Cambodians protest Xayaburi in Bangkok

Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Shane Worrell
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodians were among anti-Xayaburi dam protesters who demonstrated outside Thai Parliament in Bangkok yesterday, urging Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to halt construction and tear up an agreement to buy the proposed dam’s power.

A group of Cambodians travelled to Bangkok especially to raise their concerns about the proposed hydroelectric dam, joining protesters from seven provinces in Thailand’s northeast.

They were out of luck, however, as the Thai government – which would buy the majority of the dam’s power, if built – refused to hear their calls, which accompanied 8,000 signatures on giant catfish petition postcards.

Vietnam is entering the Thai turf: Cambodia Angkor expands to Bangkok

September 14, 2012
By Rapeepat Mantanarat
TTRweekly

HO CHI MINH CITY, 14 September 2012: Cambodia Angkor Air, the national carrier of Cambodia, will start flights to Bangkok this November from Siem Reap.

The airline’s executive, marketing department told TTR Weekly at the 8th International Travel Expo in Ho Chi Minh City that the Siem Reap to Bangkok service will operate four times weekly using a ATR72 aircraft. If passenger response is good the airline will increase flights to daily.

A service between Phnom Penh and Bangkok is also under consideration. The only airline serving the Bangkok-Siem route is Bangkok Airways.

CCHR Open Letter to Thai Foreign Ministry re Illegal Profiling of Cambodian Muslims

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Thai Officials Seize 1,500 Logs Of Siamese Rosewood

BURIRAM, Thailand, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Police in north-eastern Thailand have pulled over two trucks with nearly 1,500 logs of smuggled Siamese rosewood -- the largest capture ever in the region worth nearly 400 million baht (RM39.9 million).

Commander of Police Region Division 3, Police Lieutenant General Panu Kerdlarppol, said two suspects were arrested on the spot near a checkpoint in Buriram province, bordering Cambodia, Thai News Agency reported.

The suspects confessed being hired for 3,000 baht (RM299.40) each trip to take the rosewoods to a wood market in Thailand's central Ayutthaya province.

In another capture, park officials in the eastern province of Sa Kaeo have arrested two Cambodians who illegally crossed the Thai border to smuggle rosewoods, valued at nearly one million baht (RM99,734). The pair said they planned to earn profit selling them at the border.

Sam Serey visited Cambodian people in Thailand

Sam Serey visited Cambodian people in Thailand who have been helping Cambodians in Cambodia to attain freedom and democracy from dictator Hun Sen and Vietnamese neo-colonialism. During his visited, he handed out copies of the book "Mystery of Cambodia", as well as CDs containing the documentary"Who killed Chea Vichea?".

Cambodia’s frustration with Thai treatment of Khmer Muslims soothed

By MCOT

BANGKOK, Aug 24 – A senior Thai military officer on Thursday brushed aside Cambodia’s dissatisfaction over the thorough inspection of Cambodian Muslims entering Thailand, insisting that the measure is necessary as far as national security is concerned.

Maj-Gen Dittaporn Sasa-smit, spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), said the inspection enables the authorities to know the background of the Muslim arrivals in case of untoward incidents.

“We need to immediately supply them (the Cambodian authorities) with necessary information if asked for,” he said.

Gen Dittaporn said Cambodian Muslims have been entering Thailand at border checkpoints in Sa Kaew province but there has been no report of their involvement in terrorism.

Cambodian Muslims go South [of Thailand]

A group of Cambodian Muslims show their passports at Khlong Luek border pass in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo. Authorities fear Muslims from Cambodia may join insurgent groups in Thailand’s restive deep South. TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD

Many Malaysia-bound, 'not interested' in strife

27/08/2012
Wassayos Ngamkham
Bangkok Post

Despite being closely monitored by Thai security authorities, Cambodian Muslims continue to enter Thailand through the Khlong Luek border pass in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo.

Most of them travel further to the southern border provinces of Thailand and enter Malaysia there. Thai immigration police know a number of Cambodian Muslims do not return to their homeland by the same route and likely stay in Malaysia as illegal workers.

Some Thai authorities are concerned about Cambodian Muslims' entry and wonder if they might get involved in the insurgency in the far South.

Most Cambodian visitors say, however, they pay no attention to the violent conflict in the southern provinces.

Five ink deal to form rice cartel [-Will farmers benefit from rice price increase?]

Yanyong: 10% price rise acceptable

Goal is to boost price by 10% annually

23/08/2012
Bangkok Post

Five Asean rice-producing countries are joining forces to form a regional alliance with the ambitious goal to boost rice prices by 10% annually.

Trade ministers from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos are scheduled to sign the agreement later this year to establish the Asean Rice Federation, said Yanyong Phuangrach, the commerce permanent secretary.

Mr Yanyong called the cooperation a first for a region that exports 20 million tonnes of rice a year.

The cooperation will help lift rice prices and the census is agreed among these members that rice is not only a staple but also a main source of revenue for them.

He said a 10% rise each year is acceptable and will not have significant effect on consumers.

"The cooperation can stabilise rice prices and ensure food security in the region," he told a press briefing yesterday.

Cambodia rejects allegations about Muslims' joining insurgent networks in Thailand

22-08-2012

PHNOM PENH, (Xinhua): Cambodia on Wednesday rejected Thai allegations that some Cambodian Muslims have joined violent insurgent networks in Thailand's far South, saying the allegations are groundless and unacceptable.

"The allegations are absolutely groundless and unacceptable," Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday. "They are innocent people. Thai competent authorities should find out the fact and real evidence before making such baseless allegations."

The spokesman's reaction was made after the Bangkok Post online quoted Thai army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying on Tuesday that some Cambodian Muslims have joined violent insurgent networks in Thailand in the far South.

Prayuth warns of Cambodian Muslim threat [-Bangkok Post's article is in contradiction to the Nation's report]

22/08/2012
Bangkok Post

Some Cambodian Muslims have joined violent insurgent networks in Thailand in the far South, said army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday.

The army chief has asked authorities to closely monitor Cambodian Muslim immigrants to ensure they return to their country when their one-month entry permits expire.

According to Gen Prayuth, not all have returned to Cambodia.

The army is asking the Immigration Bureau and the Customs Department about the whereabouts of Cambodian Muslims, he said.

The army chief said most Cambodian Muslims who entered Thailand are travelling through to neighbouring countries, particularly Malaysia, to find work.

Cambodian Muslims not involved in South violence: [Thai] Army chief

Prayuth Chan-ocha

August 22, 2012
THE NATION

Most Cambodian Muslims living in the deep South of Thailand have no connection with insurgents in the predominantly Muslim region, and are simply job-seekers who have fled poverty in search of better lives, Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

Prayuth's statement contradicted Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha's earlier comment that many Muslims from Cambodia did not return home after travelling to the deep South, suggesting that they might be involved in the ongoing violence there.

Prayuth said only some 30-100 Muslims from Cambodia entered Thailand monthly. The figure varied according to the season, he said. Larger numbers entered during months when religious activities took place, such as Dahwah missionary work, he said. Some Muslims from Cambodia entered Thailand during other periods in search of work, he said.

Muslims from Cambodia under watch [... in Thailand]

20/08/2012
Bangkok Post

Immigration police have been instructed to keep a close watch on Cambodian Muslim people travelling into Thailand as tourists, Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa said on Monday.

Gen Yutthasak, who is in charge of security affairs, said nearly 1,000 Cambodian Muslims were arriving in the country each day.

Apart from the necessity for immigration police to keep them under watch, the Cambodian government would also be asked to provide information about them, he said.

On the new command centre for solving problems in southern border provinces, which has yet to be officially set up, Gen Yutthasak said it would not duplicate the work of other security agencies but would instead facilitate their operations.

Thailand must show maturity in handling Preah Vihear

Wednesday, Aug 15, 2012
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation/Asia News Network

Time is fast running out.

Maybe Parliament has forgotten it has an urgent task to consider the terms of reference (TOR) for Indonesia's observer team in the demilitarisation process at the disputed Preah Vihear temple, in accordance with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s injunction.

It's important to comply with all conditions set by the ICJ as Thailand is in court with Cambodia over the interpretation of the 1962 judgement on the sovereignty of the Hindu temple.

Compliance with the court's order during the trial is a key message to show the judges and international community that Thailand is a civilised country that lives with dignity and integrity.

Like it or not, agree or disagree, as a member of the United Nations and the international community, Thailand has an obligation to comply with the court's injunction since the country chose the civil way to settle the chronic conflict with its neighbour, in the court.

Analysis – Disastrous intervention puts Thai rice exporters in peril

08/08/2012
By Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Millions of tonnes of rice that no one wants; huge losses for the state budget; farmers more interested in quantity than quality; exporters throwing in the towel. Thailand’s world-beating rice industry is in a sorry state.

The government won election a year ago by promising to pay farmers double the market level at the time for their rice — a policy to help the poor, ostensibly, but one that has backfired by making grain so expensive that hardly anyone is buying it.

As a result Thailand exported just 3.45 million tonnes in the first half, down 45 percent from the same 2011 period.

The Thai Rice Exporters’ Association is expecting exports of no more than 6.5 million tonnes for the full year against 8 million to 10 million normally, and that means Thailand will probably lose its crown as the world’s top rice shipper to India or Vietnam.

ASEAN sec-gen issues statement of concern on Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Monday 30th of July 2012
Philippine Information Agency

MANILA, July 30 -- The secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has already issued a general statement of concern with the plight of Cambodia and Thailand in addressing Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

In a statement, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan officially expressed that ASEAN Secretariat is still closely monitoring the health events in Cambodia and Thailand that have been related to the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

ASEAN said the secretary general has expressed concern regarding the social and health implications to the families in these countries whose children had either suffered or died due to the disease.

Cambodian boy died of HFMD in Thailand

Saturday, Jul 28, 2012
The Nation/Asia News Network

An investigation by the Epidemiology Bureau has concluded that a Cambodian boy who died in Rayong this week succumbed to hand, foot and mouth disease, Dr Prasert Thongcharoen said yesterday. The victim, aged two and a half years, became the second HFMD fatality in Thailand this year.

"This case is clearcut. We do not need to wait for a meeting of virologists to determine the cause of his death," Prasert said in his capacity as an adviser to the Disease Control Department.

Rayong public health chief Kris Palasut said separately, however, that the Medical Sciences Department was conducting a detailed lab test on the young boy's case.

"The results will be released within two weeks," he said as largescale public health campaigns started in his province.

HFMD can quickly spread among young children. Although the disease is not very dangerous, it can cause death in severe cases.

HFMD suspected in boy's death - Panic hits Rayong after Cambodian succumbs

27/07/2012
Bangkok Post

A Cambodian boy has died of suspected hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Rayong's Klaeng district, triggering panic in the eastern coastal province.

Workers hose down and scrub the exterior of a train at Hua Lamphong station yesterday. It was part of a joint clean-up campaign by the Transport and Public Health ministries aimed at preventing the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease. APICHART JINAKUL

Rayong provincial health authority chief Krit Palasuth said the two-and-a-half-year-old died in emergency treatment, two hours after being admitted to Klaeng Hospital on Wednesday.

The boy arrived at the hospital with breathing difficulty, fatigue and blisters on his palms and feet.

Court date set for Koh Kong farmers

CPP Land-thief Ly Yong Phat (L)

Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post

More than six years after a sugar company bulldozed their farms in Koh Kong province, some 200 families who have held out ever since, arguing the action was illegal, will finally get their day in court on Thursday.

Seng Kao, one of 24 villager representatives from Chikhor Leu village in Sre Ambel district, said 100 villagers will join them at the provincial court as they make their case.

“We are ready and have witnesses and evidence, such as family books, identity cards, election cards, local administration lists and letters recognized by commune authorities that we have occupied the land since 1979,” He said.

In August 2006, a joint venture now majority owned by Thai firm Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Public Co Ltd and then part-owned by Senator Ly Yong Phat was awarded a roughly 20,000-hectare economic land concession in Chikhor Leu commune.

Findings of the Subcommitt​ee on Civil and Political Rights of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand on the Koh Kong Sugar Cane Plantation case in Cambodia

Preliminary Findings

Evidence gathered from the SCPR’s investigation so far allows for a reasonable belief that human rights principles and instruments were breached in this case, and that the Thai parent company is involved in the operations of its subsidiaries in Koh Kong, where these breaches took place. We identify breaches of the right to life and self-determination, in particular. The SCPR also identifies a failure to uphold the people’s right to development, which includes their right to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, and through which most other human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realized. The SCPR has completed the investigation and is in the process of drafting the final report which will be endorsed by the NHRC in due course accordingly.

The Commission is a constitutional organization pursuant to the Constitution of Thailand B.E.2550 (2007) committed, under the democratic regime, to ensure that communities and their natural resources remain protected, and that various human rights principles are applied in meeting the economic, social and environmental pillars for fairness and sustainable development.

https://www.box.com/s/28d864a5109a8e66e81d

Findings of the Subcommittee on Civil and Political Rights of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand on the Koh Kong Sugar Cane Plantation case in Cambodia

Dear All,

The NHRC has just endorsed the statement on Koh Kong today. It will expected to upload in the NHRC website and other local independent media by today. Sorry for the delay but still on time due to the several amendments of the statement. Hopefully this would benefit for your work, the court hearing tomorrow in particular.

Best,

Cook
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รายงานผลการพิจารณาของคณะอนุกรรมการดเ้านสิทธิพลเมืองและสิทธิทางการเมือง ในคณะกรรมการสิทธิมนุษยชนแห่งชาติ กรณีการมีส่วนร่วมของบริษัท น้ำตาลขอนแก่น จำกัด (มหาชน) ในการปลูกไร่อ้อยที่จังหวัดเกาะกง ราชอาณาจักรกัมพูชา
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Jirawat Suriyashotichyangkul
Thai Legal Associate
EarthRights International