A Change of Guard

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Sunday 22 November 2009

Cambodian PM's daughter to take over CATS


BANGKOK, Nov 21 (TNA) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s daughter plans to hold shares in Thai-owned Cambodia Traffic Air Services (CATS) after the Cambodian government has temporarily taken over management of the firm, according to Dr Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the Thai prime minister.

Dr Panitan, also acting government spokesman, confirmed the news report that Cambodian leader's daughter is planning to hold shares in CATS.

The plan followed confirmation by the Cambodian government of its temporarily assuming control of the management of the country's air traffic control company following the arrest of CATS employee Siwarak Chutipong on charges of espionage.

Tekreth Samrach, a deputy minister of Cambodia’s Council of Ministers, said in Phnom Penh Friday that his government acted against CATS for the sake of national security and for flight safety. Nine other Thai employees of the company were also banned from the workplace.

Meanwhile, Chawanon Intarakomalsut, the Thai Foreign Minister’s secretary, said in Bangkok that CATS is registered in Hong Kong and it was not possible to determine the identity of its shareholders.

He said, however, it would be difficult for any individual to take over the company, but his ministry would try to assist CATS. So far the company has not requested help.

He said the Thai foreign ministry is studying whether CATS is included in the Thai Cambodian Investment Protection Act as it is registered in Hong Kong.

Dr Panithan said that he did not know whether the company could be protected as other companies registered in Cambodia.

It is up to the company to file a request for the Cambodian government to consider, said Mr Panithan, adding that the firm’s lawyer and Mr Siwarak’s lawyer are different persons.

Referring to the bail request for detained Siwarak, Mr Chawanon said he expected that the process could be completed next week.

Mr Siwarak’s mother could also probably visit her son next week, Mr Chawanon added.

Relations between the two neighbouring countries have been strained after Phnom Penh rejected a formal request from Thailand to extradite Mr Thaksin during his five-day stay in Cambodia, beginning November 10.

The situation deteriorated when ambassadors of the two countries were recalled. Mr Siwarak was apprehended in Phnom Penh on spying charges on November 12 when he was seen releasing flight information on the fugitive former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra’s, to a Thai embassy official. (TNA)

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