Thai prisoner swap floated [-Swap idea coincides with Thaksin's visit?]

Thai Yellow Shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid, right, and his secretary Ratree Pipapatanapaiboon, second left, speak to reporters at the Appeal Court in Phnom Penh in December last year. Photo Vireak Mai

Friday, 16 March 2012
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia officials yesterday said they would “consider” pro­posals reportedly advanced by their Thai counterparts involving the exchange of high-profile prisoners Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, who are now serving time at Prey Sar prison.

The Bangkok Post reported on Thursday that Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul had said he would discuss with Cambodian officials a possible exchange between the two countries that would release the convicted spies.

Veera, a leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, also known as the “Yellow Shirts”, and his secretary Ratree were arrested in December 2010, along with five others after crossing the border into Banteay Meanchey province.

Thailand extradites four Khmer prisoners to Cambodia

SA KAEO, Feb 1 (MCOT online news) - Thailand on Wednesday extradited four Cambodian prisoners, but the Sa Kaeo prison chief denies it was an exchange for two Thai activists jailed earlier in Phnom Penh for espionage.

Sa Kaeo Deputy Governor Chat Kittinoppadon and Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison Commander Kittipat Dechapahun witnessed the handover ceremony of four Cambodian prisoners -- two men and two women -- to the Cambodian government through Cambodian ambassador to Thailand You Aye.

It was the first time that a handover was held at a local checkpoint as the event was held in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province.

The four men were jailed at Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison for drug-related offences and have completed one-third of their jail term. They are now entitled to be extradited to finish their jail terms in their homeland.

The future refusing to be born: Thai fascism, genocide and the “Primister”

Nov 19, 2011
By Andrew Spooner
Asian Correspondant

With talk ratcheting up of a pardon for the former Thai PM, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was illegally ousted in a coup in 2006, the Thai right wing and supporters of the neo-fascist PAD seem to have descended into a hysterical meltdown. Is this a sign of their increasing desperation as they realise that the wheels of history are turning against them? Famous British Labour Party MP and minister, Aneurin Bevan, who founded the UK’s National Health Service in 1946, once summed up fascism in one pithy comment and it seems as relevant today to Thailand’s PAD as it was to 1930s European fascism -

Fascism is not in itself a new order of society. It is the future refusing to be born.

First, there’s the issue of the present prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra’s use of the English language (Siam Voices contributor Kaewmala has her take on the entire matter here which I’m roundly in agreement with).What Kaewmala has missed though, are some of the terrible and highly amusing English language manglings made by Yingluck’s critics, the best of which is below.

Thai neo-fascists attack Yingluck's English while mangling their own

No royal pardon for PAD Thai Veera and Ratree?

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: A Gift

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

[Thai] PM pledges to secure release of 2 detained Thai activists [-Don't expect Hun Xen to do the same for Khmer opposition party members]

BANGKOK, Sept 14 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday said she has not received official confirmation from Cambodia over the possible release of two Thai activists detained on espionage charges, but pledged to help secure their release during her official visit to Phnom Penh Thursday.

The prime minister is scheduled to leave for Phnom Penh as part of a round of official introductory visits to Thailand’s ASEAN neighbours, her first since assuming her post last month.

Following reports that Cambodia plans to release the two activists of the Thailand Patriot Network, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, now detained in a Cambodian prison for illegal entry and spying charges, Ms Yingluck said there has been no coordination on the matter from Cambodian authorities yet.

A Cambodian court on Feb 1 ruled that the two were guilty of espionage, illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone. Mr Veera was sentenced to an eight-year jail term while Ms Ratree received six years in jail.

Veera, Ratree to be freed?

Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid (left) and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon (File Photo)

14/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon may possibly be released and allowed to return home when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra makes an official visit to Cambodia on Thursday, a younger brother of Veera said on Wednesday.

Preecha Somkwamkid said he learned from a news report from Cambodia that preparations had been made by Cambodian authorities to release his brother Veera and Ms Ratree.

According to the report, the two might return home with Ms Yingluck's entourage, Mr Preecha said.

Mr Preecha said Veera's relatives were trying to confirm the report. If it was true, they would themselves go to Cambodia to welcome them and bring them home, he said.

PM will ask Phnom Penh to free activists [-Will Hun Xen ask Yingluck to release all Khmer citizens jailed in Thailand?]

YINGLUCK, THAKSIN TO SEEK THAIS' RELEASE FROM CAMBODIAN JAIL

11/09/2011
Bangkok Post and AFP

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will ask Phnom Penh to release two Thai activists who have been jailed in Cambodia since December.

She will make the request during her official visit to Cambodia on Thursday, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said.

Mr Surapong, who will accompany Ms Yingluck to Phnom Penh, said the Cambodia visit will be considered a success if the Thai government can obtain the release of Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, his secretary.

"When we have a chance, we have to help our fellow Thais," the minister said.

PM's help sought for jailed Veera,Ratree

August 24, 2011
By Chanikarn Poomhirun
The Nation

Phetchaburi Senator Sumon Sutawiriyawat and five supporters have written to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asking her help to gain the release of two Thai nationalist activists jailed in Cambodia.

Veera Somkwamkidand and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were arrested together with five other Thai nationals, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, on December 29 while inspecting a disputed border area near Sa Kaew province's Ban Nongchan.

They are being held in Prey Sar prison near Phnom Penh after being sentenced to eight and six years jail, respectively, on charges of espionage.

[Thai] Foreign minister vows to help 2 Thais in Prey Sar

By NNT
Pattaya Mail (Thailand)

BANGKOK, 15 August 2011 – Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has promised to help Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon now detained in Prey Sar prison in Cambodia.

Mr Surapong stated that the new government is intent on helping the two Thai inmates and will do all it can to do so. He added that concrete measures on how to help the two will be discussed in due course to make sure they are in accordance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ procedures.

Mr Veera and Ms Ratree have been sentenced to eight and six years in prison respectively for illegal entry, trespassing into military zone and espionage. They were arrested at the end of last year and have been detained in Prey Sar prison since then.

Yellow Shirts reject World Court ruling on Thai-Cambodian border dispute

BANGKOK, July 20 (MCOT) - Thailand's yellow-clad protest movement, the People' Alliance for Democracy (PAD), on Wednesday issued a statement opposing the ruling of the United Nation's highest court ordering both Thai and Cambodian troops to withdraw from the disputed area near Preah Vihear temple.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul read the group's statement saying the July 18 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) puts Thailand at a disadvantage as Thai troops must withdraw deeper into their own territory despite Cambodian communities, Cambodian-constructed buildings and roads still occupying Thai territory.

"Thailand can solve this problem by rejecting the ICJ order, refusing to withdraw its troops, at the same time pushing the Cambodians back to their country and urgently restoring ties, especially with members of the United Nations Security Council." Mr Sondhi stated.

PAD: Reject ICJ ruling

20/07/2011
Bangkok Post

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Wednesday issued four statements, calling on the government and the military to reject the ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the demilitarisation of the disputed area around Preah Vihear temple issue.

The PAD demanded that the government and the military urgently:

• Issue an announcement that they do not accept the ICJ's ruling,
• Keep troops in the Thai territory (disputed area) and push Cambodians out of it,
• Develop and restore international relations, particularly with member countries of the United Nations Security Council,
• Not to reapply for membership of the World Heritage Convention,
• Revoke the 2000 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia on demarcation, and
• Seek the release of Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who are imprisoned in Cambodia for spying and illegal entry.

The ICJ on Monday ordered Thailand and Cambodia to both withdraw troops from the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area, which would be part of a provisional demilitarised zone, and annolunced provisional measures for the two countries to follow to reduce confrontation and bring about peace.

Suwit may get praised by PAD but that is all

1/07/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti may have been praised by the People's Alliance for Democracy for withdrawing Thailand from the World Heritage Convention last week.

But despite the warm welcome he received from the PAD, which had been pushing for the move, on his return to Thailand earlier this week, members said Mr Suwit would not get more votes from them because of the decision.

That is because PAD has a firm policy of urging people to vote "no" in the election and this will stand.

The opposition has accused the government of pulling out to please PAD supporters and attract votes from the group. And new revelations about what transpired at the meeting last week would seem to back up those accusations.

Temple to remain time bomb [:PAD Thai]

June 27, 2011
By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK,
SAMASCHA HUNSARA
THE NATION

Thailand will withdraw from Heritage Convention, but experts query move

Thailand's defiant decision to pull out of the World Heritage Convention late on Saturday in protest over Cambodia's management plan for Preah Vihear Temple could be another ticking bomb for the new government.

"The next step to withdraw from the World Heritage Committee will be the responsibility of the next government," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told a press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

He had called Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to meet for 10 minutes at the airport's VIP room before the press conference.

"From now Unesco can consult with Thailand over the next process and Thailand will insist that any activity to recover the disputed areas must be approved by Thailand. We do always ask Cambodia to withdraw troops from the Preah Vihear Temple as it would violate the convention and the intention of the committee," he said.

PAD supports Suwit's decision [to pull out of WHC]

26/06/2011
Bangkok Post

The People's Alliance for Democracy is full of praise for Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to have decided to withdraw Thailand from the World Heritage Convention, PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said on Sunday.

He said the decision was in line with the PAD's standpoint and proposal submitted earlier to the government.

After this, it was necessary for Thailand to act more decisively to protect its territorial sovereignty, he said.

Mr Panthep said the PAD would continue with its rally at the Makkhawan Rangsan and Chamai Maruchet bridges until the night of July 1 to follow up the World Heritage Committee's meeting, which is scheduled to end on June 29, and to campaign for electorate to tick the "no vote" box in the July 3 election.

Video: Thais target UNESCO in temple row [-Chamlong Srimuang is delusional]

Thai nationalists demand UNESCO delist controversial temple

Jun 22, 2011
DPA

Bangkok - Thai protesters massed outside the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Bangkok office Wednesday to demand that a Cambodian temple be removed from the world heritage list.

About 1,000 members of the ultra-nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gathered to demand UNESCO delist the Preah Vihear temple, which lies on Cambodian soil but is claimed by Thailand, and 'end the violation of sovereignty of Thai territory.'

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is currently meeting in Paris to decide on new sites and discuss progress on formerly designated ones.

PAD Thai supporters rally at Unesco office [... for Pad See Ew?]

A yellow-shirt protester, led by Chamlong Srimuang of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) (not pictured), holds a placard during a rally outsideBangkok's UNESCO building to demand the delisting of the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site June 22, 2011. Fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops over the 12th century temple has turned into Southeast Asia's bloodiest border dispute in years. The temple was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, a decision fiercely opposed by Thailand on the grounds that the land around Preah Vihear was never demarcated. The protest was held to coincide with the World Heritage Committee meeting in France. The placard reads: "UNESCO stop serving tyrant (Cambodia's Prime Minister) Hun Sen. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

22/06/2011
Bangkok Post

About 1,000 supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Wednesday morning rallied in front of the Bangkok office of Unesco on Sukhumvit road.

They demanded the United Nations' cultural organisation withdraw the World Heritage status of the Phrea Vihear temple and postpone the World Heritage Committee's deliberation of the management plan proposed by Cambodia.

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, representing the PAD and Kingdom of Thailand Defence Committee, submitted a letter containing the demand addressed to the Unesco head office in Paris through its Bangkok office.

The rally caused heavy traffic congestion on Sukhumvit road.

PAD delisting [of Preah Vihear] call 'unrealistic' [-PAD Thais are dreaming!!!]

18/06/2011
Apinya Wipatayotin
Bangkok Post

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti says the People's Alliance for Democracy's demand for Unesco to delist the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site is impractical and unlikely to happen.

Mr Suwit, who leads Thailand's negotiating team on the Preah Vihear issue, insisted the country's position is to convince the World Heritage Committee to delay its adoption of the management plan for the temple expected to be proposed by Cambodia at the WHC meeting in Paris tomorrow.

Mr Suwit made the comment after more than 1,000 PAD supporters submitted a letter to Unesco via its office in Bangkok demanding that the WHC delist the temple as a World Heritage site.

The yellow shirt group argued that World Heritage status had led the two countries into a border conflict.

PAD Thai wants P. Vihear delisted

17/06/2011
Bangkok Post

More than 1,000 yellow-shirt supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Friday morning rallied in front of the Bangkok head office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation calling for the delisting of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site.

Led by PAD co-leader Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang they submitted a letter to a representative of the World Heritage Committee, demanding the panel to consider delisting the ancient temple as a World Heritage site at its coming meeting.

The World Heritage Committee is to meet in France from June 19 to 29.

The protest caused a problem for traffic on Sukhumvit Road and police advised motorists to avoid the Unesco office area.