ABC Radio Australia
Cambodia's opposition has accused the government of undermining the country's monarch and of meddling in Thai politics, after the spying conviction of a Thai man was overturned. Last week a 31-year-old Thai national was jailed for seven years for tipping off Phnom Penh's Thai embassy about the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Cambodia. Three days later the Cambodian king granted Siwarak Chothipong a royal pardon - a move that's outraged the opposition.
Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Siwarak Chothipong, released Thai citizen; Koy Kuorn, spokesman, Cambodian Foreign Ministry; Son Chhay, opposition politician
COCHRANE: It was a swift and sweet release for Thai national Siwarak Chothipong.
SIWARAK CHOTHIPONG: I feel very happy that I have the freedom again.
REPORTER: Did you say anything to Premier Hun Sen?'
SIWARAK CHOTHIPONG: Yes, I really appreciate his [Hun Sen's] kindness and help me and let me go out. And I very very appreciate for the kindness of your highness, his majesty of the kingdom of Cambodia that have given me a chance to go back home."
COCHRANE: Koy Kuorn, spokesman for Cambodia's Foreign Ministry, says the Thai man is a small player in a wider game.
KOY KUORN: The former Thai spy is the victim of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, because he was ordered by the Thai embassy to do the espionage. And normally embassy receives the order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government.
COCHRANE: Koy Kuorn denied there was political pressure to have the man released.
KOY KUORN: This is the right of the King, the King grant the royal pardon to him.
COCHRANE: But Son Chhay, a member of parliament for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, called it "strange" that while previous requests for royal pardons have taken months or years, this politically sensitive one was granted within a week.
SON CHHAY: I think the King has no say. He only did what the Prime Minister want him to do.
COCHRANE: The spokesman for the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs said this case did receive some special treatment - in that not all prisoners receive their official letters of pardon at the home of the Prime Minister.
KOY KUORN: It's just only occasional, just occasional - like this case.
COCHRANE: It's a case which has added to the already strained diplomatic relationship between Cambodia and Thailand. In 2003, rioters burned down the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, and this year saw sporadic clashes around the Preah Vihear temple on their shared border. So last month, when Cambodia made Thaksin Shinawatra an official economic advisor, Thailand withdrew its ambassador and Cambodia followed suit.
The spokesman for Cambodia's Foriegn Affairs Ministry says Thaksin did not request the pardon, that came from the Pheu Thai party, the successor to Mr Thaksin's now banned political party. Koy Kuorn played down the effect the spy case might have on diplomatic relations.
KOY KUORN: It's just not relevant to each other. It's just one case, and the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is another case.
COCHRANE: However, opposition politician Son Chhay says the royal pardon and Mr Thaksin's visit suggests Prime Minister Hun Sen is betting that supporters of the ousted Mr Thaksin will one day reclaim power.
SON CHHAY: So we should not put our hands so deep into the affair of the other nation, especially the neighbouring nation.
COCHRANE: A spokesman for the Thai government has told media a new extradition request will be lodged but Koy Kuorn says it will be a waste of time, with Cambodia continuing to offer a safe port for Thailand's most wanted man.
Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Siwarak Chothipong, released Thai citizen; Koy Kuorn, spokesman, Cambodian Foreign Ministry; Son Chhay, opposition politician
COCHRANE: It was a swift and sweet release for Thai national Siwarak Chothipong.
SIWARAK CHOTHIPONG: I feel very happy that I have the freedom again.
REPORTER: Did you say anything to Premier Hun Sen?'
SIWARAK CHOTHIPONG: Yes, I really appreciate his [Hun Sen's] kindness and help me and let me go out. And I very very appreciate for the kindness of your highness, his majesty of the kingdom of Cambodia that have given me a chance to go back home."
COCHRANE: Koy Kuorn, spokesman for Cambodia's Foreign Ministry, says the Thai man is a small player in a wider game.
KOY KUORN: The former Thai spy is the victim of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, because he was ordered by the Thai embassy to do the espionage. And normally embassy receives the order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government.
COCHRANE: Koy Kuorn denied there was political pressure to have the man released.
KOY KUORN: This is the right of the King, the King grant the royal pardon to him.
COCHRANE: But Son Chhay, a member of parliament for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, called it "strange" that while previous requests for royal pardons have taken months or years, this politically sensitive one was granted within a week.
SON CHHAY: I think the King has no say. He only did what the Prime Minister want him to do.
COCHRANE: The spokesman for the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs said this case did receive some special treatment - in that not all prisoners receive their official letters of pardon at the home of the Prime Minister.
KOY KUORN: It's just only occasional, just occasional - like this case.
COCHRANE: It's a case which has added to the already strained diplomatic relationship between Cambodia and Thailand. In 2003, rioters burned down the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, and this year saw sporadic clashes around the Preah Vihear temple on their shared border. So last month, when Cambodia made Thaksin Shinawatra an official economic advisor, Thailand withdrew its ambassador and Cambodia followed suit.
The spokesman for Cambodia's Foriegn Affairs Ministry says Thaksin did not request the pardon, that came from the Pheu Thai party, the successor to Mr Thaksin's now banned political party. Koy Kuorn played down the effect the spy case might have on diplomatic relations.
KOY KUORN: It's just not relevant to each other. It's just one case, and the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is another case.
COCHRANE: However, opposition politician Son Chhay says the royal pardon and Mr Thaksin's visit suggests Prime Minister Hun Sen is betting that supporters of the ousted Mr Thaksin will one day reclaim power.
SON CHHAY: So we should not put our hands so deep into the affair of the other nation, especially the neighbouring nation.
COCHRANE: A spokesman for the Thai government has told media a new extradition request will be lodged but Koy Kuorn says it will be a waste of time, with Cambodia continuing to offer a safe port for Thailand's most wanted man.
19 comments:
In order to have Cambodia change to the future... first of all
We all khmer MUST write or do anything to put Sihanouk and Hun Sen's popularity to be on the downswing.
Second we MUST write or do anything to put Sam Rainsy's popularity to be on the upswing.
Third vote all CPP out in 2012-2013
Vote 100% for SRP.
How can the opposition win if the coward Rainsy keep running away like a chicken? I feel so sorry for the poor villagers who risk their lives to support a coward leader like him, who only cares for his own safety.
To 1:30AM
How can you say that Sam Rainsy keeeps running? If Sam Rainsy don't go to interntional community as for help and do you think international community will help him?
Any fucken leader who use law and the court to cover his arse from persecution is a real coward!
Tell me that AH HUN SEN didn't use the law and the court to cover his arse!
1:30AM,
You got it all wrong! 1:39AM is right in seeking international help. Think about it! Would it be stupid if he stay to face the fake court in Cambodia. Eveyone knows the result would be.
If he stupidity brave as you want him to be, to face the injustice system, for sure he will wrongfully conviced.
You know Youn command CPP to jail Sam Rainsy. If he stupid to fall for this tac tic then mind as well give up. Stay in France and forget abut Cambodia.
He is smart and he will not give up for any chance to save our people and nation. This is why he is out there seeking the international help!
He is working not hiding! Don't get it all wrong! CPP is the one doing all the wrong things to oppositions and poor citizens.
1:39AM - is there anyone country helping him now?
All he's doing is running away, while his supporters (poor villagers) got killed or jailed by Hanoi! Sam Rainsy is not a responsible leader!
When Mu Sochua immunity was lifted, did he tell his party to boycot the parliamentary session as a protest? No.
If Sam Rainsy is affraid to sleep in the jungle, he should not be an opposition leader.
1:30AM, actually Sam Rainsy is smart. If he is stupid he would stay to face the fake judiciary system in Cambodia.
You know the law in Cambodia is all under Hun Xen lips.
1:52PM, If you are true Khmer you should be bitching about Hun Xen not Sam Rainsy.
Hun Xen is destroying our country.
Hun Xen is killing our people.
Now, Sam Rainsy is in trouble for trying to help the helpless Cambodian.
1:52AM, You really think it is easy to face the tyant, Hun Xen?
If this spy is the victims of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, why he was sentenced for 7 years in jail? He is free man but his record shows that he was criminal.
I am 1:52AM. We all know that Hanoi is controlling CPP, no one is arguing on that.
What I am saying is that we can not fight Hanoi and its pupets with the diplomacy. We have done that for thirty years now, and it is going no where. We need a new strategy, and a new kind of leadership!
Hun Sen always applies chess to the politic.
He has 2 groups of opponent, in the CPP: Chea Sim, Sar Keng, Ke Kimyan.. in the future Sok An, Hor NamHong..
and opposition party members
Opponent in CPP seems neutralized.
Now, he is excluding Sam RaingSy from his way.
Why he kiss Thai ass ? He want to avoid Thailand to host future Khmers opposing army.
Hun Sen has the ability to see what coming next, just as in the chess game, and he prepares for it.
Sam Rainsy seems to lack that skill or courage to take that step.
Where was Mr. Sam Rainsy in 1975-1979, when the country needs him? How come Samrainsy help Cambodians! At the mean time this guy still can’t help himself. Do you all think that if Sam Rainsy becomes the next Prime Minister, Cambodia would be better? No more corruption? Who can guaranty that the new government would be better? Sam Rainsy always uses his words to inflame the nation to against each other. Moreover, the corruption has been run in Khmer blood leader from one regime to another. Don't give me wrong I am not Hun Sen supporter nor Samrainsy.
4.20 am, another iodiot here. you should aske where was hun xen during 1970-1978 ? serving pol pot until his turn came, then boklting to yuon.
on sam rainsy becoming a pm, it is not the case, the case is to work for change. sam rainsy is working get cambodia to chanbge for the better. it is not important who is the pm as long as he serves geuine khmeri interests, no more selling off heads and souls to yuons and self-interests.
Political maturity will foresee and win over obstacles. SR himself is smart, out spoken, plenty of ideas but always missed his target by far. It may be time that he should sit down, look back what went wrong, listen to others and come up with fresh ideas if he is really want to win.
hun an absolute power, kindly offer by yuons, while it happens of hush up Khmer revolt against yuons
hun own an absolute power, kindly offered by yuons, while it happens of hush up Khmer revolt against yuons
Hun Sen has the ability to see what coming next, just as in the chess game, and he prepares for it.
you compare Khmer blood as the chess, you are stupid compared this game. I cann tell you, the Hun 't chess will be always lose when the Viet BoDoy don't stand behind him.
Khmer ghost
Cambodia opposition get prepared themselves to have Khmer King to pardon.
5:12 am , Everybody knew that Hun Sen was the ex Khmer Rouge and during those time he had courage enough to ask VN to save the Cambodians from the bloody hand of Khmer Rouge regime. Without them you and I may become the skeleton that been display at Tuol Sleng.
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