Published: 10/01/2011
Bangkok Post
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) says no one, including the United Nations, can intervene in the case of the seven Thai detainees, and insists only the Cambodian court will decide their fate, according to a report published by China’sPeople’s Daily News online.
“ There are many comments these days, and also a publication said yesterday that Thaksin [Shinawatra] or the Puea Thai Party want to intervene into the case of the seven arrested Thais,” Mr Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony at the Vanda Institute in Phnom Penh on Monday, the daily’s English service reported.
“ I just confirm that no one can intervene in the judicial system, neither the government, nor foreigners, or Cambodians.
“ I tell them that it is impossible, no matter which path you enter from, even from the United Nations, because the case is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court, which must be respected.”
Mr Hun Sen’s comments prompted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call an urgent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to disucss the best way to expedite the release of the seven Thai border-crossers now being held at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.
Mr Abhisit said the first priority of the government is to help the detained Thais, who include Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth.
Mr Hun Sen’s hard line could dash the Thai Patriots Network’s plan to ask the UN to help secure the release of the detainees.
Network leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said the group, which is allied with the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy, rejected the Cambodian court’s authority in the matter. The case should be regarded as an international issue.
He claimed Cambodia “abducted” Thai people from Thai soil and the problem could be solved only by mediating agencies such as the UN.
He said the government wanted the case to be tried in the court so that it could ask for the release of the seven defendants on bail, or request the Cambodian monarch to grant them a royal pardon.
A leading member of the Thai Patriots Network, Veera Somkwamkid, is among those arrested. He has been previously convicted of illegal entry and there were unconfirmed reports from Phnom Penh today that he might also be charged with spying, which carries a 10 year jail sentence.
Foreign minister’s secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the ministry hoped the seven Thais would not face extra charges.
The ministry would weigh up the situation before reporting to Prime Minister Abhisit on whether he should make a direct phone call to Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The secretary said all seven detainees were allowed meetings this morning with relatives who travelled to Phnom Penh last night.
The seven were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 while on an “ inspection trip” near a disputed border area in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district adjacent to Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province.
The Cambodian court charged them with illegal entry and illegal trespass on a military zone. The two charges carry a combined maximum penalty of 18 months in jail.
Meanwhile, Second Army chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon denied a report that Thai soldiers killed innocent Cambodians on Sunday, saying the troops were only protecting a wildlife refuge in Si Sa Ket which has been encroached upon by illegal loggers.
Lt-Gen Thawatchai said the soldiers retaliated after an unidentified group of trespassers ignored their warnings and fired shots at them.
The clash erupted when the soldiers spotted and challenged the strangers while patrolling Phanom Dongrak Wildlife Sanctuary in Khun Han district in Si Sa Ket, which borders Cambodia.
Lt-Gen Thawatchai was reacting to a report that Cambodian authorities intend to send a photo of Cambodians killed by Thai soldiers to the Thai government.
Thai soldiers returned to the scene of the clash in the forest this morning and found chainsaws and evidence of trees being cut. They did not see any injured or dead people, he said.
Immigration police at a border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo have arrested a woman reporter who is wanted on an arrest warrant for taking part in the yellow-shirts’ occupation of two Bangkok airports in 2008.
Police said Tonfan Saeng-atit, 52, was apprehended late Sunday night as she went to cross the border to cover the prosecution of the seven detained Thais being held in Phnom Penh.
She was escorted to the Crime Suppression Division head office in Bangkok today.
Ms Tonfan denied involvement in any wrongdoing and was later released on 300,000 baht bail.
Ms Tonfan, a reporter for FM TV and 13 Siam Thai TV Online, is wanted under an arrest warrant. She is accused of taking part in the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s seizure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports in 2008. The protesters were demanding the resignation of then Somchai Wongsawat government, which was viewed as being a nominee of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The PAD has also played an active role in protesting against Cambodia’s claims of ownership of disputed areas along the border.
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