[Thai Defense minister] Gen Prawit blamed for 7 Thais' arrest

Prawit Wongsuwon (Photo: TNA)

3/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a core leader of Thailand Patriot Network, claimed on Monday that he had received information that Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon was behind the arrest of the seven Thais by Cambodian troops on Dec 29.

He said Gen Prawit had contacted a Cambodian commander of a border army division, asking they arrest the Thais, who include a yellow-shirt network co-leader Veera Somkwamkid and a Democrat MP.

Mr Chaiwat said he had instructed yellow-shirts in the provinces planning to join rally against Cambodia at Government House to instead head directly to Sa Kaeo province.

He said that after the mass rally in Sa Kaeo tomorrow, the yellow-shirts will regroup at Government House in Bangkok to continue their protest.

It was reported that the yellow-shirts gathered at Government House were dismantling the rally tents and packing their belongings in preparation for joining the planned rally in Sa Kaeo tomorrow.

Prawit: No more fight [among Thais] over Preah Vihear

21/09/2009
BangkokPost.com

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on has ordered security officials to prevent Thai people from fighting one another over the Thai-Cambodian disputed border around Preah Vihear temple.

Yellow-shirt protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) clashed with Si Sa Ket villagers on Saturday as they were trying to enter the disputed border area. The clash resulted in scores of injuries from both sides.

Second Army Region commander Wiboonsak Neephan will coordinate with the police, provincial governors and other agencies to prevent this type of incident from happening again, Gen Prawit said.

"The government, particularly the security units, will make sure the country will not lose its sovereignty. Everything must be done in line with procedures," said the defence minister.

He said it would not be necessary to deploy more troops at the disputed border near the ancient temple at the moment.

"Cambodia understands the situation in Thailand, and both governments have always been closely working together," he said.

Gen Prawit said he supported the idea of invoking the Internal Security Act during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Hua Hin and Cha-am next month, but it must not affect local people in the areas.

He said he had discussed this with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs.

"I would like the red-shirt protesters not to gather when the summit is being held as it is an international event," he said.

Prawit: Border situation normal

28/06/2009
BangkokPost.com

The situation around the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple was still normal, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Sunday.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met on Saturday and both of them agreed to ease the tension around the disputed border.

The Thai and Cambodian army officials would have to negotiate on the withdrawal of troops along the border, Gen Prawit said.

Meanwhile, trading activities at Rong Kluea Market in Sa Kaeo province had returned to normal after the meeting between officials from both sides went well.