KH KOMPONG CHAM

Monday, January 10, 2011
Who you are matters when in trouble
10/01/2011
Saritdet Marukatat
Bangkok Post
In principle, everybody is equally protected by the government when a citizen gets into trouble in another country. In reality, however, it depends on the basic fact of whether you are somebody or a nobody. What happened to the two cases involving Cambodia perfectly substantiates this theory.

The government has launched diplomatic moves to bring back Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, the People's Alliance for Democracy's leading figure Veera Somkwamkid, and five other Thais from Cambodia as soon as possible. Those seven face a charge of illegal entry and another charge of sneaking into the border area of a neighbouring country controlled by its army. Since those seven stepped beyond Thai soil in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo and into Cambodia on Dec 29, Bangkok has deployed much effort to secure their release from detention at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was quickly dispatched to the Cambodian capital to talk with leaders in Phnom Penh in a bid to help them. The cabinet put this issue on its agenda at last Tuesday's meeting and top security officials were summoned to talk with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his cabinet members at Government House.

The PAD and its ally, the Thai Patriots Network, mobilised supporters to put pressure on the Thai government and also on Cambodia in order to get the men back to their homeland.


Even the opposition Puea Thai joined the hype by offering the government the use of its close contacts between de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, to help secure the men's release. Of course, this politically motivated offer was turned down by the government because the coalition administration saw through the ploy.

If only the government had done the same for Sanong Wongcharoen, Ling Pongpet and Laen Sapsri, these three Thai citizens might have been released from Cambodian jail earlier. The problem for the three was, simply: Mr Sanong who? Mr Ling who? And Mr Laen who? Their names did not ring any bells when they were arrested by Cambodian security authorities last August. They had trespassed into Khmer territory while scouring for wild fruits in the border forest. They were kept behind bars in Siem Reap before the Cambodian court handed down a jail term of 18 months for "spying" early last month. But at least they were lucky to receive a royal pardon and were sent back home as a goodwill gesture marking six decades of relations between the two countries.

The arrest of Mr Sanong, Mr Ling and Mr Laen did not receive wide media attention because they were ordinary Thai citizens living in the border area. There were no urgent high-level meetings between Thai and Cambodian ministers to help them out. In fact, any help in the wake of their detention came largely from Thai provincial officials who tried in vain to convince leaders of the Cambodian province of Siem Reap to free the trio as they had no intention of stepping into Cambodia from Thailand, that it was all an unfortunate mistake.

Today, attention will be focused on Phnom Penh Municipal Court, where a verdict is expected after the court examined all seven in a long session last Thursday, followed by the long weekend there to celebrate Cambodia's National Day. Their maximum sentence would be 18 months, and it is up to the judges to decide. The Thai government wants them to win the case and at least expects them to be granted a royal pardon if they are found guilty - in another show of goodwill for Thai-Cambodian ties.

But the government, the PAD and its network should not get mad at Cambodia if things don't turn out as expected.

PM Abhisit, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban and FM Kasit were once angry at the United States' attempted interference in the Thai judiciary system, when the US urged the Thai court to make a quick decision on handing over alleged Russian arms trader Viktor Bout to US authorities in order to have him put on trial in New York. Now Thailand should apply the same courtesy in the matter of the seven arrested Thais, by showing respect for Phnom Penh's judicial process.

Saritdet Marukatat is Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Red masses unsettle [Thai] government


Tens of thousands of red shirt demonstrators gather at the Ratchaprasong intersection to commemorate the deaths of anti-government protesters killed in clashes with troops in Bangkok last May. The protesters rallied at the Democracy Monument before proceeding to Ratchaprasong. RATTASEEMA PONGSAN
Suthep raises concern of more rallies on unity

10/01/2011
Bangkok Post
Tens of thousands of red shirt members converged at the Ratchaprasong intersection Sunday, raising more headaches for the government.

It was their biggest gathering since the government revoked the emergency decree in Bangkok last month.

The red shirts were roused by a phone-in message from ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

About half an hour before the rally ended at 8.40pm, Thaksin addressed the red shirt demonstrators at the intersection. Thaksin said he would "do everything in his power" to bring happiness and prosperity to Thai people in the New Year.

"We will continue our quest for democracy until we find it. Justice, happiness, and prosperity must be returned to Thai people," Thaksin said, adding that he was on board a plane flying over Europe while making his address.


Suthep Thaugsuban, the deputy prime minister in charge of national security, said any action which further creates political and social division was not helpful.

Speaking in Surat Thani Sunday, Mr Suthep expressed concern that many street rallies have been planned.

"After today, another group is turning up on Jan 25," he said, referring to the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy which is upset with the government over its handling of the long-standing border dispute with Cambodia.

"If anyone could talk to them [the protester groups], our wish is for them to take the country's welfare to heart."

Once the situation in the country returns to normal, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will dissolve the House and call a general election, Mr Suthep said.

Earlier in the afternoon, the demonstrators were joined at the intersection by other red shirts who had made their way from Democracy Monument where they held merit-making rites to remember protesters who died during major protests in April and May last year.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship staged two parallel protests at Phan Fa bridge near the Democracy Monument and the Ratchaprasong intersection last year.

The protesters later came together at the intersection before dispersing on May 19 when the military moved in to break up the protest.

Sunday, the crowd swelled at about 3pm at the intersection. Metal barricades were put up outside hotels and shopping centres in the area with large bands of anti-riot police on standby.

An hour later, the demonstrators removed the barricades outside Gaysorn Plaza shopping centre although no scuffle had broken out.

The protesters made their way on foot, in motorcycles and cars.

The intersection was closed as people spilled from the pavements on to the main road in frontof CentralWorld shopping centre.

At 8.40pm, the red shirts lit candles in remembrance of the 91 people who died in the political violence last year before they went home.

UDD chairwoman Thida Thavornseth said the next gathering will be held on Jan 23 in Bangkok.

The Department of Special Investigation was keeping an eye on Jatuporn Prompan, the UDD co-leader and opposition Puea Thai Party MP.

The Criminal Court has barred Mr Jatuporn from involvement in political rallies as a condition for his release on bail. He is among 19 core leaders of the UDD facing terrorism charges.

Mr Jatuporn has been released on bail on the understanding that he must not get involved in activities that could obstruct investigators or damage their case or court procedures.

Mr Jatuporn joined other red shirt figures in the merit-making ceremony at the Democracy Monument Sunday.

He said he was assured by his lawyer that his participation in the ceremony did not breach his bail conditions.

Mr Jatuporn said early in the day that he would not speak at the rally.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said if Mr Jatuporn did anything to defy the court's order, the department would seek to have his bail revoked.

Police chief Wichean Potephosree said police were watching for legal violations during the protest such as the release of lanterns and acts of lese majeste.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARLIER REPORT:

At least 30,000 red shirts gathered in Bangkok on Sunday, police said, in their biggest show of strength since a deadly military crackdown on their mass anti-government protest last May 19.

The demonstrators, clapping and singing in their trademark red clothes, brought traffic to a standstill in parts of the capital as they marched to the upscale shopping district calling for the release of their leaders in jail.

A security force of 1,000 was deployed in the capital for the event - the Red Shirts' first Bangkok rally since emergency rule was lifted there last month.

Police Major General Piya Utayo of the Metropolitan Police said that 30,000 had gathered, while a special branch police source later said 40,000 people were present at the protest's peak.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra addressed demonstrators in a 10-minute phone-in to the rally.

"I admire you for having strong hearts for democracy. The government's meaning of reconciliation is to chase up people who they can arrest, so that that the Reds will be no more," he told the crowds.

The controversial Thaksin, who draws support among the mainly poor and working class Red Shirts but is hated by the urban elite, said he was making the call from "a plane flying over Europe".

The red shirts have vowed to hold rallies twice a month in Bangkok to secure the release of their leaders who were jailed after their protest in April and May last year, which saw more than 90 people killed in clashes with troops.

"I'm doing my best to call for the release of people jailed and to remember those who lost their lives," said Jatuporn Prompan, a lawmaker and one of the senior red shirts facing terrorism charges.

Jatuporn, who has been granted bail, said legal experts had told him he could take part in the protest without violating his bail conditions so long as he did not speak to the crowds.

Sunday's rally comes as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva - whose term runs out at the end of this year - announced a new welfare package, which is designed to help low-income groups and address social inequalities.

The Red Shirts' two-month rally last year, which attracted 100,000 people at its peak in support of their demand for immediate elections, was brought to a bloody end on May 19 with a military assault on the group's base.

After the crackdown, a small band of militant protesters set dozens of buildings ablaze across Bangkok, including a glitzy shopping mall.

The group has since staged several rallies in the capital, the last attracting around 10,000 people on December 19, despite a state of emergency banning gatherings of more than five people, which was lifted late last month.

On Saturday a bomb in the Thai northeast, the Red Shirts' heartland, damaged a school named after the king's top aide but caused no injuries.

The bomb damaged the library at the school named after General Prem Tinsulanonda, the head of the king's privy council and a former prime minister whom the Red Shirts believe masterminded the coup that deposed Thaksin.

An intelligence official said the attack seemed designed to cause political unrest.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Is Phnom Penh ready to turn into a new center for arts in Southeast Asia?


INTERVIEW WITH RIEM EM, CAMBODIAN ARTIST AND OWNER OF AN ART GALLERY

09.01.2011
Von Luc Citrinot,
eTN
As Phnom Penh will play host to the ASEAN Travel Forum, Southeast Asia's largest international tourism event, eTurboNews Asia Senior Editor Luc Citrinot takes a look at the latest changes in the Cambodian capital in a series of articles.

PHNOM PENH (eTN) - Phnom Penh is a rapidly-changing city. Ten years ago, the Cambodian capital was seen as a laid-back destination where gardens, the Mekong River, and derelict colonial villas gave a distinctive atmosphere to the city. Less than a decade later, skyscrapers started to invade the city skyline, while the surviving colonial buildings were turned into luxurious hotels, trendy restaurants, or chic design shops. With Phnom Penh enjoying a new sense of wealth, a Cambodian art scene is slowly emerging with artists and gallery owners exhibiting promising young artists. Riem Em, a well-established designer and painter talks exclusively to eTurboNews about Phnom Penh's new art scene.

eTN: Do you think that Phnom Penh is a city giving a chance to young artists? Are there structures in place to showcase new talents?

RIEM EM: I do believe that Phnom Penh is a city offering a chance to young artists to create as the art scene is far [from] being saturated. We have little tradition in innovative contemporary art. This new spirit is a good source of creativity. However, we have a far too small number of venues to expose our works. I opened a gallery a few years ago [La Galerie, n°13, Street 178], which is probably the only "true" art gallery to date in Phnom Penh. It is opened everyday, and it is fully dedicated to exhibiting art. People can come and go as they want... Otherwise, some NGOs or some foreign cultural centers, such as the Alliance Française or the Meta House, offer spaces for art, or also Java Café and Gallery, which combines a coffee place with three exhibition rooms.


eTN: Do tourist institutions look at promoting art?

RIEM EM: They are some hotels such as Villa Langka in Phnom Penh or Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap which regularly organize exhibitions of young Khmer artists within their premises. In Phnom Penh, Isabelle Drouillard has been very active to expose very young artists in hotels. She organizes events within Phare Ponleu Selpak NGO, which support art schools. Hotel de la Paix has its own curator, Sasha Constable, who organizes five to six exhibitions per year.

eTN: Does the government contribute to promote the country’s artists?

RIEM EM: Unfortunately no. The government does not care that much. I wanted for example to teach art to young generations at the School of Fine Arts. Unfortunately, I am already considered as too old by public authorities as I am over 30 years. It motivated my decision to have my own space.

eTN: Is the emerging Cambodian middle class interested in contemporary art?

RIEM EM: Upper middle-class Cambodians are not very interested in contemporary art. They prefer diamonds, large cars, karaoke, anything related to the “bling-bling” culture... Mostly expatriates or foreign travelers are looking to discover the new Cambodian art scene.

eTN: What are your sources of inspiration? Does Cambodia’s tragic past still strongly influence art?

RIEM EM: I have known the Khmer Rouge regime, and the tragic history of Cambodia is certainly a source of inspiration for some of my portraits, not only for me but probably for many other artists. All the problems faced by Cambodia today such as the "new rich" phenomenon, the widening gap between rich and poor, violence in the society can be expressed through arts. There is, for example, now an exhibition on "new rich" organized at the Alliance Française until the end of January. As we cannot always talk freely about all the problems within our society, art can speak for us. This is where it probably takes its strength.
Monday, January 10, 2011
[Thai] PM on detainees : other issues can wait
January 10, 2011
The Nation
Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Abhisit should show responsibility by stepping down if the seven were jailed.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday dodged a question on whether he would call his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, only reiterating that he would ensure repatriation of the seven Thais accused of straying into Bantaey Meanchey, opposite Sa Kaew.

"I want to bring back the seven now and all other issues will be dealt with at a later date," he said in reference to the border dispute and the jurisdiction about land where the seven were detained last month.

The seven, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, were due to appear again today at Phnom Penh Court of First Instance, he said.

The villagers living in the disputed zone between border monuments 46-48 had petitioned him to address their plight and he would decide his next move at an appropriate time.

The villagers and he had shared the same information about the contested boundary, he said.
A team of seven lawyers, led by former senator Karun Saingam, flew to Phnom Penh to assist the seven held in custody there.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, leader of the Patriotic Thais Group, said Karun was expected to meet and discuss the case with yellow-shirt sympathiser Veera Somkwamkid ahead of his court appearance today.

Chaiwat confirmed his group would continue to rally at Government House until the seven Thais return home.

The People's Alliance for Democracy issued a statement condemning the government for not taking proper retaliatory measures after Cambodian forces arrested the seven in what it sees as Thai territory. It blamed the PM for "failing to uphold sovereign integrity" and called on the government to apply pressure for an unconditional release of the seven.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said Abhisit should show responsibility by stepping down if the seven were jailed.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Maid shortage worsens with Cambodia running low [-Who would want to be M'sian maid and be abused?]
Monday January 10, 2011
By JOSHUA FOONG
The Star (Malaysia)
PETALING JAYA: Some 35,000 families are being forced to do a “huge balancing act” as the shortage of foreign maids turns critical with supply dwindling down to a trickle.

To add to the problem of Indonesia’s moratorium on maids, Cambodia is also facing difficulty in sending domestic helpers aged above 21.

Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies is urging the Government to seriously attend to this pressing matter and consider lowering the age limit of foreign maids to allow more maids in from Cambodia.


Parents are sacrificing quality time with their children as weekends are used to complete household chores.

Freelance agents are cashing in on the situation to offer “informal” ways of providing domestic help, including getting Indonesian maids into the country despite the freeze by the Indonesian government.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Asean head urges rational border talks [-Thailand and the PAD are already politicizing the border dispute!]
Economic community is the key, Surin says

10/01/2011
Achara Ashayagachat
Bangkok Post
Thailand should not politicise boundary disputes but allow them to be handled in a "neighbourly" spirit, the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations says.

Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister, told a seminar yesterday that this approach would bring about economic growth and other mutual benefits.

Boundary disputes were a colonial legacy as border demarcation and delineation efforts remain "works in progress", Mr Surin said.

He pointed out how a functioning agreement has yet to be established between Thailand and the once colonial neighbours Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Malaysia.

"We should address the border issues not as fixed [geographical] boundaries but areas of joint culture, neighbourliness and fraternity," he said. "Traditionally, there is no such absolute and definite boundary." [KI-Media Note: In that case, the entire Thailand should be inside Cambodia, is it not?]


Another way to address it is to wait until the advent of the Asean Economic Community, which will integrate the economies and other aspects of Asean member nations in 2015, he said.

By then, the spirit of shared economic and political prosperity will be imperative to all members, Mr Surin said at the seminar entitled "Our Boundaries and Our Asean Neighbours", organised through the Foreign Ministry.

His remarks come as the Thai Patriots Network, a splinter group of the People's Alliance for Democracy, has been stirring nationalist feelings against Cambodia in the wake of the Dec 29 arrest of seven Thais - including Bangkok MP Panich Vikitsreth and PAD member Veera Somkwamkid - for trespassing on Cambodian territory.

Mr Surin warned patriotic emotions and politics could either delay or derail efforts to resolve border issues in a constructive and amicable manner.

"We need to be flexible and pragmatic if we want to move forward or resolve some disputes," he said.

"Border demarcations need not be hurried. Surely they take time and, politically speaking, the counterparts need to look at the potential benefits or exchanged benefits of overlapping borders."

Jiranan Pitpreecha, SEA Write-award winning author and political activist, cautioned against colour-coded politics and emotions influencing diplomacy, as this could hurt Thailand's regional relations.

"Knowledge and information is key. Isolating information or distorting historical interpretations for specific political purposes should not prevail," Ms Jiranan said.

Thanom Charoenlarp, adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on boundary issues, said disputes should be dealt with by experts and not be dictated by political emotions.

As the PAD looks set to oppose Thai-Cambodian talks on maritime territorial issues next month, Adm Thanom said no one should link land and water territorial talks.

The maritime talks can proceed without having to wait for the land boundaries to be resolved, he said.

"Thailand has set aside some differences with Malaysia and Vietnam and we should hope for a similar deal if Thais are not fighting among themselves," the veteran maritime negotiator said.
Monday, January 10, 2011
[Thai] PM reaffirms belief in Thai seven
Foreign Ministry plans bail bid in court today

10/01/2011
Pradit Ruangdit
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday continued to insist the seven Thais held in Phnom Penh on charges of trespassing on Cambodian soil "meant no harm", as the Foreign Ministry prepares to seek bail for them today.

Mr Abhisit said during his weekly television broadcast that the group had not intentionally trespassed on Cambodian territory.

They had had no intention to commit any offence nor to steal anything from Cambodia.

The seven detained Thais include Panich Vikitsreth, a Democrat MP for Bangkok, Veera Somkwamkid, coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) splinter group; and representatives of the Santi Asoke sect, the PAD's key ally.


They were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec29 near Nong Jan village in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district.

A Phnom Penh court charged them with illegal entry and trespass into a Cambodian military area.

The prime minister said that at the time of their arrest, the seven were looking into complaints lodged by Thai citizens living along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The residents said they could not make use of their land within the disputed border area despite holding land title deeds to prove they owned it.

It was unfortunate that they strayed away from the areas they had intended to inspect before they were detained by Cambodian troops, he said.

The government was duty-bound to secure their release as soon as possible and it will also ensure they are well treated while in detention.

Mr Abhisit said the government would do all it could to ensure the incident does not affect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"I'd like all fellow Thais to give moral support to the seven Thais who had meant no harm, and to support efforts to bring them home safely."

The director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department, Thani Thongpakdi, said the ministry had asked Karun Sai-ngam and Natthaporn Toprayoon, representatives of the Thai Patriots Network, to meet two lawyers to discuss ways to provide legal assistance to the seven at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. The lawyers have been hired to represent the detainees.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Foreign Minister, said the ministry would seek bail for the seven today.

The PAD has called on the government to issue an ultimatum to Cambodia to free the seven Thais unconditionally.

The PAD insisted the group had not trespassed on Cambodian territory, but were on Thai soil when they inspected the border area. It called on Mr Abhisit to reject any guilty verdict by the Phnom Penh court.

The alliance also slammed Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon for accusing the group of trespassing Cambodian soil.

Meanwhile, 27 villagers from Ban Non Mak Mun in Sa Kaeo's Khok Sung district yesterday appeared at Government House to hand a petition to the prime minister asking him to address the alleged encroachment on their farmland by Cambodian troops.

Group leader Pornpol Akeatthaporn said the villagers had brought land title deeds as evidence to back their calls for government help. He said about 2,000 rai of farmland belonging to the villagers had been encroached upon by Cambodian soldiers since 1975.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Website - Thaneakea Phum [Village Bank]

January 10, 2011
Catholic News Asia
Thaneakea Phum (Cambodia), Ltd. is a microfinance institution that provides the rural poor with the economic opportunities to transform the quality of their lives through the provision of effective and sustainable, client-empowering financial services, according to its website.

Its goal is to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living and quality of life for the poor.

LINK: Thaneakea Phum
Monday, January 10, 2011
Rong Chhun’s group visited border post 131 without incident
09 Jan 2011
Cambodia Express News
Translated from Khmer by Ach Phkay
The Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC), led by Mr. Rong Chhun, reached its destination at border post no. 131(1) in Meun Chey village, Krobao commune, Komchay Mea district, Prey Veng province, at 10AM on 09 January.

Border post 131(1) is facing the opposite border post no. 131(2) located inside Vietnam. The Mean Chey River separates the two border posts. The cops did not set any obstacle to this visit, and quite to the contrary, the border post led the group to the locations where Mr. Rong Chhun’s group wanted to see.

A group of about 19 CWC members left to Prey Veng province on Sunday morning to visit border posts with Vietnam, to verify that there was no loss of Cambodian territories.


The CWC did not comment when it arrived on the spot. However, sVar Kim Hong, the chairman of the government border commission, claimed that he does not value the CWC group because it does not have any border expertise.

Next, the CWC group continued on to border post no. 125 location in Kak commune, Ponhea Krek district, Kampong Cham province.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Border post no 125 between Cambodia and Vietnam encroached inside Cambodia


CWC's visit to border post no. 125 on 09 Jan 2011 (Photo: Uon Chhin, RFA)
09 Jan 2011
By Uon Chhin
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Ach Phkay
Click here to read the article in Khmer
The Cambodia Watchdog Council (CWC) indicated that border post no. 125 between Cambodia and Vietnam was planted inside Cambodian territories in Ponhea Krek district, Kampong Cham. The border planting led to the loss of Cambodian rice fields and 3 villages.

The CWC determination came after 23 of its members performed a visit to Cambodia-Vietnam border posts on 09 January 2011 in two provinces: Prey Veng and Kampong Cham.

The three Cambodian villages lost are: Anlong Chrey, Ta Am and Thloc Trach, all located in Kak commune, Ponhea Krek district, Kampong Cham province
Monday, January 10, 2011
Prayuth is LYING, the previous demarcation was carried by the French and the Siem about 100 years ago only


Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the Thai general who threatened to SHOOT KHMERS?
Cambodian border needs modern demarcation: Army chief

January 10, 2011
The Nation
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-Ocha has called for a new push to solve border disputes with Cambodia, saying the previous demarcation was carried out 300 years ago with low technology.

"Only elephants were used and no planes. We looked at trees but those trees have died. Waterways, land and other environmental conditions have changed. If we do not hold talks on demarcation, we will face this same old problem,'' he said.

Prayuth said the Army would not let the country lose territory and was ready to protect national sovereignty but in recent case of seven Thais accused of trespassing into Cambodian territory the Army had to wait as it was still being deal with by a court.

"If a land demarcation is clear, and the other side encroaches upon our territory, there will be shootings [in defence],'' he said.

To prevent the two countries going to war over encroachment claims, he said both must sign a pact or enter an agreement. He cited the fighting over Nong Chan, saying Cambodia agreed to leave the area after there had been a demarcation.


He said the seven Thais should have informed the First Army Region before entering the contentious area.

He stressed three basics for foreign policies with neighbouring countries that would ensure smooth bilateral ties: understanding, trust and equality.

The Army chief assured that under this management, there would be fair treatment for all soldiers and no discrimination and favouritism.

"You cannot say you (must get better treatment) because you are from Burapa group. I do not care,'' he said.

He also voiced concern over the lack of modern weapons and equipment, saying the country spent only 1.6 per cent of GDP on arms purchases, which in his view was very little. "If you compare the number of soldiers, we are stronger. But I ask what we should do since our equipment is more outdated. Our neighbouring countries get foreign support but we do not get that because they think we can depend on ourselves."

As Army chief, he believed he had a responsibility to take good care of soldiers and their families in order to give them faith.

"If we can create faith, they are ready to go to war. It is almost like we give them an order to go to die. If we cannot take care of their wives and children and they feel that they do not know what they are fighting for, that is dangerous.

"Do not let the military fall into that state. Today, if the military does not come out to take care of the country, if soldiers do not follow orders and do their duty, the country cannot survive."

Prayuth expressed strong disapproval over people who abused the monarchy. "No matter how they fight against each other, do not involve the monarchy. Let the high institution be above politics,'' he said. "Every baht and satang that he has been given, he donates it to his people, to the poor and the less privileged. The King has never sought or asked for any thing, as alleged,'' he said.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Gates says China moving fast on new weapons
Sunday, January 09, 2011
BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says China's rapidly developing defense capabilities are worrisome to the United States.

China has made strides in building a new stealth fighter jet and Washington is also concerned about a new ballistic missile that could theoretically explode a U.S. aircraft carrier nearly 2,000 miles out to sea. China has also apparently beaten U.S. estimates to develop that weapon.

Gates arrived Sunday in Beijing for talks about these weapons and other military issues with Chinese leaders.

"They clearly have potential to put some of our capabilities at risk," Gates told reporters traveling with him to Asia. "We have to pay attention to them, we have to respond appropriately with our own programs."


The United States has long known that China wanted to field a stealth jet, but development outpaced U.S. intelligence estimates, Gates said.

China is still years behind U.S. capabilities in radar-evading aircraft, and even by 2015 the United States would still have far more such aircraft flying than any other nation in the world, Gates said.

China says it does not pose a threat and its military forces are purely for defense — which in its definition includes deterring Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, from declaring formal independence.

In an apparent nod to U.S. calls for more openness, China allowed video and pictures of last week's runway tests of its prototype stealth fighter to be taken and posted online.

Gates is trying to coax Chinese military leaders into more regular discussions with the U.S.

The Pentagon is focusing scarcer defense dollars on ways to counter the kinds of weapons China is now building. For example, Gates said recently he wants to spend more on a new long-range nuclear bomber and updated electronics gear for the Navy that could throw an incoming missile off course.

Gates will also visit South Korea for talks about averting war with the North, as well as Japan, which is alarmed by Chinese military moves.

The invitation to visit Beijing was a coup for Gates, who invited a Chinese counterpart for similar talks and a visit to the U.S. nuclear weapons headquarters in 2009.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Yellow Shirts come to prisoners’ aid
Sunday, 09 January 2011
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
A delegation of Yellow Shirt activists from Thailand arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday to assist in the defence of seven Thai nationals, including a parliamentarian, arrested for trespassing in Banteay Meanchey province last month.

The group includes former senator Karoon Sai-ngam, lawyer Natapom Toprayoon and university professor Walwipha Charoonroj, as well as several Thai journalists. The group are scheduled to meet with the defendants today at Prey Sar prison.

“We want to talk to the seven prisoners so they can plan more what they are going to do,” Karoon told reporters in Phnom Penh yesterday. “We hope the Cambodian government and prison will cooperate … resolving in a fair way that can be better off for both countries.”


The group said they planned to meet with the prisoners’ defence lawyers and officials from the Thai Embassy during their visit. A trial date has not yet been set in the case.

Panich Vikitsreth, a lawmaker from Thailand’s ruling Democrat Party, was questioned in Phnom Penh Municipal Court last week along with his co-defendants, including former Yellow Shirt leader Veera Somkwamkid. The group has been charged with illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military base, charges that carry a combined maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the government had granted permission for a group of 11 Thais to visit Prey Sar prison on Monday.

“I don’t know what colour they are, red or yellow, but we allowed them to visit at 10am on Monday,” Koy Kuong said.

Suchart Lainamngern, an MP from Thailand’s Red Shirt-aligned Puea Thai party, said on Saturday that former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was willing to assist in the case if necessary, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thaksin, who lives in self-exile to avoid a prison term for corrruption, made headlines in Thailand and Cambodia in 2009 when he accepted a controversial appointment as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, a rival of Thaksin, condemned the appointment, and the countries downgraded their diplomatic relations before restoring them in August following Thaksin’s resignation from the position.

But despite the offer, Koy Kuong said there was no scope for intervention of any sort at this point in the proceedings.

“Since this case is under the court’s jurisdiction, we will let the court do its work,” he said.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Russia mounts air, land and sea search for [Cambodia-flagged] trawler in Far East
08/01/2011
RIA Novosti (Russia)
Two boats, a helicopter and 14 land vehicles are searching for a trawler last heard from off the coast of Sakhalin in Russia's Far East, a regional emergencies spokesman said on Saturday.

The Cambodia-flagged Partner, which has a Russian crew, issued a distress signal on Friday when it was near the western coast of Sakhalin. It had been fishing in the Tatar Strait between the island and the Russian mainland.

"A Mi-8 helicopter from the Sakhalin company Aviashelf is conducting aerial reconnaissance in the area where the distress signal was issued. There are two ships combing the area where the distress signal was issued," the Sakhalin Region Emergency Situations Ministry official said.


The search began on Friday but there has been no sign of the vessel. The land searchers, numbering 74 people, are scouring the western coast of Sakhalin for rafts that may have saved the crew. It is thought that there were up to 14 Russian citizens on board the vessel.

"There are no roads to the coast in the search area, so the operations involve an all-terrain tracked vehicle. The ground-search group includes a doctor. They have warm clothes and food for the fishermen, if they are rescued," the emergencies spokesman said.

Russian fisheries officials said on Friday that the trawler was owned by the Belize-registered company SGI. An October 2010 record listed the captain as Sakhalin resident Alexei Maltsev and said there were 11 crew.

Shipping in Russia's Far East has been beset by problems due to bad weather in recent days and weeks, with icebreakers dispatched to the Sea of Okhotsk, north and east of Sakhalin, to rescue several vessels trapped in sea ice up to two meters thick.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Logger alleged killed by Thai border patrol
Sunday, 09 January 2011
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
One Cambodian man was killed and another wounded after they were caught logging illegally across the border in Thailand, officials said Sunday, the latest in a spate of such shootings by Thai security forces.

Dy Phen, director of the border relations office in Banteay Meanchey province, said the pair were part of a group of seven loggers from Thma Puok district who came under fire from troops in Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province on Friday.

The group then bore the injured back to Cambodia without being apprehended or informing the Cambodian authorities, he added.

“The body was returned to the man’s family members on the same day as the shooting,” Dy Phen said. “They didn’t report to local authorities because they were afraid we would investigate their case and ask them who encouraged them to go to Thailand.”


Last month, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong met with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya, reportedly discussing the shootings of Cambodian loggers by Thai troops. Hor Namhong said following the meeting that Kasit had agreed that Thai authorities would be more lenient with trespassers.

On the same day as the talks, however, two Cambodians were killed by troops in Thailand’s Sisaket province. Cambodian officials claimed the loggers were attacked by the troops, though Thai Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said the soldiers were acting in self-defence.

“They were fired upon by [the loggers’] guards, who were armed, so the patrol had fired back in defence,” Thani said at the time.

Following the incident, the government sent a diplomatic note to Thailand inquiring about the shooting.

“I will use serious words to emphasise that the shooting is a cruel act and is unbecoming of a civilised country,” Hor Namhong said at the time.

Chan Soveth, head of monitoring for local rights group Adhoc, said Sunday that his organisation had recorded 16 Cambodians killed by Thai soliders near the border in 2010, with 29 killed since tensions between the two countries broke out in 2008.

“They should use the law in these situations, not violence,” Chan Soveth said.

Thai officials could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
PAD Thais can't read map?
PAD: Thais arrested in Thai territory

9/01/2011
Bangkok Post
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Sunday issued a statement calling on the government to force Cambodia to free seven detained Thais without any condition.

PAD said in its statement that there are evidences showing that the seven Thais were arrested in Thailand’s territory. It condemned individuals who had told reporters that the Thais had entered into Cambodian territory.

The condemned individuals also included Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and Sakaeo provincial governor Sanit Naksuksri.

PAD condemned the government and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for failing to use their authorities to pressure Cambodia to free seven Thais.


The yellow-shirt people group also condemned Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian government and soldiers for arresting the Thais in Thailand’s territory and brought them into Cambodia court, despite Thailand had helped Cambodian refugees during the civil war in the neighbouring country.

“As the seven Thais had not trespassed Cambodian territory, PAD called on the government and the prime minister of the kingdom of Thailand to protect the country’s dignity by refusing to accept the ruling on the Thais’ case by Cambodia court.

In addition, the government must deliver an official ultimatum to Cambodia and introduce solid measures to pressure the neighbour to free seven Thais without any condition”, the statement said.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Thai PM: Seven captured Thais trespass into Cambodia accidentally [-Excuses! Excuses!]
BANGKOK, Jan 9 (MCOT online news) -- Seven Thai citizens taken into custody by Cambodian soldiers late last month did not intend to intrude into Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his Sunday broadcast, but he affirmed the government is doing everything possible to help the detainees.

He said that his government's actions to bring the seven home will not negatively impact Thailand's sovereignty.

Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr Abhisit urged Thais throughout the country to give moral support to the seven Thais arrested Dec 29, saying that they had no intention to intrude into Cambodia as they were there only to inspect earlier complaints by Thai villagers that they were unable to cultivate their farmland although they had land title deeds.

“It was found from the full video clip that the captured people intended to inspect land claimed to own by the villagers and to see the No. 46 border marker in Thailand. However, they were arrested before they reached the area,” Mr Abhisit said.


The seven Thais, including MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth from the ruling Democrat Party and Thai Patriots Network leader Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers as they inspected the border area in Sakeo province.

The court in Phnom Penh finished the first hearings for all seven detainees late Thursday. The detainees face two charges -- one of illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, punishable by three to six months of imprisonment and deportation, while the other involved trespass into a Cambodian military area without permission, punishable by a three to six months jail term and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.

No date has been set for the court ruling.

Mr Abhisit affirmed it is his government's responsibility to assist the detainees to help them return home as soon as possible as they had no intention to commit a mistake.

Regarding government assistance, he said it would neither affect the sovereignty or rights of each country while the government would not sit idly in relation to border problems between the two countries and the problems would be resolved after the situation has eased.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
The magnificent STUPID seven ride in the wrong direction
9/01/2011
Voranai Vanijaka
Bangkok Post
The Magnificent Seven isn't just a cowboy movie starring Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen, it's also a Thai soap opera. Follow me as I take you into this comical melodrama.

The goal is to rouse nationalistic fervour, have more people flock to the yellow banner and, at the very least, keep the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement, and hence the New Politics Party, ''in the game''.

Being in the game means being in the news, and at present, the magnificent (but directionless) seven are making all the headlines - yes, including the one for this article.

On Dec 29, seven Thais were detained for allegedly illegally entering Cambodian soil.


Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has said GPS satellite images show the seven venturing 55m into Cambodian territory. The deputy prime minister in charge of national security, Suthep Thaugsuban, said they did indeed cross into Cambodia territory, albeit unintentionally. First Army commander Udomdej Seetabutr said he believes the seven were on Cambodian soil, but just didn't realise it.

An ''oops, my bad'' scenario, if you will.

Sanit Naksuksri, the governor of Sa Kaeo province, said the seven knowingly and intentionally entered Cambodian territory. The governor revealed that Thai border patrol officers warned the seven that they were about to enter Cambodian territory and should turn back. But they ignored the caution and went right in.

According to reports, evidence from a video clip released last week shows they knew where the border lay and crossed it on purpose. In the clip, former vice-minister of foreign affairs and Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth told an associate over the phone that he was crossing the border and that only the prime minister should know.

To date, however, the prime minister has yet to make it clear what he actually knows and what he doesn't know.

There are, of course, those who insist the video clip has been dubiously edited.

The PAD and the Thai Patriot Network (which insists it has no ties with the PAD) claim the seven did not enter Cambodia illegally.

Now that we have set up the plot, let's look at the characters.

Heading the group of seven was Veera Somkwamkid. It must be said that he has insisted he's no longer with the PAD, even if critics believe that he remains one of its leaders. On Sept 19, 2009, Mr Veera led 4,000 yellow shirts to Preah Vihear temple and made a boisterous speech attacking Cambodia and demanding the return of what he called ''Thai territories''.

In August of last year, Mr Veera crossed the border into Chokechai village inside Cambodia. He and two others were arrested by Cambodian authorities. Two days later, the Thai government negotiated their release. Following the August incident, Mr Veera made a pledge and signed an agreement stating he would never illegally enter Cambodia again.

Mr Veera has long been a bombastic voice in demanding the return of what he calls Thai territories from Cambodia. His warlike rhetoric and agitating actions have caused Cambodian authorities to keep an eye on him.

We also have Democrat MP Panich, a little-known politician with a lot of ambitions, whose family is of the upper crust. His autobiography was published in November.

The public didn't really know who he was then. Consequently, the sales of his tome weren't close to those of Twilight or the Harry Potter series. But if you walk into a bookstore today, MP Panich's autobiography gets more love on the display shelf than Twilight's hunky vampire Edward Cullen.

As for the rest of the magnificent (but directionless) seven? They were either PAD supporters or part of an ASTV camera crew. But to surmise that a member of an ASTV camera crew could also be a PAD supporter wouldn't stretch the imagination too far would it? After all, the owner of ASTV is the father of the PAD movement, Sondhi Limthongkul.

The plot twist is this: What is a Democrat MP and member of the government doing entering Cambodia -intentionally or otherwise - with a known ''border crosser''?

According to Mr Panich, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva sent him to check out the disputed border area. This begs the question: Why didn't this member of the government carry out the directive from the prime minister in an official capacity? He could have travelled to the border with Foreign Ministry officials, their trip coordinated and accompanied by local officials from Sa Kaeo province, guarded by the army.

Why did he instead ignore the border patrol's caution and sneak around with a known ''border crosser'' with a political agenda, who has on at least one prior occasion illegally crossed the border and been arrested by Cambodian authorities, causing an international incident?

Members of parliament aren't international super spies, nor should they behave like them - leave that to Daniel Craig.

No one knows how much the prime minister actually knew. No one is sure if Mr Panich knew what he was doing. Did he want to gain fame, but unwittingly got in too deep? Or was he willing to go deep?

The most simple, and popular, explanation seems to be that both were duped by Mr Veera and the PAD - which is nothing new.

If Mr Veera and some yellow shirts were again arrested by Cambodian authorities for trespassing onto their soil, it wouldn't be such a big deal. The Thai Patriot Network and the PAD would huff and puff, but that's like elevator music - annoying at first, but you learn to tune it out. However, having a member of the government, a Democrat MP, in tow - this changes the game. The government of Thailand then becomes directly involved, complicit one might say.

The plot then leads up to Jan 25, when the PAD will organise its big rally - and it has to be big, otherwise it'll be an embarrassment. Keep whipping up that nationalist fervour, and more people will show up.

I have written it before and I'm writing it again, the only card the yellow shirts have left is that of nationalism, the border disputes with Cambodia.

Fighting corruption? Everyone flies that banner; a plain, white and empty banner though it may be. Protecting the royal institution? Everyone also flies that banner. Newin Chidchob and Bhumjaithai are all over that like white on jasmine rice, just look at the billboards around the country.

The border disputes with Cambodia are all that is left for the PAD.

This year, sooner or later, there will be a general election. In past elections, the yellow shirts' New Politics Party has come up emptier than the Constitution Court on the Democrat Party. So they have to keep playing that one card, and it seems enough people continue to be fooled by it.

Patriotism is love, nationalism is rabies. There's a fine line - please don't be fooled.

The fate of the seven Thais is in the hands of the Cambodian court system, and whether the verdict will be in favour of the yellow shirts' long-term plans remains to be seen. This soap opera's climax has yet to come.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Thaksin offers to mediate with Cambodia in row over Thai seven [-Adding insult to injuries?]
9/01/2011
Prasit Tangprasert
Bangkok Post
NAKHON RATCHASIMA : Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has offered to help the seven Thai detainees in Cambodia if called upon, Puea Thai MP for Lop Buri Suchart Lainamngern said.

"He wants the government to handle the issue first.

"But if anyone requires help, he is willing to lend a hand," Mr Suchart said, adding that he returned from visiting Thaksin in Dubai on Thursday.

The former prime minister is happy to mediate if need be, said Mr Suchart.


The seven Thais, including Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers during a border inspection in Sa Kaeo on Dec 29.

The seven have been charged with illegal entry into Cambodia and encroaching on a restricted military area.

Meanwhile, 2nd Army Region chief Thawatchai Samutsakhon said the army has not reinforced troops near Ta Muen Thom sanctuary in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district despite border tension triggered by the arrests.

He said the situation around Ta Muen Thom ruins is normal and the historic site remains open to visitors from both countries.

Concerns about border tensions have been raised because the Ta Muen Thom ruins also sit on one of the disputed areas between Thailand and Cambodia.

Lt Gen Thawatchai said the arrests of the Thais is not likely to trigger violence and authorities will wait for the outcome of the court case before taking appropriate actions.

The 2nd Army chief yesterday also urged people critical of the government's handling of the border issue to keep an open mind.

Media outlets should treat Cambodia with respect when reporting the issue to avoid causing hard feelings, he said.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Australian shot dead at guesthouse
Sunday, 09 January 2011
Thet Sambath
The Phnom Penh Post
An Australian man was shot and killed by two unknown assailants at a guesthouse in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district on Saturday night, police officials said.

A district police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Sunday that the victim was 44-year-old Australian Eric Liu, who arrived in Cambodia on Saturday.

He added that the victim was welcomed by his girlfriend and her relatives at the airport and was then taken to Reaksmey Thansuo guesthouse in Stung Meanchey commune.

The officer said the victim was gunned down in the guesthouse’s reception area at around 9.30pm.


Liu was shot twice, in the chest and right hand, by two unknown men on a motorbike and later died at Calmette hospital, where his body is being kept under instructions from Australian consular officials.

“He had no disputes with anyone in Cambodia and his girlfriend claims she has no husband, but that she was loved by a Chinese man who works at a shoe factory in Kandal province,” the officer said. “We are investigating this case because we suspect it resulted from a dispute over the girl.”

Phnom Penh municipal police chief Touch Naruth agreed that the killing was likely the result of “vindictiveness”, since the Australian man was “coming to Cambodia to meet his Cambodian girlfriend”, but declined to comment further.

Chuon Narin, chief of the municipal police department’s serious crime bureau, added Sunday that police were hunting for the suspects and gathering evidence in the case.

Liu’s case and that his name did not appear on the hospital’s patient registry.

Australian embassy officials could not be reached for comment Sunday, but Radio Australia reported yesterday that consular officials from the Australian Embassy were working closely with local authorities on the case.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Australian man shot in Cambodia
Sun, 9 Jan 2011
Radio Australia News
A 43 year old man from the Australian state of Victoria has died in Phnom Penh as a result of gunshot wounds.

Cambodian police spokesman General Cheath Chantharith says the shooting happened on Saturday night when the man checked in at a Phnom Penh hotel.

Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh are liaising closely with local authorities.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canberra are providing consular assistance to the man's family.