Arrest warrant out for Cambodian spy

By The Nation
Published on June 17, 2011

A Cambodian army officer, who went on the run recently, now faces an arrest warrant over espionage charges, Si Sa Ket Governor Somsak Suwannasujarit said yesterday.

The man, identified as Ya Pao or Wichai, is believed to be a colonel attached to the Cambodian army's intelligence corps. He was one of the men arrested last week for allegedly supplying Cambodia with details of Thai military installations and shelters. The other two alleged spies, currently in court custody, are a Thai and a Vietnamese.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva admitted that the Cambodia suspect had escaped, but added that an investigation was underway and that Thai military had no problem handling national defence despite the escape.

Meanwhile, a senior Vietnamese diplomat has contacted the prison authorities in Kantharalak district to visit suspect Wiang Teng Yang, but an approval from the military is still pending. The Second Army Area, which is in charge of all military operations in the Northeast, is coordinating with the Foreign Ministry over the request.

A media website, quoting a Voice of America report, said the Cambodian army was now recruiting 5,000 reservists. However, a military spokesman said this was a routine operation, and had nothing to do with the armed conflicts with Thailand.