Kasit slams Hun Sen for 'interfering'

'Stay out of Thai politics', says shadow minister

20/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Shadow foreign minister Kasit Piromya has criticised Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for interfering in Thai politics.

Mr Kasit said yesterday the Democrat Party was "very concerned" that Hun Sen was interfering in Thai politics.

Mr Kasit said the premier took sides with the Pheu Thai Party, its de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) but he "was antagonistic towards the Democrat Party".

Mr Kasit was speaking when Thaksin was in Phnom Penh to give lectures on economics to Cambodian parliamentarians and businessmen.

Kasit: Hun Sen's meddling cause for concern

Former foreign minister Kasit Piromya (right) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen depart the stage after a group photo during the opening of the 16th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Vietnam on April 8, 2010. (Photo EPA)

19/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Thailand should be concerned about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's actions now he has a Thai fugitive to his country, former foreign minister Kasit Piromya said on Monday.

"A group of journalists from Cambodia came to meet me and I asked them to tell Cambodian authorities that Thailand is apprehensive about Prime Minister Hun Sen, who held a reception for a fugitive instead of cooperating with Thai authorities by bringing that person back to face justice in his own country," Mr Kasit said.

The Democrat list MP said Hun Sen's action showed that he backed certain political groups and that he would not accept any other side that he did not support.

"The Cambodian premier is violating the Asean charter by intervening in Thailand's internal affairs, and should refrain from doing so.

Kasit: Cambodia should respect Thai court procedure to bring Thaksin to justice

By NNT
Pattaya Mail

BANGKOK, 14 September 2011 - Former Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said that Cambodian Prime Minister Somdech Hunsen should respect the Thai justice system regarding the case of ex-premier Pol Lt Col Thaksin Shinawatra while expressing hope that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would be able to separate her leadership role from personal relations with her brother.

Following Pol Lt Col Thaksin’s scheduled trip to Cambodia, Mr. Kasit said the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh could either notify Cambodia of the legal status of Thaksin or to report the ex-prime minister’s move to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand so that it will notify the Office of the Attorney General.

A formal letter will then be drafted by the Office of the Attorney General and sent to notify Cambodia about the legal charges against Mr. Thaksin. Mr Kasit added later that it was entirely up to the Cambodian government whether to cooperate with Thailand or not. He personally thought that Mr Hun Sen should respect Thailand in this regard otherwise it could break the relationship between the two countries.

The Former Foreign Minister said that every government has the duty to bring criminals to justice, and he was hoping that Ms. Yingluck would give no one a favor.

Victory or death, Comrade Yaem?

Cartoon by V. Sina

Preah Vihear verdict was a slap in the face for Thai nationalists

July 20, 2011
By Pavin Chachavalpongpun
The Nation

Monday's verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Preah Vihear Temple case is a slap in the face for members of the Bangkok establishment.

They should not have shot themselves in the foot in the first place. They have been politicising the Preah Vihear issue since 2008 in attempts to undermine their political opponents. They successfully created instability along the border. They even "declared war" with Cambodia to justify their confrontational policy. Now they have been told to remove themselves from the disputed area.

There are four main "orders" in the ICJ verdict. First, both parties must immediately withdraw their military personnel currently present in the provisional demilitarised zone and refrain from any military presence within that zone and from any armed activity directed at it. Second, Thailand should not obstruct Cambodia's free access to the temple, and the two countries should continue their cooperation within Asean and allow observers to have access. Third, each country should inform the court of their compliance with the mentioned provisional measures. And fourth, these measures are binding and create international legal obligations with which both countries are required to comply.

Emerging from the ICJ meeting in The Hague, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, a former distinguished member of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and a known anti-Hun Sen figure, continued to unashamedly explain away the Preah Vihear case rather than facing the truth.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Mission Impossible

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

ICJ orders troops withdrawn

From left: Thailand's Ambassador to the Netherlands Virachai Plasai, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, counsel Donald McRae and former ambassador Asda Jayanama are seen in the courtroom on July 18, 2011 in the dispute over the ownership of Preah Vihear temple. (Photo REUTERS)

From right: Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Deputy Agent Var Kimhong, Secretary of State Long Visalo of Cambodia and their counsel Rodman Bundy are seen in the courtroom on July 18, 2011 in the dispute over the ownership of Preah Vihear temple. (Photo REUTERS)

18/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in The Hague, the Netherlands, that he was satisfied with the court's ruling.

THE HAGUE - The International Court of Justice on Monday voted 11 to 5 to order both Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw their troops from the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple to reduce military confrontation along their border.

The ruling was in response to Cambodia's petition to the ICJ on April 28 for an interpretation of the 1962 verdict awarding sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia.

The 1962 verdict says the ancient Hindu temple belongs to Cambodia, but the area around it has remained in dispute, causing frequent cross-border clashes between the two countries.

In the petition to the ICJ, Phnom Penh also asked the United Nations' highest court to issue provisional measures that include an immediate withdrawal of Thai troops from areas around the temple, a ban on all Thai military activity in the area, and that Thailand refrain from any act which could interfere with Cambodia's rights over the temple.

Thai hopes high over temple row

Kasit: Confident court will back Thailand

ICJ decision on troop withdrawal due today

18/07/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol, Wassana Nanuam & Sermpong Thongsamrit
Bangkok Post

Thailand will find out this afternoon whether it will be ordered to withdraw its troops from around Preah Vihear temple, as demanded by Cambodia in the International Court of Justice.

The ICJ will hold a public hearing at the Peace Palace in The Hague at 3pm Thailand time [KI-Media: it will be 3pm Phnom Penh time also], during which the president of the court, Judge Hisashi Owada, will read its deliberations on the issue.

The verdict will be based on the decision of the majority of its 15 judges.

Outgoing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is heading the Thai legal team at the hearing, while the Cambodian team will be led by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Mr Kasit said the Thai team felt excited ahead of the decision and the members were hopeful that the hearing would be favourable to Thailand, as it has prepared for many years to fight the case.

"Although I am not a lawyer, I believe our arguments are reasonable under legal principles and cover all issues raised in Cambodia's request," Mr Kasit said.

Kasit response to ICJ ruling Monday

17/07/2011
Bangkok Post

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will make a long-distance call to give an interview on Monday after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has made a ruling on Cambodia's request concerning the Preah Vihear temple, Foreign Ministry's Information Department deputy director-general Jessada Katawethin said on Sunday.

Mr Jessada expected Mr Kasit to phone in at 5pm from The Hague, the Netherlands.

Cambodia asked the ICJ to make an interpretation of its verdict on the Preah Vihear temple in 1962 and issue an injunction for Thailand to withdraw its troops from the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area.

Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the army spokesman, said regardless of what the ICJ ruling may be the army will comply with an order from the government only.

He said this when asked what the army would do if the ICJ ruled as requested by Cambodia.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Royal Jet

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Thai FM to attend UN court's decision on Cambodian border clarification measures

BANGKOK, July 14 (MCOT online news) -- A Thai delegation led by outgoing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will leave Bangkok Saturday for The Hague to be present at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's highest court, on Tuesday (July 18) when it is scheduled to issue clarifications on Cambodian border measures, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The ICJ is set to rule at Cambodia's request to issue provisional measures to force Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple and banning military activity there following sporadic deadly clashes between troops of both countries.

A public sitting would take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague and the President of the Court, Judge Hisashi Owada, will read the court’s order.

Kasit will lead [Thai] team to Hague

ICJ to rule July 18 on Cambodian requests

9/07/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

Outgoing Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will lead the Thai team to The Hague next week to hear the International Court of Justice's order on the request for provisional measures submitted by Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple.

The UN's highest court set July 18 to deliver its order on Cambodia's request for the Thai military to withdraw from around the Preah Vihear temple, while the ruling on the interpretation of the ICJ's 1962 verdict is due to be made at the end of this year.

Phnom Penh asked the UN's highest court on April 28 to interpret its ruling in 1962 which says the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia and has demanded the court order Thailand to withdraw troops from the Preah Vihear temple area, cease all military activity around the temple and refrain from any act or action which could interfere with the rights of Cambodia.

Thai FM Kasit holds urgent meeting to ponder next move

Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Nation

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Sunday held an urgent meeting to consider the next move after Thailand withdrew from the World Heritage Convention to protest against its decision to consider Cambodia's Preah Vihear management plan.

The meeting comprised representatives from his ministry and ministries of Culture and Natural Resources and Environment.

It was held as Kasit is leaving for Kazakhtan this evening.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, head of the Thai delegation negotiating with the World Heritage Committee in Paris, said on Saturday his delegation had informed the WHC that Thailand resigned as a member country to the convention.

No spy exchange with Thailand: Cambodian PM

June 15, 2011
Xinhua

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

[Thai] PM: Thai FM will clarify on spy case to concerned agencies [-Thai retalation against Veera and Ratree's detention?]

BANGKOK, June 11 (MCOT online news) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday that he had assigned Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to clarify on the arrest of three men -- a Thai, a Cambodian and a Vietnamese -- apprehended earlier this week on charges of alleged spying of Thai paramilitary bases and bunkers built for Thai villagers at the Thai-Cambodian border to concerned agencies.

Mr Abhisit told journalists the clarification would be made after the Phnom Penh government reportedly issued a statement saying that it has never sent spies to gather intelligence in Thailand and alleged that the ongoing charges were made up by the Thai government on a pretext to invade Cambodia.

Although he had not yet seen the statement, Mr Abhisit said he has ordered Mr Kasit to clarify the matter to concerned offices.

Thailand set to defy International Law

Thailand set to defy any border order

MINISTER SAYS ICJ HAS NO AUTHORITY TO RULE

5/06/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

SINGAPORE : Thailand is set to defy any order by the International Court of Justice to withdraw troops from the border area disputed with Cambodia.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said yesterday that the ICJ had "no authority" to issue such an order and Thailand would not comply should one be issued.

The minister's comments come as the ICJ deliberates Cambodia's requests for a reinterpretation of the court's 1962 ruling which favoured Cambodia, and to order Thailand to withdraw troops and cease all military activity near Preah Vihear temple, situated inside the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area.

The UN's highest court is expected to rule on troop withdrawal early next month.

"Thailand will respect the ICJ's decision, but the body has no authority to order Thai troops to retreat. Thai soldiers won't step back from our territory," Gen Prawit said on the sidelines of the three-day Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore.

Thai FM satisfied with lawyer team's performance at ICJ

June 03, 2011
Xinhua

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Thursday that he was very satisfied with Thai lawyer team and agent presenting before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Cambodia's request for interpretation of 1962 ruling and provisional measure.

"We have been preparing ourselves for almost two years in a very thorough manner and every move, every argument has been argued over among the Thai side and we were able, I think in short, to explain, to rebuttal all the points raised by the Cambodian side with substance rational and with evidences.

"In that sense, I am satisfied, yes, definitely I am very satisfied," said the foreign minister who just returned from Hague.

He also reaffirmed that he was confident in the judges as well as the Court that the agency would hand down an impartial verdict.

Thailand puts faith in ICJ [-Kasit's prediction is good as hot air!]

Kasit predicts reduced backing for Cambodia

1/06/2011
Bangkok Post

Thailand is confident in the professionalism of the International Court of Justice in ruling on the country's dispute with Cambodia, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.

Mr Kasit, who attended the oral hearing on the case in The Hague, said he did not think powerful countries would support Cambodia as they had when the country adjusted to independence from France and took issue with Thailand over Preah Vihear temple in 1962.

"I'm confident in the professionalism of the ICJ since it comprises highly qualified judges from developed and developing nations," he said.

Thailand and Cambodia presented closing statements to the ICJ in The Hague Tuesday.

Cambodia 'opposes' bid to delay temple plan

Sun, May 29, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

Suwit, who has just returned from France, said Unesco did not want to see more casualties in the Thai-Cambodian conflict revolving around Preah Vihear Temple, which was unilaterally listed by Cambodia as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Thailand has asked Unesco to postpone deliberations on the management plan for Preah Vihear to the 2012 meeting.

Thailand also has proposed hosting the next meeting, as have Cambodia and Russia.

However, Cambodia was against the postponement and wanted the Preah Vihear management plan to be discussed at the upcoming meeting from June 19-29.