Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) holds hands with Siwarak Chothipong (right), a Thai man jailed for spying on Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra last month, at Hun Sen's residence in Phnom Penh on December 14, 2009.Cambodia releases pardoned Thai spy
Mon, 14 Dec 2009
Karen Percy, Liam Cochrane
Australia Network News
Cambodia has released a Thai engineer who was convicted last week of spying in a case that has infuriated Thailand's leaders.
Siwarak Chothipong, 31 years old, was sentenced to seven years' jail last week when the court found him guilty of breaking national security laws.
The incident took place last month when former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was visiting Phnom Penh.
The engineer denies stealing the flight plans of Mr Thaksin and giving the information to a Thai diplomat.
But the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry maintains that Siwarak was working on behalf of the Thai embassy.
Cambodia's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Koy Kuorn, says the Thai man was part of a wider diplomatic game.
"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," he said.
"And normally, the embassy receives the order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government."
Meanwhile, Cambodia's opposition has accused the government of undermining the country's monarch and of meddling in Thai politics, after the Cambodian king gave Siwarak a pardon.
Opposition parliamentarian, Son Chhay has criticised the move.
"I think the King had no say. He only did what the Prime Minister wanted him to do."
But spokesman Koy Kuorn denies there was any political pressure on the King to grant the royal pardon.
The release of Siwarak Chothipong coincided with a visit by Mr Thaksin to Cambodia.
Thaksin is on a three-day visit where has been appointed economic adviser to the national Government.
The billionaire former prime minister was ousted by the military in 2006 and later sentenced to jail in absentia on conflict of interest charges.
During his visit to Cambodia last month, Phnom Penh refused Bangkok's extradition request.
Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin has fuelled fears the position would give him a base over the border to unseat the Thai government.
Thaksin visited Siwarak briefly in prison on Sunday.
Siwarak Chothipong, 31 years old, was sentenced to seven years' jail last week when the court found him guilty of breaking national security laws.
The incident took place last month when former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was visiting Phnom Penh.
The engineer denies stealing the flight plans of Mr Thaksin and giving the information to a Thai diplomat.
But the Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry maintains that Siwarak was working on behalf of the Thai embassy.
Cambodia's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Koy Kuorn, says the Thai man was part of a wider diplomatic game.
"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," he said.
"And normally, the embassy receives the order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government."
Meanwhile, Cambodia's opposition has accused the government of undermining the country's monarch and of meddling in Thai politics, after the Cambodian king gave Siwarak a pardon.
Opposition parliamentarian, Son Chhay has criticised the move.
"I think the King had no say. He only did what the Prime Minister wanted him to do."
But spokesman Koy Kuorn denies there was any political pressure on the King to grant the royal pardon.
The release of Siwarak Chothipong coincided with a visit by Mr Thaksin to Cambodia.
Thaksin is on a three-day visit where has been appointed economic adviser to the national Government.
The billionaire former prime minister was ousted by the military in 2006 and later sentenced to jail in absentia on conflict of interest charges.
During his visit to Cambodia last month, Phnom Penh refused Bangkok's extradition request.
Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin has fuelled fears the position would give him a base over the border to unseat the Thai government.
Thaksin visited Siwarak briefly in prison on Sunday.
18 comments:
Hun Sen is a smart politician, he used Siha money to be a false guy.
The samething Sihanouk used Lon Nol to be a false guy.
Remember: (nov chit sdach douch nov chit kla). if so they must kill the tiger first in order to survive...
We see what Ah Hun Xen is doing!!!!
Law under dictator Hun Xen,he take hand the Siam spy and the siam prisoner Thachsin!!!
and Hun Xen is the murder!!!
Hun Xen is doing everything against the own people!!!!!
This picture is disgraceful!
1:32AM, Hun Xen is an idiot!
Listen to his speech! BARBARIC!
He only do what Viet command. All his actions is under Viet conspiracy. TO DESTROY KHMER!
His education is from the Khmer Rouge's jungle just like his buddy Thea Banh.
All Khmers must know that our King Sihamony is Ah Ting Maung for Hun Sen. He is the real Cambodian King.
It is so obvious how his created and benifit from his sneaky game. Even 13 years old can see his Sadam Hussen's act. Holding hand and smile. I wonder why a dozen of F16s holding off from dropping bombs on his had. Blow off the evil's brain.
Why Prime Minister holds hands with foreign criminal? Is it a gesture to apologise him for being used as political set up drama? Poor guy Sivarak who stayed in jail first before accidently famous. This time is a bit better that Hun Sen plays because he uses Thai as a scapegoat. Previously, he used Khmer opposition members as scapegoate. Oh, sorry not Hun Sen used it, his friend, Thaksin, used Thai man. If Hun Sen uses, he still uses Khmer people.
It's ashame that Mr Hun Sen was playing a disadavntage game. Whatever Mr Thaksin does is to gain for his people and his own country. Mr Hun Sen is a looser.
I have never heard that the Thai King would ever have pardoned the Khmers who've been convicted .
Hun Sen instead should have pardoned Khmer journalist who have been intervened by the King, but he refused. Surely, he doesn't see it.
Hun Sen is the dummiest politician in the history of mankind. He thought he is out smart everyone, at the end, he looks like a fool. He has no respect for himself or the country he represent. Shame on Hun Sen. Another lesson you can tell your kids not to learn from.
Most of you always said Hun Sen is stupid, dummies, low educated politician. Ask yourself, how come this guy able to stay in his power for over 25ys? No matter what game he plays. No body can make him step down. I wonder who are the stupidest. Most of you or Hun Sen?
due to yuon power. look at what yuom pm told him to do abou sam rainsy and he did just that. get it dummy ?
HUN SEN IS GAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. HE ASKED THE THAI BOY TO BE RELEASED SO HE CAN HOLD HANDS WITH HIM AND TAKE HIM TO HIS ROOM, AND BE A NAUGHTY PM. FUCKING FAGGGGOT.
Don't blam to my king you are motherfucker!Your party so stupid took off the border post and all party fellow!
Don't mind Hun Xen.He's blind.
hey simple question to you CPP asshole!
the journist you jailed vs the thai spy - which one pose more danger to national security ?
wont you care about your own khmer fellow ? Freaking asshole!
FUCK THE FAGGOT KING.
RELEASE THE KING AND HAVE HIM ENJOY HIS HOMOSEXUAL LIFESYSTLE.
2:39 AM
The Vietnamese told him so. If he did not hold the former prisoner's hand, Mr. Hun will be punished by the Yuon.
Khmer King always pardon Viet and Thai since they were Yuan and Siam running from the Mongol invasion.
sihamoni should go back to dance better than sit as the king of cambodia.
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