THAI MILITARY REFUTES CAMBODIAN CLAIMS OF ESPIONAGE TACTICS

Updated: [November 15, 2009 ]
The Pattaya Daily

A leading Khmer newspaper reported yesterday that an official from the Thai Armed Forces Security Center was caught spying at the City Angkor Hotel in Siam Reap where ex-premier of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra recently stayed during his visit to Cambodia.

Thailand, the 15th of November 2009 [PDN]: Thai military officials yesterday refuted claims by the Cambodian government that they had placed an official in the Cambodian city of Siam Reap. Cambodian authorities claimed they had captured a Mr Manit who they believe is an official from the Thai Armed Forces Security Center (TAFSC), sent to spy on the City Angkor Hotel, where exiled former premier Mr Shinawatra recently stayed.

Thai Army Colonel Sitichai Markkunchorn announced that no one by the name of Manit has any affiliation with the TAFSC, further requesting the Cambodian authorities to release the last name of the alleged spy. Colonel Markkunchorn added further that the accusations made by the Cambodian press, and backed up by government officials had unnecessarily slandered the reputation of the Thai Armed Forces. The Thai public has been urged not to believe any information released out of Cambodia without first checking the source.

The Democrat Party leader's personal spokesman Mr Thepthai Senpong, berated Pheu Thai Party MP, Mr Jatuporn Promphan for protecting Cambodia and for releasing ill-informed information that is an insult to the Thai government. Mr Senpong also blamed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for releasing such news to the media with the intent on cornering the Thai government. Mr Senpong has said in relation to the actions taken by the Cambodian leader “Hun Sen has done this because he wants to justify his action against the Thai government. It's a shame that Thais have helped Cambodia to defame their own country."

Acting government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn could not confirm that a second Thai citizen along with the previously mentioned Mr Manit has been detained in Cambodia, as reported by a leading Phnom Penh newspaper on Saturday.

Trade and commerce at the border gates between Cambodia and Thailand have continued as normal, with no reports of any incidents as a result of the current political situation.