A Change of Guard

សូមស្តាប់វិទ្យុសង្គ្រោះជាតិ Please read more Khmer news and listen to CNRP Radio at National Rescue Party. សូមស្តាប់វីទ្យុខ្មែរប៉ុស្តិ៍/Khmer Post Radio.
Follow Khmerization on Facebook/តាមដានខ្មែរូបនីយកម្មតាម Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khmerization.khmerican

Friday 12 August 2016

Prince Thomico latest to call Cambodian government a ‘beast’


Prince Sisowath Thomico speaks at a political rally in Phnom Penh in 2013.
Prince Sisowath Thomico speaks at a political rally in Phnom Penh in 2013. Scott Howes

Prince Thomico latest to call Cambodian government a ‘beast’
Fri, 12 August 2016 ppp
Meas Sokchea and Ananth Baliga


CNRP member Prince Sisowath Thomico is facing likely legal action after joining a Khmer-Australian politician in calling the CPP-led government a “beast regime”.

Thomico, who is the nephew of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, yesterday said he has always expressed his opposition to the government’s oppressive actions on Facebook, but this time chose to use that particular term after he heard Victoria MP Hong Lim use it last week.

“I would like to say clearly – I respect and love the King but I am absolutely opposed to this beast regime led by the CPP,” read Thomico’s Facebook post.

The message, posted on Wednesday, featured the above text, as well as pictures of Thomico with the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath and images of authorities evicting villagers.

Thomico yesterday said he was unafraid of potential legal action, and questioned why he could use “unjust and incapable regime” to describe the regime but not “beast regime”.

“If they want to take action – go ahead, what can I say?” he said. “I will not withdraw the words that I have used.”


In the past week, the government petitioned the Australian Embassy, requesting an apology from Lim, who in a recent interview to Radio Free Asia said Cambodians will continue their “struggle” against the “beast”, in light of the death of slain political activist Kem Ley.

The comment led to a verbal spat between Lim and government spokesman Phay Siphan, with the Foreign Ministry denouncing the former as a “persona non grata for the Kingdom of Cambodia”.

Yesterday, Siphan said the government and CPP were looking to lodge a complaint against Thomico, but did not give further details.

He said Thomico was part of the opposition and should refrain from making such comments, even alleging collusion with Lim.

“They are all networking together and they are calling for a political revolution,” he added.

CPP spokesman Suos Yara said given that the Cambodian government was under the monarchy, Thomico was also insulting his own royal family.

“Prince Sisowath Thomico, who was born in royal family, should help to defend the royal family, not insult like this,” he said, refusing to divulge if the party would sue Thomico.

Reacting to Thomico’s Facebook post, Future Forum founder Ou Virak said it wasn’t surprising that the government was pushing back, given its propensity to attack anyone who made “comments against them”.

“This will be seen [by the government] as a challenge to the CPP’s power and hence it is illegal,” he added. He said Thomico probably knew the repercussions of making such a statement but wanted to show the government that “he will not be cowed” by them.

Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry released another statement saying Minister Prak Sokhon had met with Australian Ambassador Angela Corcoran earlier this week, calling Lim’s comments “insulting”.

In response, the Australian Embassy directed the Post to a statement it had released on Wednesday, where it distanced itself from Lim’s remarks, but noted the country’s “robust tradition of different views being aired in public discussion”.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Prince Sisowath Thomico for your brave courage to speak out against the cpp beast.We need as many as persons like you to save our country.When you can't beat them, don't join them like ah phay siphon,but defy them.

Anonymous said...

I applauded Prince Thomico Sisowath for standing behind his statement and weasel his way out or backtrack the statement. It takes guts to challenge this oppressive regime. The Cambodian people are sick and tired of being the victims. I always have the impression that the "Sisowath" royal family would have steered Cambodia out of trouble better than the Norodom counterpart.

Anonymous said...

Freedom of expression is deadly for intelligence but NOT ignorance! What kind the legal action of Cambodia? Throw a penny in the throat of CPP, they will shut up or choke them to dead. CPP act so tough about their justice. Can't stand with ah vietcong.