[Thai] PM: Ruling unrelated to border

23rd January, 2011
Bangkok Post

The Cambodian court's ruling on the five Thais is not related to the Thai-Cambodian border demarcation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) said on national television on Sunday night.

"The ruling has no effect on the border issue because of the memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia on the survey and demarcation of land boundary signed in 2000.

"The memorandum states that the border issue will be resolved when the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission has come to an agreement," Mr Abhisit said.

He said the location where the seven Thais were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 last year was still disputed.


The premier insisted the government will not revoke the 2000 MoU as the revocation could lead to clashes between the two countries.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court's ruling will be translated and the government will lodge a protest to ensure that it will not affect the border issue, he said.

A Cambodian Court on Jan 21 ruled that the five Thais intentionally entered Cambodia without permission. They are Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, Samdin Lertbutr, Tainae Mungmajon, Naruemol Chitvarattana and Kojpollathorn Chusanasevi.

They were sentenced to nine months in prison and a fine of one million riel (about 10,000 baht).

Since they have already served one month in prison, the court suspended the remaining eight-month jail term.

The other two Thais still in custody are yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon. They face additional charges of spying.