‘Confession’ reports denied in spying case
Monday, 20 June 2011
Cheang Sokha
Phnom Penh Post
Cambodian officials have denied a report from Thailand that a trio of suspects, including a Cambodian man arrested earlier this month for allegedly spying on Thai military installations, had confessed their guilt.
The Bangkok Post reported on Saturday that Thai 2nd Army commander Lieutenant-General Thawatchai Samutsakhon had claimed the suspects had “confessed they drew a map of sensitive military areas”.
This alleged revelation, the general said, had prompted the Thai military to make unspecified “changes” to military installations in the area. He declined to provide further details.
But Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong (pictured) said Cambodian consular officials had met with the suspects in recent days and the men had continued to deny their guilt.
“This is another fabrication,” Koy Kuong said. “This shows the bad tricks of Thailand against Cambodia – [the suspects] have been malignly accused.”
Cambodian national Ung Kimthai, 46, was reportedly apprehended by officials in Thailand’s Sisaket province on June 7, along with a Thai national and a Vietnamese national.
The Bangkok Post reported that Thai police were searching for one more Cambodian in connection with the case.
He was identified as Ya Pao, 48, the “leader” of the alleged spies, the newspaper said.
Tensions between the two sides will play out in coming days in Paris at a meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, at which Thailand will attempt to delay the consideration of Cambodia’s management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.
The Cambodian delegation at that meeting, which began yesterday, will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
Fighting between the two sides broke out near the 11th-century temple in February of this year, killing 10 people.
It briefly re-ignited in April amid concurrent clashes along the border near Oddar Meanchey province.
Phnom Penh Post
Cambodian officials have denied a report from Thailand that a trio of suspects, including a Cambodian man arrested earlier this month for allegedly spying on Thai military installations, had confessed their guilt.
The Bangkok Post reported on Saturday that Thai 2nd Army commander Lieutenant-General Thawatchai Samutsakhon had claimed the suspects had “confessed they drew a map of sensitive military areas”.
This alleged revelation, the general said, had prompted the Thai military to make unspecified “changes” to military installations in the area. He declined to provide further details.
But Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong (pictured) said Cambodian consular officials had met with the suspects in recent days and the men had continued to deny their guilt.
“This is another fabrication,” Koy Kuong said. “This shows the bad tricks of Thailand against Cambodia – [the suspects] have been malignly accused.”
Cambodian national Ung Kimthai, 46, was reportedly apprehended by officials in Thailand’s Sisaket province on June 7, along with a Thai national and a Vietnamese national.
The Bangkok Post reported that Thai police were searching for one more Cambodian in connection with the case.
He was identified as Ya Pao, 48, the “leader” of the alleged spies, the newspaper said.
Tensions between the two sides will play out in coming days in Paris at a meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, at which Thailand will attempt to delay the consideration of Cambodia’s management plan for the Preah Vihear temple.
The Cambodian delegation at that meeting, which began yesterday, will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Sok An.
Fighting between the two sides broke out near the 11th-century temple in February of this year, killing 10 people.
It briefly re-ignited in April amid concurrent clashes along the border near Oddar Meanchey province.
3 comments:
I am surprise if Thailand increase its troop along the border. This is the type of story that will give them excuse to build up troop and attack if necessary. Cambodia needs to be prepared for the attack from Thailand especially close to election time. Abhisit needed to play nationalism card to try to bring voter back to his camp. The pole every where shown Democrate is trailing behind wider and wider. PT probably will win like a landslide with Yingluck as PM leadership. If the ruling party doesnt accept the result upcoming election, than Cambodia will be digging holes to fight for long time to come.
By the way; where is Sam Rainsy on nationalism when Thailand is attacking us? Did he making deal with Abhisit to kill Khmer soldiers? Cambodian government should trial him as traitor. Why dont he come out and condem Thailand, I wonder? I warned Sam Rainsy, dont go the village and try to recruite farmers to overthrown the government; they had enough and seen of killing Khmer and Khmer. Oh, I forgot, he can't get in the country. That is good, let him stay outside. Who needs him anyway.
I like this blog; it published all of my comment. You can't do that in RFA. If I said anything against Sam Rainsy, RFA will not publish your comment. Many people complaint that RFA is working for opposition party. Their news is not nuetral. It picks and chooses what they wanted people to hear. Usually everything that make Cambodia looks bad.
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