KH KOMPONG CHAM

Monday, January 17, 2011
Running on ambition


Choun Anny trains at the Olympic Stadium each morning. She recently returned from China where she competed in the first Asia Para Games. (Photo by: Nick Sells)

Monday, 17 January 2011
Ou Mom and Heidi Yeung
The Phnom Penh Post
Landmine survivor Choun Anny plans to be back running her training circuit of Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh this month, preparing for a third international competition in Indonesia later this year.

Just returned from Guangzhou in southern China, the 28-year-old amateur athlete is proud to have represented Cambodia in the first Asian Para Games, along with four other runners and a swimmer. She was the only woman on the team and won a 200-metre race against a Burmese runner.

However, she noted that her win didn’t gain her a medal – only athletes from China were awarded those. “It seemed unfair that other competitors got medals but I didn’t,” she said, leaning back in a wicker chair outside the Rehab Craft store on Street 278 where she lives and works.


Being an international landmine athlete, Choun Anny can also look forward to a better livelihood for herself. “If I can join in an international competition every year and earn at least one medal, I will earn at least four million riel (about US$10,000) a year from the government,” she said proudly.

“I want other Cambodian disabled people to live in hope and try to develop themselves because now there are more opportunities for them in various sectors such as music, arts, design and even sports,” she said.

And as disabled people have empowered themselves here, she said she has faced less discrimination in the past decade.

As we reported in 7Days last November 7, Choun Anny lost her right leg at the age of 11 to a landmine when she was helping with farming chores at her home in Kampong Cham province.

Her sewing skills led her to start work at the Rehab Craft store, a non-profit, fair trade NGO that creates handicrafts from silk, silver, wood and recycled items. Later, a man working for the Cambodian Disabled Athletics Federation (CDAF) encouraged her to start running for her health. CDAF fitted a new prosthetic leg for her to run on in Guangzhou, but athletes from other countries had better equipment, Choun Anny noted. But the cold weather, ranging from 10 to 20˚C – and being on Chinese TV – put her at a disadvantage, she felt.

Nevertheless, Guangzhou was a “wonderful experience” and she has four albums full of photos to prove it. “It was beautiful there,” she said, “and the people, food and accommodation were all so good.”

But for now, Choun Anny is happy to be home and to be in a climate that she’s used to. She is also happy to resume training for future competitions, including the one in Indonesia, which she said she’s more comfortable with as it’s on a smaller scale than the games in China. “There will only be 11 countries competing in that one,” she said. “It’s not as intimidating.”

Hopes for future wins aside, her goals also include having a shop of her own one day. “I want to have a shop like this in the future. I think I can design, produce and sell things like these,” Choun Anny said with her perpetually optimistic smile.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Gifts for Viets in Cambodia, OPPRESSION for Khmer Krom in Vietnam
New Year gifts to Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia

01/17/2011
VOV News (Hanoi)
A delegation of the Vietnam Fund for Community Development has arrived in Cambodia to visit and present gifts to overseas Vietnamese (OVs) living in the country on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

The delegation, led by the Fund’s chairwoman Truong My Hoa, had working sessions with the Cambodian authorities in the provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong and Siem Reap in order to establish friendly relations between the authorities and the Vietnamese community there.


During the visit, the delegation also met OVs to inquire into advantages and difficulties in their daily life.

On the occasion, the delegation gave nearly 600 presents worth US$12,000 to Vietnamese and Khmer poor families in the three provinces and presented 15 gifts to Vietnamese children, who had good results in the 2010-2011 academic year in the province of Preah Sihanouk.

The presents were donated by enterprises, organizations and sponsors in Vietnam.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Cambodian Court to consider bail request for five Thais on Tuesday
BANGKOK, Jan 17 (MCOT online news) – Cambodia’s Appeals Court is scheduled to consider bail requests Tuesday for five Thais charged with trespassing into Cambodian territory, Thani Thongpakdi, director-general of the foreign ministry's information department said.

Lawyers representing the Thai defendants submitted bail requests on Jan 14 and Mr Thani said it is likely to be clear within this week when the Cambodian court will schedule to hand down its verdict.

There has been no progress reported so far since the court heard the case of Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who are charged with gathering information that could pose a threat to Cambodian security, the director-general said.


The Cambodian court on Friday rejected bail bids for five Thais detained in Phnom Penh after granting bail for Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and Naruemol Chitwaratana of the People’s Network Against Corruption and Santi Asoke networks on Thursday.

They are staying at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh as the court barred them from leaving Cambodia.

The seven were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Banteay Meanchey province.

The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass on a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines, while the spying charges could result in five to 10 year imprisonment.
Monday, January 17, 2011
P.Penh bail appeal decision Tuesday [18 Jan]
17/01/2011
Bangkok Post
The Appeals Court of Cambodia is expected to decide on Tuesday whether to grant bail to five Thais denied bail by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court last week.

Pon Savath, chief clerk of the Appeal Court, said the five would be taken from Prey Sar prison to the court tomorrow when the appeal would be examined.

The court is expected to decide immediately after the examination whether to allow their release on bail.

If they were again denied bail, the five could appeal to the Supreme Court in 15 days.

The five are Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Mr Veera's secretary, Samdin Lertbutr and Tainae Mungmajon of the Santi Asoke sect, and Kitchaponthorn Chusanasevi.


The Phnom Penh Municipal Court last Thursday granted bail to the other two Thais - Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and Narumol Chitvarattana - for health reasons.

The seven Thais were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 on charges of illegal entry and intruding on a military zone. Mr Veera and Ms Ratree were later additionally charged with spying.

Thani Thongphakdi, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Information Department, said Mr Veera had asked the Thai embassy to provide him with a new interpreter.

He said the embassy was willing to comply with Mr Veera's request, but the final decision rests with the Lawyers Association of Cambodia.

A case of this type was normally concluded within six months, Mr Thani said.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, insisted that the Thai government had tried to help all seven Thais in trouble.

Mr Kasit, who is attending the Asean Ministerial Meeting in Indonesia, would discuss the matter with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, he said.

Nathaporn Toprayoon, a legal adviser of the Thai Patriots Network, said Prey Sar prison had allowed friends and relatives of the five Thais still in detention to visit them on Wednesday.

A proposal would be submitted to appoint a new lawyer to represent Mr Veera and Ms Ratree. New evidence and a translation of Mr Veera's statement in three languages - Cambodian, Thai, and English - would also be submitted to the court, he said.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Five Thais in border-crossing case to appeal denial of bail
Jan 16, 2011
DPA
Phnom Penh - A lawyer representing five Thai citizens in pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh said they would again apply for bail, national media reported Monday.

Lawyer Pech Vicheka told the Cambodia Daily newspaper that a bail hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday at the Appeal Court.

Late last week the lower court granted bail to two of the seven Thais who were arrested on December 29 on suspicion of illegally crossing into Cambodia.

A statement from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two had been released on health grounds.

One of those freed on bail on Thursday was parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth of Thailand's ruling Democrat Party.


Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said at the time that Bangkok was 'hopeful' the five would also get bail.

Earlier this month the seven Thais told the court they had crossed the border accidentally.

They face charges of illegally entering Cambodia and unlawfully entering a military area. They could be given up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

Last week, the court also concluded its investigation into spying charges against two of the five Thais still in detention, one of whom is a prominent political figure.

Veera Somkwamkit, a former leader of the nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy movement, also known as the yellow shirts, was questioned along with his secretary Ratree Taiputana.

Veera and Ratree could be jailed for 10 years if convicted of the more serious charge of spying.

The Cambodian government has said the case would not affect relations between the two nations, and insisted the judicial process needed to take its natural course.

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have been tense for more than two years with sporadic clashes between troops over disputed territory surrounding the 11th-century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear on Cambodia's northern border.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Ex-drug czar charged with taking bribes


Moek Dara (Photo: CEN)


Chea Leng (Photo: CEN)



Moek Dara

Sunday, 16 January 2011
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
The Phnom Penh Post
The secretary general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs has been charged with receiving bribes and is in the custody of the Anticorruption Unit, national police spokesman Kirt Chantharith said today.

The NACD’s Moek Dara was detained for questioning by the Anticorruption Unit last week following the arrests of Banteay Meanchey provincial Police Chief Hun Hean and his deputy Chheang Sun, who were apprehended earlier in the week.

Kirt Chantharith said Hun Hean and Chheang Sun had implicated Moek Dara under interrogation from law enforcement officials.

“He was charged with receiving bribes from drug traffickers and he is now being detained at the Anticorruption Institution detention centre under strict control of the Anticorruption Unit and the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh,” Kirt Chantharith said.


Hun Hean and Chheang Sun have also been charged with receiving bribes, said Chan Kosal, the acting police chief in Banteay Meanchey.

Chhem Savuth, head of the Siem Reap provincial prison, said the pair were serving pre-trial detention at his facility.

“They are strictly protected and taken care of for their future hearings,” Chhem Savuth said today.

A jailed former anti-drug official in Banteay Meanchey province provided the information that led to the arrests of Hun Hean and Chheang Sun, Chan Kosal said.

Lim Mab, formerly the head of the anti-drug police in Banteay Meanchey, was arrested in July on drug charges.

After the arrest, however, Chan Kosal said Lim Mab’s family members had paid a bribe to senior police officials in exchange for their relative’s release.

Lim Mab was rearrested last month, Chan Kosal said, at which time he implicated Hun Hean and Chheang Sun, who were arrested last week.

“These people were arrested due to the answers and the confession of Lim Mab,” Chan Kosal said.

Chan Kosal added that By Nasy, the replacement head of the anti-drug police in Banteay Meanchey, had been arrested on Friday in connection with the case of the other officials in custody.

“By Nasy was charged with receiving bribes in the same drug case involving Hun Hean and Chheang Sun,” Chan Kosal said, adding that By Nasy was being held in Banteay Meanchey pending transfer to Siem Reap.

Sam Chankea, Banteay Meanchey provincial coordinator for local rights group Adhoc, said he had received information from law enforcement officials that Moek Dara and Chea Leang, an NACD subordinate arrested along with him, were to be transported from the ACU in Phnom Penh to Banteay Meanchey today before being detained in Siem Reap.
Monday, January 17, 2011
[Thai] Steel body proposes complex in Burma or Koh Kong
17/01/2011
Nareerat Wiriyapong
Bangkok Post
The government should consider establishing a steel industrial estate in neighbouring countries at a cost of up to 100 billion baht for infrastructure including a deep-sea port, says the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand.

The institute would recommend Burma and Cambodia as potential locations for a complex covering 15,000 rai, said president Wikrom Vajragupta.

Koh Kong is considered the most appropriate location in Cambodia for the estate, which will house integrated steel manufacturing including upstream smelting facility, while Dawei is recommended in Burma, as it is the site of a planned industrial and port complex worth tens of billions of dollars.

The institute hopes to propose the plan to the National Industrial Development Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri within the first quarter for submission to the cabinet later.

"The development of a steel estate in a neighbouring country will help strengthen Thailand's capacity as the centre of Asean Economic Community (AEC)," said Mr Wikrom.


"The Thai steel industry, meanwhile, will be able to tap an abundant workforce as well as growing steel demand in the neighbouring countries if the steel estate is operated."

The master plan for the industry also envisages another option of developing the steel estate with an eco-town concept in Thailand, with five recommended locations including Songkhla, Pattani and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The institute has pushed for Thailand to establish a steel smelting plant to lower the cost of existing mid- and downstream steel manufacturers but the plan has faced heavy opposition from environmentalists.

Mr Wikrom said Thailand last year overtook Vietnam to regain its position as the largest steel market in Southeast Asia. Consumption totalled 14 million tonnes, up 40% from 2009.

This year, conservative demand growth is projected at about 6-8% to 15 million tonnes.

The automotive industry, which is expected to produce nearly 2 million cars and pickup trucks, will lead the demand growth in the manufacturing sectors along with electrical appliance and machinery makers.

The construction industry is also forecast to have strong demand for steel, thanks to planned government infrastructure projects and more private-sector work, he said.

"Steel prices are projected to surge sharply and be volatile in the first half of this year, mainly pushed by rising coal prices due to the severe floods in Australia," said Mr Wikrom.
Monday, January 17, 2011
[Thai] PM hoping 5 [border trespassers] will get bail this week
January 17, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
But Veera and colleague may face tough fight to counter espionage charges by Cambodia

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced optimism yesterday that the case involving seven Thais arrested late last month for illegal entry into Cambodia could be settled this week.

The PM said he knew of no complications within the Khmer judicial system or political factors that may upset the outcome.

He said the government would try its best to get the five Thais still detained in Prey Sar prison freed on bail.

"Look at Cambodia's recent statement. I'm confident that the case will be solved soon in the courtroom," Abhisit told reporters.


The Cambodian Foreign Ministry said last week that "the Cambodian court is proceeding with this case in accordance with Cambodia's immigration law, taking into consideration the current good relations between Cambodia and Thailand, without any animosity toward the Thai people.

"The court is still considering the case of five other Thai culprits," it said.

The statement was issued after the court rejected bail requests for five detainees on Friday. The court earlier granted bail to Panich Vikitsreth, an MP with the ruling Democrat Party, and activist Narumol Chitwaratana on health grounds.

Abhisit said a lawyer would submit an appeal today for a court decision on the five remaining detainees. Legally speaking, the appeal could drag out the case since the court is likely to take more time to reconsider the bail request.

Furthermore, two of five remaining detainees - yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and his aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon - have been charged with espionage, a tough blow, which could see them jailed for up to 10 years. They were accused of collecting information that could harm Cambodian security.

Unlike Panich, who told the court that he crossed the border by accident, Veera and other activists from the Thai Patriots Network did not accept they crossed into territory that was under Cambodian sovereignty. They insist that the area they inspected on the day they were arrested belongs to Thailand. Veera did not even accept the interpreter arranged by the court for his testimony last week.

Veera is familiar with the issue as he was held briefly by Cambodian local authorities after entering the same disputed area near Sa Kaew province's Ban Nong Chan in August last year.

He and his group claim the area belongs to Thailand but has been occupied by a Cambodian community for more than 30 years. He wants the Thai government to use force to kick these people off the disputed land.

A Thai government source said the case of Veera and other "patriots" was really complex because they knew exactly what they were doing and wanted to challenge Cambodian authority.

"It seemed he knew where to go [across the border] and had realised the consequence of this from the beginning," the source said.

Indeed, information from Thai authorities helped Cambodia to "pin" Veera and his group down. Thai officials insist that they walked 55 metres into territory under Cambodian sovereignty. So, the Cambodian court is unlikely to let them walk free easily.

Abhisit looks to want Veera and his colleagues released as soon as possible in order to relieve political pressure on the government. The Thai Patriots Network has been protesting outside Government House since the group was arrested and its leaders have threatened to stage a major rally later this month. Political pressure from the group has limited Abhisit's bargaining power in dealing with Cambodia.

On the other hand, Phnom Penh knew very well it held significant cards in its hand. The longer it holds them, the more bargaining power it has. Hun Sen won't play a card until he can achieve his goal - to settle the bigger dispute over the Preah Vihear temple. Abhisit's government still opposes Cambodia's management plan for World Heritage listing of Preah Vihear. The government has invited Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sok An to visit Bangkok to discuss the matter but he has yet to respond.
Monday, January 17, 2011
[Thai] PM promises to crack open land deadlock
Landowners stymied by border disputes

17/01/2011
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is vowing to settle the land problems of Thais living in contested areas near the border with Cambodia.

Mr Abhisit said he would look into the problems of landowners in the border areas of Sa Kaeo after the matter over the seven Thais arrested for allegedly trespassing on Cambodian soil was settled.

Mr Abhisit said on his weekly talk show yesterday he understood the problems of those people whose land was in the 4.6-square-kilometre area near the Preah Vihear temple now subject to dispute.

He met the landowners in Bangkok last week and was told they had been unable to make use of their land for 30 years because of demarcation disputes, even though they have consistently paid their land taxes, Mr Abhisit said.


"I have examined their land rights documents and plotted the lands on the map. I can tell that the land plots are inside Thai territory," he said.

"I will look into the issue as soon as the problems surrounding the seven Thais [who have been charged with trespassing on Cambodian territory] are settled."

The prime minister called on all parties to be cautious when commenting on the case of the seven detained Thais to avoid making their position worse.

He confirmed the seven Thais were not on land held by a Thai citizen with a title deed when they were arrested on Dec 29.

He said he has traced the arrest site from video clips, aerial photos and maps.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday met his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministerial Meeting in Lombok, Indonesia.

Mr Kasit told the Cambodian foreign minister Thailand would like to see a quick end to the court proceedings against the seven Thais so the two nations could move forward for the mutual benefit of Thai and Cambodian people.

Bangkok was standing firm on its position to strengthen ties with Phnom Penh and to move ahead with border demarcation collaboration, Mr Kasit said.

He told Hor Namhong that relations between the two countries should not be marred by the movements of "certain groups of people".

Mr Kasit was apparently referring to the anti-Cambodia movement led by the People's Alliance for Democracy and its splinter group, the Thai Patriots Network, which have campaigned against the neighbouring government over the arrest of the seven Thais and other border disputes.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday warned the Thai Patriots Network not to disturb His Majesty the King by lodging a complaint with him accusing the government of losing its legitimacy to run the country.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a core member of the network, announced on Saturday the group planned to lodge the complaint at the Grand Palace tomorrow morning. He also said they will hold a rally in front of Government House on the same day.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Lakeside families homeless [-Intimidation and repression on residents]


A woman whose home was torn down during an eviction at Boeung Kak lake puts a bib on her baby girl on Saturday while sitting amid the rubble of other demolished houses. Many families have been sleeping on mattresses on the street or in empty lots since Friday’s eviction to make way for a development. (Photo by: Will Baxter)
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Khouth Sophakchakrya
The Phnom Penh Post
About 20 families violently evicted from their homes by Daun Penh district police and private security forces employed by local firm Shukaku Inc have said they will stage a protest demanding compensation from the developer.

On Friday, approximately 50 police and private security guards wielding weapons, including electric batons, demolished about 20 homes in Group 30, part of the lakeside’s Village 24.

The families are now living along a roadside in the Boeung Kak development zone and say they will not leave the area unless authorities and the developer agree to pay individual households US$8,500 in compensation.

Authorities accused the villagers of building additional houses to secure compensation payouts from city authorities.


Moa Bunthan, 41, who was evicted on Friday, rejected the accusations, saying his family had been living beside the lake since 2001 and that between 2005 and 2006 he and 18 other villagers had received microfinance poverty reduction loans from the Council of Ministers’ National Committee for Population and Development.

The development fund allowed villagers to borrow 1.5 million riels ($370) with repayments to be made over 10 years.

“We have still not paid off our debt,” Moa Bunthan said. “We will stay here until we are paid $8,500 compensation.”

Mann Chhoeun, vice-president of the committee, today confirmed the villagers had received microfinance loans, saying: “I really pity them and I hope the authority will provide a resolution for them.”

Rights groups claim more than 4,000 families are set to make way for the controversial lakeside development.

Heng Hoeum, 54, now living along the roadside in Village 24, said today that the villagers were struggling to live in their current situation.

“We will die on the roadside if the authorities and developers don’t agree to pay us compensation and give us justice,” he said.

Press scuffle

Also on Friday, Sovan Philong, a Post photographer, had his camera confiscated and was manhandled by police while photographing the demolition of families’ homes.

His two cameras were returned following intervention from NGOs, fellow journalists and villagers at the scene.

Though his camera was returned, police made him delete all his photos showing the forced removals – most of which were later recovered.

An NGO worker who did not wish to be identified said many of the security guards working for Shukaku Inc on Friday were off-duty soldiers and police.

“What happened on Friday is a good reflection of the lack of delineation between who acts for the government and private industry,” the worker said.

The worker added that the behaviour of the authorities at Boeung Kak provided some insight into the regular intimidation and repression of villagers.

“It is important for us to understand that what happened on Friday is what Boeung Kak people have had to face every day since 2008.”

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said yesterday that the incident was a case of mistaken identity and denied police had been involved in the altercation.

“The police could not arrest a journalist who was working to collect information or taking pictures at a public place,” Khieu Kanharith said.

“In the case of Boeung Kak lake, security guards were involved in actions against The Phnom Penh Post’s photographer, not the police.”

He said complaints should be lodged against the specific guards responsible rather than against Shukaku.

Daun Penh governor Sok Sambath and deputy governor Sok Penhvuth were not available for comment yesterday.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
There is no place for ruffians
Editorial: The Phnom Penh Post will not be silenced



Security guards employed by the Shukaku Inc development company attempt to remove residents protesting the destruction of their homes in Village 24 in Srah Chak commune, Daun Penh district on Friday. (Photo by: Sovan Philong)
Sunday, 16 January 2011
POST STAFF
The Phnom Penh Post
Police officers are members of the public service.

Their job is to ensure order by following clear guidelines within the law.

They are not above the law and, like general citizens, should be held accountable when they do the wrong thing.

On Friday four members of the city’s riot police surrounded Sovan Philong, a senior photographer with The Phnom Penh Post, who was taking pictures of home demolitions and evictions of residents from Boeung Kak lake.

The officers manhandled Sovan Philong, grabbed his shirt from the front and back as they shoved him, and illegally confiscated his camera equipment.

Sovan Philong was wearing his government-issued media-identification pass and was covering a breaking news story.


His equipment was returned to him about 90 minutes later.

A riot police officer was later on Friday questioned by another senior representative of The Phnom Penh Post who requested to see the person in charge to register a formal complaint.

The officer said: “My commanding officer has no name and no phone number.”

Cambodia has a reputation as being the beacon of free press in Southeast Asia.

This arrogant and heavy-handed behaviour does not mirror a society with a free press.

About 4,000 people will eventually be evicted from the lakeside to make way for a development by Shukaku Inc, a company owned by Lao Meng Khin who is a senator with the ruling party of Cambodia.

Shukaku employs security guards who have on occasions verbally abused and generally threatened staff members of The Phnom Penh Post.

The stand-over tactic has badly backfired and has made this newspaper even more committed to cover each event as it unfolds during the eviction and demolition process.

We will not be intimidated nor silenced.

The Phnom Penh Post is demanding a full inquiry into the assault and camera confiscation suffered by Sovan Philong.

This inquiry should be state-level and independent of the police.

Phnom Penh obviously needs riot police.

It does not need a division of the Keystone Kops.

It does not need ruffians dressed in police uniforms.