[Thai] PM to seek pardon for [PAD] activists [-Fundraising for PAD activists instead of helping Khmer soldiers killed by the Thais?]

September 9, 2011
By Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation

The [soccer] match would take place in Phnom Penh between Pheu Thai MPs and Cambodian officials to raise funds to help Thai activists Veera and Ratree and victims of the bloody crackdown in May last year, he said. [KI-Media note: How about raising funds to help families of Cambodian soldiers killed by Thai soldiers?]

Hopes high for Veera, Ratree as Thai MPs and Cambodian officials plan soccer match in Phnom Penh

The visit of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Phnom Penh next week, followed by a friendly soccer match between Thai MPs and Cambodian officials, and maybe a visit there by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, would strengthen ties between the two neighbours, Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said yesterday.

It might even help secure the release of two Thai nationalist activists held by the Cambodians.

Yingluck was scheduled to visit Cambodia on September 15, to introduce herself as the new prime minister of Thailand and to mend diplomatic relations damaged during the Abhisit Vejjajiva government.

The prime minister would discuss many topics to improve relations as well as ask for a royal pardon for activists Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, imprisoned in Phnom Penh on espionage charges, Jatuporn said.

Veera and Ratree were arrested with five other Thai nationals, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, on December 29 last year while inspecting a disputed border area near Sa Kaew province's Ban Nongchan.

They are being held in Prey Sar prison near Phnom Penh after being sentenced to eight and six years jail, respectively, on charges of espionage.

The previous government failed in several attempts to have them released due to sour relations over the boundary dispute. Nationalists Veera and Ratree accused Cambodia of violating Thai sovereignty in many areas along the border.

Veera's brother Preecha yesterday met Pheu Thai Party spokesman Promphong Nopparit to ask for help from the party in gaining freedom for the two activists, notably Veera who is not in good health. Preecha will fly to Phnom Penh today to visit Veera. "As we have a new government with good relations with Cambodia, I hope it can help my brother," Preecha said.

Jatuporn said Pheu Thai MPs planning the friendly soccer match with Cambodian officials on September 24 will also seek ways to help Veera and Ratree.

"I expect the two will be released soon as Prime Minister Yingluck and the MPs intend to help them when they visit Phnom Penh for the game," he said. "The improved relations between the two countries is now paving the way for good things."

The government supports the initiative by Jatuporn to kick off the friendship soccer match with Cambodia, deputy spokesman Anusorn Eiamsa-ard said yesterday.

The match would take place in Phnom Penh between Pheu Thai MPs and Cambodian officials to raise funds to help Thai activists Veera and Ratree and victims of the bloody crackdown in May last year, he said.

"But it is hard to say whether the match would help release the two Thai activists since we could not intervene in Cambodia's judicial process," he said.

The soccer match is being co-ordinated by fugitive pop singer star and red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong who is now on the run from terrorism charges for his role in protests against the previous government.

"Relations have improved dramatically after the victory of Pheu Thai, but we are talking about how to improve the ties even further,"

Anusorn said. "Sport is one way to help reconcile people of the two countries," he said. "It is absolutely better than war."

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen reportedly invited former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to visit Cambodia on September 23-24, but it was unclear whether he would accept the invitation and join in the game.

Hun Sen himself would lead the Cambodian team and Thai MPs had invited Thaksin and hoped he would agree to lead their team, according to Jatuporn.

Jatuporn said the Pheu Thai MPs are planning similar matches with other neighbouring countries including Laos, Vietnam, Burma and Malaysia.