Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- A Thai man arrested for allegedly spying on Thailand's fugitive former prime minister went on trial Tuesday in Cambodia in a politically charged case that could worsen an already bitter diplomatic feud between the two nations.
The trial at Municipal Court in the capital, Phnom Penh, comes after Cambodia's decision last month to name former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra its special economic adviser. The appointment and a subsequent visit by Thaksin to Cambodia set off a feud that has strained relations.
Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Mr. Thaksin's flight schedule before his Nov. 10 arrival and sending it to diplomats at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. Mr. Thaksin stayed five days, getting red-carpet treatment as he talked to Cambodian economists and stoked cross-border tensions.
Mr. Siwarak was arrested Nov. 12 and charged with stealing information that could impact national security. If found guilty, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Mr. 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.
Mr. 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.
Mr. 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. The appointment further strained relations already roiled by several deadly skirmishes in the past year and a half over land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Mr. Siwarak allegedly gave Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy's first secretary, who was then ordered by Cambodia to leave the country for carrying out activities inconsistent with his official duties. Thailand responded by ordering out the first secretary of Cambodia's mission in Bangkok. The two countries already had recalled their ambassadors.
The trial at Municipal Court in the capital, Phnom Penh, comes after Cambodia's decision last month to name former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra its special economic adviser. The appointment and a subsequent visit by Thaksin to Cambodia set off a feud that has strained relations.
Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Mr. Thaksin's flight schedule before his Nov. 10 arrival and sending it to diplomats at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. Mr. Thaksin stayed five days, getting red-carpet treatment as he talked to Cambodian economists and stoked cross-border tensions.
Mr. Siwarak was arrested Nov. 12 and charged with stealing information that could impact national security. If found guilty, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Mr. 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.
Mr. 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.
Mr. 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. The appointment further strained relations already roiled by several deadly skirmishes in the past year and a half over land surrounding the ancient Preah Vihear temple.
Mr. Siwarak allegedly gave Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy's first secretary, who was then ordered by Cambodia to leave the country for carrying out activities inconsistent with his official duties. Thailand responded by ordering out the first secretary of Cambodia's mission in Bangkok. The two countries already had recalled their ambassadors.
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