambodian commanders should got a messages from Ah Abhisit Vejjajiva, he said, Thailand will not dance to cambodia's Tune Tactical Ploy, cambodia must beefup Anti-Air defensive....
I think cambodian army commanders should be more alert, not to get fools by Thais soldiers, playing footballs together and eating together all of these nonsense....dangerous! dangerous! dangerous!
Thailand waiting for an Oppt. to strike...
Execute that Thai bastard like the Thai junta executed my Khmer boy.
Yes! speaking about that boy story! have they find out anything from Thailand yet? or they just kept denial, the boy was shot and still alive, Thais soldier burned him while he's still alive...??
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