Three men jailed for border espionage

Nguyen Teng Dang, a 37-year-old Vietnameseman,is taken to a prison in Si Sa Ket yesterday after being sentenced to two years’ imprisonment together with a Thai and a Cambodian for espionage along the Thai-Cambodian border in June. SERMPONG THONGSAMRIT

Cambodian, Vietnamese authorities set to appeal

7/09/2011
Bangkok Post

A Thai provincial court has sentenced a Thai, a Cambodian and a Vietnamese to two years in jail for espionage along the Thai-Cambodian border in June.

The court in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province yesterday announced the sentences of Suchart Muhammad, a 32-year-old Thai, Cambodian citizen Ung Kimtai, 43, and Nguyen Teng Dang, 37, a Vietnamese national.

Suchart, who drove a pickup for the alleged spies, and Ung also received additional jail terms of four months and three months respectively because they had drugs in their possession.

Thai court sentences three agents to two-year imprisonment

SI SA KET, Sept 6 (MCOT online news) -- Kantharalak Court in Si Sa Ket province on Tuesday sentenced three men --Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese nationals -- to two years in prison for spying on Thai military facilities along the Thai-Cambodian border, but the defendants’ lawyers said they would appeal the verdict.

Suchart Muhammad, a 32-year-old Thai, Ung Kimtai, a 43-year-old Cambodian and Nguyen Tengyang, 37, a Vietnamese, were apprehended June 7 at the Thai border village of Phum Srol in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket for alleged spying on Thai military facilities and bunkers built to shelter Thai villagers in the event of cross-border attacks or shelling.

A fourth man, a Khmer believed to be working for the Cambodian army, escaped across the border during the arrest.

[Thai] Court jails Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese for spying

Sep 6, 2011
DPA

Bangkok - A Thai provincial court on Tuesday sentenced a Cambodian, Thai and Vietnamese to two years in jail each on charges of spying along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The three men were arrested on June 7, in Si Sa Ket province, 450 kilometres north-east of Bangkok, when they were driving a pickup truck in Thai military-controlled areas along the border near the Preah Vihear temple.

The 11th-century temple has been the source of a decades-old territorial dispute which has erupted into several border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops over the past three years.

'The accused have pleaded not guilty, but the documents and evidence that were found in their possession leads the court to conclude that they were engaged in spying, and sentences them to two years in jail each,' the Kantharalak Court ruled, according to Thai television reports.

Thai Spies?

June 21, 2011
By Luke Hunt
The Diplomat

The animosity between Phnom Penh and Bangkok just keeps getting deeper. Thai belligerence and its sovereign claims over long-recognized Cambodian territory have inspired antagonists on both sides of the border into unwanted and occasionally nasty posturing.

Lately, that posturing has moved from the battlefields to the courts. No sooner had the shooting subsided around the stone ruins and temples at Preah Vihear, than allegations of spying emerged.

Neither side is totally pure. The charges are being used by both to feed domestic nationalist sentiment, with the Cambodian government under fire for its handling of aspects of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, while the Thai leadership is bracing itself for an unwanted but promised July 3 general election.

At the centre of the dispute is Thai national Suchart Muhammad, 32, Cambodian Ung Kimtai, 43, and Nguyen Tengyang, 37, from Vietnam, who were recently arrested in Thailand’s Sisaket Province near the Cambodian border and accused of spying on Thai paramilitary bases.

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.

[Thai] Premier says suspected spy leader has fled country [-Is it an admission of Thai intelligence incompentency?]

17/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has admitted that the suspected leader of three men arrested for alleged spying on the Thai-Cambodian border has managed to flee the country.

Mr Abhisit yesterday said he had received information from authorities concerned that the suspected leader of the group, who is a Cambodian colonel, had escaped from Thailand.

Police are now questioning the three men who were detained in connection with the alleged spying to find out further information, Mr Abhisit said.

He insisted that Thailand had not fabricated the spying allegations against Cambodia.

Arrest warrant out for Cambodian spy

Today, The Nation published this photo of the alleged Cambodian spy who escaped from Thailand, but...

earlier, Thai new media showed this photo of the alleged three spies caught by Thailand, the question is: WHERE IS THE MAN SHOWN ON THE FIRST PHOTO?

June 17, 2011
The Nation

A Cambodian army officer, who went on the run recently, now faces an arrest warrant over espionage charges, Si Sa Ket Governor Somsak Suwannasujarit said yesterday.

The man, identified as Ya Pao or Wichai, is believed to be a colonel attached to the Cambodian army's intelligence corps. He was one of the men arrested last week for allegedly supplying Cambodia with details of Thai military installations and shelters. The other two alleged spies, currently in court custody, are a Thai and a Vietnamese.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted that the Cambodia suspect had escaped, but added that an investigation was underway and that Thai military had no problem handling national defence despite the escape.

Thai PM says Cambodian spy escapes

BANGKOK, June 16 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said he has received a report that a Cambodian spy has escaped and that the incident confirmed that Thailand did not fabricate the spy case.

Three suspects on spying charges --Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese nationals-- were arrested in Si Sa Ket's Kantaralak district on suspicion of spying on Thai military facilities.

Mr Abhisit said he could confirm that the one who has escaped was a Cambodian military officer but his rank remains unknown.

He also denied Cambodia's accusation that Thailand fabricated the spy case, saying the country did not arrest innocent people as the investigation found evidence that implicated them.

[Thai] PM: Suspected [Cambodian] spy has escaped [-The plot thickens?]

16/06/2011
Bangkok Post

One of three men arrested for spying for Cambodia is reported to have escaped, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday.

"I've received a report that a spy for Cambodia who was trying to gather information in Thailand has escaped," Mr Abhisit said.

"This proves that Thailand is not fabricating the spy case and we'll have to examine the evidence further," he said.

Police on Tuesday arrested a Thai, a Cambodian and a Vietnamese in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, near the Thai-Cambodian border.

No ‘Spy’ Prisoner Exchange: Hun Sen

Prime Minister Hun Sen. (Photo: AP)

Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh

“Thai authorities will arrest him or her to exchange with the two Thai ‘Yellow-Shirt’ activists now detained in Cambodia on espionage charges.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday ruled out a prisoner exchange of three people recently arrested in Thailand on spying charges with two Thai activists already serving time in Cambodia on similar counts.

In a speech rebuking media statements by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Saturday, Hun Sen said Thailand should go ahead with trials for the three Cambodians allegedly caught over the disputed Thai border.

Thai national Suchart Muhammad, 32, Cambodian Ung Kimtai, 43, and Nguyen Tengyang, 37, a Vietnamese, were arrested last Tuesday at in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province and accused of spying on Thai paramilitary bases and bunkers there.

Hun Sen said Wednesday it was “strange” for a country to employ spies from three different countries and he warned Cambodian officials to be careful traveling to Thailand.

No spy exchange with Thailand: Cambodian PM

June 15, 2011
Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that there will be impossible to exchange the two Thai "Yellow Shirt" activists being jailed in Cambodia with a recently arrested Cambodian by Thailand.

"It's absolutely no way to exchange the two Thai activists with the arrested Cambodian," he told a graduation ceremony at the Technical School of Medicine. "Thailand can proceed the case of the arrested Cambodian man according to Thai legal system."

The premier's remarks came after Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya said on Saturday that the Thai government is willing to exchange the arrested Cambodian and the Vietnamese with two Thai " Yellow Shirt" activists now detained in Cambodia on espionage charges.

Cambodian court, on Feb. 1, convicted Veera Somkwamkid, a high-profile activist in the Thailand Patriot Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon of illegal entry, unlawful entry into military base and espionage and sentenced them to 8 years and 6 years in jail respectively.

[Thai] PM: Spy apprehension not fabricated

Wednesday, 15 June 2011
By NNT
Pattaya Daily

BANGKOK, 14 June 2011 – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed that the apprehension of three suspected spies from Cambodia, comprising a Cambodian, a Vietnamese and a Thai, by Thai officers in the kingdom is not fabricated.

Prime Minister Abhisit stated that information gained from the investigative process would be used to support Thailand’s clarifications on the issue to the international community. He added that the Thai-Cambodian border remains peaceful after the three spies were apprehended on Thai soils.

In response to the issue, Cambodian authorities have accused the Thai side of cooking up the spy claim.

Cambodian 'spy' case draws official criticism

Monday, 13 June 2011
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian embassy officials in Bangkok have found legal representation for a Cambodian man who was arrested on charges of espionage last week, an allegation the Foreign Ministry called a “deceitful fabrication”.

Ung Kimthai, 43, was apprehended by Thai officials on Tuesday in Thailand’s Sisaket province along with Wieng Terng Yang, a Vietnamese national, and Suchat Muhammad, a Thai national, Thai newspaper The Nation reported on Saturday.

In addition to charges of espionage, additional charges have been brought against Suchat for drunk driving and Ung Kimthai for drug abuse.

“This clearly shows Cambodia’s intent and disputes its claims that Thailand was the first to start using force and incursion. The arrests, on the other hand, show that Cambodia has been active militarily [against Thailand],” Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted as saying.

Thai PM rejects Cambodian accusation over spy arrest

JAKARTA, June 13 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday said last week’s arrest of three men--a Thai, a Cambodian and a Vietnamese--on espionage charges was not a set-up as alleged by Phnom Penh, saying Cambodian consular officials have been in contact with the Thai authorities on the matter since the day of the arrest.

The Thai premier, attending the World Economic Forum in the Indonesian capital, made the denial following the Cambodian government accusation that Thailand had fabricated the story of the spies.

Mr Abhisit stated the Thai Foreign Ministry has issued a statement dismissing Phnom Penh’s accusation and that any further information obtained from the investigation would be used in international forums.

“It's impossible that we conspired with any foreigners to make up the case.” Mr Abhisit said. “I have been informed that Cambodian consular officials tried to contact the Thai officials since the day of the arrest of its national.

[Thai] Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gives Explanation on the Arrest of nationals of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in Kantaralak District

June 13, 2011, 4:30 pm
Source: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/35.php?id=27540

On 12 June 2011, Mr. Jesda Katavatin, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to media enquiries regarding the arrest of 3 suspects with Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese nationality in Kantaralak district on 7 June 2011. Gist as follows;

1. At present, the Thai police are in the process of investigating the case. One thing that can be assured to the general public is that the police will not pursue any legal actions if there aren’t sufficient evidence.

2. Thailand’s legal procedures are firmly based on the Thai judicial process. After the police investigation, they may submit a case to the Office of the Attorney-General and then the latter will submit charges to the court for consideration. The Deputy Spokesperson further stated that the Thai court is well known for its credibility, honesty and professionalism. Moreover, they are not subject to political influence.

Thai spy arrests a 'deceitful fabrication': Cambodia

Jun 12, 2011
Today Online

Cambodia is accusing Thailand of "deceitful fabrication" following the arrests of three men by Thai authorities for allegedly spying near the border.

In a statement, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said: "The Royal Government of Cambodia wishes to assert that the above fabrication is only a pretext to justify future aggression against Cambodia."

The trio - a Thai, a Cambodian and a Vietnamese - were nabbed in a town in Thailand's north-eastern Si Sa Ket province on Tuesday. According to police, they were carrying maps with military facilities marked out. Both countries have brought a border dispute - which escalated to armed battles that have seen 28 people killed - to the United Nation's highest court.

[Thai] PM insists Cambodia was spying

Evidence will be cited to help Thai border case

13/06/2011
Bangkok Post

The government insists it has solid evidence to present to the international community concerning Cambodia's alleged spying along the border.

It also rejected Phnom Penh's accusation the spy claims are fabricated to justify aggression against Cambodia.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said Cambodian authorities had tried to contact Thailand to secure the release of the three men.

"It it is fabrication, why did Cambodia try to contact us for help in obtaining their release?" Mr Abhisit said.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said a Cambodian consulate official had directly contacted Thai authorities with regard to the detained men.

Thailand wants to exchange Cambodian suspect with Yellow Shirt prisoners in Cambodia

 

11 June 2011
By Yun Samean
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Khloy Ek
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

Regarding the arrest of a Cambodian citizen in Thailand, the Thai ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that the Thai government wants to exchange the suspected Cambodian citizen with the 2 Thai Yellow Shirt activists who are currently jailed in Cambodia.

In February, the Cambodia tribunal sentenced two Thai citizens for border trespassing and for entering prohibited military zone.

Kasit Piromya, the Thai minister of Foreign Affairs, added that the arrested Cambodian citizen would have to face 2/3 of his sentence first before a prisoner exchange can take place. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai PM, also ordered the Thai ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain about the accusation made by Cambodia related to this arrest.

The Cambodian vice-consul met with Cambodian citizen accused of spying by Thailand

11 June 2011
By Hang Savyouth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Khloy Ek
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

An official for the Cambodian ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the ministry sent the Cambodian vice-consul in Thailand to meet with a Cambodian citizen who was arrested by the Thai authority in Sisaket province.

Following the meeting, it was found that the man was a simple Cambodian citizen who, sometimes, visits Thailand to look for work only. He was not involved with secret spying for Cambodia as he was accused off by the Thai government.

In the afternoon of Saturday 11 June, Koy Kuong, spokesman for the ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejected all accusations [made by Thailand] and said that the Cambodian ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it categorically rejected [the accusations] because it believe that this is a dishonest invention made by the Thai authority and the Thai PM in order to confuse the public opinion by accusing Cambodia and by lying about the truth.

Thailand suspects internal spying

08 Feb 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Source from the Thai army indicated that right now, the situation around Preah Vihear temple cannot be trusted because during two past clashes, it believed that there could spies inside Thailand or it could be Cambodian army accomplices who disguised as laborers working in rubber plantations located next to Thai army barracks. Therefore, there could be internal spies or Cambodian accomplices who provided information about Thai heavy artillery support locations because according to captured radio messages, Cambodia seems to know all the Thai activities, as well as the location of Thai heavy artilleries.

The Thai army source indicated that during the 04 February clash, when Cambodia was shelling into Thai territories, it can be heard over the radio the following two sentences: “You hit it! Shoot again, shoot again!” Without an insider job in Thailand, how could the Cambodian army knows so clearly? The source added that, for example, in the case of the school in Phoum Sral village and the commune office which were hit by Cambodian artillery shelling, these are not normal issues, and there must be hidden intelligence or internal spies who sent out the location information. Military analysts indicated that if such thing did occur, then the Thai army is the worst in the world for allowing enemy forces to hide within its own heart.