Thaksin tied to temple row but Thailand could lose out

Kasit: Lashed out at Cambodia over temple

2/07/2009
By WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post

Border tensions over the Preah Vihear temple and the political troubles in Thailand appear to be inextricably linked - by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mistrust is growing between the Thai and Cambodian governments.

The government still views Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen with suspicion as they believe he is a good friend of Thaksin, while Hun Sen and other Cambodian politicians question Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's stance on Preah Vihear.

During rallies led by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Mr Kasit lashed out at Cambodia and Hun Sen over the listing of the historic temple ruins as a World Heritage site.

At the time, the PAD accused Thaksin of being the puppet master pulling the strings of the governments of both Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat to support Cambodia's bid to list the temple as a World Heritage site.

They claimed this was in exchange for huge benefits to Thaksin from his planned investments in Cambodia, particularly in the energy business.

Thai security agencies earlier reported that Thaksin led a group of businessmen from the Middle East to visit Phnom Penh and Koh Kong. But Thaksin repeatedly denied those reports. He insisted he had not visited Cambodia since he was toppled from power.

But the air force radar centre confirmed that Thaksin's private jet was seen flying into Cambodia on two occasions, just one to two months before red shirt demonstrators held mass rallies during Songkran.

There were also reports that the Cambodian government had granted a passport to Thaksin.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh dismissed the reports. He said Thaksin had not set foot in Cambodia.

"Thaksin didn't visit here and I never even saw his shadow. The hearsay has caused mistrust between the two countries," Gen Tea Banh said.

A Thai military unit recently reported that Jakrapob Penkair, a co-leader of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), was staying in Phnom Penh.

Mr Jakrapob reportedly fled Thailand after the Songkran riots to escape charges that he and his fellow UDD leaders had instigated violence in the capital.

These sorts of reports and rumours have caused suspicions between the two countries to build up. Whenever Thai military leaders visit Cambodia, they often ask businessmen if Thaksin is there. However, no one has confirmed seeing him.

When there was political tumult in Thailand, Hun Sen was seen as trying to show his leadership in the region. He faulted Thailand over its chairmanship of Asean.

He then asked Thailand to solve its political problems first.

The border tensions flared again recently when the Thai government decided to object to Unesco's listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site on Cambodia's behalf last year, despite the continuing dispute over the overlapping territory around the temple.

Both Thailand and Cambodia have deployed more troops and heavy weaponry near the temple.

The tensions show no sign of easing despite a visit to Cambodia on Saturday by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

Mr Suthep claimed he held talks with Hun Sen to settle the border problems and both countries agreed to cut troop levels near the ancient ruins.

But Hun Sen, speaking to the Cambodian media, said he had warned Mr Suthep and Gen Prawit that "if Thailand wants to open fire on Cambodia, it will take at least five Thai soldiers to beat one Cambodian soldier".

Former Khmer Rouge soldiers have reportedly been deployed at military bases along the border.

Whatever happens, in the eyes of the world community, Thailand may very well end up being viewed as the loser since the issue involves the Preah Vihear temple, the ownership of which the International Court of Justice already ruled on a long time ago.

On the trail of Thaksin in Cambodia

May 6, 2009
By Stephen Kurczy
Asia Times (Hong Kong)

KOH KONG, Cambodia - Speculation runs hot and heavy that exiled former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has secretly and repeatedly visited the remote Cambodian border province of Koh Kong to meet with his political allies and plan the next phase of his campaign to oust Thailand's government and restore himself to power.

People in sleepy Koh Kong, from celebrity lookalikes to airport officials watching over an unused gravel runway, have plenty of time to talk - and to keep a watchful lookout. They say property developers' once ambitious plans to transform this primitive coastal area into a world-class tourist destination stopped before they started. And many find it laughable and unlikely that Thailand's fugitive former premier would bother, or dare, to visit.

Thai intelligence surfaced in late April that the former telecom tycoon's private jet flew into the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh and then into Koh Kong, located on the nation's southwestern corner along its border with Thailand. Senior Cambodian officials have strongly denied that Thaksin visited, but many in Bangkok believe Thaksin leveraged his known personal ties and business links with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to secure special landing rights.

Thai authorities revoked Thaksin's passport last month after he urged his supporters through video call-ins from abroad to launch a "people's revolution" against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's coalition government, leading to riot scenes on the streets of Bangkok. Thaksin is believed to have made his controversial addresses from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where Thai authorities are still brokering an extradition treaty. Thaksin has obtained travel documents from Nicaragua and Montenegro to avoid extradition, and was most recently sighted in Liberia.

A handful of Thaksin's key supporters went underground after Abhisit's government declared a state of emergency and arrested several protest leaders from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), which is aligned with Thaksin. Those who eluded arrest, including protest co-leader Jakrapob Penkair, fled to Koh Kong, according to some Thai media accounts.

Jakrapob has since threatened from an unknown location to launch an underground armed insurgency against the Thai government. Quoting a top UDD source, Asia Times Online reported in April that Thaksin operatives have claimed to funnel guns through Cambodia to his supporters in Thailand's northeastern regions. The Thai government has taken those reports seriously, further straining relations with Cambodia. (See A battle won in Thailand's 'war', Asia Times Online, Apr 15, 2009)

Yet if Thaksin has recently traveled to Koh Kong, those who manage the island's rudimentary airport claim not to have seen him. A source at Societe Concessionnaire d'Aeroport, the French company that manages Cambodia's airports, said that no private jets flew into Phnom Penh during the period when Thaksin allegedly visited. Meanwhile Bou Phou, the deputy director of Koh Kong's Airport, said the last time a plane landed on Koh Kong's gravel airstrip was eight years ago.

He said the dilapidated airstrip could land a small aircraft like a Cessna or Antonov 24, but not Thaksin's private jet. Wildlife groups land helicopters there several times a month, he said, but that's the only aviation activity his facility sees. The airport terminal closed in 2000 and no plane has landed since, he said. "I have a lot of time to read books and newspapers," Bou Phou said.

Commercial interests

Thaksin-aligned business interests aimed to buy and renovate the Koh Kong Airport in 2003, but the Cambodian government had already given the rights to Societe Concession l'Aeroport, Bou Phou claims. Those business interests in Koh Kong apparently extended beyond the airport, if press reports are accurate. The Bangkok Post reported a year ago that he planned to turn Koh Kong into a "second Hong Kong".

According to the same media report, Hun Sen supposedly agreed with Thaksin's plan to build Koh Kong's second casino and entertainment complex during a round of golf in April 2008. (Thaksin's former communications conglomerate had major interests in Cambodia's mobile telecom market.) "Prime Minister Hun Sen trusted and wanted Thaksin to advise on developing Koh Kong as a special economic zone," Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said on May 15, 2008.

Later that same month, Hun Sen's spokesman confirmed to Agence France-Presse that Thaksin planned to build a modern satellite city in Koh Kong, complete with a financial district and shipping port. However local officials dismiss those reports as hearsay and speculation. They note that the town's existing special economic zone, despite its imposing entrance gate, remains after several years an empty undeveloped field.

"It's confusing," said Koh Kong province deputy governor Eng Kimleang. "Thaksin isn't developing Koh Kong - it's just a Chinese company ... It's just rumors and nothing formal," she said. Like others, she dismisses reports that Thaksin may have recently visited the area as inaccurate.

Sam, the owner of Fat Sam's bar and restaurant, said his well-informed Lexus-driving neighbor is positive Thaksin was not in Koh Kong. Otto, owner of the nearby Otto's Restaurant and Guest House, said the rumors are simply "bullshit".

Helicopters occasionally thunder overhead when Hun Sen or a provincial governor retreats to Koh Kong Resort, Otto said, but otherwise the most notable news in Koh Kong has been the increase in cars from two in 1999 to several hundred today. "It used to be like a town in the old west - shootouts, blood," he said, as a cloud of marijuana smoke wafts over his restaurant's porch. Now, "it's boring here. That's why I like it."

Koh Kong was until very recently known as Cambodia's Wild West. With the Cardamom mountains to the north, the Gulf of Thailand stretching south, and the Thai border 12 kilometers away, the town was until last May only accessible via a series of four ferries. That allowed illegal logging, hunting and smuggling operations to thrive in the lawless area.

Thai loans and engineers paved the way for a road and series of bridges that finally connected the 30,000-person town directly to Phnom Penh, creating a mild surge in law enforcement, investment and jobs. Local human-rights groups say sex trafficking is still a problem, but unlike a decade ago authorities now make attempts to crackdown on the trade.

A Chinese company is now constructing an 18-megawatt, US$326 million hydroelectric dam on one of the province's many rivers. The provincial tourism department registered a 25% increase in national visitors in 2008, rising to around 50,000. From April 14 to April 16 during the Khmer New Year, 14,000 nationals visited Koh Kong, up from 12,000 the previous year.

Many of those visitors stopped at the town's sole casino, the 521-room Koh Kong Resort, located about 50 meters from the Cham Yeam international border checkpoint with Thailand. That's where unconfirmed reports allege Thaksin has met with his political associates and other Thai fugitives from justice have lodged.

During a recent tour of the complex, manager Thiwason Thonsing showed Asia Times Online Hun Sen's $1,400-a-night presidential suite, which has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, living room, dining room and expansive views of the Gulf of Thailand. "I've never seen Thaksin here before," Thiwason said. "I asked my staff and none of them say they saw him."

Koh Kong provincial tourism department chief-of-office Ly Vithavann insists that no recent visitors to the Koh Kong Resort were former prime ministers. "Thaksin never comes here," he said, offering an alternative explanation for the Thai intelligence reports: Another local resident, the provincial commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, looks exactly like the Sino-Thai Thaksin. "Yun Mean has the same face as Thaksin Shinawatra," he claimed.

When asked, Yun Mean agreed to some extent. "My subordinates tell me I look like Thaksin," he said with a chuckle. Inside his home near the town's central market, framed photos of him receiving medals from the Cambodian prime minister and defense minister decorate the walls. His fair skin and square jaw cut a profile similar to the former Thai prime minister. Could he have been the face apparently seen by Thai intelligence? Yun Mean doubts it.

"I never heard that media said Thaksin was in Koh Kong," he said, adding: "And Thaksin never did visit."

Stephen Kurczy is an Asia Times Online contributor based in Cambodia. He may be reached at kurczy@gmail.com. With additional reporting from Shawn W Crispin in Bangkok.

Tea Banh: Thaksin is not in Cambodia

Thaksin playing golf with Hun Sen in 2008 (Photo: Reuters)

30/04/2009
Bangkok Post

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh talked to defence reporter Wassana Nanuam at the 6th meeting of the General Border Committee, denying rumours that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had sneaked into Cambodia after fleeing into self-imposed exile overseas.

Is it true that the Cambodian government issued a passport to Mr Thaksin?

No. that's not true. I have never heard that.

What about reports that Mr Thaksin flew in his private jet to both Phnom Penh and Koh Kong?

I have never seen Thaksin come here to Cambodia. Why should he have to come here? What's the use of coming here?

We cannot do anything to help him now. He might want to go somewhere else, but not Cambodia.

Thai intelligence agencies had reports that Mr Thaksin flew to Phnom Penh and stayed at the residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

No. They were rumours. How could that have happened? Mr Hun Sen himself was unhappy with this. They were purely rumours. We don't want to meddle in Thai politics. We want to see Thai people love each other and live in harmony and then we will be able to work together to solve the existing [border] disputes.

What do you think about these rumours?

I don't think spreading such rumours is constructive. They could cause mistrust and strain relations between the two countries. We want to forge better ties and work together to develop the economy.

Political problems in Thailand have also stalled joint efforts to settle the border disputes.

What is the relationship between Mr Thaksin and the Cambodian leader?
They were just acquaintances. Cambodia does not want to meddle in Thailand's internal affairs.
Could Cambodia help monitor the movements of Mr Thaksin?

I can confirm that Thaksin has never been to Cambodia [since he fled into self-imposed exile]. If he was here, I would have to be aware of that.

RTAF tracks Thaksin's jet into Cambodia

30/04/2009
By WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post

Thaksin Shinawatra's private plane travelled to Cambodia twice after the convicted former prime minister skipped bail, according to information leaked from the Royal Thai Air Force.

A source said RTAF chief Itthaporn Subhawong ordered the air force's radar centre to monitor movements along the Cambodia border.

The centre confirmed that Thaksin's private jet was seen flying to Cambodia on two occasions.

The jet landed in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong, the source said.

Thaksin is currently in exile abroad after leaving the country while on bail awaiting trial on charges of abuse of power over the Ratchadaphisek land deal during his term in office. He was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh yesterday said Cambodia had not issued Thaksin with a passport.

Speaking at the 6th meeting of the Thai-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) in Siem Reap, Gen Tea Banh said Thaksin had not sought refuge or gone into hiding in Cambodia. He was at one stage rumoured to be in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong, from where he conducted his phone-in addresses to red shirt supporters in Thailand.

Prime Minister Hun Sen was unhappy about the rumours, said Gen Tea Banh, who condemned the hearsay for causing mistrust between the two countries.

He said the Cambodian government had investigated rumours of Thaksin being in Cambodia and found them to be groundless.

"Why should Mr Thaksin have to come here to Cambodia? He will not get anything here and we can't help him any longer," the minister said.

Gen Tea Banh said Cambodia did not want to get involved in Thai politics. It just wanted Thailand to restore peace and reconciliation so the two countries could work together to solve their border disputes.

Cambodia 'not sheltering Thaksin'

Thaksin, Hun Sen and Tea Banh playing golf together in Siem Reap in 2008 (Photo: Reuters)

April 30, 2009
The Nation

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh has reportedly dismissed allegations that Thaksin Shinawatra had entered Cambodia and that he had been given a Cambodian passport.

Tea Banh insisted that Thaksin had never set foot in Cambodia as reported by the media, adding that it was not in his government's interest to back the fugitive leader.

A number of media outlets have quoted unnamed sources as saying that Thaksin has been holding secret meetings with his supporters in the Cambodian island of Koh Kong.

When asked whether the tension between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen still existed, Tea Banh replied: "What's done is done. There is nothing to worry about."

Kasit called Hun Sen a "thug" during an anti-Thaksin demonstration last year after the Cambodian leader gave Thailand an ultimatum to pull troops out of the disputed border territory.

In a separate report, public prosecutors yesterday postponed their meeting Jakrapob Penkair to June 15 before they make a decision whether to indict him for lese majeste.

Jakrapob, formerly a prime minister's Office minister and until recently a leader of the red-shirt movement, asked for the postponement saying he had some business to attend to overseas.

The prosecutors decided to grant him the request because further investigation and questioning of witnesses, as well as translation of relevant documents, had not been completed, according to Kayasit Pisawongprakan, director-general of the criminal litigation division at the Attorney-General's Office.

The case against Jakrapob is in connection to a lecture he delivered, in English, at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand in August 2007.

If Jakrapob fails to report to the prosecutors on June 15, his guarantors would be asked to find him or an arrest warrant would be issued for him, Kayasit told a press conference at the Attorney-General's Office.

Cambodia Not Harboring Thaksin: Official

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
08 April 2009

Cambodia will not jeopardize its relationship with Thailand by secretly housing the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, a foreign ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

Theptai Senapong, a spokesman for Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, said on Saturday he believed Thaksin was staying near the home of Prime Minister Hun Sen on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, and on Tuesday Thailand’s foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, said ties between the two countries could be strained if the reports are true.

However, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kuy Kuong, denied Thaksin was in the country.

“Cambodia wishes to have a good relationship with its neighbors, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam,” he said. “There is no Thaksin in Cambodia. So bilateral ties between Cambodia and Thailand will not be affected.”

Thaksin, who is popular with rural Thais and enjoyed close ties with Hun Sen during his tenure as prime minister, has been found guilty of corruption by a Thai court and is living in exile.

Thailand’s ruling government is coming under pressure from demonstrators loyal to Thaksin to step down and allow elections, the latest round in a series of political turbulence.

“If the government allows Thaksin to come into Cambodia, the Cambodian government will declare publicly his entrance, without secrecy,” Kuy Kuong said.