Cambodian opposition angered at Thai spy's pardon

Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) leads Siwarak Chuthipongse by the hand after a meeting at his house in Phnom Penh December 14, 2009 . Siwarak, a Thai engineer working for Cambodian air traffic control who had been found guilty of spying for leaking fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra's flight details to the Thai embassy, was pardoned last week after a request to Cambodia's king from Thaksin and others, according to a Cambodian minister speaking at the time. Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Siwarak would be officially freed on Monday at Hun Sen's residence.

REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA - Tags: POLITICS)

Updated December 14, 2009

Cambodia's opposition has accused the government of undermining the country's monarch and of meddling in Thai politics, after the spying conviction of a Thai man was overturned. Last week a 31-year-old Thai national was jailed for seven years for tipping off Phnom Penh's Thai embassy about the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Cambodia. Three days later the Cambodian king granted Siwarak Chothipong a royal pardon - a move that's outraged the opposition.

Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Siwarak Chothipong, released Thai citizen; Koy Kuong, spokesman, Cambodian Foreign Ministry; Son Chhay, opposition politician

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COCHRANE: It was a swift and sweet release for Thai national Siwarak Chothipong.

SIWARAK CHOTHIPONG: I feel very happy that I have the freedom again.

REPORTER: Did you say anything to Premier Hun Sen?'

SIWARAK CHOTHIPONG: Yes, I really appreciate his [Hun Sen's] kindness and help me and let me go out. And I very very appreciate for the kindness of your highness, his majesty of the kingdom of Cambodia that have given me a chance to go back home."

COCHRANE: Koy Kuong, spokesman for Cambodia's Foreign Ministry, says the Thai man is a small player in a wider game.

KOY KUONG: The former Thai spy is the victim of the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, because he was ordered by the Thai embassy to do the espionage. And normally embassy receives the order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the government.

COCHRANE: Koy Kuorn denied there was political pressure to have the man released.

KOY KUONG: This is the right of the King, the King grant the royal pardon to him.

COCHRANE: But Son Chhay, a member of parliament for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, called it "strange" that while previous requests for royal pardons have taken months or years, this politically sensitive one was granted within a week.

SON CHHAY: I think the King has no say. He only did what the Prime Minister want him to do.

COCHRANE: The spokesman for the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs said this case did receive some special treatment - in that not all prisoners receive their official letters of pardon at the home of the Prime Minister.

KOY KUONG: It's just only occasional, just occasional - like this case.

COCHRANE: It's a case which has added to the already strained diplomatic relationship between Cambodia and Thailand. In 2003, rioters burned down the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, and this year saw sporadic clashes around the Preah Vihear temple on their shared border. So last month, when Cambodia made Thaksin Shinawatra an official economic advisor, Thailand withdrew its ambassador and Cambodia followed suit.

The spokesman for Cambodia's Foriegn Affairs Ministry says Thaksin did not request the pardon, that came from the Pheu Thai party, the successor to Mr Thaksin's now banned political party. Koy Kuorn played down the effect the spy case might have on diplomatic relations.

KOY KUONG: It's just not relevant to each other. It's just one case, and the relationship between Cambodia and Thailand is another case.

COCHRANE: However, opposition politician Son Chhay says the royal pardon and Mr Thaksin's visit suggests Prime Minister Hun Sen is betting that supporters of the ousted Mr Thaksin will one day reclaim power.

SON CHHAY: So we should not put our hands so deep into the affair of the other nation, especially the neighbouring nation.

COCHRANE: A spokesman for the Thai government has told media a new extradition request will be lodged but Koy Kuorn says it will be a waste of time, with Cambodia continuing to offer a safe port for Thailand's most wanted man.