The spy who slipped out of [Thai] clutches

Cambodia's James Bond: The spy who comes from nowhere and who disappears without a clue?

20/06/2011
COMMENTARY
Bangkok Post

He came out of nowhere. And he's gone without a clue. Hats off to Mr Wichai.

The 48-year-old, also known as Ya Pao, should have been arrested with three three suspects at Ban Phum Srol in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket, on June 7. Authorities believe he is the leader of the gang, comprising another Cambodian, one Thai and one Vietnamese, on a secret mission to allegedly scout Thai military bases and locations at the border for Phnom Penh. They were caught red-handed with a map identifying the army's strategic sites. The army chief of the second region, Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon, said they confessed to authorities that they were spies.

That was supposed to be good news for Thailand. Their alleged confession and arrest would show the world that the Cambodian government has not given up plans to militarily target Thailand. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is even thinking about telling the International Court of Justice and the World Heritage Committee about this alleged espionage case, as it could prove favourable to Thailand's position.

Don't forget that the world court at The Hague is to rule within weeks on whether Thailand should temporarily end all military and other activities in the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area around Preah Vihear temple. The WHC is assembling in Paris and one of its hottest agendas is the stalled management plan in the overlapping zone pushed by Phnom Penh and blocked by Bangkok. In addition to that, authorities hope that the alleged spies could be a chip to bargain for the release of Veera Somkwamkid of the Thai Patriots Network and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, his secretary. Remember them? The two are serving jail terms at Prey Sar prison after being found guilty on two counts of illegally sneaking into Cambodia and espionage on Dec 29 last year.

So far, the Cambodian government seems not to be bothered by its people having been arrested and facing serious charges. It even accused Thailand of cooking up this case to have grounds to attack its country in the future. "The Royal Government of Cambodia wishes to assert that the above fabrication is only a pretext to justify future aggression against Cambodia," its Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on June 10.

That's how Phnom Penh sees it. It would be very strange if the Cambodian government had come out to admit that it had indeed sent people to spy on the Thai army.

Let the Thai judicial process answer this question after police forward the case to the court.

But another question remains unanswered. How on earth did Thai authorities let Mr Wichai slip through their hands so easily?

Mr Wichai managed to escape arrest as security forces captured the other three. He is believed to have returned home through the Aranyaprathet-Poipet checkpoint two days later. Letting him escape is an embarrassment for Thailand. It is even more embarrassing to see no alert from immigration and other authorities in charge of our borders, to bar him from crossing back into Cambodia.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban came out to protect soldiers and police, saying they did their best and should not be faulted for failing to capture the suspected spy leader.

But in fact they should be punished for their failure to catch the big fish. But now the country is in election mode. The Democrat Party-led coalition government doesn't feel like doing anything but carry out political campaigns as polling day nears and its political arch-rival, the Pheu Thai Party, is ahead in several polls. Don't be surprised if nobody comes out to shed any more light on how Mr Wichai escaped arrest.

As for Veera and Ratree, the two have to pray that the Democrats will get another chance to lead a coalition government. Their fate obviously relies on this party to help them out of jail, instead of having them serve their full term. The court in Phnom Penh handed Veera an 8-year jail term and Ratree 6 years.

If Pheu Thai gets the chance to form the government, it will not bother pursuing attempts to secure their release, given the duo's role in rallying against the then government led by the People Power Party, on its handling of the Preah Vihear issue. The Democrats will help them but Pheu Thai definitely won't.

--------------------

Saritdet Marukatat is Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post.