The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A Thai man was ordered to serve seven years in prison for spying on Thailand's former prime minister while he was in Cambodia as a guest of the government, a case that threatens to worsen a diplomatic feud between the two neighbours.
The trial in the capital of Phnom Penh follows Cambodia's decision last month to name former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra its special economic adviser. The appointment and Thaksin's subsequent visit to Cambodia angered the government in Bangkok and resulted in a recall of ambassadors from both sides.
Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, an employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin's flight schedule before his Nov. 10 arrival and sending it to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. Thaksin stayed five days, getting red-carpet treatment as he talked to Cambodian economists.
Siwarak, 31, was arrested Nov. 12 and charged with stealing information that could impact national security.
Municipal Court Judge Ke Sakhan ruled that Thaksin's flight information was confidential and sharing it was a breach of security protocol for dignitaries.
"Thaksin is an adviser to Cambodia's government and Cambodia has the obligation to provide him security," the judge said. He ordered Siwarak to pay a 10 million riel (US$2,500) fine and serve seven years in prison, the lowest possible for the spying charge, which carries a penalty of seven to 15 years behind bars.
Siwarak acknowledged earlier in court that he saw the flight schedule and passed the details on to Thai embassy First Secretary Kamrob Palawatwichai who was later expelled from the country. But he denied stealing the document.
"I took a look at the flight schedule and made a phone call to Kamrob about the flight schedule," Siwarak told the court. "But I didn't get a copy of the flight schedule and hand it over to anyone."
Two other employees from the Cambodia Air Traffic Service testified that Siwarak asked them about the flight schedule.
Thaksin went into self-imposed exile last year before a Thai court found him guilty of violating a conflict of interest law and sentenced him to two years in prison. He had served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when he was ousted in a military coup after being accused of corruption and showing disrespect to the monarchy.
Thaksin's supporters and opponents have repeatedly taken to the streets since then to spar over who has the right to rule the country, sometimes sparking violence.
Thaksin's visit to Cambodia led to allegations he was trying to ignite a new political crisis from across the border.
Critics, including Thailand's government, have portrayed Thaksin as a traitor for accepting the Cambodian appointment and have lambasted Cambodia for hosting him while he is a fugitive. Relations have already been roiled by several deadly skirmishes over the past year and a half over land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
The trial in the capital of Phnom Penh follows Cambodia's decision last month to name former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra its special economic adviser. The appointment and Thaksin's subsequent visit to Cambodia angered the government in Bangkok and resulted in a recall of ambassadors from both sides.
Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, an employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin's flight schedule before his Nov. 10 arrival and sending it to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. Thaksin stayed five days, getting red-carpet treatment as he talked to Cambodian economists.
Siwarak, 31, was arrested Nov. 12 and charged with stealing information that could impact national security.
Municipal Court Judge Ke Sakhan ruled that Thaksin's flight information was confidential and sharing it was a breach of security protocol for dignitaries.
"Thaksin is an adviser to Cambodia's government and Cambodia has the obligation to provide him security," the judge said. He ordered Siwarak to pay a 10 million riel (US$2,500) fine and serve seven years in prison, the lowest possible for the spying charge, which carries a penalty of seven to 15 years behind bars.
Siwarak acknowledged earlier in court that he saw the flight schedule and passed the details on to Thai embassy First Secretary Kamrob Palawatwichai who was later expelled from the country. But he denied stealing the document.
"I took a look at the flight schedule and made a phone call to Kamrob about the flight schedule," Siwarak told the court. "But I didn't get a copy of the flight schedule and hand it over to anyone."
Two other employees from the Cambodia Air Traffic Service testified that Siwarak asked them about the flight schedule.
Thaksin went into self-imposed exile last year before a Thai court found him guilty of violating a conflict of interest law and sentenced him to two years in prison. He had served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when he was ousted in a military coup after being accused of corruption and showing disrespect to the monarchy.
Thaksin's supporters and opponents have repeatedly taken to the streets since then to spar over who has the right to rule the country, sometimes sparking violence.
Thaksin's visit to Cambodia led to allegations he was trying to ignite a new political crisis from across the border.
Critics, including Thailand's government, have portrayed Thaksin as a traitor for accepting the Cambodian appointment and have lambasted Cambodia for hosting him while he is a fugitive. Relations have already been roiled by several deadly skirmishes over the past year and a half over land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
11 comments:
ah kasit and ape shit them both an asshole. what els can they do?
Is he the prime suspect in this case or is this just a frame that setup by Cambodian’s govt. to discredit Thailand? Maybe he could be just a scapegoat and became a victim of the ongoing political between Cambodia and Thailand. He could be under forced confession by Cambodian govt.
Well! AH ABISHIT illegal government is very selective in picking a country to protest against Thaksin! Thaksin is everywhere around the world in other countries but why choose to Cambodia! Is it because Cambodia is a dirt poor country that can be pushed around?
As for AH Siwarak Chothipong he is a fucken spy for AH ABISHIT illegal government and he broke Cambodian law and he deserve to be punished! At least this mother fucker got a sentence but most dirt poor Cambodian people who cross the Thai border got a bullet in their head!
Hey..If AH ABISHIT illegal government want to raise tension again with Cambodia and nobody is stopping him! Go AH ABISHIT GO! Go!
I am Thai and supporter of Abhisit.
Fuck you the dark barbaric Khmers.
May the Youn rule all of you till eternity. I will laugh when you become another Kampuchea Krom.
Proud Siem.
Fuck you too, you barbaric Siam at 7:42 am. The Siam have killed many cambodian, let just kill this guy to teach the Siam a lesson.
Our court is a Kangouru court. Everybody knows that.
You commit the crime, serve the time. fuck idiot siame people
So what!! he passed on information about Thaksin who is a wanted criminal in Thailand. Nothing to do with Khmer. Hun Sen using this to distract the khmer from his land grabbing, corruption, murder, and make them nationalistic ..its a hoax. I can't believe this guy got 7yrs....lop men
742
Go ahead laugh your ass off and no one will care the shit about you. Thailand go to hell soon. Just look at what happen everyday in your country. People are protesting none stop. You have a bubble head just like Abhishit bastard.
The Siem bastards want Cambodian government to reward the Siem spy for breaking Cambodian law but the Siem government reward dirt poor Cambodian people with a bullet to their head for crossing the Thai borders to do business!
The Siem need to learn from the Youn before taking over Khmer people!
Thai spy should be sent to death penalty so his Thai Mom can understand the Khmer boy's Mom feeling when her son got shot and burned alive by the Thai junta.
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