Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Cambodia suppresses question on '97 grenade attack
Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Bangkok, January 24, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that Cambodian officials deleted digital recordings and confiscated recording equipment from a number of journalists who covered a January 21 government press conference in Phnom Penh.
Om Yentieng, head of the government's anti-corruption unit and Human Rights Committee, ordered an aide to confiscate the property after a reporter asked a question about an unsolved grenade attack that targeted an opposition rally in 1997, according to a statement released by the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia. Sixteen activists were killed in the attack.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan later told news media that the government was within its rights to confiscate reporters' recordings and equipment to protect the "privacy rights" and "dignity" of officials. The Press Club noted in response that the confiscation of tapes and recorders constitutes censorship in violation of Article 3 of the 1995 Press Law, which broadly guarantees press freedoms.
The censorship generated some coverage in the Cambodian press. The independent English-language daily, The Phnom Penh Post, reported the question and Om Yentieng's reponse. The official called the question a "trap," labeled the reporter a "Khmer child," and asserted that recordings required permission, the Post reported.
"Despite its legal commitments to uphold press freedom, Prime Minister Hun Sen's government continues to use strong-arm tactics against the media," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative. "We call on Cambodian authorities to stop harassing the media and immediately return the tapes and recording equipment illegally taken from reporters."
The confiscation comes amid other attacks on dissent in Cambodia. On December 19, a Cambodian court sentenced U.N. World Food Program employee and Cambodian national Seng Kunnaka to six months in prison for circulating articles about a border dispute with Vietnam, according to news reports. He was charged under Article 495 of the new penal code enacted on December 10, which includes an overly broad definition of incitement that threatens freedom of expression.
read more “
”
Cambodia suppresses question on '97 grenade attack
Source: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Bangkok, January 24, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that Cambodian officials deleted digital recordings and confiscated recording equipment from a number of journalists who covered a January 21 government press conference in Phnom Penh.
Om Yentieng, head of the government's anti-corruption unit and Human Rights Committee, ordered an aide to confiscate the property after a reporter asked a question about an unsolved grenade attack that targeted an opposition rally in 1997, according to a statement released by the Overseas Press Club of Cambodia. Sixteen activists were killed in the attack.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan later told news media that the government was within its rights to confiscate reporters' recordings and equipment to protect the "privacy rights" and "dignity" of officials. The Press Club noted in response that the confiscation of tapes and recorders constitutes censorship in violation of Article 3 of the 1995 Press Law, which broadly guarantees press freedoms.
The censorship generated some coverage in the Cambodian press. The independent English-language daily, The Phnom Penh Post, reported the question and Om Yentieng's reponse. The official called the question a "trap," labeled the reporter a "Khmer child," and asserted that recordings required permission, the Post reported.
"Despite its legal commitments to uphold press freedom, Prime Minister Hun Sen's government continues to use strong-arm tactics against the media," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative. "We call on Cambodian authorities to stop harassing the media and immediately return the tapes and recording equipment illegally taken from reporters."
The confiscation comes amid other attacks on dissent in Cambodia. On December 19, a Cambodian court sentenced U.N. World Food Program employee and Cambodian national Seng Kunnaka to six months in prison for circulating articles about a border dispute with Vietnam, according to news reports. He was charged under Article 495 of the new penal code enacted on December 10, which includes an overly broad definition of incitement that threatens freedom of expression.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Police thwart protest bomb bid [in Bangkok]
Suspects say they were hired to instigate unrest
25/01/2011
Wassayos Ngamkham and Nattaya
Bangkok Post
Police have seized two homemade bombs and other ammunition from a group who reportedly confessed to having been hired to sabotage the People's Alliance for Democracy rally planned for today.
The discovery came as the PAD prepared to join two other pressure groups in a protest aimed at forcing the government to take a tougher stance in its dealings with Cambodia on border issues.
Police spotted a man behaving suspiciously at Misakawan intersection on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue about 5pm yesterday.
They said a search found he had two homemade explosives in his possession. One was designed to be detonated by a mobile phone signal, while the other was connected to a clock and set to go off at 7.45pm.
The man, later identified as Tawatchai Iamnak, 37, reportedly confessed to being hired to plant the bombs at Chamai Maruchet Bridge, near Government House, where the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect is staging a rally.
Police used a watergun to destroy the bombs' circuits.
Questioning of Mr Tawatchai led to the arrest of four other suspects at a house on Soi Rama II 28, where police found a number of rocket-propelled grenades and more ammunition, including about 30 bullets. One of the suspects reportedly confessed to being hired to stir up unrest at the PAD rally and to bomb Government House.
The arms seizure took place as demonstrators from the provinces started to arrive in Bangkok to join today's rally at Makkhawan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the authorities had been informed of the attack attempt but he did not know who was behind the suspects.
The planned rally will see the PAD join forces with the Santi Asoke sect - also known as the Dhamma Army - and the Thai Patriots Network.
The situation has been further complicated by a planned demonstration today by the June 24 Group, which is allied to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. Its members plan to gather at the nearby Democracy Monument to protest against the PAD's interference in foreign relations.
The PAD has chosen Makkhawan Bridge to set up a stage, while the Santi Asoke sect and the Thai Patriots Network are encamped at Chamai Maruchet Bridge on nearby Phitsanulok Road.
The three groups share the primary demand of the revocation of a year 2000 memorandum of understanding signed by Thailand and Cambodia governing their border disagreements.
The PAD also wants the government to drive Cambodians from disputed areas on the border and to cancel Thailand's membership of the Unesco World Heritage Committee.
Mr Abhisit said yesterday he would not bow to the demands. Such actions would only have adverse effects and might lead to war.
The prime minister also pointed out that Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Committee would mean it would no longer be able to oppose Cambodia's management plan for the heritage-listed Preah Vihear temple on the border.
Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a key PAD leader, insisted yesterday the alliance would continue its rally until the group's demands were met.
He said PAD supporters would not storm Government House as part of the protest and the group was not seeking to oust the government. Its main aim was to protect and defend the country's territorial integrity.
"Although we are not confident of victory, we are at least performing our duty as Thais," Maj Gen Chamlong said.
The PAD leader denied rumours of a rift with Santi Asoke leader Samana Photirak.
He said they were in frequent contact by telephone and the PAD and Santi Asoke would work closely together during the rally.
Sunthorn Rakrong, a Thai Patriots Network coordinator, said his group would not join the PAD rally at Makkhawan Bridge. It would hold a separate rally at Chamai Maruchet Bridge.
Mr Sunthorn said the network was not in conflict with the PAD. They might have different tactics, but they share a common goal.
Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Jakthip Chaijinda said 20 units made up of about 2,000 officers had been assigned to monitor the protests.
Sixteen units will be deployed at Makkhawan Bridge and four units at Government House.
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Police thwart protest bomb bid [in Bangkok]
Suspects say they were hired to instigate unrest
25/01/2011
Wassayos Ngamkham and Nattaya
Bangkok Post
Police have seized two homemade bombs and other ammunition from a group who reportedly confessed to having been hired to sabotage the People's Alliance for Democracy rally planned for today.
The discovery came as the PAD prepared to join two other pressure groups in a protest aimed at forcing the government to take a tougher stance in its dealings with Cambodia on border issues.
Police spotted a man behaving suspiciously at Misakawan intersection on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue about 5pm yesterday.
They said a search found he had two homemade explosives in his possession. One was designed to be detonated by a mobile phone signal, while the other was connected to a clock and set to go off at 7.45pm.
The man, later identified as Tawatchai Iamnak, 37, reportedly confessed to being hired to plant the bombs at Chamai Maruchet Bridge, near Government House, where the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect is staging a rally.
Police used a watergun to destroy the bombs' circuits.
Questioning of Mr Tawatchai led to the arrest of four other suspects at a house on Soi Rama II 28, where police found a number of rocket-propelled grenades and more ammunition, including about 30 bullets. One of the suspects reportedly confessed to being hired to stir up unrest at the PAD rally and to bomb Government House.
The arms seizure took place as demonstrators from the provinces started to arrive in Bangkok to join today's rally at Makkhawan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the authorities had been informed of the attack attempt but he did not know who was behind the suspects.
The planned rally will see the PAD join forces with the Santi Asoke sect - also known as the Dhamma Army - and the Thai Patriots Network.
The situation has been further complicated by a planned demonstration today by the June 24 Group, which is allied to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. Its members plan to gather at the nearby Democracy Monument to protest against the PAD's interference in foreign relations.
The PAD has chosen Makkhawan Bridge to set up a stage, while the Santi Asoke sect and the Thai Patriots Network are encamped at Chamai Maruchet Bridge on nearby Phitsanulok Road.
The three groups share the primary demand of the revocation of a year 2000 memorandum of understanding signed by Thailand and Cambodia governing their border disagreements.
The PAD also wants the government to drive Cambodians from disputed areas on the border and to cancel Thailand's membership of the Unesco World Heritage Committee.
Mr Abhisit said yesterday he would not bow to the demands. Such actions would only have adverse effects and might lead to war.
The prime minister also pointed out that Thailand's withdrawal from the World Heritage Committee would mean it would no longer be able to oppose Cambodia's management plan for the heritage-listed Preah Vihear temple on the border.
Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a key PAD leader, insisted yesterday the alliance would continue its rally until the group's demands were met.
He said PAD supporters would not storm Government House as part of the protest and the group was not seeking to oust the government. Its main aim was to protect and defend the country's territorial integrity.
"Although we are not confident of victory, we are at least performing our duty as Thais," Maj Gen Chamlong said.
The PAD leader denied rumours of a rift with Santi Asoke leader Samana Photirak.
He said they were in frequent contact by telephone and the PAD and Santi Asoke would work closely together during the rally.
Sunthorn Rakrong, a Thai Patriots Network coordinator, said his group would not join the PAD rally at Makkhawan Bridge. It would hold a separate rally at Chamai Maruchet Bridge.
Mr Sunthorn said the network was not in conflict with the PAD. They might have different tactics, but they share a common goal.
Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Jakthip Chaijinda said 20 units made up of about 2,000 officers had been assigned to monitor the protests.
Sixteen units will be deployed at Makkhawan Bridge and four units at Government House.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Isolated Abhisit may still survive dual attacks
January 25, 2011
The Nation
Thailand is enjoying a break from political upheaval, but with reds and yellows both calling for the PM's head, how long will this fragile peace last?
The Democrat Party is looking strangely isolated. For the first time in its term, the largest party in the coalition government is facing back-to-back protests by the red and yellow shirts. To add to that, the ongoing tussle over charter amendment proposals with the coalition allies means that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's party cannot boast a government in "harmony" going into an imminent censure debate with the opposition Pheu Thai Party.
In the old days, all these factors taken together would have constituted a big "crisis", but this is new politics and this is a prime minister who has survived political bloodbaths and potentially crippling court cases in the same year. However, last Sunday's rally by the red shirts, today's protest by the yellow shirts, the charter amendment impasse and the looming no-confidence showdown with the opposition are not a walk in the park. For one thing, while enemies and detractors of the government may share some common goals, they are still not advocating the same causes. Whether this will benefit Abhisit or make things worse for him remains to be seen.
Both the yellow and red shirts now want the prime minister to go. The red shirts are citing the casualties of last year's political bloodshed as the key reason. The yellow shirts have been upset by the government's Cambodia-related policies, which ironically have more to do with some messy issues left by pro-red governments.
Optimists see the violent street politics of last year evolving into something more manageable democratically. The red shirts are unlikely to go back to the extremism that could give the prime minister an excuse to reverse his "early election" promise.
The yellow shirts - who have denounced the red-shirts' tactics for causing disruption to peace and order - are unlikely to swallow their words, at least not too soon.
The upcoming parliamentary censure debate is expected to be aimed at the entire Cabinet. That will be a tactical approach because ministers and deputy ministers who are MPs will not be allowed to "vote for themselves". With the number of coalition members and opposition MPs eligible to vote in the censure not so different, political undercurrents can transform into big waves at the time of voting.
But before the censure can happen, the prime minister and the Democrat Party must first sort out problems with their coalition allies regarding the proposed charter amendment. Serious conflicts seemingly remain unsolved, but observers believe that when push comes to shove, the coalition partners will prefer to toe the Democrats' line than gang up with Pheu Thai and have their way.
Therefore, isolated as he seems, Abhisit is not yet in a back-to-the-wall situation. Much will depend on how strong the yellow shirts' momentum will carry forward. The movement has been weakened by internal strife and the disillusionment of peripheral sympathisers.
As for the red shirts, their street campaigns have looked more like election war drumming than an "Abhisit-out-at-all-costs" agenda.
Is Thai politics in the process of healing itself? That may be wishful thinking too soon. If this is just a break before a new round of turmoil, we can only hope there won't be repetition of the violence of last year. The yellow shirts, led by a former Thaksin Shinawatra ally who turned against him, are representing the uncertainty and unpredictability of politics. Can they combine with the pro-Thaksin red shirts to overthrow Abhisit? All we know is that Sondhi Limthongkul was once Thaksin's most vocal and influential cheerleader, and Kasit Piromya was not so long ago the yellow shirts' darling.
As Thailand enjoys a peaceful break politically, it's up to all the key players to keep things this way. In fact, Abhisit, the Thai military, and the red-shirt and yellow-shirt leaders all owe the neutral Thai public a peaceful return to real democracy. They have been playing reasonably fair so far, and long may that continue.
read more “
”
Isolated Abhisit may still survive dual attacks
January 25, 2011
The Nation
Thailand is enjoying a break from political upheaval, but with reds and yellows both calling for the PM's head, how long will this fragile peace last?
The Democrat Party is looking strangely isolated. For the first time in its term, the largest party in the coalition government is facing back-to-back protests by the red and yellow shirts. To add to that, the ongoing tussle over charter amendment proposals with the coalition allies means that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's party cannot boast a government in "harmony" going into an imminent censure debate with the opposition Pheu Thai Party.
In the old days, all these factors taken together would have constituted a big "crisis", but this is new politics and this is a prime minister who has survived political bloodbaths and potentially crippling court cases in the same year. However, last Sunday's rally by the red shirts, today's protest by the yellow shirts, the charter amendment impasse and the looming no-confidence showdown with the opposition are not a walk in the park. For one thing, while enemies and detractors of the government may share some common goals, they are still not advocating the same causes. Whether this will benefit Abhisit or make things worse for him remains to be seen.
Both the yellow and red shirts now want the prime minister to go. The red shirts are citing the casualties of last year's political bloodshed as the key reason. The yellow shirts have been upset by the government's Cambodia-related policies, which ironically have more to do with some messy issues left by pro-red governments.
Optimists see the violent street politics of last year evolving into something more manageable democratically. The red shirts are unlikely to go back to the extremism that could give the prime minister an excuse to reverse his "early election" promise.
The yellow shirts - who have denounced the red-shirts' tactics for causing disruption to peace and order - are unlikely to swallow their words, at least not too soon.
The upcoming parliamentary censure debate is expected to be aimed at the entire Cabinet. That will be a tactical approach because ministers and deputy ministers who are MPs will not be allowed to "vote for themselves". With the number of coalition members and opposition MPs eligible to vote in the censure not so different, political undercurrents can transform into big waves at the time of voting.
But before the censure can happen, the prime minister and the Democrat Party must first sort out problems with their coalition allies regarding the proposed charter amendment. Serious conflicts seemingly remain unsolved, but observers believe that when push comes to shove, the coalition partners will prefer to toe the Democrats' line than gang up with Pheu Thai and have their way.
Therefore, isolated as he seems, Abhisit is not yet in a back-to-the-wall situation. Much will depend on how strong the yellow shirts' momentum will carry forward. The movement has been weakened by internal strife and the disillusionment of peripheral sympathisers.
As for the red shirts, their street campaigns have looked more like election war drumming than an "Abhisit-out-at-all-costs" agenda.
Is Thai politics in the process of healing itself? That may be wishful thinking too soon. If this is just a break before a new round of turmoil, we can only hope there won't be repetition of the violence of last year. The yellow shirts, led by a former Thaksin Shinawatra ally who turned against him, are representing the uncertainty and unpredictability of politics. Can they combine with the pro-Thaksin red shirts to overthrow Abhisit? All we know is that Sondhi Limthongkul was once Thaksin's most vocal and influential cheerleader, and Kasit Piromya was not so long ago the yellow shirts' darling.
As Thailand enjoys a peaceful break politically, it's up to all the key players to keep things this way. In fact, Abhisit, the Thai military, and the red-shirt and yellow-shirt leaders all owe the neutral Thai public a peaceful return to real democracy. They have been playing reasonably fair so far, and long may that continue.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Drug-resistant malaria gains foothold in Cambodia
Hundreds of health workers are moving from village to village, testing everybody, in a pre-emptive strike to try to find, treat and monitor those with malaria symptoms.
1/23/2011
Catholic Online
Doctors frantic to contain new strain in Southeast Asia
The humid, swampy atmosphere of Cambodia is the perfect breeding spot for mosquitoes, traditionally the carrier of the deadly disease malaria. A new strain of drug-resistant malaria has gained a foothold in the region, in particular the area between Cambodia and Thailand, and doctors are frantic to find a cure before the disease has a chance to spread.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Every major anti-malarial drug has failed to quell the epidemic since it first took hold. History has proven that once resistance emerges, it can quickly spread worldwide, rendering the drugs useless in the fight against a mosquito-borne parasite. Malaria still kills nearly a million people worldwide each year, most of them in Africa.
"We've got to contain the parasite before it spreads throughout the region. If that happens it's going to be a public health emergency," Dr. Najibullah Habib, spearheading the containment project on behalf of the World Health Organization says.
Hundreds of health workers are moving from village to village, testing everybody, in a pre-emptive strike to try to find, treat and monitor those with malaria symptoms.
"If we lose this first-line drug, this Artemisinin, then we are lost," Christopher Raymond, an American drug specialist working with the project says. He said that as of today there is no good backup if malaria becomes Artemisinin-resistant.
The crisis was first identified by U.S. Army researchers, who showed that in the border areas, Artemisinin was taking far longer to clear malaria than in the past.
"It was clear that the parasites are becoming less susceptible to the drug," David Saunders of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences says. AFRIMS has now extended its study further along the border.
Researchers say there is still time to dig in heels, and working with Cambodian health officials their aim now is to see if it is spreading, how fast, and to test different combinations of drugs to fight it.
Experts speculate that conflict, poverty and a lot of migrants moving across the border have all played a part. Resistance also spreads when people don't take drugs properly, and counterfeit and sub-standard drugs are also to blame. They have been rife in the border areas.
read more “
”
Drug-resistant malaria gains foothold in Cambodia
Hundreds of health workers are moving from village to village, testing everybody, in a pre-emptive strike to try to find, treat and monitor those with malaria symptoms.
1/23/2011
Catholic Online
Doctors frantic to contain new strain in Southeast Asia
The humid, swampy atmosphere of Cambodia is the perfect breeding spot for mosquitoes, traditionally the carrier of the deadly disease malaria. A new strain of drug-resistant malaria has gained a foothold in the region, in particular the area between Cambodia and Thailand, and doctors are frantic to find a cure before the disease has a chance to spread.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Every major anti-malarial drug has failed to quell the epidemic since it first took hold. History has proven that once resistance emerges, it can quickly spread worldwide, rendering the drugs useless in the fight against a mosquito-borne parasite. Malaria still kills nearly a million people worldwide each year, most of them in Africa.
"We've got to contain the parasite before it spreads throughout the region. If that happens it's going to be a public health emergency," Dr. Najibullah Habib, spearheading the containment project on behalf of the World Health Organization says.
Hundreds of health workers are moving from village to village, testing everybody, in a pre-emptive strike to try to find, treat and monitor those with malaria symptoms.
"If we lose this first-line drug, this Artemisinin, then we are lost," Christopher Raymond, an American drug specialist working with the project says. He said that as of today there is no good backup if malaria becomes Artemisinin-resistant.
The crisis was first identified by U.S. Army researchers, who showed that in the border areas, Artemisinin was taking far longer to clear malaria than in the past.
"It was clear that the parasites are becoming less susceptible to the drug," David Saunders of the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences says. AFRIMS has now extended its study further along the border.
Researchers say there is still time to dig in heels, and working with Cambodian health officials their aim now is to see if it is spreading, how fast, and to test different combinations of drugs to fight it.
Experts speculate that conflict, poverty and a lot of migrants moving across the border have all played a part. Resistance also spreads when people don't take drugs properly, and counterfeit and sub-standard drugs are also to blame. They have been rife in the border areas.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
[Thai INVADERS] Tablet a bitter pill to swallow [for the INVADING Thais]
Merit in peaceful talks: Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara, left, meets his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Pol Sareoun, right, at Wat Chantharaburiwong in Phnom Penh for a Buddhist meritmaking ceremony. The supreme commander led 140 representatives from the armed forces to offer donations from Thailand to the temple. WASSANANANUAM
Armed forces chief sees a favourable outcome
25/01/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post
Thailand is expecting a favourable response from Phnom Penh to its request to remove an insulting stone tablet put up by Cambodian troops in a disputed border area, security authorities say.
The tablet claims "victory" for Cambodia after the last of Thai forces withdrew from Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara last month in a troop reduction schedule agreed to by both sides.
The withdrawal of the troops has no bearing on territorial claims and the Khmer-language sign has antagonised the Thai military by referring to its soldiers as "invaders" and claiming they had "trespassed" on Cambodian land.
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had told his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Tea Banh, he wanted the stone tablet removed.
The Cambodian authorities have acknowledged the message and are discussing the issue. Gen Prayuth said he expected a positive resolution within the next few days.
"[Placing] a tablet does not prove that the area belongs to you," the army chief said yesterday.
"Can you accept that? No, you can't. If this was the case, any area where I stick a tablet would belong to me."
Gen Prayuth said the border conflict needed to be resolved through mutual understanding.
The Cambodians might be trying to to claim the land by erecting the tablet at the temple, situated in a 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area just 300 metres from the Preah Vihear temple, he said. The Thai people, Gen Prayuth added, should not be overly worried by the move since Thailand and Cambodia had a joint boundary commission to settle any border disputes.
"If an agreement cannot be reached, [this land] will not belong to either party," he said.
The placing of the tablet has put pressure on both Cambodia and Thailand, Gen Prayuth said, and the two sides should negotiate for the sake of maintaining bilateral relations and to avoid harming the livelihoods of people of both nationalities along the border.
He believed the issue was not serious enough to lead to clashes between the troops as they had developed good relations in recent years and shared similar backgrounds.
Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara yesterday met his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Pol Sareoun, in Phnom Penh and delivered a similar message.
"Cambodia said a correction will be made in a favourable way," Gen Songkitti said afterwards.
"Let's wait and see."
The supreme commander was among 140 armed forces representatives who gave donations from Thailand to fund the development of Wat Chantharaburiwong in Phnom Penh.
Gen Songkitti said his delegation was warmly welcomed.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who supervises security affairs, said yesterday Thailand needed to protest against the tablet, and any unilateral claim on disputed land was unacceptable. He said neither party could claim the disputed area pending demarcation.
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[Thai INVADERS] Tablet a bitter pill to swallow [for the INVADING Thais]
Merit in peaceful talks: Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara, left, meets his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Pol Sareoun, right, at Wat Chantharaburiwong in Phnom Penh for a Buddhist meritmaking ceremony. The supreme commander led 140 representatives from the armed forces to offer donations from Thailand to the temple. WASSANANANUAM
Armed forces chief sees a favourable outcome
25/01/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post
Thailand is expecting a favourable response from Phnom Penh to its request to remove an insulting stone tablet put up by Cambodian troops in a disputed border area, security authorities say.
The tablet claims "victory" for Cambodia after the last of Thai forces withdrew from Wat Kaew Sikha Khiri Sawara last month in a troop reduction schedule agreed to by both sides.
The withdrawal of the troops has no bearing on territorial claims and the Khmer-language sign has antagonised the Thai military by referring to its soldiers as "invaders" and claiming they had "trespassed" on Cambodian land.
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had told his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Tea Banh, he wanted the stone tablet removed.
The Cambodian authorities have acknowledged the message and are discussing the issue. Gen Prayuth said he expected a positive resolution within the next few days.
"[Placing] a tablet does not prove that the area belongs to you," the army chief said yesterday.
"Can you accept that? No, you can't. If this was the case, any area where I stick a tablet would belong to me."
Gen Prayuth said the border conflict needed to be resolved through mutual understanding.
The Cambodians might be trying to to claim the land by erecting the tablet at the temple, situated in a 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area just 300 metres from the Preah Vihear temple, he said. The Thai people, Gen Prayuth added, should not be overly worried by the move since Thailand and Cambodia had a joint boundary commission to settle any border disputes.
"If an agreement cannot be reached, [this land] will not belong to either party," he said.
The placing of the tablet has put pressure on both Cambodia and Thailand, Gen Prayuth said, and the two sides should negotiate for the sake of maintaining bilateral relations and to avoid harming the livelihoods of people of both nationalities along the border.
He believed the issue was not serious enough to lead to clashes between the troops as they had developed good relations in recent years and shared similar backgrounds.
Supreme Commander Songkitti Jaggabatara yesterday met his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Pol Sareoun, in Phnom Penh and delivered a similar message.
"Cambodia said a correction will be made in a favourable way," Gen Songkitti said afterwards.
"Let's wait and see."
The supreme commander was among 140 armed forces representatives who gave donations from Thailand to fund the development of Wat Chantharaburiwong in Phnom Penh.
Gen Songkitti said his delegation was warmly welcomed.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who supervises security affairs, said yesterday Thailand needed to protest against the tablet, and any unilateral claim on disputed land was unacceptable. He said neither party could claim the disputed area pending demarcation.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
ICC case? It's all theatre and PR fluff [:Thailand]
January 25, 2011
By Avudh Panananda
The Nation
the yellow shirts aim to cancel the 2000 memorandum of understanding prescribing negotiations as a way to resolve the borderline. The cancellation of negotiations could end up in military confrontation. But any armed conflict with Cambodia would certainly bring about international intervention. Can the yellow shirts guarantee their fellow compatriots that Thailand will win support from the international community after bullying its smaller neighbour?
Does Thailand stand to gain or lose in the face of agitation by the red and yellow shirts? Today the People's Alliance for Democracy will lead the yellow shirts on to the streets in order to pressure the government to meet three demands related to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
Meanwhile, the Sombat Boonngam-anong faction of the red-shirt movement will also rally to demand justice and democracy, despite the reds holding a march on Sunday.
Public anxiety goes up a notch when red and yellow rallies converge. The yellow shirts will encamp at Makkhawan Bridge near Government House while the reds will rally at Democracy Monument, about two kilometres away on Rajdamnoen Avenue.
Next week, the mainstream reds led by Thida Thawornseth will finalise legal plans to file a complaint about injustice and last year's bloodshed at the International Criminal Court, in The Netherlands - which has no chance of being heard but is being done for show.
It is ironic that the red and yellow shirts are treating their country like a punching bag, in order to fight for causes which they believe will bring about a better and stronger Thailand. Under the norms of diplomacy and international politics, border negotiations take place behind closed doors. But the PAD has cited accountability, transparency and freedom of speech to justify its public debate on border issues.
Even though it takes both countries to sort out their common borders, the PAD has curiously focused its attack on the Abhisit Vejjajiva government as if the Thai side alone can make a unilateral decision on where Cambodian territory should be.
The yellow shirts are spearheading an "awareness" campaign over border areas near Preah Vihear Temple and at Sa Kaew, opposite Cambodia's Bantaey Meanchey, to voice concern about the risk of Thailand losing territory to Cambodia.
The yellow shirts have been releasing documents to back up their attack on PM Abhisit for his supposed mishandling of a border dispute, but their arguments could backfire and compromise Thailand's position in any future negotiations on boundary settlement. The belligerent noise generated by the yellow shirts will adversely impact on boundary talks. The two neighbouring countries need an amicable atmosphere to settle their borderline.
Since border agreements are the legacy of the colonial era, Thailand is already in a disadvantageous position. Thai forebears made a painful sacrifice to shed land in order to safeguard independence.
If the yellow shirts are true patriots, then they should carefully weigh the pros and cons of what they are doing, particularly their marshalling of lopsided information on the World Court verdict on Preah Vihear and their reference on the location of border marker No 46 at Sa Kaew.
Of the three demands, the yellow shirts aim to cancel the 2000 memorandum of understanding prescribing negotiations as a way to resolve the borderline. The cancellation of negotiations could end up in military confrontation. But any armed conflict with Cambodia would certainly bring about international intervention. Can the yellow shirts guarantee their fellow compatriots that Thailand will win support from the international community after bullying its smaller neighbour?
Just like the yellow rivals, the red shirts have invoked democracy to justify their struggle. The judicial process has not been exhausted in regard to last year's bloodshed but the red shirts say they want to air their grievances at the International Criminal Court, despite the fact it only ever hears cases such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
Last century, Thais fought hard to overturn extraterritorial jurisdiction imposed by foreign powers. Their descendants, however, claim they can only rely on international courts as they refuse to listen to one another or trust in their own judiciary.
Critics say the reds have no chance of launching a case in the ICC. They overlook the reds' real intent - they just want to embarrass the government.
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ICC case? It's all theatre and PR fluff [:Thailand]
January 25, 2011
By Avudh Panananda
The Nation
the yellow shirts aim to cancel the 2000 memorandum of understanding prescribing negotiations as a way to resolve the borderline. The cancellation of negotiations could end up in military confrontation. But any armed conflict with Cambodia would certainly bring about international intervention. Can the yellow shirts guarantee their fellow compatriots that Thailand will win support from the international community after bullying its smaller neighbour?
Does Thailand stand to gain or lose in the face of agitation by the red and yellow shirts? Today the People's Alliance for Democracy will lead the yellow shirts on to the streets in order to pressure the government to meet three demands related to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
Meanwhile, the Sombat Boonngam-anong faction of the red-shirt movement will also rally to demand justice and democracy, despite the reds holding a march on Sunday.
Public anxiety goes up a notch when red and yellow rallies converge. The yellow shirts will encamp at Makkhawan Bridge near Government House while the reds will rally at Democracy Monument, about two kilometres away on Rajdamnoen Avenue.
Next week, the mainstream reds led by Thida Thawornseth will finalise legal plans to file a complaint about injustice and last year's bloodshed at the International Criminal Court, in The Netherlands - which has no chance of being heard but is being done for show.
It is ironic that the red and yellow shirts are treating their country like a punching bag, in order to fight for causes which they believe will bring about a better and stronger Thailand. Under the norms of diplomacy and international politics, border negotiations take place behind closed doors. But the PAD has cited accountability, transparency and freedom of speech to justify its public debate on border issues.
Even though it takes both countries to sort out their common borders, the PAD has curiously focused its attack on the Abhisit Vejjajiva government as if the Thai side alone can make a unilateral decision on where Cambodian territory should be.
The yellow shirts are spearheading an "awareness" campaign over border areas near Preah Vihear Temple and at Sa Kaew, opposite Cambodia's Bantaey Meanchey, to voice concern about the risk of Thailand losing territory to Cambodia.
The yellow shirts have been releasing documents to back up their attack on PM Abhisit for his supposed mishandling of a border dispute, but their arguments could backfire and compromise Thailand's position in any future negotiations on boundary settlement. The belligerent noise generated by the yellow shirts will adversely impact on boundary talks. The two neighbouring countries need an amicable atmosphere to settle their borderline.
Since border agreements are the legacy of the colonial era, Thailand is already in a disadvantageous position. Thai forebears made a painful sacrifice to shed land in order to safeguard independence.
If the yellow shirts are true patriots, then they should carefully weigh the pros and cons of what they are doing, particularly their marshalling of lopsided information on the World Court verdict on Preah Vihear and their reference on the location of border marker No 46 at Sa Kaew.
Of the three demands, the yellow shirts aim to cancel the 2000 memorandum of understanding prescribing negotiations as a way to resolve the borderline. The cancellation of negotiations could end up in military confrontation. But any armed conflict with Cambodia would certainly bring about international intervention. Can the yellow shirts guarantee their fellow compatriots that Thailand will win support from the international community after bullying its smaller neighbour?
Just like the yellow rivals, the red shirts have invoked democracy to justify their struggle. The judicial process has not been exhausted in regard to last year's bloodshed but the red shirts say they want to air their grievances at the International Criminal Court, despite the fact it only ever hears cases such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
Last century, Thais fought hard to overturn extraterritorial jurisdiction imposed by foreign powers. Their descendants, however, claim they can only rely on international courts as they refuse to listen to one another or trust in their own judiciary.
Critics say the reds have no chance of launching a case in the ICC. They overlook the reds' real intent - they just want to embarrass the government.
Monday, January 24, 2011
[Thai] PM: Ruling unrelated to border [-Abishit in denial?]
.
23/01/2011
Bangkok Post
The Cambodian court's ruling on the five Thais is not related to the Thai-Cambodian border demarcation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on national television on Sunday night.
"The ruling has no effect on the border issue because of the memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia on the survey and demarcation of land boundary signed in 2000.
"The memorandum states that the border issue will be resolved when the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission has come to an agreement," Mr Abhisit said.
He said the location where the seven Thais were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 last year was still disputed.
The premier insisted the government will not revoke the 2000 MoU as the revocation could lead to clashes between the two countries.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court's ruling will be translated and the government will lodge a protest to ensure that it will not affect the border issue, he said.
A Cambodian Court on Jan 21 ruled that the five Thais intentionally entered Cambodia without permission. They are Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, Samdin Lertbutr, Tainae Mungmajon, Naruemol Chitvarattana and Kojpollathorn Chusanasevi.
They were sentenced to nine months in prison and a fine of one million riel (about 10,000 baht).
Since they have already served one month in prison, the court suspended the remaining eight-month jail term.
The other two Thais still in custody are yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon. They face additional charges of spyingWould Thailand let Cambodia have a joint control of Khmer temples inside Thailand?
Historian advocates joint control of border heritage sites
Sun, Jan 23, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Countries in the Mekong River basin and the Dangrek Mountain range should consider creating a trans-boundary world heritage site of cultural and natural resources to end their border conflicts, prominent historian Charnvit Kasetsiri proposed over the weekend.
Speaking at a seminar "Our Boundaries, Our Asean Neighbours" on Friday, Charnvit said countries in the region had a lot of cultural and natural heritage left by ancestors centuries ago, some of which were sources of conflict.
Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the Hindu Khmer temple of Preah Vihear for half a century. The proposal by Cambodia to list the ruined temple as a World Heritage site in 2008 fuelled conflict between the neighbouring countries.
A group of Thai nationalists want the government to block Cambodia's attempt to run Preah Vihear and kick a Khmer community out of the area adjacent to the temple.
A ruling by the International Court of Justice in 1962 found that Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. Bangkok said it respected the court's ruling but argued that the temple's vicinity and even the land where the temple sits belongs to Thailand.
Preah Vihear temple was listed as a World Heritage site in 2008 but the Thai government, with strong support from nationalist groups, opposed its management plan. The two countries remain in conflict and seem to have no way to settle their differences.
Charnvit proposed what he is calling a "Mixed Cultural and Natural Mekong-Dangrek World Heritage" as a model to end the conflict.
There were some examples in the world, he said, where trans-border World Heritage sites had been possible, citing the Iguazu waterfalls - the world's largest - which are situated on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
The World Heritage Committee listed the Iguazu National Park for Argentina as a World Heritage site in 1984 and listed Brazil's part in 1986.
Countries in the Mekong basin should consider the same idea, as they had a lot of sandstone Khmer temples sitting across the boundary in the region, Charnvit said.
Preah Vihear could be jointly listed as a World Heritage site, as its main building is in Cambodia but the area around it is in Thailand.
Preah Vihear was in the same family with Wat Phou in Laos and Phanom Rung in Thailand's Buri Ram province, he said, and noted that two of them - the exception is Phanom Rung - were already listed as World Heritage sites.
"People in this region should think beyond the border and jointly list these temples as World Heritage sites," he said.
Charnvit conducted a set of studies on boundaries to help Thais get a better grasp about such matters. Misunderstanding about the boundary sometimes created trouble for people and conflict with neighbours, he said.
The research indicated that people in many parts of the world, such as in Europe, could move across boundaries easily, as if they don't exist. People in this region should also be able to overcome conflicts over boundaries some day, he said.
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[Thai] PM: Ruling unrelated to border [-Abishit in denial?]
.
23/01/2011
Bangkok Post
The Cambodian court's ruling on the five Thais is not related to the Thai-Cambodian border demarcation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on national television on Sunday night.
"The ruling has no effect on the border issue because of the memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia on the survey and demarcation of land boundary signed in 2000.
"The memorandum states that the border issue will be resolved when the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission has come to an agreement," Mr Abhisit said.
He said the location where the seven Thais were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 last year was still disputed.
The premier insisted the government will not revoke the 2000 MoU as the revocation could lead to clashes between the two countries.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court's ruling will be translated and the government will lodge a protest to ensure that it will not affect the border issue, he said.
A Cambodian Court on Jan 21 ruled that the five Thais intentionally entered Cambodia without permission. They are Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, Samdin Lertbutr, Tainae Mungmajon, Naruemol Chitvarattana and Kojpollathorn Chusanasevi.
They were sentenced to nine months in prison and a fine of one million riel (about 10,000 baht).
Since they have already served one month in prison, the court suspended the remaining eight-month jail term.
The other two Thais still in custody are yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon. They face additional charges of spyingWould Thailand let Cambodia have a joint control of Khmer temples inside Thailand?
Historian advocates joint control of border heritage sites
Sun, Jan 23, 2011
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Countries in the Mekong River basin and the Dangrek Mountain range should consider creating a trans-boundary world heritage site of cultural and natural resources to end their border conflicts, prominent historian Charnvit Kasetsiri proposed over the weekend.
Speaking at a seminar "Our Boundaries, Our Asean Neighbours" on Friday, Charnvit said countries in the region had a lot of cultural and natural heritage left by ancestors centuries ago, some of which were sources of conflict.
Thailand and Cambodia have been at loggerheads over the Hindu Khmer temple of Preah Vihear for half a century. The proposal by Cambodia to list the ruined temple as a World Heritage site in 2008 fuelled conflict between the neighbouring countries.
A group of Thai nationalists want the government to block Cambodia's attempt to run Preah Vihear and kick a Khmer community out of the area adjacent to the temple.
A ruling by the International Court of Justice in 1962 found that Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia. Bangkok said it respected the court's ruling but argued that the temple's vicinity and even the land where the temple sits belongs to Thailand.
Preah Vihear temple was listed as a World Heritage site in 2008 but the Thai government, with strong support from nationalist groups, opposed its management plan. The two countries remain in conflict and seem to have no way to settle their differences.
Charnvit proposed what he is calling a "Mixed Cultural and Natural Mekong-Dangrek World Heritage" as a model to end the conflict.
There were some examples in the world, he said, where trans-border World Heritage sites had been possible, citing the Iguazu waterfalls - the world's largest - which are situated on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
The World Heritage Committee listed the Iguazu National Park for Argentina as a World Heritage site in 1984 and listed Brazil's part in 1986.
Countries in the Mekong basin should consider the same idea, as they had a lot of sandstone Khmer temples sitting across the boundary in the region, Charnvit said.
Preah Vihear could be jointly listed as a World Heritage site, as its main building is in Cambodia but the area around it is in Thailand.
Preah Vihear was in the same family with Wat Phou in Laos and Phanom Rung in Thailand's Buri Ram province, he said, and noted that two of them - the exception is Phanom Rung - were already listed as World Heritage sites.
"People in this region should think beyond the border and jointly list these temples as World Heritage sites," he said.
Charnvit conducted a set of studies on boundaries to help Thais get a better grasp about such matters. Misunderstanding about the boundary sometimes created trouble for people and conflict with neighbours, he said.
The research indicated that people in many parts of the world, such as in Europe, could move across boundaries easily, as if they don't exist. People in this region should also be able to overcome conflicts over boundaries some day, he said.
Monday, January 24, 2011
VN invested in Hoon Xhen, now they settle in with their power plant
Vietnam invests in Cambodia power plant
23/01/2011
VietnamNet
Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment has licensed the US$800 million hydro-electric power plant to be constructed in Cambodia, according to the ministry’s Foreign Investment Agency.
This project by state-owned Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) is solely invested by its joint-stock subsidiary EVN International, whose shareholders include major state companies and corporations, such as PetroVietnam, EVN, and Vietnam Rubber Group.
The power plant, Lower Se San 2, is located in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province on its Se San river, a major tributary of the Great Mekong River flowing through Indochinese countries from China.
Its capacity is estimated at 400MW with an average output of 1998 million KWh per year, half of which will be sold back to Cambodia.
EVN International also currently carries out other energy projects and researches for investment in neighboring Lao and Cambodia.
Construction for the plant is to begin this year and it is expected to go into operation in 2016.
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VN invested in Hoon Xhen, now they settle in with their power plant
Vietnam invests in Cambodia power plant
23/01/2011
VietnamNet
Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment has licensed the US$800 million hydro-electric power plant to be constructed in Cambodia, according to the ministry’s Foreign Investment Agency.
This project by state-owned Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) is solely invested by its joint-stock subsidiary EVN International, whose shareholders include major state companies and corporations, such as PetroVietnam, EVN, and Vietnam Rubber Group.
The power plant, Lower Se San 2, is located in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province on its Se San river, a major tributary of the Great Mekong River flowing through Indochinese countries from China.
Its capacity is estimated at 400MW with an average output of 1998 million KWh per year, half of which will be sold back to Cambodia.
EVN International also currently carries out other energy projects and researches for investment in neighboring Lao and Cambodia.
Construction for the plant is to begin this year and it is expected to go into operation in 2016.
Monday, January 24, 2011
"A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People"
Voter Education/Registration Program
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
"A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930's when many African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Voter education and registration has remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990's, the focus has shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums.
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KI-Media Note: Cambodians have the right to vote, but the authority made it so difficult for poor Cambodians to obtain an identification which is necessary to register for voting, that many Cambodians ended up not voting.
read more “
”
"A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People"
Voter Education/Registration Program
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
"A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" was initiated as a National Program of Alpha during the 1930's when many African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Voter education and registration has remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. In the 1990's, the focus has shifted to include political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums.
----------
KI-Media Note: Cambodians have the right to vote, but the authority made it so difficult for poor Cambodians to obtain an identification which is necessary to register for voting, that many Cambodians ended up not voting.
Monday, January 24, 2011
[Thai] PM warns of force if [2000] memo [with Cambodia] is torn up
24/01/2011
Bangkok Post
Tearing up the 2000 memorandum of understanding governing border areas contested by Thailand and Cambodia will only lead to the use of force, warns Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The prime minister said in a television broadcast last night that the memo had helped prevent either country from taking back the border land to which they laid sovereign claim.
Scrapping it, as demanded by the People's Alliance for Democracy, would leave the two neighbouring countries with no option but to use force to reclaim the territory, he said.
The broadcast was primarily to address the issue over the capture of seven Thais by Cambodian authorities.
Mr Abhisit used a digital map to trace the path taken by the seven Thais on Dec 29 when they entered a disputed area near Nong Jan village in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district next to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.
The seven were charged by Cambodia with illegal entry and trespassing on a military area.
Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth and Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator with the Thai Patriots Network, which is allied to the PAD, were among those arrested.
Mr Panich and four others were given suspended jail terms and have since returned home.
The court has still to bring down a ruling on Mr Veera and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, for illegal entry and they also face charges of espionage with the Phnom Penh court scheduled to hand down its decision tomorrow.
Mr Abhisit said during the broadcast last night that the memorandum was a tool for keeping either country from asserting unilaterally its territorial claim over disputed border areas.
The PAD is calling for the memo to be scrapped, saying it is tantamount to giving Cambodia licence to take Thailand's border land. The group is holding a protest tomorrow in Bangkok to highlight its demand.
The premier said the memo required the two countries to determine together what aspects of the dispute could be settled and what remained contentious.
In areas which are unsettled, the memorandum also sets a course of action and protocol to be followed.
If one country breaches the territorial rights of the other country, the affronted state can lodge a protest based on what the countries have agreed in the memo.
Mr Abhisit said the two countries would have no choice but to use force to settle the border conflicts if the memorandum was cancelled.
Military clashes would have far-reaching ramifications on diplomacy and also affect people on both sides of the border who now live in harmony.
Mr Abhisit also dismissed critics' claims that the result of the trial against the five Thais had given Cambodia an upper hand to stake its territorial claim to Thailand's border land.
He said the government had sent a formal statement to Phnom Penh to prevent the court verdict being interpreted in a way that could have implications for the dispute over the border territory.
read more “
”
[Thai] PM warns of force if [2000] memo [with Cambodia] is torn up
24/01/2011
Bangkok Post
Tearing up the 2000 memorandum of understanding governing border areas contested by Thailand and Cambodia will only lead to the use of force, warns Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The prime minister said in a television broadcast last night that the memo had helped prevent either country from taking back the border land to which they laid sovereign claim.
Scrapping it, as demanded by the People's Alliance for Democracy, would leave the two neighbouring countries with no option but to use force to reclaim the territory, he said.
The broadcast was primarily to address the issue over the capture of seven Thais by Cambodian authorities.
Mr Abhisit used a digital map to trace the path taken by the seven Thais on Dec 29 when they entered a disputed area near Nong Jan village in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district next to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.
The seven were charged by Cambodia with illegal entry and trespassing on a military area.
Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth and Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator with the Thai Patriots Network, which is allied to the PAD, were among those arrested.
Mr Panich and four others were given suspended jail terms and have since returned home.
The court has still to bring down a ruling on Mr Veera and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, for illegal entry and they also face charges of espionage with the Phnom Penh court scheduled to hand down its decision tomorrow.
Mr Abhisit said during the broadcast last night that the memorandum was a tool for keeping either country from asserting unilaterally its territorial claim over disputed border areas.
The PAD is calling for the memo to be scrapped, saying it is tantamount to giving Cambodia licence to take Thailand's border land. The group is holding a protest tomorrow in Bangkok to highlight its demand.
The premier said the memo required the two countries to determine together what aspects of the dispute could be settled and what remained contentious.
In areas which are unsettled, the memorandum also sets a course of action and protocol to be followed.
If one country breaches the territorial rights of the other country, the affronted state can lodge a protest based on what the countries have agreed in the memo.
Mr Abhisit said the two countries would have no choice but to use force to settle the border conflicts if the memorandum was cancelled.
Military clashes would have far-reaching ramifications on diplomacy and also affect people on both sides of the border who now live in harmony.
Mr Abhisit also dismissed critics' claims that the result of the trial against the five Thais had given Cambodia an upper hand to stake its territorial claim to Thailand's border land.
He said the government had sent a formal statement to Phnom Penh to prevent the court verdict being interpreted in a way that could have implications for the dispute over the border territory.
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