Thailand ready to go to war with Cambodia?

Top army, navy units readied for dispersal

April 19, 2010
The Nation

Elite forces from all three branches of the armed forces and police are being mobilised to carry out operations to remove red-shirt demonstrators from the Rajprasong intersection in Bangkok.

The rules of engagement are modelled on an emergency plan after 2003 when the Thai embassy and businesses run by Thai firms in Phnom Penh were burnt down by a rowdy mob.

Thailand was reportedly ready to go to war with Cambodia, with combat units readied and F-16 fighters put on standby for possible aerial attacks.

On Saturday evening, Army commander General Anupong Paochinda called a meeting of military commandants, the chief of staff and the acting police commander to discuss operational readiness of all units involved.

The meeting agreed that the military would no longer tolerate armed terrorists blending in with red-shirt mobs in Bangkok.

Army units to be used are capable of "special operations". They include Task Force 90 - a heli-borne infantry assault unit, the 31 Infantry Regiment and red-bereted Army special operations forces. The Navy would dispatch their US-trained SEAL commandos and the Marines Force Recon strike force.

The Air Force will rely on their special operations commandos while the police would dispatch 191 SWAT commandos, anti-terrorism Arintharaj Force and paratroopers.

A joint intelligence report concluded that the armed men were recruited from three groups of people: separatists in the South, mercenaries from neighbouring countries, and paramilitary men trained by active officers allied with the red shirts.

Whatever sources they are from, the prime objective of the coming operations is to deal with the "armed third force", coupled with red-shirt masses travelling to Bangkok from Monday to Wednesday.

All tall buildings nearby Rajprasong intersection are now manned by security officials.

What remains to be seen is whether these units will accomplish their mission - neutralising the armed terrorists, in line with a recently concluded hard-line determination by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation.

Thailand: Army Chief Appointed Head of Emergency Operations

BANGKOK, April 17 (NNN-TNA) – In his determination to resolve Thailand’s ongoing political turbulence and to suppress terrorism in the country, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has appointed Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda as head of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).

In his TV address late Friday, Mr Abhisit said Gen Anupong will immediately replace Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as director of CRES. He said the change is needed as demonstrators against the government from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has worsened because ‘terrorists’ have infiltrated the protesters, now occupying Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s prime business district.

The abrupt change came after police on Friday failed in their attempt to arrest UDD leaders at the SC Park Hotel.

The leaders outstanding arrest warrants were issued earlier for the bloody clashes between government troops and UDD demonstrators at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue last Saturday.

Mr Abhisit said the change of command was also necessary as the CRES will be restructured as his government would move forward to resolve the political turbulence now prevailing in the country and to also eliminate the terrorism problem.

The restructuring of the CRES will effectively assist the government in dealing with the terrorist threat directly, he said.

Warrants for the arrest of 24 UDD leaders have been issued but so far no one has appeared before the authorities.

UDD key leader Jatuporn Prompan said all 24 Red Shirt leaders and supporters will surrender to the CRES on May 15.

Red shirts reject latest offer for a dissolution

13/04/2010
By Pradit Ruangdit, Anucha Charoenpo and Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has rejected the government's latest offer to dissolve the House in six months.

Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Charnvirakul said yesterday the new proposal to end the political crisis was reached in talks between leaders and supporters of the coalition parties on Sunday.

Banharn Silpa-archa, chief adviser to the Chart Thai Pattana Party, was assigned to convey the decision to the UDD. The veteran Suphan Buri politician contacted UDD chairman Veera Musikhapong yesterday but a request for negotiations was turned down, Mr Chavarat said.

Other UDD leaders, including Jatuporn Prompan and Weng Tojirakarn, demanded an immediate parliament dissolution and quick elections by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva instead of a longer time frame offered by the coalition government.

"All we want is for Mr Abhisit to dissolve the House and call new general elections urgently," Mr Jatuporn, a Puea Thai Party MP, said.

Dr Weng said the immediate solution was to dissolve the parliament. "I guarantee all red shirts will return home if Mr Abhisit dissolves the House," he said.

The UDD will not hold further talks with the government to seek ways to put an end to the conflict.

Mr Abhisit and UDD leaders held two rounds of talks last month but were unable to reach any agreements as supporters of convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had rejected the government's first offer of a dissolution in nine months.

Mr Abhisit said yesterday in a televised address the dissolution option was still available for discussion with the red shirts and his proposal in March had been revised to find a political solution.

But the prime minister did not abandon other plans to end the demonstration at Phan Fa Bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection.

Mr Abhisit said the government considered armed assailants attacking security forces on Saturday night to be "terrorists". The government would move to separate the "terrorists" from innocent demonstrators.

At a news conference at the 11th Infantry Regiment, the prime minister said all relevant government agencies will work on anti-terrorist measures.

"We want to call for all innocent people not to join the movement or become a tool of the movement," Mr Abhisit said.

Once the "terrorists" are clearly separated from innocent people, the government will be able to map out appropriate measures to end the unrest, he said.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda said he favoured a political solution instead of military means to end the confrontation, adding political problems could only be resolved by political means.

Anupong plays down clash with Cambodian soldiers

26/01/2010
Wassana Nanuam and Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post

Army commander Anupong Paojinda is playing down Sunday's clash with Cambodian forces along the border near the Preah Vihear National Park.

Gen Anupong yesterday said 2nd Army commander Weewalit Chornsamrit had held talks with Cambodia's 3rd supportive division commander, Lt Gen Sarai Duek, to clear the air.

There were no problems and both sides now understood each other's position, Gen Anupong said.

But a military source along the border said there were concerns that troops from the two countries might find it difficult staying in such close proximity to each other.

Cambodian soldiers were unhappy with the Thais, who they blame for causing their unit commanders to face disciplinary action.

Two Cambodian soldiers were captured trespassing on Thai soil two weeks ago and sent back to their units. Their commanders were disciplined as a result and transferred away from the border, the source said.

The new commanders might not be familiar with the situation along the border and wooden fences had to be erected to prevent Thai patrols, he said.

Talks were being held on the problem when the firefight erupted on Sunday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said he did not believe the border spat would escalate.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he had instructed military leaders in the disputed area to try to solve the problem as quickly as possible.

Mr Suthep denied suspicions that this latest spat could be linked to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who plans to return to Cambodia again soon to meet his Puea Thai Party supporters.

Meanwhile, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, an appointed senator, yesterday submitted a petition to the Election Commission asking it to determine whether Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had violated the constitution.

The senator asked the commission to check whether Mr Kasit had violated sections 268 and 266 (1) which forbid MPs, senators, the prime minister and ministers from intervening or interfering in the operations of state agencies for personal or partisan gain.

The request follows the leak of classified Foreign Ministry documents supposedly crafted by Mr Kasit for Mr Abhisit on how to deal with Thaksin for damaging Thai-Cambodian relations.

The papers also suggest the speeding up of legal cases against Thaksin.

Mr Ruangkrai said the recommendations for the premier to speed the trials of Thaksin might be seen as intervening in the work of judicial officials.

US Senator Leahy May Review Funding of U.S.-Thailand Military Relations as Anupong, Abhisit Move Against Hmong

Abhisit and Anupong: The killers of 4,000 Hmong refugees?

"Should the Hmong be treated similarly it could badly damage the Thai military's reputation, and put our military collaboration at risk," U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy said on the Senate floor regarding U.S.-Thai Military Relations.

(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington, D.C. and Bangkok, Thailand, December 28, 2009 - The text of a Senate floor statement by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy ( D-VT ) was released today in Bangkok, Thailand and Washington, D.C., in opposition to the forced repatriation of over 4,000 Lao Hmong political refugees from Thailand to Laos.

“Key U.S. Senators are openly stating that the return of Lao Hmong refugees to Laos by Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Army Chief of Staff General Anupong Paochinda may have negative effects on America’s relationship with Thailand, including potential damage to the U.S.-Thai military relationship, including American funding, and the annual Cobra Gold exercises,” said Philip Smith, Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy Analysis ( CPPA ) in Washington, D.C.

Smith continued: “Senator Leahy is calling for the potential review of the funding for U.S.-Thailand military relations as General Anupong and Prime Minister Abhisit Order the Thai Army to move against defenseless Lao Hmong political refugees at Huay Nam Khao in Petchabun Province. Moreover, Prime Minister Abhisit and General Anupong have ignored repeated appeals by Members of Congress and the international community to His Majesty, Bhumibol Adulayadej, the King of Thailand, to grant asylum to the Hmong refugees until they can be resettled in third countries like Australia, Canada and The Netherlands, that have agreed to host them.”

“It is important to note that U.S. Senators, Russ Feingold ( D-WI ), Patrick Leahy ( D-VT ), Richard Lugar ( R-IN ), Barbara Boxer ( D-CA ), Al Franken ( D-MN ) , Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ), Mark Begich ( D-AK ), Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) and Sheldon Whitehouse ( D-RI ) sent the letter to Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on December 17, 2009, and released it on December 23, 2009, in Washington, D.C. following reports of more Thai soldiers and a large troop convoy of over 50 army trucks and buses being deployed at the main Hmong refugee camp at Ban Huay Nam Khao to force over 4,000 political refugees back to Laos over the Christmas and New Year holiday season,” Smith concluded.

“Senator Leahy, Chairman of the key committee in the U.S. Senate that oversees international U.S. military assistance, has issued a clear message to the Thai Government that forced repatriation of Hmong back to Laos, as now appears imminent, would have dire implications for U.S. military-to-military cooperation with Thailand,” said Edmund McWilliams, a retired senior foreign service officer who served at the U.S. Embassies in Thailand and Laos and is a combat veterans of the Vietnam War.

“The Senator, joined by other colleagues earlier this month, wrote to the Thai Prime Minister underscoring the urgency and importance… of this issue; Forced repatriation of Hmong back to the land from which they were driven would be especially egregious in this Christmas season, particularly for many Christians among the Hmong,” McWilliams explained.

The following is the text of the statement by Senator Leahy:

STATEMENT OF SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY
ON
THE FATE OF HMONG REFUGEES

Senate Floor

December 23, 2009, Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to speak briefly about a worrisome humanitarian situation that is developing in Thailand, which could cause problems for our relations with the Thai military.

Thailand and the United States are long time friends and allies, and our armed forces have developed a cooperative relationship. Many Thai military officers have been trained in the United States, and Thai soldiers have participated in joint U.S.-Thai training exercises such as Operation Cobra Gold. I expect this relationship to continue. But I am very concerned, as I know are other Senators, that the Thai Government may be on the verge of deporting roughly 4,000 ethnic Hmong back to Laos where many fear persecution.

Thailand has a long history of generosity towards refugees from Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is a history to be proud of. But the Thai Government, which insists that the Hmong are economic migrants who should be repatriated, has reportedly deployed additional troops to Phetchabun province where most of the Hmong are in camps. There is a growing concern that the Thai military may expel the Hmong before the end of the year. There is also concern that a group of 158 Hmong in Nongkhai province, who have been screened and granted United Nations refugee status, could be sent back to Laos. I understand that the United States and several countries have told the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the Thai Government they are prepared to consider this group of refugees for resettlement. Potential resettlement countries should be given an opportunity to interview these individuals in Thailand.

It may be that some of the 4,000 Hmong are economic migrants. It is also likely that some are refugees who have a credible fear of persecution if they were returned to Laos. I am aware that many Hmong fought alongside the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, working with Thai authorities, needs to determine who has a legitimate claim for asylum and who does not, in accordance with long-standing principles of refugee law and practice. No one with a valid claim should be returned to Laos except on a voluntary basis. The United States, and other countries, can help resettle those who do have valid claims but need access and the opportunity to consider relevant cases.

I mention this because I cannot overstate the consternation it would cause here if the Thai Government were to forcibly return the Hmong to Laos in violation of international practice and requirements. The image of Laotian refugees – including many who the United Nations and the Thai Government itself have stated are in need of protection – being rounded up by Thai soldiers and sent back against their will during the Christmas season, and the possible violence that could result, is very worrisome. On December 17th I joined other Senators in a letter to the Thai Prime Minister about this, and I ask that a copy be printed in the Record at the end of my remarks.

As Chairman of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee which funds international assistance programs, I have supported U.S. military training programs and other assistance to the Thai military. We share common interests and want to continue to work together. But after the deplorable forced repatriation to China of Uighur refugees by Cambodian authorities last week, we expect better of the Thai Government. Should the Hmong be treated similarly it could badly damage the Thai military’s reputation, and put our military collaboration at risk.

###

Contact: Ms. Maria Gomez or Mr. Juan Lopez
Telephone ( 202 ) 543-1444
info@centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org
CPPA - Center for Public Policy Analysis
2020 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Suite No. #212
Washington, DC 20006 USA

Anupong says he will never enter politics

December 26, 2009
The Nation

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda Friday ruled out possibility of entering the political arena after his retirement.

Anupong was giving a speech during a New Year party held by him for Army-beat reporters.

"If you ask if I play politics or not, I'll say 'No'. I will not play politics. I will not accept any post. I've never thought about setting up a political party as some journalists have written," Anupong said.

He said his service as the Army chief is running out in not many months and he has not got involved in politics.

Thai Army chief says it's impossible for Thais to plot coup in Cambodia

Anupong Paochinda (Photo: Reuters)

December 26, 2009
The Nation

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said Friday that it is impossible for Thais to plot a coup in Cambodia.

"I think it's can't be done," Anupong said, referring to allegations by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that the Thai government had planned to stage a coup to topple the Cambodian government.

Anupong said the Thai government would not get involved in politics of a neighbouring country.

[Thai] Army scraps sports day at border

17/11/2009
By Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

Army chief Anupong Paojinda has cancelled a sports day scheduled for Saturday between Thai and Cambodian troops to stay in line with the government's attitude towards Phnom Penh, an army source says.

The move came after talks between the government and military leaders. It was decided the army should adopt a similar stance to the government towards Cambodia even though the military ties between the two countries remained good.

It would be an "unpleasant image" to see the government cut diplomatic ties with Phnom Penh while its soldiers played sports with Cambodian troops as if nothing had happened. The policies of the government and the army should be the same, the source said.

Thailand and Cambodia have seen their relationship deteriorate after Bangkok last year opposed Phnom Penh's unilateral move to list the Preah Vihear temple ruins as a World Heritage site with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The situation worsened after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as his and Cambodia's economic adviser, and refused to extradite him to Thailand when Thaksin paid a four-day visit to Cambodia last week.

Hun Sen last week told Cambodia's deputy supreme commander Gen Chea Dara to meet Thai 2nd Army commander Lt Gen Weewalit Chornsamrit to ensure the soldiers of the two countries maintained a friendly relationship.

Gen Anupong had supported holding the sports day as a way to strengthen military ties after talking with Gen Chea Dara. The two sides have agreed not to reinforce troops at the border.

Although the army has decided not to go ahead with the planned sports day, the source said, Gen Anupong was still allowing Thai soldiers, who have frequent contact with Cambodian troops stationed near the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area surrounding Preah Vihear, to continue playing unofficial outdoor games. They could play volleyball, football and Petanque together as they have been doing, the source said.

Anupong holds meeting with 2nd Army Area chief, senior officers

November 13, 2009
The Nation

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda held a meeting with the commander of the 2nd Army Area and senior Army officers to brief them of the government's stand towards Cambodia.

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the meeting was held at the Army headquarters at 3 pm.

The senior officers were informed of the government's stand and latest reports regarding to the relations of the two countries.

Sansern said they were also informed of the prime minister's concern about the wellbeing of the people living along the Thai-Cambodian border.

They were informed that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not wan the strained diplomatic ties escalated into a security problem that affected the life of the people.

Situation 'normal' on Thailand's border with Cambodia: Thai army chief

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - Thai army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda affirmed on Wednesday that there has been no military movement along the Thai-Cambodian border by either side, but that in military terms the situation is not worrisome.

Gen Anupong said the military is closely monitoring the situation and avoiding cross-border confrontations after the arrival Tuesday in Phnom Penh of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to lecture Cambodian economists on his first assignment as economic adviser to the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He declined to comment on the visit to the Cambodian capital by Mr Thaksin, saying only that as a former Thai prime minister he should know what is appropriate and what is not.

As for Mr Thaksin’s interview with the Times daily in London, considered deeply offensive to the Thai monarch, Gen Anupong said the army will instruct all military personnel to not to redistribute or discuss the article as doing so has legal implications and might cause further problems.

The situation remains normal on the Cambodian border, Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd reported, and no special instructions have been received from the government or given by Army chief Gen Anupong.

Col Sansern said the people of the two countries have crossed border to do their business as usual.

On Thursday, he said, there will be a friendly football match between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at Phoomsarol village in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province which borders Cambodia.

The Army spokesman said the Thai military on border duty are placed according the framework assigned earlier, but the diplomatic spat is the responsibility of the government to address.

The extradition bid is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the armed forces has nothing to do with it, he said.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday invited spokespersons from the army, air force and navy to be briefed on the diplomatic situation between Thailand and Cambodia and the government's stance on Mr Thaksin's interview with the Times newspaper, a report which is considered offensive to the Thai monarch, to clarify information about and understanding it.

The ministry earlier on Tuesday invited governors of seven provinces bordering Cambodia to be briefed on the situation and affirmed that despite implementation of diplomatic measures, relations between the two peoples would remain calm.

Thai Army chief says no tension at Thai-Cambodian border near PreahVihear

October 2, 2009
The Nation

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said Friday that there is no tension along the Thai-Cambodian border near the disputed 4.6 square kilometre plot near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

He said he had reported the latest situation to Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wonsuwan.

He said the dispute has yet to be discussed in a joint border demarcation committee.

Thai Army chief: Thai-Cambodian Border Commission will resolve border disputes

BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) - Thai Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda declined to comment on news report on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's remarks regarding Thai-Cambodian border disputes, saying that the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission for the Demarcation of Land Boundary would be responsible for the talks to find solution on the border disputes.

International media, including the Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP), on Monday quoted Mr Hun Sen as telling Cambodian officials that anyone from Thailand illegally intruding into Cambodian territory claimed by both countries will be shot.

The Cambodian leader also said that if Thai officials negotiating the border demarcation line present their own maps during bilateral talks, Cambodian officials ‘should tear them up or walk out.’

Gen Anupong said that all the border talks would be the responsibility of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission for the Demarcation of Land Boundaries.

He said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed earlier on the principle to use the talks to solve the problem not to use forces to end the disputes and the Thai government is still adhere to the principle.

"The Thai government has clearly showed that it will use dialogue as the channel to end the disputes. Local military personnel are maintaining good relations with Cambodian soldiers," he said, adding that no severe measures would be used.

If there was any trespassing by Cambodian soldiers, clear procedures had been set and Cambodian trespassers would be treated in accord with human rights standards.

Gen Anupong added that the Second Army Area had warned local residents in Thailand to take care when traveling in the disputed border areas, intrusions into Cambodian territory could happen and there are still landmines in the border zone which could endanger civilians.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he was verifying the news report before making any comment and affirmed that Thailand would use peaceful mean to solve the problems.

Anupong: Peace, not war

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Bangkok Post

Army chief Anupong Paojinda insisted on Tuesday that Thailand opts for peaceful means in solving border conflicts with Cambodia.

He spoke a day after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered his troops to shoot any trespassers along the disputed area and angrily blasted Bangkok's territorial claims.

Gen Anupong reiterated that Thailand will solve the conflict through dialogue at the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation of the Land Boundary.

Thai soldiers will carry on their duties on Thai soil, and there is no plan to using violent measures, he added.

He warned those living in the area to be careful if they have to cross the border.

Last weekend, People's Alliance for Democracy protesters rallied at the disputed border area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple. Dozens of protesters, police and villagers were injured in clashes there after security forces tried to obstruct the PAD from reaching the border area.

The protest was aimed to assert Thai sovereignty over disputed territory near the ancient temple.

Thailand, Cambodia to discuss troop reductions at border

BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) -- Thailand and Cambodia will discuss troop reductions at their common border as neither side wishes to use force in settling the ongoing territorial dispute, Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said on Tuesday.

Gen. Anupong told journalists that both the Thai and Cambodian governments agreed that it would be futile to use force in settling the border dispute.

He said Thai troops deployed near the ancient Preah Vihear temple would be “reduced to an appropriate level” in accordance with the government’s policy.

Discussions with Cambodia will have to be made in detail regarding the number of soldiers to be cut, including the timing of the reduction, he said.

The exact timeframe has not yet been fixed as the reduction is up to the satisfaction level of both sides, he added.

Tensions along the two countries’ border, especially near Preah Vihear temple, have risen after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oganization (UNESCO) granted the historic temple World Heritage Site status in July 2008.