Cambodian Prime Minoster 'was Misinformed'

[webfact]

Cambodian PM 'was misinformed'

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Published on October 27, 2009

The Foreign Ministry will send Cambodian Premier Hun Sen a note detailing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's political status here to defuse tensions generated by Hun Sen's comments last week.

"I understand that Prime Minister Hun Sen made such remarks because he was misinformed about Thaksin and the whole situation in Thailand, so we have to give him the facts," Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.

Hun Sen said upon his arrival at the Asean Summit that he would offer Thaksin refuge in Cambodia and appoint him as an adviser. He said Thaksin was a victim of political changes in the wake of the 2006 coup.

"We will tell him what happened in Thailand over the past three years and that his many trials have nothing to do with the coup," Kasit said.

The letter would not be an argument or condemnation of Hun Sen but just a plain description of Thaksin, the |political situation and Thailand's justice system, he said.

Many criminal cases arose before the coup and asset concealment actually took place only within Thaksin's family, he said.

Hun Sen's invitation to Thaksin threw more fuel on the fire after the two countries have faced off over the controversial Preah Vihear Temple for over a year.

The government had Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban explain the matter to Hun Sen during his two-night stay in Thailand.

The foreign ministry would make the clarification and send it through diplomatic channels to him again within a week to make sure he gets the right picture, Kasit said.

While declining to interpret Hun Sen's move, Kasit said his government would simply regard the incident as the Cambodian premier, who is an old friend of Thaksin, just getting the wrong idea.

Kasit rejected a demand by a group of senators to retaliate against Hun Sen since the two governments have promised to jointly develop their countries and not to bring up internal politics.

"We don't allow a minor thing to jeopardise the entire relationship," he said.

-- The Nation 2009/10/27

[Teddy3943]

Does Cambodia have signed a extradition treaty with Thailand? If so, they have to arrest and hand over the fugitive...?

[animatic]

No one they will honor...

particularly for rich politicians and mobsters invested in Cambodia.

Uninformed. Lovely, and he's the leader of a nation/state.

Still, this is done with restraint and diplomatic finesse.

Parse those words diligently now.

[mca]

Obviously the Foreign Ministry thinks that Cambodia is so backward that they don't have access to Google.

[animatic]

The Prime Minotaur was Misinformed.

The Primed Monster was Misinformed

The Prim Minister was Malformed.

Ten Pre Moderators were Maligned

The Prem Ministers were Informed

Bound to get it right eventually.

Edited October 27, 2009 by animatic

[bkkdangerous]

I am sure Hun Sen will gladly believe the memo sent from the man who called him a gangster. Also I am sure Hun Sen is no fool and will already understand the political motivation behind the charges, but I suppose kasit has to try and convince the Thai people he is doing something and sadly some of the fools will buy into it.

Always makes me laugh when Thailand has this mentality that others should believe what they have to say, stick to brainwashing your own people, people outside of Thailand just don't buy it

[hammered]

Usually extraditon requests go through a formal channel if and when the case arises and that would rarely involve the PM.

This is all poltical posturing by both sides and postuirng that exposes a weakness in understanding of how seperation of powers works.

Theoretically Thaksin goes to Cambodia. Then Thailand makes an extradtion request through agreed channels. It then heads to the Cambodian courts and works its way through them and any other final arbiter (foreign ministry maybe).

[toptuan]

Just another thorn under the saddle that both nations enjoy inserting under each others' derriere from time to time. No love lost between these two kingdoms.

Attended the showing of a newly-released Cambodian movie at a public cinema in Phom Penh just a few years back. It was a mixture of Khmer fable and history. The theme? As related to me by my Khmer friend: "Don't trust a Thai!"

That being said, kudos to the efforts of some Thais and Khmers who work hard to reverse this worrisome trend. Case in point: Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn who speaks, reads and writes fluent Khmer and is very active in benevolent work in Cambodia. We need more like her.

Edited October 27, 2009 by toptuan

[hammered]

What does the above have to do with Hun Sen allegedly being misinformed?

Consdiering the rather high profile attempt on the life of one of Thailand's biggest media operators is it any surprise Thailand would rank so low in freedom of the press. Its rankings in all recent years have been abysmal.

However, what has this to do with the topic on this thread?

[h90]

Does Cambodia have signed a extradition treaty with Thailand? If so, they have to arrest and hand over the fugitive...?

No, Hun Sen is a pretty ugly dictator, he is doing what he wants, no matter what the law is.

[Rumfoord]

how many 'interpol nations' have arrested Thaksin so far, as predicted and promised by the foreign ministry month ago'?

Kasit should shut up, leave his seat and go home.

[hammered]

Extraditon depends on request and arrest depends on what Thai authorites have forwarded to other countries. If the relevent papaerwork has been forwarded then at least western countries would take action though courts. That is not to say extraditon would happen but if relevent papaerwork is forwarded then the process begins. That is onligated by treaty at least in western countries. The accused also has to be in the country though and it may just be that western countries would use thuis as a way of avoiding a hot potato as Thai citizens require visas to enter and a conviction almost certainly means that no visa would be granted and hence no extraditon court case would take place. In countries with more flexible legal systems this may not hold as true although would anyone really want to take the risk?

Anyway it isnt going to happen mostlty becuase he wont enter or wont be allowed to enter a country that may actually initiate court proceedings.

[Samuian]

Politics - the blackest and worst of all business!

[TAWP]

That journalist last month who is now imprisoned for 18 years because of her dislike of the democrats and Prem is just the tip of the iceburg.

The Torpedo is not a journalist, stop your misinformation. She wasn't sentenced to jail for being against the democrats or the prem, stop your misinformation.

Jesus, is there no end to the lies some will spout?

[EffectiveAnger]

Obviously the Foreign Ministry thinks that Cambodia is so backward that they don't have access to Google.

Nor intelligent sources of information. Hun Sen is likely to see this as an insult to his own intelligence as well as another insult to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Underneath it all, he just wants to get his claws on Thaksin's fortune. That is, if the bulk of it ever gets unfrozen.

[animatic]

That journalist last month who is now imprisoned for 18 years because of her dislike of the democrats and Prem is just the tip of the iceburg.

The Torpedo is not a journalist, stop your misinformation. She wasn't sentenced to jail for being against the democrats or the prem, stop your misinformation.

Jesus, is there no end to the lies some will spout?

I totally concur with TAWP; this complete and utter <deleted>.

[EffectiveAnger]

The Prime Minotaur was Misinformed.

The Primed Monster was Misinformed

The Prim Minister was Malformed.

Ten Pre Moderators were Maligned

The Prem Ministers were Informed

Bound to get it right eventually.

Could this be part of the problem: ?

Maybe these journalists need to bone up and hire a real editor or at least consult a dictionary before they make their stories public.

Intelligence, man intelligence!

[ff978472]

World view: Hun Sen shows lack of class and tact

Monday, October 26, 2009

YOU can take the man out of the jungle but you cannot take the jungle out of the man, or so the saying goes. At this moment, that could be said about mercurial Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen after the verbal sparring of the last few days.

"Millions of Thai people, the red shirts, support Thaksin (Shinawatra, ex-PM). Why, as a friend, can't I support Thaksin? Without the 2006 coup these things would not have happened," said Hun Sen shortly after arriving in Cha-am for the annual Asean Summit.

Throwing caution and discretion to the wind, the Cambodian leader argued further: "Many people talk about Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar (Burma), why not talk about Thaksin? That cannot be referred to as interference."

Perhaps the Cambodian premier thought he was still leading some Khmer Rouge faction, and did not think that as prime minister of his country there was a need to be considerate to others' feelings, much less diplomatic protocol.

His provocative recent statements really ripped at the heart of so many Thais at a time when the country is bogged down with internal strife. One wonders what Hun Sen would have got out of rubbing more salt on open wounds.

Sadly, he has permitted himself to be part of a cheap ploy by fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra to steal the spotlight from a major international event that brought together leaders from 16 Asian and other nations, including India, Australia and New Zealand.

Thaksin had the audacity to tell Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to show some manners by not putting domestic politics over regional concerns. What else could one expect from Thaksin? But what is Hun Sen's motivation? Is he desperate for attention and recognition at an international gathering after being in power for nearly three decades but with nothing much to show for it?

Holding on to power by any means and turning his once war-torn country into his personal playground would not count for much in terms of achievements in this day and age. Under his rule, Cambodia continues to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

But then again, what else can you expect from a man who is doing his best to obstruct the UN tribunal from putting more members of the murderous Khmer Rouge regime on trial?

Hun Sen knows better than anyone about realpolitik when he staged a coup in early 1997 that delayed Cambodia's admission into Asean. Deep down, he still resents Asean and its treatment of his government.

Incidentally, it was the Thai government that was instrumental in helping him and Cambodia's return to the Asean fold and eventually the grouping's membership.

One also wonders what was Hun Sen's logic in comparing Thaksin with Burmese pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi. Is he bereft of any sense of proportion? Comparing Thaksin to Suu Kyi is an insult to the millions of Burmese people who are suffering at the hands of the ruling junta.

The Asean Summit should have been an occasion to consolidate among members. But instead, it has been sidetracked into trivial personal issues. The Nation/ANN

http://www.bt.com.bn/en/opinion/2009/10/26...-class-and-tact

[baht&sold]

This month, under the Democrats, press freedom as measured by the "The annual World Press Freedom Index", compiled by Reporters sans Frontieres

dropped to 130th-barely beating out North Korea and Burma (and much lower than cambodia of course).

Hun Sen alleged 'pal' and veteran Thai politician Vatana Asavahame is 'on the run' (similar to his pal Mr Thaksin). Mr Vatana is said to be 'holed-up' at one of his casino's across the border but the Cambo authorities just can't seem to locate him... and two baht for where faithful servant Jakrapob is 'hiding'- (in broad Koh Kong daylight;)

-Hun Sen's 'democracy' appears similar to Mr Thaksin's: votes by hook or crook (as window dressing) followed by autocratic rule loaded with 'team players' to keep the back-handing and back-slapping system SELF-serving:

Brad Adams, HRW's Asia Director said: "Sadly, democracy is not a term I would apply to Cambodia. Aside from having elections every five years, almost all the other elements are missing. The trend is negative and with the continuing consolidation of power by Hun Sen, not least in the military, it is hard to see the trend reversing. Hun Sen has shown little ability to change over the years, to become more tolerant of criticism, less autocratic and work to create enduring, competent and independent institutions. Massive corruption and greed among those in power is at the heart of the problem, yet no steps are being taken to address it."

http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=c...&Itemid=189

------------------

A Cambodian editor whose newspaper published stories alleging corruption in the office of a senior government official was found guilty Friday of circulating disinformation in a one-hour trial and sentenced to a year in jail.

http://www.topix.com/world/cambodia/2009/0...govt-corruption

---------------------

Scathing media cartoon burns sensitive nerve of Cambodia about ties with Thailand

PHNOM PENH, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A scathing political cartoon has angered the Cambodian government at this sensitive time of the Cambodian-Thai ties, and pushed the publisher into an awkward situation.

The government is demanding a written explanation for the recently-printed newspaper cartoon depicting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra playing golf together, claiming that it could seriously affect the Cambodian-Thai relations.

"I need (a) written explanation. It's all. But if I don't have any response, then I will decide another step," English-language newspaper the Cambodia Daily on Wednesday quoted Information Minister Khieu Kanharith as saying.

In the hand-drawn picture published by another English-language daily newspaper the Phnom Penh Post on April 10, Thaksin shot a mine instead of a ball with his golf pole into the territory of Thailand, saying that "YES, IT'S MINE!!! THEREFORE I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH IT..."

Hun Sen, beside Thaksin right outside the borderline of Thailand, said that "BUT... WHAT ARE YOU DOING? IT IS YOUR COUNTRY..."

Khieu Kanharith said that "it is not a problem of offending, but this cartoon came at the time Thailand accused Cambodia of harboring Thaksin."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information issued a press release last week, saying that this cartoon was politically-oriented and would make readers misunderstand the political stance of Cambodia.

Cambodia already spiked the rumor that Thaksin was hidden here, but the cartoon obviously told readers that he was temporarily living in Cambodia, Khieu Kanharith said in the release.

"This came at the most sensitive time, and it is not a joke at all," he said, adding that the Phnom Penh Post should submit its evidence for Thaksin's stay in Cambodia.

By publishing the cartoon, the newspaper had violated an article of the press law prohibiting publication of information inciting discrimination, according to the press release.

Any media should be objective and neutral in its reporting, it added.

In the mean time, Michel Dauguet, CEO of the Post Media Co. which started to publish the Phnom Penh Post as daily paper last year, issued a statement to clarify that "our editorial cartoon does not imply that Mr. Thaksin is living or has taken residence in Cambodia."

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6637333.html

-----------

Suffice to say Mr Michel Dauguet CEO of the Phnom Penh Post appears to have to tread rather lightly .... Anyone finding the cartoon mentioned in the article above gets a

[webfact]

one off-topic post deleted.

Topic title:

Cambodian Prime Minoster 'was Misinformed'

[Rumfoord]

This month, under the Democrats, press freedom as measured by the "The annual World Press Freedom Index", compiled by Reporters sans Frontieres

dropped to 130th-barely beating out North Korea and Burma (and much lower than cambodia of course).

that could explain why people aren't proper informed.

[awd]

The Nation truly is the FOX News of Thailand! Entertaining to see their spin on everything.

[Splatter]

The Nation truly is the FOX News of Thailand! Entertaining to see their spin on everything.

Now I understand.

And the ThaiVisa Forum is the Oprah Winfrey Show.

[Thai at Heart]

That journalist last month who is now imprisoned for 18 years because of her dislike of the democrats and Prem is just the tip of the iceburg.

The Torpedo is not a journalist, stop your misinformation. She wasn't sentenced to jail for being against the democrats or the prem, stop your misinformation.

Jesus, is there no end to the lies some will spout?

I totally concur with TAWP; this complete and utter <deleted>.

She wasn't at the time of her offences, but had been a journalist before. Splitting hairs, but.......

Da Torpedo, or Daranee Charncharngsilpakul (45) was born in Bangkok. She studied political science at Ramkhamhaeng University. With her interests in media and politics, she started her career as a reporter on politics and economics for several media including Vattajak, Pim Thai, and Thai Sky TV.

http://www.112victims.org/category/index.p...&format=pdf

[animatic]

Da Torpedo:

Rable rousing EX journalist

and currently bench warming for the red side.