Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Mother of sentenced Thai engineer will not appeal Cambodian court verdict


BANGKOK, Dec 8 (TNA) – The mother of the detained Thai engineer found guilty in a Cambodian court opted to not appeal the verdict, saying she will seek a royal pardon with the help of the opposition Puea Thai Party.

Speaking by phone from Phnom Penh to Puea Thai party headquarters after hearing the verdict, Simarak Na Nakhon Panom, mother of Siwarak Chutipong, the Thai national jailed for seven years and fined Bt 100,000 (US$3,000) on espionage charges, said she would not appeal the verdict out of concern that it would delay the court case.

Mr Siwarak was convicted of passing allegedly confidential flight information relating to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s visit to Phnom Penh last month.

His mother said she would ask her lawyer to seek a royal pardon in an attempt to free her son as soon as possible. She also urged two former Thai prime ministers--Thaksin Shinawatra and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh--to help secure her son’s release.

"I decided to seek help from the opposition party for fear that obstacles may arise through Thai foreign ministry channels as the relations between the two countries are in trouble," said Mrs Simarak.

She reiterated that her son’s case should not be linked to political issues and called on Kamrob Palawatwichai, the then first secretary of the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, to show his responsibility as he had asked her son to pass on the information.

The Cambodian court said the flight schedule of Mr Thaksin was considered confidential as Mr Thaksin was appointed an economic adviser of the Cambodian government by King Norodom Sihamoni.

As Mr Thaksin is a prominent figure, sharing information of his flight details to the Thai embassy is tantamount to sharing Cambodian confidential information to Thailand.

The six-hour trial called the defendant and four witnesses to testify, including two Cambodian colleagues of Mr Siwarak and two police officers. Mr Siwarak admitted he inform the Thai diplomat verbally but didn’t pass on copy of the flight schedule.

His two colleagues said the flight schedule was not important information, but should not be shared with persons outside the company.

Mr Siwarak’s lawyer argued the flight information is not confidential and anyone in the company can view it and Siwarak didn’t know Thaksin was aboard that plane. The only thing he knew was that a VIP was on the plane.

Moreover, Cambodian media had earlier reported Mr Thaksin’s arrival.

Thai and Cambodian relations were downgraded after Cambodia appointed Mr Thaksin as an economic adviser and refused to extradite him to Thailand. enewsMr Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for violating a conflict-of-interest law.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why don't we shackle hime or Chains him like they did to our people at Thai-jails..?? put a chain on his neck or something..?

Anonymous said...

Gay Spy..

Anonymous said...

He still looks so arrogant. He is so proud that all the leaders of both countries are taking care and paying attention to him so much.

It is cheap for Cambodian leaders to treat their own people like dogs, while bow their head to the foreigners

Anonymous said...

I agree! he does look so arrogant...Ah Chhleuy!!

Anonymous said...

I hope cambodian police gave him the same foods as other...nothing special for this moron..!

Anonymous said...

This play is very interesting. Let's see Episode 2

Anonymous said...

He does not to have worry about anything, although he was convicted of espinage. He also should be proud that Mr. Hun's government can't do shit to him, because he's only a bargaining chip. Everyone knows this political gambit that Mr. Hun plays. Also, Thailand will do everything in its power for his release. Again, Mr. Hun and his staff won't lend a hand on this guy. Yes, fuck the Cambodian government. This guy should find every reason to be proud as a Thai citizen, and keep his head held high, and Mr. Hun's regime would not want to fuck with Thai. If he did, he'll know what will happen to his stronghold. We dare Mr. Hun to touch the newly-convicted Thai, and then wait and see what will happen to his regime. Your government so fucked, so does your fucking idiot leader Mr. Hun.