Abhisit seeks help in finding red fugitives

Cambodia 'ready to look into Thai reports'

30/10/2010
Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has accepted a request from his Thai counterpart, Abhisit Vejjajiva, to investigate reports that some red shirt leaders with outstanding arrest warrants for terrorism are hiding in Cambodia.

"Yes, we discussed this matter in principle," Mr Abhisit said yesterday after he met Hun Sen for about 15 minutes on the sidelines of the 17th Asean summit and related summits on Thursday.

Mr Abhisit said Hun Sen had assured him that Cambodia was ready to throw its support behind Thai authorities if they officially requested it.

Thai media has reported that key leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have fled to Cambodia. Among the fugitives is singer-turned-activist Arisman Pongruangrong who has reportedly filed a request with Cambodian authorities to have his visa extended.

Mr Abhisit said he and Hun Sen also discussed the progress of several joint projects including attempts to open more border checkpoints to boost trade.

The discussions also focused on the memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 on border issues.

Mr Abhisit said he took the opportunity to brief Hun Sen about the progress on the minutes of the Thai Cambodian Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting which would be put on the agenda of the House session on Tuesday.

He said the Cambodian leader seemed to understand the Thai parliamentary process well and asked that the House deliberate it thoroughly.

However, the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has vowed to stage a rally in front of parliament on Tuesday to protest against the deliberation of the minutes.

The group has claimed that adopting the JBC's minutes would result in Thailand losing its sovereign rights over disputed areas around the Preah Vihear temple.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said PAD supporters could stage a rally as long as they did not engage in illegal acts such as blocking traffic and causing trouble for others.

He said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation was ready to maintain peace and order.

Meanwhile, the Udon Thani Provincial Court yesterday handed down jail terms to 32 members of the red shirt Love Udon People group.

The 32 people were among the red shirt supporters who became involved in a scuffle with backers of the PAD on Oct 24, 2008 at Nong Prachak Silpakhom public park in Udon Thani's municipal area.

The group was charged with physical assault, committing offences against national security and stoking unrest.

The Udon Thani Provincial Court sentenced Kularp Yot-on, 49, whom is also known as DJ Hong, to 16 months in prison.

Two other group leaders, Prasit Wichairat and Natthayot Phajuang, were jailed for 18 months and the other 30 received eight-month sentences.