Cambodian gov't accuses media cartoon of affecting ties with Thailand

The golf buddies: Thaksin (2nd from L) and Hun Sen (3rd from L) (Photo: Reuters)

PHNOM PENH, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A recently-printed media cartoon depicting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra playing golf together could seriously affect the Cambodian-Thai relations, said a press release of the Cambodian Information Ministry received here on Tuesday.

In the hand-drawn picture published by English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post on April 10, Thaksin shot a mine instead of a ball with his golf pole into the territory of Thailand, saying that "YES, IT'S MINE!!! THEREFORE I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANTN WITH IT..."

Hun Sen, together with Thaksin on the land of Cambodia, said that "BUT... WHAT ARE YOU DOING? IT IS YOUR COUNTRY..."

This cartoon was politically-oriented and would make readers misunderstand the political stance of Cambodia, said the ministry in its press release.

Cambodia already spiked the rumor that Thaksin was hidden here, but the cartoon obviously told readers that he was temporarily living in Cambodia, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said in the release.

The Phnom Penh Post should submit its evidence for Thaksin's stay in Cambodia, he said.

By publishing the cartoon, the newspaper had violated the relevant law of Cambodia, he said, adding that any media should be objective and neutral in its reporting.

In early April, spokesman of the Cambodian Council of Ministers Phay Siphan told reporters that "Thaksin actually didn't have any presence in our country."

For anything that he did, Thaksin could observe his own country's law and the international law, he added.

Demonstrations by the opposition force have led to serious instability in Thailand. Thaksin used to relay supportive messages to the protesters from his overseas location.

Thaksin denied that he is in Cambodia

PM Abhist believes no political changes coming, despite Red Shirt demands

BANGKOK, April 6 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Monday he is optimistic that the political changes demanded by the anti-government Red Shirt protesters will not take place in Thailand, despite the large rally anticipated Wednesday which the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is mounting, meant to topple his less than four-month-old coalition government.

A majority of the public now understands the real situation in the country, Mr. Abhisit asserted, that the apparent dispute is simply meant to gain advantages for a group of special interests. In addition, the UDD’s demand for democracy is not a condition because the government has not rejected the request and ready to address and “resolve the problem.”

But the problem which must be solved, Mr. Abhisit emphasised, is that justice and voices of the people must be heard by every party and from every part of the country, “not just for a certain group of people.”

The prime minister said he believed the country’s political problems would improve after the Songkran water festival, Thailand’s traditional New Year, April 13-15.

The UDD, loyal to convicted, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are adamant that they will hold a “massive” rally Wednesday, and while some officials have voiced concern that the demonstration could escalate into violence, Mr. Abhisit has expressed confidence that the security precautions in place will be sufficient to contain any development.

Prime Minister Abhisit rebutted criticism that his government did nothing about the verbal attacks by Mr. Thaksin against the royal institution of the Privy Council, particularly its president, Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, saying that government officials collecting the ousted premier’s negative remarks and that appropriate action will be taken under the legal framework.

Mr. Abhisit said the government would not survive and should leave the political stage if it cannot protect the country’s pivotal institution.

Late Sunday, Mr. Thaksin said during a satellite-linked speech to UDD protesters who have blocked access to Government House since March 26 that he was not in Cambodia as some suspected, but he declined to tell his viewers where he might be found.

The much-travelled ex-premier denied that he has Bt100 billion bank account in the Cayman Islands as rumoured, and offered to give anyone having verifiable evidence of such an account the full amount of money in question.

PM Abhisit: No need to negotiate with Thaksin, affirms extradiction

BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday there is no need for his government to negotiate with ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in ending political unrest in the country, and reaffirmed his government's commitment to extraditing the ex-premier.

Mr. Abhisit’s comments followed Mr. Thaksin’s Friday video broadcast United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters that he rejected the government’s offer to hold talks.

Prime minister Abhisit also dismissed rumours that Mr. Thaksin, convicted and on-the-run ex-premier was in the Cambidian capital, adding fuel to rumours that Mr. Thaksin could be influencing Cambodia’s part in the recent border incidents.

The prime minister said officials are trying to determine probing the exact whereabouts of Mr.Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, and will try to extradite him to Thailand to face his jail sentence in the country.

Mr. Abhisit’s personal spokesman, Thepthai Senpong had earlier alleged that Mr. Thaksin was in Phnom Penh.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is inspecting the issue of Mr. Thaksin’s location to extradite him to Thailand to face sentence in the country.

Mr. Abhisit said the situation at the border had eased to a certain extent, and that he did not want fighting to happen again, but the government must affirm the kingdom's right in the disputed area.

The talks with Cambodia will defuse tensions and eventually solve the problems, he said.

Meanwhile, the red-shirted anti-government UDD demonstrators now protesting at Government House promise to hold a ‘massive’ demonstration on Wednesday to bring down the coalition government.

Mr. Abhisit said his government is willing to amend law and constitution to develop democratic system in the country but opposition political parties have refused to cooperate so the demonstrators should also protest against the opposition.

Regarding next week’s planned rally, Mr. Abhisit said his government is confident it can control the situation and that he hopes persons committed to democratic values and practices would not want to see any political changes through violence.

Meanwhile, UDD core leader Jatuporn Prompan denied that Mr.Thaksin is in Cambodia.

Mr. Jatuporn, who is also a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party, said Mr. Thaksin is at a location thousands kilometres distant from Thailand with a three-hour time difference.

Uncofirmed reports: Thaksin is in Cambodia

Host of Today's Truth Confirms Thaksin to Phone in at 8 p.m. on Sat

31 October 2008
TOC (Thailand)

People Power party MP and host of Today's Truth Jatuporn Phromphan has revealed that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will give a live telephone interview at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the pro-government gathering.

However the PPP MP declines to reveal where Thaksin will physically be during the time of the interview.

There are unconfirmed reports that Thakin is in Cambodia and will soon be travelling to Chiang Rai Province, at which he is rumoured to be making the call for the live interview on Saturday.