Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)
Showing posts with label Tension between Thailand and Cambodia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tension between Thailand and Cambodia. Show all posts
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Hun Sen lets fly at Abhisit
A Thai soldier armed with a rocket launcher guards the Ta Muan Thom temple on the border with Cambodia in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin yesterday. Security forces were on alert for the visit to the temple by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, but he cancelled his plans. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERDForeign Ministry says remarks unacceptable
9/02/2010
Thanida Tansubhapol, Surasak Glahan and Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post
A fresh onslaught of insults by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen directed at Abhisit Vejjajiva is widening the diplomatic gulf between the two countries.
Thailand and Cambodia had been struggling to find ways to mend fences after a series of spats but Hun Sen yesterday appeared to want nothing of the kind.
He scrapped a visit to Ta Muan Thom, an ancient border temple in Phnom Dong Rak district of Surin.
Diplomatic tensions did not ease despite Hun Sen not turning up at the temple and he fired a broadside at Prime Minister Abhisit on a Cambodian website.
The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh alerted the Thai government to the remarks on the website and the Foreign Ministry was quick to counter the Cambodian leader.
"I have to apologise to the Cambodian people that up until today all Thai people and the government have wanted to resume relationships with Cambodia in all fields, including economic, social and investment cooperation," said Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, assistant to the foreign minister.
"But criticising the Thai premier so badly damages Thailand's dignity and that will make it even more difficult to normalise ties.
"The harsh and rude words should not have come from a prime minister of any country. We cannot accept it.
"It is impossible for any country to resume [good] relations without being respectful of each other first."
Thailand will now press for sovereignty over disputed areas along the Thai-Cambodian border, Mr Chavanond said.
"We have never invaded any place which is not ours. We have the evidence to confirm that the area, including Wat Kaew [Sikha Khiri Sawara] or other areas in the 4.6 sq km [of disputed territory] are under Thai sovereignty."
Tension along the border escalated after Hun Sen concluded his weekend tour of the area yesterday. His itinerary included the Preah Vihear temple.
A military standoff continued yesterday morning around the Ta Muan Thom temple as the army tripled its troop presence to about 1,500 to offset Cambodian troops beefing up security during Hun Sen's visit to the opening ceremony of a military office at Ban O-rumchong, six kilometres inside Cambodia.
"We regard Cambodia's troop increase for Mr Hun Sen as very unusual," said Col Thanet Wongcha-um, chief of staff of the Suranaree Task Force.
Hun Sen contacted the Thai army yesterday to ask if he could cross the border to visit the Ta Muan Thom ruins as a tourist after going to Ban O-rumchong.
"But we advised him this was not the right time as there were protesters [from the People's Alliance for Democracy] here which could have been inconvenient for his trip," Col Thanet said.
The Cambodian premier did not respond and then left for Phnom Penh by helicopter, he said.
Dozens of heavily armed Thai soldiers remained on guard at Ta Muan Thom and about 300 police officers equipped with batons and shields were deployed along the main road to the ruins. They were there to prevent about 150 protesters opposing Hun Sen's planned visit from entering the temple. The demonstrators had camped overnight at the Ta Muan Tod ruins, about a kilometre away.
Villagers said they were unhappy with what the PAD was doing as they wanted to live in peace in the area.
In Bangkok, Thailand has asked Unesco to show it a Cambodian plan to manage and safeguard areas at and around Preah Vihear to ensure it will not touch on the disputed territory.
"We are now asking [Unesco] to give us the plan," Mr Abhisit told reporters.
"The 4.6 sq km being disputed by the two countries is the point that we will have to consider carefully," he said.
"We have the right to see the plan and we also have the right to express our opinions. I will closely monitor the matter and I will not let Thailand lose its territory," he said.
Friday, January 01, 2010
A tale of two countries locked in a stalemate
Cambodia and Thailand - at loggerheads for months - are unlikely to solve their differences in a hurry
1/01/2010
Saritdet Marukatat
Bangkok Post
All eyes will continue to be on the Thai border with Cambodia this year, and fingers will remain crossed that the spat that has blighted relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh for so many months can now come to a peaceful end.
The government has tried not to exacerbate matters, despite the clear indication from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that he is not in the mood to deal with the Democrat Party-led coalition administration.
The Thai response has been equally clear. Bangkok wants to contain the conflict to the two governments. It has no desire to see it expand to defence ties and the border areas.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, his foreign minister Kasit Piromya and other members of the cabinet saw their rating rise in opinion polls conducted shortly after Thailand decided in November to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Cambodia by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh, Prasas Prasaswinitchai, and take measures to try to void the memorandum of understanding on maritime boundary settlement and joint cooperation in the Gulf of Thailand.
The decision was in response to Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and economics adviser to his government and criticisms he made in October of the Thai judicial process regarding Thaksin's conviction for corruption and abuse of authority in connection with a Ratchadaphisek land deal.
"All problems with Cambodia started with Thaksin and Hun Sen's interference in the internal affairs of Thailand," said Surachai Sirikrai, an analyst at Thammasat University.
But as Puangthong Pawakapan, an analyst at Chulalongkorn University, told a forum, the approval ratings mean nothing. They were conducted at a time of rising nationalist sentiment against Cambodia.
Not everybody at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and in government are behind Mr Kasit's handling of the row with Cambodia.
Some feel he went too far and too soon with his decision to downgrade relations with Phnom Penh. The move has left the country without any cards to keep close to its chest in dealing with Cambodia. The ministry has overplayed its hand. It will now be very difficult to reach a return to normalcy without some loss of face for either Bangkok or Phnom Penh, or perhaps both.
There were many more options to exercise before recalling the ambassador, said one official requesting anonymity. "Thailand has fallen into its own trap," he said.
The conflict has also had regional implications. Other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its partners are praying for a quick solution.
Division among the 10 Asean members as a result of the souring of ties could affect the grouping's ambitious plans to build the region into the Asean Community in 2015, and obstruct the progress on realising the even grander vision of closer ties between Southeast Asia and the Asian powerhouses of China, Japan and South Korea to create an East Asia Community.
Thammasat University's Mr Surachai said it would it be difficult for Bangkok and Phnom Penh to settle their differences without some form of outside help given their reluctance to show any sign of compromise.
If the conflict drags on, it could fall to another member of Asean or even the entire group to intervene to help sort things out, he said.
There is also the possibility the east Asian countries, China in particular, might play a part in mediating between the two countries.
One official expressed concern that worsening ties with Cambodia could also this year influence Bangkok's relations with Laos, as Vientiane is a close ally of Phnom Penh as well as Vietnam.
"It remains to be seen if there will be a possible spill-over," the official said.
Thailand's relations with its western neighbour, Burma, are also not the smoothest. The ruling State Peace and Development Council was annoyed at Thailand's push for other Asean members to get behind its call, as the Asean chairman last year, for Burma to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The call for the release of the National League for Democracy leader is a trademark issue with the Democrats as part of the human rights plank of their foreign policy. That has resulted in some distance from Southeast Asian governments with records of human rights violations like Burma.
"Thai foreign policy is in line with the United States," Mr Surachai said.
"But the new United States administration has overhauled its policy towards Burma. Unlike his predecessor George W Bush, who rejected talks with the ruling Burmese junta, US President Barack Obama now uses both talks and economic pressure with the ruling Burmese regime.
"The change in Washington could force Thailand to adjust its foreign policy on Burma with more flexibility on human rights conditions."
At least Mr Abhisit enters the new year with warm relations with Malaysia. Pledges from his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at their meeting in Bangkok last month to support the Thai policy on the lower South with no interference from Kuala Lumpur gives Thailand more confidence in its campaign to end the southern insurgency.
Malaysia was unhappy with the tit-for-tat measures taken by Thaksin when he was prime minister in dealing with the southern separatists.
Mr Najib stressed the use of "peaceful means" in exchange for Malaysia's support.
Thailand needs backing from Kuala Lumpur to block insurgents from hiding in Malaysia, the exchange of intelligence information and close border patrols among other cooperation.
"What happens to Thailand and Malaysia now shows a maturity in their bilateral relations," Mr Surachai said.
1/01/2010
Saritdet Marukatat
Bangkok Post
All eyes will continue to be on the Thai border with Cambodia this year, and fingers will remain crossed that the spat that has blighted relations between Bangkok and Phnom Penh for so many months can now come to a peaceful end.
The government has tried not to exacerbate matters, despite the clear indication from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that he is not in the mood to deal with the Democrat Party-led coalition administration.
The Thai response has been equally clear. Bangkok wants to contain the conflict to the two governments. It has no desire to see it expand to defence ties and the border areas.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, his foreign minister Kasit Piromya and other members of the cabinet saw their rating rise in opinion polls conducted shortly after Thailand decided in November to downgrade its diplomatic ties with Cambodia by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh, Prasas Prasaswinitchai, and take measures to try to void the memorandum of understanding on maritime boundary settlement and joint cooperation in the Gulf of Thailand.
The decision was in response to Hun Sen's appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser and economics adviser to his government and criticisms he made in October of the Thai judicial process regarding Thaksin's conviction for corruption and abuse of authority in connection with a Ratchadaphisek land deal.
"All problems with Cambodia started with Thaksin and Hun Sen's interference in the internal affairs of Thailand," said Surachai Sirikrai, an analyst at Thammasat University.
But as Puangthong Pawakapan, an analyst at Chulalongkorn University, told a forum, the approval ratings mean nothing. They were conducted at a time of rising nationalist sentiment against Cambodia.
Not everybody at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and in government are behind Mr Kasit's handling of the row with Cambodia.
Some feel he went too far and too soon with his decision to downgrade relations with Phnom Penh. The move has left the country without any cards to keep close to its chest in dealing with Cambodia. The ministry has overplayed its hand. It will now be very difficult to reach a return to normalcy without some loss of face for either Bangkok or Phnom Penh, or perhaps both.
There were many more options to exercise before recalling the ambassador, said one official requesting anonymity. "Thailand has fallen into its own trap," he said.
The conflict has also had regional implications. Other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its partners are praying for a quick solution.
Division among the 10 Asean members as a result of the souring of ties could affect the grouping's ambitious plans to build the region into the Asean Community in 2015, and obstruct the progress on realising the even grander vision of closer ties between Southeast Asia and the Asian powerhouses of China, Japan and South Korea to create an East Asia Community.
Thammasat University's Mr Surachai said it would it be difficult for Bangkok and Phnom Penh to settle their differences without some form of outside help given their reluctance to show any sign of compromise.
If the conflict drags on, it could fall to another member of Asean or even the entire group to intervene to help sort things out, he said.
There is also the possibility the east Asian countries, China in particular, might play a part in mediating between the two countries.
One official expressed concern that worsening ties with Cambodia could also this year influence Bangkok's relations with Laos, as Vientiane is a close ally of Phnom Penh as well as Vietnam.
"It remains to be seen if there will be a possible spill-over," the official said.
Thailand's relations with its western neighbour, Burma, are also not the smoothest. The ruling State Peace and Development Council was annoyed at Thailand's push for other Asean members to get behind its call, as the Asean chairman last year, for Burma to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The call for the release of the National League for Democracy leader is a trademark issue with the Democrats as part of the human rights plank of their foreign policy. That has resulted in some distance from Southeast Asian governments with records of human rights violations like Burma.
"Thai foreign policy is in line with the United States," Mr Surachai said.
"But the new United States administration has overhauled its policy towards Burma. Unlike his predecessor George W Bush, who rejected talks with the ruling Burmese junta, US President Barack Obama now uses both talks and economic pressure with the ruling Burmese regime.
"The change in Washington could force Thailand to adjust its foreign policy on Burma with more flexibility on human rights conditions."
At least Mr Abhisit enters the new year with warm relations with Malaysia. Pledges from his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at their meeting in Bangkok last month to support the Thai policy on the lower South with no interference from Kuala Lumpur gives Thailand more confidence in its campaign to end the southern insurgency.
Malaysia was unhappy with the tit-for-tat measures taken by Thaksin when he was prime minister in dealing with the southern separatists.
Mr Najib stressed the use of "peaceful means" in exchange for Malaysia's support.
Thailand needs backing from Kuala Lumpur to block insurgents from hiding in Malaysia, the exchange of intelligence information and close border patrols among other cooperation.
"What happens to Thailand and Malaysia now shows a maturity in their bilateral relations," Mr Surachai said.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thailand Eager To Improve Ties With Cambodia
BANGKOK, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The Government of Thailand wants to improve diplomatic relations with Cambodia but needs to protect its prestige and sovereignty, according to the Vietnam news agency's (VNA) report on Monday.
The statement was made by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in his speech delivered on the country's radio and television on December 27.
Abhisit pointed out that he had not regarded the speeches made by Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen of a coup d'état in Cambodia as a hurdle to the building of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Thailand will consider appointing an ambassador to Phnom Penh if the Cambodian government withdraws their remarks on the Thai judiciary system and adjust their stance, the Thai PM said.
The statement was made by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in his speech delivered on the country's radio and television on December 27.
Abhisit pointed out that he had not regarded the speeches made by Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen of a coup d'état in Cambodia as a hurdle to the building of bilateral diplomatic ties.
Thailand will consider appointing an ambassador to Phnom Penh if the Cambodian government withdraws their remarks on the Thai judiciary system and adjust their stance, the Thai PM said.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Bigger role for Asean, with room to grow
Rodolfo C. Severino
The Straits Times
On March 8, the Impeccable, a US naval vessel designed to tow surveillance equipment, was confronted — “harassed”, the US said — by Chinese ships in China's 322km exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as it sought information on a submarine base on Hainan island. Both China and the US agree the Impeccable was in China's EEZ. But they disagree on whether it was legal under international law for the Impeccable to do what it was doing in the area. This incident highlighted the strategic rivalry between China and the US, notwithstanding their economic interdependence.
The tensions characterising the rivalry also underline the differences in values between China and the US. This year happens to be the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square “massacre”, as the West calls it, or “incident”, as the Chinese prefer. The event cost many young lives and turned the spotlight on the contending values of the West, on the one hand, and China and others, on the other. The West regarded Tiananmen as an assault on the rights of people; Beijing defended its actions by pointing to the value that China placed on political stability as a prerequisite for economic development.
This year has seen the US government, for strategic and economic reasons, reaching out to Asean. On the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Singapore, Obama met the leaders of all 10 Asean countries, including Myanmar, indicating the intention to make such meetings an annual affair. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled thrice to East Asia this year, including a visit to the Asean Secretariat.
On one of her trips, Clinton signed the instrument by which Washington acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, had already met the leaders of Asean countries that were members of Apec, appointed the first US ambassador to Asean, and started a large programme to support Asean integration.
Significantly, structures in the South China Sea have continued to be fortified this year. While all claimants have an interest in peace and the safety of navigation and overflight in this body of water, they each have a strategic interest in strengthening their respective toeholds on the features that they occupy and the waters that they control.
China has continued its rapid economic rise, despite the global economic crisis, and has seen its political and diplomatic influence surge consequently. These have enlarged the potential for China's dominance of East Asia and, therefore, its need to proceed in such a way so as to avoid the travails of, say, Washington's erstwhile dominance of the Western Hemisphere.
This year is the start of the implementation of the Asean Charter, which entered into force in December last year. The terms of reference for the regional human rights commission have been adopted and its members named. For the first time in an Asean document, the Charter enshrines aspirations for the internal behaviour of states — democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, rule of law, good governance and social justice — as well as Asean's longstanding norms for inter-state conduct.
Asean's processes for decision making and dispute settlement have also been streamlined. An experts group is hard at work putting legal flesh on the bare bones of major Charter provisions. The member-states' permanent representatives have been appointed, and ambassadors of many other countries have been accredited to Asean.
However, the political split in Thailand and the diplomatic sniping and occasional armed skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia have projected an image of Asean in disarray. It is perhaps the sense of an ineffectual Asean that has prompted Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to propose an overarching Asia-Pacific structure to deal, at summit level, with both security and economic issues. Unclear as to its membership and as to whether it would lead to an improvement over present Asean-centred structures, the proposal has apparently met with resistance or tepid reaction.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is diligently preparing to take the helm of Asean and Asean-centred forums next year.
The Straits Times
However, the political split in Thailand and the diplomatic sniping and occasional armed skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia have projected an image of Asean in disarray.DEC 28 — As the year ends, one is driven to pick events that may have been significant to Southeast Asia. To me, the most significant events this year were, not necessarily in the order of their significance, the Impeccable “incident”, the global economic crisis, the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen, the United States' strengthening links with Asean, Barack Obama becoming United States President, the fortification of structures in the South China Sea, the continued rise of China, the effectivity of the Asean Charter, and the bad blood between Thailand and Cambodia.
On March 8, the Impeccable, a US naval vessel designed to tow surveillance equipment, was confronted — “harassed”, the US said — by Chinese ships in China's 322km exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as it sought information on a submarine base on Hainan island. Both China and the US agree the Impeccable was in China's EEZ. But they disagree on whether it was legal under international law for the Impeccable to do what it was doing in the area. This incident highlighted the strategic rivalry between China and the US, notwithstanding their economic interdependence.
The tensions characterising the rivalry also underline the differences in values between China and the US. This year happens to be the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square “massacre”, as the West calls it, or “incident”, as the Chinese prefer. The event cost many young lives and turned the spotlight on the contending values of the West, on the one hand, and China and others, on the other. The West regarded Tiananmen as an assault on the rights of people; Beijing defended its actions by pointing to the value that China placed on political stability as a prerequisite for economic development.
This year has seen the US government, for strategic and economic reasons, reaching out to Asean. On the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Singapore, Obama met the leaders of all 10 Asean countries, including Myanmar, indicating the intention to make such meetings an annual affair. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton travelled thrice to East Asia this year, including a visit to the Asean Secretariat.
On one of her trips, Clinton signed the instrument by which Washington acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, had already met the leaders of Asean countries that were members of Apec, appointed the first US ambassador to Asean, and started a large programme to support Asean integration.
Significantly, structures in the South China Sea have continued to be fortified this year. While all claimants have an interest in peace and the safety of navigation and overflight in this body of water, they each have a strategic interest in strengthening their respective toeholds on the features that they occupy and the waters that they control.
China has continued its rapid economic rise, despite the global economic crisis, and has seen its political and diplomatic influence surge consequently. These have enlarged the potential for China's dominance of East Asia and, therefore, its need to proceed in such a way so as to avoid the travails of, say, Washington's erstwhile dominance of the Western Hemisphere.
This year is the start of the implementation of the Asean Charter, which entered into force in December last year. The terms of reference for the regional human rights commission have been adopted and its members named. For the first time in an Asean document, the Charter enshrines aspirations for the internal behaviour of states — democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, rule of law, good governance and social justice — as well as Asean's longstanding norms for inter-state conduct.
Asean's processes for decision making and dispute settlement have also been streamlined. An experts group is hard at work putting legal flesh on the bare bones of major Charter provisions. The member-states' permanent representatives have been appointed, and ambassadors of many other countries have been accredited to Asean.
However, the political split in Thailand and the diplomatic sniping and occasional armed skirmishes between Thailand and Cambodia have projected an image of Asean in disarray. It is perhaps the sense of an ineffectual Asean that has prompted Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to propose an overarching Asia-Pacific structure to deal, at summit level, with both security and economic issues. Unclear as to its membership and as to whether it would lead to an improvement over present Asean-centred structures, the proposal has apparently met with resistance or tepid reaction.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is diligently preparing to take the helm of Asean and Asean-centred forums next year.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thailand preparing coup?
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday accused neighbouring Thailand of preparing a coup against his government as the war of words between the neighbouring nations worsened. -- PHOTO: REUTERSDec 24, 2009
AFP
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday accused neighbouring Thailand of preparing a coup against his government as the war of words between the neighbouring nations worsened.
Mr Hun Sen said he had seen a secret Thai government document outlining the plan to mount a coup, which he said he had passed to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni to show the 'bad character of our neighbouring leaders'.
'In your secret document it says that although the (Thai) foreign ministry does not agree to stage a coup in Cambodia... others are working on it,' Mr Hun Sen said. 'Don't even think about it. I know who is doing this,' he added, during a speech at a provincial ceremony.
The Cambodian premier said he had also seen documents that showed Thailand has considered waging war against its neighbour. 'You have outlined bad scenarios, including preparing to wage war against Cambodia,' he said.
Mr Hun Sen's comments follow the leaking of a document in Thailand last week, written by the Thai foreign minister to premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, in which the worsening relations between the two countries are analysed.
Relations between the countries, which have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged last month when fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra became an economic adviser to Cambodia.
Mr Hun Sen said he had seen a secret Thai government document outlining the plan to mount a coup, which he said he had passed to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni to show the 'bad character of our neighbouring leaders'.
'In your secret document it says that although the (Thai) foreign ministry does not agree to stage a coup in Cambodia... others are working on it,' Mr Hun Sen said. 'Don't even think about it. I know who is doing this,' he added, during a speech at a provincial ceremony.
The Cambodian premier said he had also seen documents that showed Thailand has considered waging war against its neighbour. 'You have outlined bad scenarios, including preparing to wage war against Cambodia,' he said.
Mr Hun Sen's comments follow the leaking of a document in Thailand last week, written by the Thai foreign minister to premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, in which the worsening relations between the two countries are analysed.
Relations between the countries, which have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged last month when fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra became an economic adviser to Cambodia.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Thaksin supporters flock to Cambodia [-It looks like Hun Xen is working for the Thais after all!]
(Photo: Reuters)20/12/2009
Bangkok Post
SA KAEO : About 200 Puea Thai Party members and supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra were on their way to Phnom Penh yesterday to meet the fugitive former prime minister.
Thaksin supporters, mainly from Bangkok, Rayong and other central provinces, were seen crossing the border checkpoint at Aranyaprathet district in the province. They boarded buses and vans waiting for them at Poipet, the Cambodian border town, to take them to the Cambodian capital.
About 30 of them complained that Thai authorities attempted to block them from entering Cambodia. But Pol Col Charn Wongwaimethee of the Burapha Task Force denied authorities tried to disrupt their travel plans.
About 30 people did not carry passports so they could not be allowed to leave Thai territory, he said.
Thaksin returned to Cambodia on Dec 13 to smooth the return to Thailand of Sivarak Chutipong, the Thai engineer from the Cambodia Air Traffic Services who was convicted of spying charges.
Mr Sivarak was granted a pardon on Dec 12 and returned to Bangkok last Monday.
Thaksin was appointed an adviser to Phnom Penh in October. This was his second visit since being handed the advisory role.
The Cambodian government cited close relations with Thaksin as a reason to exempt Mr Sivarak from his seven-year jail term. Relations with Cambodia plunged in October after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as his adviser, rejected a Thai call to extradite him to serve a jail term in Thailand, and criticised the judicial process in the Thaksin case.
The former prime minister was sentenced in absentia in October last year for abusing his authority in the Ratchadaphisek land deal by aiding his ex-wife Khunying Potjaman. More cases against him are pending.
Thaksin supporters, mainly from Bangkok, Rayong and other central provinces, were seen crossing the border checkpoint at Aranyaprathet district in the province. They boarded buses and vans waiting for them at Poipet, the Cambodian border town, to take them to the Cambodian capital.
About 30 of them complained that Thai authorities attempted to block them from entering Cambodia. But Pol Col Charn Wongwaimethee of the Burapha Task Force denied authorities tried to disrupt their travel plans.
About 30 people did not carry passports so they could not be allowed to leave Thai territory, he said.
Thaksin returned to Cambodia on Dec 13 to smooth the return to Thailand of Sivarak Chutipong, the Thai engineer from the Cambodia Air Traffic Services who was convicted of spying charges.
Mr Sivarak was granted a pardon on Dec 12 and returned to Bangkok last Monday.
Thaksin was appointed an adviser to Phnom Penh in October. This was his second visit since being handed the advisory role.
The Cambodian government cited close relations with Thaksin as a reason to exempt Mr Sivarak from his seven-year jail term. Relations with Cambodia plunged in October after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as his adviser, rejected a Thai call to extradite him to serve a jail term in Thailand, and criticised the judicial process in the Thaksin case.
The former prime minister was sentenced in absentia in October last year for abusing his authority in the Ratchadaphisek land deal by aiding his ex-wife Khunying Potjaman. More cases against him are pending.
PM denies plot to kill Thaksin [-Abhisit: Deny! Deny! Deny!]
20/12/2009
Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post
Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday dismissed an opposition claim that an assassination plot had been hatched against Thaksin Shinawatra, insisting that the government would only use legal means to bring him back to serve his two-year jail sentence.
In his first comment on the leak of a classified document to the Puea Thai Party from a source at the Foreign Ministry, the prime minister, speaking from Copenhagen, said the government would strictly abide by the law in its efforts to bring back Thaksin.
"I have no idea where that document came from. But I can assure you that the government will not take any unlawful steps in seeking his return," he said.
Only extradition treaties the government has signed with other countries would be used to try to bring the convicted former prime minister back to serve his time, he said.
Thaksin was sentenced in October last year while he was out of the country to a two-year jail term in the Ratchadaphisek land case for helping his ex-wife acquire a prime piece of state land at a heavily discounted price.
Puea Thai representative Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, on Friday unveiled a secret document, dated Nov 16, that he claimed was prepared for the prime minister by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
The document, which mainly focused on how Thailand should handle its relations with Cambodia amid the diplomatic spats, described Thaksin as a "key factor" in the destabilisation of the government. The Thaksin threat needed to be tackled, it said.
Mr Jatuporn interpreted it as a life-threatening measure against Thaksin. After the document was disclosed, the ministry set up a panel to find out how it ended up in the hands of the opposition.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said only a few senior officials were aware of the existence of the classified paper.
Mr Jatuporn yesterday indicated that the opposition party and the UDD will not end its efforts to bring down the government and denied any wrongdoing in revealing the contents of the confidential document to the public.
The prime minister condemned the opposition party, saying it had gone too far by using dirty tricks which were damaging to the government and the country.
In his first comment on the leak of a classified document to the Puea Thai Party from a source at the Foreign Ministry, the prime minister, speaking from Copenhagen, said the government would strictly abide by the law in its efforts to bring back Thaksin.
"I have no idea where that document came from. But I can assure you that the government will not take any unlawful steps in seeking his return," he said.
Only extradition treaties the government has signed with other countries would be used to try to bring the convicted former prime minister back to serve his time, he said.
Thaksin was sentenced in October last year while he was out of the country to a two-year jail term in the Ratchadaphisek land case for helping his ex-wife acquire a prime piece of state land at a heavily discounted price.
Puea Thai representative Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, on Friday unveiled a secret document, dated Nov 16, that he claimed was prepared for the prime minister by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
The document, which mainly focused on how Thailand should handle its relations with Cambodia amid the diplomatic spats, described Thaksin as a "key factor" in the destabilisation of the government. The Thaksin threat needed to be tackled, it said.
Mr Jatuporn interpreted it as a life-threatening measure against Thaksin. After the document was disclosed, the ministry set up a panel to find out how it ended up in the hands of the opposition.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said only a few senior officials were aware of the existence of the classified paper.
Mr Jatuporn yesterday indicated that the opposition party and the UDD will not end its efforts to bring down the government and denied any wrongdoing in revealing the contents of the confidential document to the public.
The prime minister condemned the opposition party, saying it had gone too far by using dirty tricks which were damaging to the government and the country.
Democrats slam Jatuporn for distorting classified document
December 20, 2009
THE NATION ON SUNDAY
THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Abhisit says use of violence not govt policy, especially with neighbour
The Democrat Party yesterday condemned opposition MP Jatuporn Promphan for distorting a classified Foreign Ministry document and called for an investigation into who leaked the document.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutaraks said the party had condemned Jatuporn, a Pheu Thai Party MP, for distorting facts and creating misunderstanding over three points:
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that Jatuporn had interpreted the classified document beyond what was the truth and - whatever report the government received - using violence had never been one of the government's policies, especially when dealing with neighbouring countries.
Asked if the government would take action against Jatuporn or officials who released the information, Abhisit said everyone must be subject to the law.
He added that leaks of classified information occur in every government and when the Democrat Party was the opposition party, it also received classified information from state agencies - but it used it responsibly.
Thepthai Senpong, spokesman of the Democrat Party leader, said Hun Sen had probably received the classified information and that was why he had adopted a strong stance towards Thailand.
He said Jatuporn had given his own analysis and had distorted the classified information.
Thanee Thongpakdi, deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department, said the classified information that Jatuporn had revealed was a highly confidential report on how the Foreign Ministry analyses relations between Thailand and Cambodia and guidelines for implementation, which he could not explain in detail, but it did not state any action to be taken against Thaksin.
He said the report was supposed to be sent directly to the PM and some copies were sent to concerned agencies. The Foreign Ministry has set up a panel to discover how the document was leaked.
Jatuporn yesterday challenged Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to take legal action against him for making public the ministry's classified information.
He said a person who was on the panel that drafted the document said the annex stated that if Thaksin formed a government in exile in Cambodia, the government would sever ties and use military force against the country.
He said he might today reveal a second set of documents, comprising nine pages, unless Abhisit made a statement to his satisfaction.
The Democrat Party yesterday condemned opposition MP Jatuporn Promphan for distorting a classified Foreign Ministry document and called for an investigation into who leaked the document.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutaraks said the party had condemned Jatuporn, a Pheu Thai Party MP, for distorting facts and creating misunderstanding over three points:
- Giving misleading information that the classified document mentioned a time frame for assassinating former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Buranat said the document did not include any sentence that mentions any form of violence by the government.
- Lying about declaring war on Cambodia. Buranat said the document, in fact, mentioned about how the government plans to normalise bilateral relations.
- Misleading the public that the document revealed there had been interference in the justice system by a person with political clout outside the government.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that Jatuporn had interpreted the classified document beyond what was the truth and - whatever report the government received - using violence had never been one of the government's policies, especially when dealing with neighbouring countries.
Asked if the government would take action against Jatuporn or officials who released the information, Abhisit said everyone must be subject to the law.
He added that leaks of classified information occur in every government and when the Democrat Party was the opposition party, it also received classified information from state agencies - but it used it responsibly.
Thepthai Senpong, spokesman of the Democrat Party leader, said Hun Sen had probably received the classified information and that was why he had adopted a strong stance towards Thailand.
He said Jatuporn had given his own analysis and had distorted the classified information.
Thanee Thongpakdi, deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department, said the classified information that Jatuporn had revealed was a highly confidential report on how the Foreign Ministry analyses relations between Thailand and Cambodia and guidelines for implementation, which he could not explain in detail, but it did not state any action to be taken against Thaksin.
He said the report was supposed to be sent directly to the PM and some copies were sent to concerned agencies. The Foreign Ministry has set up a panel to discover how the document was leaked.
Jatuporn yesterday challenged Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to take legal action against him for making public the ministry's classified information.
He said a person who was on the panel that drafted the document said the annex stated that if Thaksin formed a government in exile in Cambodia, the government would sever ties and use military force against the country.
He said he might today reveal a second set of documents, comprising nine pages, unless Abhisit made a statement to his satisfaction.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Pawn in a political game - Many believe Hun Sen engineered Sivarak's arrest just to help his pal Thaksin
19/12/2009
Kamol Hengkietisak
Bangkok Post
Kamol Hengkietisak
Bangkok Post
It was good news the Cambodian king granted a royal pardon to jailed Thai engineer Sivarak Chutipong. But it was regrettable the Puea Thai Party and certain other people used the occasion to attack Thailand's Foreign Ministry by accusing its staff of causing the arrest of Sivarak, said Nongnuch Singhadecha, a writer for Matichon.
Puea Thai's swift strike against the Foreign Ministry after Sivarak's release only affirmed the belief among some observers that his arrest had been engineered by Hun Sen and ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to discredit the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration - making it look ineffectual in freeing Sivarak from jail.
It also seemed to be aimed at Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who Puea Thai and Thaksin consider their arch enemy.
Nongnuch believed the drama would be used by Puea Thai in its no-confidence debate early next year in the House of Representatives against Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit.
Nongnuch asked if Sivarak was really a security threat to Cambodia, then why was Hun Sen in such a hurry to go ahead with a royal pardon as requested by Sivarak's mother and Puea Thai chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. If Sivarak was really guilty as charged, he should have served time in jail and Hun Sen should not have helped secure his release so soon.
So in Nongnuch's opinion, Sivarak's arrest was really engineered by Hun Sen so he could help his pal Thaksin and Puea Thai.
Hun Sen might have been so quick to ask for a royal pardon because Thaksin's flight schedule that Sivarak passed on to Kamrob Palawatwichai, Thailand's first secretary at its embassy in Phnom Penh, was not a state secret, something even the Cambodian prosecutors admitted. Sivarak's action could not have caused any harm to Thaksin in any case as the information was relayed to Mr Kamrob after Thaksin had landed in Cambodia and the Cambodian media were on hand to greet him at the airport. So Thaksin's arrival was not really a secret at all.
Another reason Hun Sen was ready to free Sivarak, Nongnuch wrote, was that if he was jailed for a lengthy period, it would harm the investment climate in the country as it would look to the global community as if the Cambodian leader could arbitrarily jail anyone doing business in Cambodia as long as it served his political purposes.
Nongnuch did not believe the incident generated any goodwill for Hun Sen in the eyes of international observers as it was obvious he had staged the whole drama to help Thaksin.
Nongnuch also called on Puea Thai to refrain from attacking the Foreign Ministry and demanding the name of those who ordered Mr Kamrob to seek Thaksin's flight information because Mr Kamrob only did his duty as Thaksin is a fugitive from justice in Thailand.
The Cambodian court also jailed Sivarak citing the reason that Thaksin had been accorded special status by the Cambodian government and his safety was its concern. However, Hun Sen conveniently ignored the fact that Thailand has a duty to bring a criminal back to serve his prison term. Why did not Cambodia send Thaksin back to Thailand if it really wanted good relations with Thailand?
Nongnuch also wanted Cambodia to clarify why Puea Thai MP and leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Jatuporn Prompan claimed Cambodia possessed a taped conversation of Mr Kasit ordering Mr Kamrob to seek Thaksin's flight information. If that were the case, it would mean Cambodian authorities tapped the telephone conversation at the Thai embassy, which would have broken international law as the Thai embassy compound is under Thai sovereign jurisdiction.
No wonder a Cambodian minister immediately refuted Mr Jatuporn's allegation fearing it would have caused an international incident.
Nongnuch also chided Mr Jatuporn for being naive in not knowing that if a secret is to be conveyed, the Foreign Ministry would use a coded telegram which needed to be deciphered, not a telephone conversation which could easily be listened into.
Nongnuch concluded her article by reminding Puea Thai not to ask who ordered Mr Kamrob to seek Thaksin's flight details. Rather, the Thai people wanted to know who influenced Hun Sen to stage the drama in the first place by arresting Sivarak.
Puea Thai's swift strike against the Foreign Ministry after Sivarak's release only affirmed the belief among some observers that his arrest had been engineered by Hun Sen and ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to discredit the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration - making it look ineffectual in freeing Sivarak from jail.
It also seemed to be aimed at Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who Puea Thai and Thaksin consider their arch enemy.
Nongnuch believed the drama would be used by Puea Thai in its no-confidence debate early next year in the House of Representatives against Mr Abhisit and Mr Kasit.
Nongnuch asked if Sivarak was really a security threat to Cambodia, then why was Hun Sen in such a hurry to go ahead with a royal pardon as requested by Sivarak's mother and Puea Thai chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. If Sivarak was really guilty as charged, he should have served time in jail and Hun Sen should not have helped secure his release so soon.
So in Nongnuch's opinion, Sivarak's arrest was really engineered by Hun Sen so he could help his pal Thaksin and Puea Thai.
Hun Sen might have been so quick to ask for a royal pardon because Thaksin's flight schedule that Sivarak passed on to Kamrob Palawatwichai, Thailand's first secretary at its embassy in Phnom Penh, was not a state secret, something even the Cambodian prosecutors admitted. Sivarak's action could not have caused any harm to Thaksin in any case as the information was relayed to Mr Kamrob after Thaksin had landed in Cambodia and the Cambodian media were on hand to greet him at the airport. So Thaksin's arrival was not really a secret at all.
Another reason Hun Sen was ready to free Sivarak, Nongnuch wrote, was that if he was jailed for a lengthy period, it would harm the investment climate in the country as it would look to the global community as if the Cambodian leader could arbitrarily jail anyone doing business in Cambodia as long as it served his political purposes.
Nongnuch did not believe the incident generated any goodwill for Hun Sen in the eyes of international observers as it was obvious he had staged the whole drama to help Thaksin.
Nongnuch also called on Puea Thai to refrain from attacking the Foreign Ministry and demanding the name of those who ordered Mr Kamrob to seek Thaksin's flight information because Mr Kamrob only did his duty as Thaksin is a fugitive from justice in Thailand.
The Cambodian court also jailed Sivarak citing the reason that Thaksin had been accorded special status by the Cambodian government and his safety was its concern. However, Hun Sen conveniently ignored the fact that Thailand has a duty to bring a criminal back to serve his prison term. Why did not Cambodia send Thaksin back to Thailand if it really wanted good relations with Thailand?
Nongnuch also wanted Cambodia to clarify why Puea Thai MP and leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Jatuporn Prompan claimed Cambodia possessed a taped conversation of Mr Kasit ordering Mr Kamrob to seek Thaksin's flight information. If that were the case, it would mean Cambodian authorities tapped the telephone conversation at the Thai embassy, which would have broken international law as the Thai embassy compound is under Thai sovereign jurisdiction.
No wonder a Cambodian minister immediately refuted Mr Jatuporn's allegation fearing it would have caused an international incident.
Nongnuch also chided Mr Jatuporn for being naive in not knowing that if a secret is to be conveyed, the Foreign Ministry would use a coded telegram which needed to be deciphered, not a telephone conversation which could easily be listened into.
Nongnuch concluded her article by reminding Puea Thai not to ask who ordered Mr Kamrob to seek Thaksin's flight details. Rather, the Thai people wanted to know who influenced Hun Sen to stage the drama in the first place by arresting Sivarak.
[Retaliatory against Cambodia] Documents leak faces probe
19/12/2009
Thanida Tansubhapol and Aekarach
Bangkok Post
Thanida Tansubhapol and Aekarach
Bangkok Post
The Foreign Ministry will set up a fact-finding committee to investigate how classified documents detailing possible retaliatory measures against Cambodia were leaked to the public.
Thani Thongpakdi, Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman, yesterday said the ministry will seek advice from public prosecutors on a possible lawsuit against Puea Thai Party member Jatuporn Prompan for allegedly violating the 1997 Information Act and a 2001 state regulation.
The leaked documents involved an analysis of Thai-Cambodian relations and recommendations for future actions.
The documents, which were prepared by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, have been reportedly sent to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, he said.
Mr Jatuporn said yesterday that additional documents that had not yet been revealed to the media pinpointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as a serious threat to the country.
These documents outlined action plans, including a range of measures against Cambodia due to its dispute with Thailand stemming from Thaksin.
"The documents mention the root cause of the problem and the elimination of [Thaksin's] influence which means it must be eliminated before the end of 2009 or within April 2010," said Mr Jatuporn.
He claimed the other set of documents also suggested the speeding up of the asset seizure trial against the fugitive leader by Jan 6 next year. But he refused to unveil the documents.
Meanwhile, Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutarak said the government had no plans to attack Thaksin.
He also shrugged off claims by Cambodia that Thailand had sent its troops to encroach on Cambodian territory.
Thani Thongpakdi, Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman, yesterday said the ministry will seek advice from public prosecutors on a possible lawsuit against Puea Thai Party member Jatuporn Prompan for allegedly violating the 1997 Information Act and a 2001 state regulation.
The leaked documents involved an analysis of Thai-Cambodian relations and recommendations for future actions.
The documents, which were prepared by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, have been reportedly sent to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, he said.
Mr Jatuporn said yesterday that additional documents that had not yet been revealed to the media pinpointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as a serious threat to the country.
These documents outlined action plans, including a range of measures against Cambodia due to its dispute with Thailand stemming from Thaksin.
"The documents mention the root cause of the problem and the elimination of [Thaksin's] influence which means it must be eliminated before the end of 2009 or within April 2010," said Mr Jatuporn.
He claimed the other set of documents also suggested the speeding up of the asset seizure trial against the fugitive leader by Jan 6 next year. But he refused to unveil the documents.
Meanwhile, Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutarak said the government had no plans to attack Thaksin.
He also shrugged off claims by Cambodia that Thailand had sent its troops to encroach on Cambodian territory.
Hun Sen only hurting himself with his vitriol
December 19, 2009
The Nation
With their respective strategies already standing in stark contrast, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Hun Sen can only drift even farther apart in a diplomatic showdown unseen in the history of Asean.
Certainly, Hun Sen's latest swipes at the Bangkok government, which he practically cursed to burn in hell, will not help.
The Cambodian leader has crossed every line that existed. Starting with appointing a convicted Thai politician as his country's economic adviser, he then expelled a Thai diplomat and arrested another Thai citizen after apparently tapping their phones, taunted Abhisit on a daily basis, called for an uprising by the red shirts and claimed Thailand was set to breach Cambodian sovereignty in a bid to destroy Thaksin Shinawatra.
Abhisit, on the other hand, has not crossed a single line. The recall of the Thai ambassador was an appropriate response after Phnom Penh slapped Bangkok in the face with Thaksin's appointment. In the ensuing war of words, most of the salvos have been fired from Cambodia.
The latest attacks have confirmed Hun Sen's growing hatred. He suggested ties could never be normalised until the Democrat Party is out of power, followed by an unmistakable call for political upheaval in Thailand.
Asean has never experienced anything like it, and every day Hun Sen provides the regional grouping with a new test of its resolve not to get too close to the fray.
"The dispute is one thing, but the most important thing is that the incident not pose a risk to Asean solidarity," Tommy Koh, chairman of the grouping's task force, was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency.
He said Asean members had attempted to broker a resolution to the conflict.
"I've asked my colleagues how they would have felt if [a neighbouring country] had done to us what Hun Sen did to Thailand," said one Asean diplomat even before the Thai-Cambodian conflict deteriorated into a spy farce and relations sank to new lows.
An expert on Asean affairs said: "No other Asean leader in the grouping's long history has ever called for the destruction of a neighbouring government. This is beyond everything we have experienced."
The expert believes Thailand and Abhisit will continue to be on the defensive, not because there is nothing else they can do, but because Hun Sen seems to be hurting himself as much as the Thai government.
Speaking at a scholarship ceremony at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Hun Sen held forth on the diplomatic fallout that has followed in the wake of fugitive Thaksin's recent visits to Cambodia.
"I will wait to see the establishment of a new government in Thailand, so that they will send back their ambassador," Hun Sen said. "You accuse us of abusing the Thai justice system, but you forget to mention that you are invading Cambodian territory."
Hun Sen also defended the arrest of Sivarak Chutipong, a 31-year-old Thai engineer who received a prison sentence for leaking Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy last month and was subsequently pardoned last week. He claimed that if Sivarak had not been arrested in time, "then for sure at this time, at this hour, Thaksin would be dead or jailed in a Thai prison".
One piece of irony is that, according to the Asean expert, while Hun Sen has been criticising Thailand's "dictatorial" treatment of Thaksin, no one in Cambodia has dared to tell the Phnom Penh leader that his mad-dog diplomacy is way out of control.
Except, that is, for usually unheeded opposition voices. Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann accused Hun Sen of playing political games in his dealings with Thailand and questioned the necessity of Thaksin's controversial appointment as a government economic adviser.
Yim Sovann also observed what should be obvious to Hun Sen: Thaksin has yet to give one single piece of economic advice to Cambodia.
The ousted Thai leader did speak to officials at the Council for the Development of Cambodia on Wednesday about tourism and foreign investment, but Yim Sovann said the ousted Thai leader's counsel had thus far not been particularly revelatory.
"I have ... noticed that what Thaksin advises the government of Cambodia is not different from what our Cambodian economic experts and what our MPs from the opposition party advise," he said.
Most observers are certain about one thing: it is not friendship that made Thaksin travel to Cambodia and give it economic advice or made Hun Sen stick his neck out for the Thai fugitive. This marriage is seemingly based purely on political and business interests, meaning it could turn sour at any time.
If that happens, Thaksin should be afraid. In fact, he should be very afraid.
The Nation
"No other Asean leader in the grouping's long history has ever called for the destruction of a neighbouring government. This is beyond everything we have experienced" - ASEAN expertConflict between the two neighbours unlike anything Asean has seen
"... while Hun Sen has been criticising Thailand's "dictatorial" treatment of Thaksin, no one in Cambodia has dared to tell the Phnom Penh leader that his mad-dog diplomacy is way out of control"
With their respective strategies already standing in stark contrast, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Hun Sen can only drift even farther apart in a diplomatic showdown unseen in the history of Asean.
Certainly, Hun Sen's latest swipes at the Bangkok government, which he practically cursed to burn in hell, will not help.
The Cambodian leader has crossed every line that existed. Starting with appointing a convicted Thai politician as his country's economic adviser, he then expelled a Thai diplomat and arrested another Thai citizen after apparently tapping their phones, taunted Abhisit on a daily basis, called for an uprising by the red shirts and claimed Thailand was set to breach Cambodian sovereignty in a bid to destroy Thaksin Shinawatra.
Abhisit, on the other hand, has not crossed a single line. The recall of the Thai ambassador was an appropriate response after Phnom Penh slapped Bangkok in the face with Thaksin's appointment. In the ensuing war of words, most of the salvos have been fired from Cambodia.
The latest attacks have confirmed Hun Sen's growing hatred. He suggested ties could never be normalised until the Democrat Party is out of power, followed by an unmistakable call for political upheaval in Thailand.
Asean has never experienced anything like it, and every day Hun Sen provides the regional grouping with a new test of its resolve not to get too close to the fray.
"The dispute is one thing, but the most important thing is that the incident not pose a risk to Asean solidarity," Tommy Koh, chairman of the grouping's task force, was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency.
He said Asean members had attempted to broker a resolution to the conflict.
"I've asked my colleagues how they would have felt if [a neighbouring country] had done to us what Hun Sen did to Thailand," said one Asean diplomat even before the Thai-Cambodian conflict deteriorated into a spy farce and relations sank to new lows.
An expert on Asean affairs said: "No other Asean leader in the grouping's long history has ever called for the destruction of a neighbouring government. This is beyond everything we have experienced."
The expert believes Thailand and Abhisit will continue to be on the defensive, not because there is nothing else they can do, but because Hun Sen seems to be hurting himself as much as the Thai government.
Speaking at a scholarship ceremony at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Hun Sen held forth on the diplomatic fallout that has followed in the wake of fugitive Thaksin's recent visits to Cambodia.
"I will wait to see the establishment of a new government in Thailand, so that they will send back their ambassador," Hun Sen said. "You accuse us of abusing the Thai justice system, but you forget to mention that you are invading Cambodian territory."
Hun Sen also defended the arrest of Sivarak Chutipong, a 31-year-old Thai engineer who received a prison sentence for leaking Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy last month and was subsequently pardoned last week. He claimed that if Sivarak had not been arrested in time, "then for sure at this time, at this hour, Thaksin would be dead or jailed in a Thai prison".
One piece of irony is that, according to the Asean expert, while Hun Sen has been criticising Thailand's "dictatorial" treatment of Thaksin, no one in Cambodia has dared to tell the Phnom Penh leader that his mad-dog diplomacy is way out of control.
Except, that is, for usually unheeded opposition voices. Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann accused Hun Sen of playing political games in his dealings with Thailand and questioned the necessity of Thaksin's controversial appointment as a government economic adviser.
Yim Sovann also observed what should be obvious to Hun Sen: Thaksin has yet to give one single piece of economic advice to Cambodia.
The ousted Thai leader did speak to officials at the Council for the Development of Cambodia on Wednesday about tourism and foreign investment, but Yim Sovann said the ousted Thai leader's counsel had thus far not been particularly revelatory.
"I have ... noticed that what Thaksin advises the government of Cambodia is not different from what our Cambodian economic experts and what our MPs from the opposition party advise," he said.
Most observers are certain about one thing: it is not friendship that made Thaksin travel to Cambodia and give it economic advice or made Hun Sen stick his neck out for the Thai fugitive. This marriage is seemingly based purely on political and business interests, meaning it could turn sour at any time.
If that happens, Thaksin should be afraid. In fact, he should be very afraid.
Thailand preparing military action against Cambodia: Pheu Thai MP
December 19, 2009
The Nation
Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan said the military option was suggested in a confidential paper Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya sent to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on November 16 as a guideline for handling the conflict with Cambodia in a worstcase scenario.
"Preparation of a military option is equivalent to preparing for war against Cambodia," Jatuporn said.
"The end game is the normalisation of relations rather than regime change," Jatuporn quoted Kasit as saying in the leaked paper.
The paper called Thaksin "a major threat to the government". The fugitive expremier is using a two-pronged strategy to topple the government: cooperation with Hun Sen and activity by the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.
Thailand has already employed several diplomatic measures against Cambodia since Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as his and the Cambodian government's economic adviser. The two countries downgraded relations in late October, Thailand scrapped a maritime deal with Cambodia, and Phnom Penh rejected Bt1.4 billion in loans from Thailand.
Cambodia has also rejected Thai demands to remove Thaksin from his position and extradite him to Bangkok.
Jatuporn said the Pheu Thai Party obtained Kasit's confidential paper from a Foreign Ministry official. He distributed it to reporters during a press conference at party headquarters.
The paper suggested the government to get rid of the "major threat" (Thaksin) and bring an end to cooperation between Thaksin and Hun Sen.
It listed three possible scenarios in the diplomatic row between the two countries. Thailand could prevent Thaksin and Hun Sen from worsening the situation simply by refusing to respond to them and trying to find an influential figure or country able to persuade Cambodia to back down.
Second, if the conflict does increase in intensity, the Thai government would step up retaliation while remaining sensitive to its effect on ordinary people and the national interest.
Third, in the worst case, such as a violation of Thai sovereignty or anything resembling the establishment of a government in exile for Thaksin, Thailand would cut diplomatic relations and resort to using military force.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry yesterday would not deny the existence of the document and its content but said it would set up a committee to find whoever leaked the document to the opposition party.
The ministry will consult the Office of the Attorney General about taking legal action against Jatuporn under the Information Act of 1997, said ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thongpakdee.
The Nation
It listed three possible scenarios in the diplomatic row between the two countries. Thailand could prevent Thaksin and Hun Sen from worsening the situation simply by refusing to respond to them and trying to find an influential figure or country able to persuade Cambodia to back down.An opposition MP yesterday accused the government of planning military force against Cambodia if Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thaksin Shinawatra took any action deemed to violate Thai sovereignty. This would include establishment of a government in exile for Thaksin on Cambodian soil.
Second, if the conflict does increase in intensity, the Thai government would step up retaliation while remaining sensitive to its effect on ordinary people and the national interest.
Third, in the worst case, such as a violation of Thai sovereignty or anything resembling the establishment of a government in exile for Thaksin, Thailand would cut diplomatic relations and resort to using military force.
Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan said the military option was suggested in a confidential paper Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya sent to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on November 16 as a guideline for handling the conflict with Cambodia in a worstcase scenario.
"Preparation of a military option is equivalent to preparing for war against Cambodia," Jatuporn said.
"The end game is the normalisation of relations rather than regime change," Jatuporn quoted Kasit as saying in the leaked paper.
The paper called Thaksin "a major threat to the government". The fugitive expremier is using a two-pronged strategy to topple the government: cooperation with Hun Sen and activity by the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.
Thailand has already employed several diplomatic measures against Cambodia since Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as his and the Cambodian government's economic adviser. The two countries downgraded relations in late October, Thailand scrapped a maritime deal with Cambodia, and Phnom Penh rejected Bt1.4 billion in loans from Thailand.
Cambodia has also rejected Thai demands to remove Thaksin from his position and extradite him to Bangkok.
Jatuporn said the Pheu Thai Party obtained Kasit's confidential paper from a Foreign Ministry official. He distributed it to reporters during a press conference at party headquarters.
The paper suggested the government to get rid of the "major threat" (Thaksin) and bring an end to cooperation between Thaksin and Hun Sen.
It listed three possible scenarios in the diplomatic row between the two countries. Thailand could prevent Thaksin and Hun Sen from worsening the situation simply by refusing to respond to them and trying to find an influential figure or country able to persuade Cambodia to back down.
Second, if the conflict does increase in intensity, the Thai government would step up retaliation while remaining sensitive to its effect on ordinary people and the national interest.
Third, in the worst case, such as a violation of Thai sovereignty or anything resembling the establishment of a government in exile for Thaksin, Thailand would cut diplomatic relations and resort to using military force.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry yesterday would not deny the existence of the document and its content but said it would set up a committee to find whoever leaked the document to the opposition party.
The ministry will consult the Office of the Attorney General about taking legal action against Jatuporn under the Information Act of 1997, said ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thongpakdee.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Suthep dismisses Hun Sen's attack [-Hun Xen's remarks earn Thai scorn?]
18/12/2009
Manop Thip-Osod and Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
Manop Thip-Osod and Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has brushed aside remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that relations between his country and Thailand could only return to normal when a new government takes power.
The deputy prime minister yesterday said Hun Sen's remarks tarnished his own image.
In an attack on the Thai government on Wednesday, Hun Sen said in a speech at a Phnom Penh ceremony that he was waiting for a new government so relations between the two countries could return to normal.
Mr Suthep said the government would not send an envoy back to Cambodia any time soon even though the Cambodian government stated it would send an ambassador to Bangkok if the Thai government made the first move.
The government has said Thailand would send back its ambassador to Phnom Penh if the Cambodian government overturned the appointment of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and Cambodia stopped interfering in the Thai judicial process.
The Cambodian leader said in October Thaksin, who fled a two-year jail term over the Ratchadaphisek case, was a victim of Thai politics.
The latest spat between Thailand and Cambodia was the conviction of Sivarak Chutipong, an engineer for Cambodia Air Traffic Services accused of spying. This led to Phnom Penh's decision to expel Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary at the Thai embassy.
Sivarak returned to Thailand on Monday after being pardoned by the Cambodian king. He was assisted in his application for a pardon by the Puea Thai Party and Thaksin.
The opposition party has used the Sivarak issue to attack Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Mr Kamrob for causing damage to the country.
The House committee on foreign affairs, dominated by Puea Thai, will call on the foreign minister to testify after he failed to appear before the panel on Wednesday because he was on a visit to China. The panel was not satisfied with the Foreign Ministry's decision to send a senior official on Mr Kasit's behalf.
The deputy prime minister yesterday said Hun Sen's remarks tarnished his own image.
In an attack on the Thai government on Wednesday, Hun Sen said in a speech at a Phnom Penh ceremony that he was waiting for a new government so relations between the two countries could return to normal.
Mr Suthep said the government would not send an envoy back to Cambodia any time soon even though the Cambodian government stated it would send an ambassador to Bangkok if the Thai government made the first move.
The government has said Thailand would send back its ambassador to Phnom Penh if the Cambodian government overturned the appointment of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its economic adviser and Cambodia stopped interfering in the Thai judicial process.
The Cambodian leader said in October Thaksin, who fled a two-year jail term over the Ratchadaphisek case, was a victim of Thai politics.
The latest spat between Thailand and Cambodia was the conviction of Sivarak Chutipong, an engineer for Cambodia Air Traffic Services accused of spying. This led to Phnom Penh's decision to expel Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary at the Thai embassy.
Sivarak returned to Thailand on Monday after being pardoned by the Cambodian king. He was assisted in his application for a pardon by the Puea Thai Party and Thaksin.
The opposition party has used the Sivarak issue to attack Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Mr Kamrob for causing damage to the country.
The House committee on foreign affairs, dominated by Puea Thai, will call on the foreign minister to testify after he failed to appear before the panel on Wednesday because he was on a visit to China. The panel was not satisfied with the Foreign Ministry's decision to send a senior official on Mr Kasit's behalf.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Normal relations impossible
Dec 16, 2009
AFP
Relations between the countries, which have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged last month when fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra became an economic adviser to Cambodia.
Both recalled their ambassadors in November, and diplomatic tensions were further raised when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit as economic adviser.
'I tell you (Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva) I'm waiting for the Thai next government to come to power and for them send back the ambassador,' said Mr Hun Sen in a speech at Phnom Penh ceremony. 'You raise the issue of Thaksin, but you forget the issue of Preah Vihear,' he said, in reference to the 11th century Khmer temple at the centre of the deadly border dispute between the two countries.
'I want to say that relations cannot be normalised as long as you are still invading me,' Mr Hun Sen added. Thaksin, who arrived back in Cambodia on Sunday, stepped up his economic advisory role on Wednesday as he addressed senior government officials on how to boost investment and tourism.
The telecoms mogul, ousted in a 2006 coup, was credited this week by the Cambodian government for the release of a Thai air traffic control employee jailed for seven years for spying on Thaksin's previous visit.
AFP
'I want to say that relations cannot be normalised as long as you are still invading me' - Hun SenPHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Wednesday that foundering relations with Thailand would not be normalised until Bangkok's current government was voted out of office.
Relations between the countries, which have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border since last year, plunged last month when fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra became an economic adviser to Cambodia.
Both recalled their ambassadors in November, and diplomatic tensions were further raised when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit as economic adviser.
'I tell you (Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva) I'm waiting for the Thai next government to come to power and for them send back the ambassador,' said Mr Hun Sen in a speech at Phnom Penh ceremony. 'You raise the issue of Thaksin, but you forget the issue of Preah Vihear,' he said, in reference to the 11th century Khmer temple at the centre of the deadly border dispute between the two countries.
'I want to say that relations cannot be normalised as long as you are still invading me,' Mr Hun Sen added. Thaksin, who arrived back in Cambodia on Sunday, stepped up his economic advisory role on Wednesday as he addressed senior government officials on how to boost investment and tourism.
The telecoms mogul, ousted in a 2006 coup, was credited this week by the Cambodian government for the release of a Thai air traffic control employee jailed for seven years for spying on Thaksin's previous visit.
ASEAN hopes dispute between Thailand, Cambodia not jeopardizes its solidarity
JAKARTA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said on Wednesday that it hopes border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia would not jeopardize its solidarity.
"The dispute is one thing but the most important thing is that the incident would not pose risk to the ASEAN's solidarity," Tommy Koh, Chairperson on the High-Level Task Force on the Drafting of the ASEAN Charter, told the press after the second ASEAN Secretariat Policy Forum at its secretariat here.
He said that member countries have offered solutions but both countries rejected them so far.
"We try to calm the situation down all the time," said Koh.
ASEAN's Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said diplomacy is still going on to find a solution.
Koh said delegations are doing their job for the maximum restraint.
The two ASEAN members met with diplomatic problem after Cambodia appointed ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov. 4.
After the appointment, the Thai government recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and the Cambodian government, in response, announced a recall of its ambassador to Thailand.
"The dispute is one thing but the most important thing is that the incident would not pose risk to the ASEAN's solidarity," Tommy Koh, Chairperson on the High-Level Task Force on the Drafting of the ASEAN Charter, told the press after the second ASEAN Secretariat Policy Forum at its secretariat here.
He said that member countries have offered solutions but both countries rejected them so far.
"We try to calm the situation down all the time," said Koh.
ASEAN's Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said diplomacy is still going on to find a solution.
Koh said delegations are doing their job for the maximum restraint.
The two ASEAN members met with diplomatic problem after Cambodia appointed ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov. 4.
After the appointment, the Thai government recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and the Cambodian government, in response, announced a recall of its ambassador to Thailand.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Freed Thai engineer arrives Thailand after release on Cambodian royal pardon
BANGKOK, Dec 14 (TNA) - Thai engineer Siwarak Chutipong, convicted by a Cambodian court on for espionage, arrived in his motherland Monday after being granted a royal amnesty by Cambodia's monarch, reasserting that his case was definitely not set up for political reasons.Mr Siwarak, freed after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him hid royal pardon, arrived at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport Monday afternoon with his mother, Simarak Na Nakhonpanom, together with opposition Puea Thai MPs and party spokesman Prompong Nopparit who picked him up at Phnom Penh.
Mr Siwarak said on arrival that the case was not a set up as rumours swirled, as the Thai first secretary to Phnom Penh Kamrob Palawatwichai was involved in the case.
The Thai diplomat was expelled from Cambodia after he was found asking Mr Siwarak for Mr Thaksin's flight plan.
The engineer said he could not force the diplomat to call him, and urged Mr Kamrob to tell the public the truth.
"Since I was arrested, I had not talked to Mr Kamrob," said Mr Siwarak," he said, complaining that the former first secretary should have called his mother during the arrest or said something to the public.
Regarding accusations that his mother was part of a setup arrest, Mr Siwarak reasserted that no mother wants to risk her son's life in such a case.
Mr Siwarak said he has a good job and does not want to be in either a Thai or a Cambodian jail, but said that despite the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs help for him, due to the diplomatic row between the two countries, his mother opted to seek help from Mr Thaksin and the opposition.
The Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS) employee was arrested by Cambodian police on November 12 on charges of espionage--passing to Mr Kamrob information on the flight details of Mr Thaksin during his first visit to Cambodia after being appointed economic adviser to the Cambodian government.
A Cambodian Court sentenced Mr Siwarak to seven years jail term and fined Bt100,000 (US$3,000) but was released following the Cambodian kin's royal pardon.
Before his release, Mrs Simarak and the fugitive Thai premier visited Mr Siwarak at Preysar Prison Sunday evening.
On Monday morning Mr Siwarak, his mother and Puea Thai MPs met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen who gave him the official letter of royal amnesty.
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva congratulated Mr Siwarak on his release, reiterating that his government is ready to restore relations with its neighbour, but Cambodia must solve the problem at its root, which is "Mr Thaksin."
Mr Abhisit commented after news reports that Mr Siwarak will urge the government, as he returns to Thailand, who asked for Mr Thaksin's flight schedule.
The premier said that the issue should not be politically intensified as Mr Siwarak had pleaded not guilty during the trial and that Thailand had no need for the data as the government had it already.
"I want to ask persons who try to magnify the issue what do they need, why they want Thailand to have problems with its neighbour," said Mr Abhisit. "Mr Siwarak has already been freed and the fact is there, but some people are still trying to politicise the issue".
Mr Abhisit added that his government is ready to clarify the matter in the House if the opposition Puea Thai Party raises it in a no-confidence motion early next year.
Regarding Mr Thaksin's comments on his Twitter page accusing the government of using Mr Siwarak as a tool, Mr Abhisit said it is just Mr Thaksin's opinion, He asked the ex-premier back who has he used in the matter.
The Thai premier added that it is not difficult to restore relations with Cambodia as long as the neighbour listens to Thailand that the problem is caused by Mr Thaksin and solve it at its root.
Mr Abhisit reasserted that Thailand still wants to restore relations with Cambodia, but that relation must be made upon trust and respect between the two kingdoms.
The Thai premier admitted that there is sign from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urging Thailand to send its ambassador back to Phnom Penh, but Thailand has replied to the Cambodian premier that the diplomatic spat was not caused by recalling the ambassador.
He said Thailand was obliged to express its stance after Cambodia had insulted the Thai judicial process as well as violated international agreement.
The Thai premier said he just wants to see every country follow the commitment made together and international practices.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Fugitive former Thai PM visits Cambodia
Monday, December 14, 2009
ABC Radio Australia
ABC Radio Australia
The fugitive former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has returned to Cambodia a month after a visit that sparked a diplomatic row between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
Thaksin is on a three-day visit to Cambodia, where has been appointed economic adviser to the national Government.
The billionaire former prime minister was ousted by the military in 2006 and later sentenced to jail in absentia on conflict of interest charges.
During his visit to Cambodia last month, Phnom Penh refused Bangkok's extradition request.
Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin has fuelled fears the position would give him a base over the border to unseat the Thai government..
Thaksin's was scheduled on Monday to attend a ceremony marking the release of a Thai man charged with spying.
Thai engineer Siwarak Chutipongse, an employee of Cambodian air traffic control, was accused of leaking Thaksin's November flight details to the Thai embassy.
Chutipongse was pardoned last week after a request to Cambodia's king from Thaksin and others.
Thaksin is on a three-day visit to Cambodia, where has been appointed economic adviser to the national Government.
The billionaire former prime minister was ousted by the military in 2006 and later sentenced to jail in absentia on conflict of interest charges.
During his visit to Cambodia last month, Phnom Penh refused Bangkok's extradition request.
Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin has fuelled fears the position would give him a base over the border to unseat the Thai government..
Thaksin's was scheduled on Monday to attend a ceremony marking the release of a Thai man charged with spying.
Thai engineer Siwarak Chutipongse, an employee of Cambodian air traffic control, was accused of leaking Thaksin's November flight details to the Thai embassy.
Chutipongse was pardoned last week after a request to Cambodia's king from Thaksin and others.
Thaksin's return expected to fuel row
14/12/2009
AFP and Bangkok Post
AFP and Bangkok Post
Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has landed in Cambodia, setting the stage for another diplomatic fracas.
Bangkok sought Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia last month when he visited Phnom Penh to take up a position as government economic adviser. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected the extradition request.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said last night Bangkok would submit a new request for Thaksin's extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said it would be "just a waste of time".
"Cambodia's position on the issue will not change," he said. "We will not extradite or arrest Thaksin."
Soon after his arrival yesterday, Thaksin went to Prey Sar prison to visit Sivarak Chuthipong, 31, the Thai engineer jailed last week for seven years on charges of spying. Sivarak is due to be released today after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him a pardon.
Thaksin is expected to attend an official ceremony at Hun Sen's home following Sivarak's release. Also attending will be Puea Thai Party figures who left Bangkok for Cambodia yesterday to attend the ceremony.
Bangkok sought Thaksin's extradition from Cambodia last month when he visited Phnom Penh to take up a position as government economic adviser. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen rejected the extradition request.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said last night Bangkok would submit a new request for Thaksin's extradition, but Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said it would be "just a waste of time".
"Cambodia's position on the issue will not change," he said. "We will not extradite or arrest Thaksin."
Soon after his arrival yesterday, Thaksin went to Prey Sar prison to visit Sivarak Chuthipong, 31, the Thai engineer jailed last week for seven years on charges of spying. Sivarak is due to be released today after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him a pardon.
Thaksin is expected to attend an official ceremony at Hun Sen's home following Sivarak's release. Also attending will be Puea Thai Party figures who left Bangkok for Cambodia yesterday to attend the ceremony.
Sivarak just a pawn in a political game
14/12/2009
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
The diplomatic spat that culminated in Sivarak Chutipong's arrest actually has nothing to do with his case. The incident was beaten up simply to stoke the already troubled relations.
Sivarak's tribulations began on Nov 12, not long after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was appointed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as his personal and his government's economic adviser.
Many people are convinced Sivarak was a pawn in a political game and was made a scapegoat to discredit and embarrass the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Thaksin is thought to be a co-director of this story along with his long-time friend Hun Sen.
It is no surprise to see this distasteful tale ending so quickly after Sivarak's mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, submitted a request for a royal pardon to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni the day after the Cambodian court ruled on Tuesday her son was guilty of spying by providing the Thai embassy with details of Thaksin's flight plans. It took only two days for the pardon to be granted.
It has been reported Thaksin contacted Hun Sen to ask him to show Sivarak leniency. The Cambodian prime minister respond favourably without any hesitation.
The Cambodian leader's recent public comments that he could not work with Thailand as long as Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were in power was a clear hint who he preferred to befriend and work with.
The Cambodian leader ignored the Asean principle of non-interference in another member country by condemning the Thai government as illegitimate because it was installed by the leaders of a coup in 2006 which toppled the Thaksin regime.
He also feigned to forget that the fugitive prime minister was found guilty by the Thai Supreme Court for abuse of power in connection with a land purchase scandal. Such ignorance by Hun Sen showed thorough disrespect of the Thai judicial system.
The motive for Hun Sen's actions could be linked to a secret offer if Thaksin ever returns to the Thai prime ministership.
Anti-Thaksin groups suspect Thaksin stood to gain in some way from the maritime border negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia which were suspended by the Abhisit government following the diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Had the negotiations ended in favour of Cambodia, Phnom Penh could potentially gain in some way from the undersea oil and gas reserves in the overlapping offshore area.
What would that mean for a leader like Hun Sen? Not only would he gain popularity at home, but also wealth from the negotiations.
If this theory holds true, it would be a waste of time for a third country like Indonesia, which has offered to act as a mediator, in trying to help the two states patch up their differences.
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improve.
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improveThe speedy release today of the Thai engineer convicted in Cambodia last week to seven years in prison on spying charges is not expected to result in a change in the troubled relations between Thailand and its eastern neighbour.
The diplomatic spat that culminated in Sivarak Chutipong's arrest actually has nothing to do with his case. The incident was beaten up simply to stoke the already troubled relations.
Sivarak's tribulations began on Nov 12, not long after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was appointed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as his personal and his government's economic adviser.
Many people are convinced Sivarak was a pawn in a political game and was made a scapegoat to discredit and embarrass the Abhisit Vejjajiva government. Thaksin is thought to be a co-director of this story along with his long-time friend Hun Sen.
It is no surprise to see this distasteful tale ending so quickly after Sivarak's mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, submitted a request for a royal pardon to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni the day after the Cambodian court ruled on Tuesday her son was guilty of spying by providing the Thai embassy with details of Thaksin's flight plans. It took only two days for the pardon to be granted.
It has been reported Thaksin contacted Hun Sen to ask him to show Sivarak leniency. The Cambodian prime minister respond favourably without any hesitation.
The Cambodian leader's recent public comments that he could not work with Thailand as long as Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya were in power was a clear hint who he preferred to befriend and work with.
The Cambodian leader ignored the Asean principle of non-interference in another member country by condemning the Thai government as illegitimate because it was installed by the leaders of a coup in 2006 which toppled the Thaksin regime.
He also feigned to forget that the fugitive prime minister was found guilty by the Thai Supreme Court for abuse of power in connection with a land purchase scandal. Such ignorance by Hun Sen showed thorough disrespect of the Thai judicial system.
The motive for Hun Sen's actions could be linked to a secret offer if Thaksin ever returns to the Thai prime ministership.
Anti-Thaksin groups suspect Thaksin stood to gain in some way from the maritime border negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia which were suspended by the Abhisit government following the diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Had the negotiations ended in favour of Cambodia, Phnom Penh could potentially gain in some way from the undersea oil and gas reserves in the overlapping offshore area.
What would that mean for a leader like Hun Sen? Not only would he gain popularity at home, but also wealth from the negotiations.
If this theory holds true, it would be a waste of time for a third country like Indonesia, which has offered to act as a mediator, in trying to help the two states patch up their differences.
Unless Thaksin distances himself from the Cambodian leader, which is unlikely, no one should expect relations between the two countries to really improve.
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