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Cambodian Authorities Detain Thai Democrat MP, 6 Others Inspecting Border Area


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Cambodian authorities detain Thai Democrat MP, 6 others inspecting border area

SA KAEO, Dec 29 - A Thai member of parliament from the ruling Democrat Party and six others were detained by the Cambodian authorities earlier Wednesday for alleged trespass into Khmer territory as they were inspecting an area along the Thai-Cambodian border in this province.

Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, activist Veera Somkwamkid of the Thailand Patriot Network and five other people who travelled in the same group were arrested along the border at Kok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province.

Their two cars were left 50 metres from a Thai border patrol police checkpoint on Sri Pen Road, which runs along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Initial reports said that seven Thais -- five men and two women, including Mr Panich, a former vice minister for foreign affairs, parked at the checkpoint and walked into a land area claimed by both kingdoms.

Mr Panich’s visit reportedly followed complaints of local residents that their rice fields were occupied by Cambodian soldiers for about two months and that their complaints have been ignored by concerned agencies.

The inspection party was arrested by Cambodian troops and later sent to a Cambodian army camp for further investigation.

Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been informed of the matter and that, at first stage, concerned local agencies are now seeking to help the Thai nationals. (MCOT online news)

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-- TNA 2010-12-29

Posted

Democrat MP Panich held in Cambodia

By The Nation

Democrat MP Panich Wikitsreth was held by Cambodian officials inside the neighbouring country Wednesday, he told the Nation.

Panich told the Nation that he received reports that Cambodian troops crossed the border into Ban Nong Jan village in Sa Kaew's Khok Soon district at 11 am so he went to check the spot and was arrested by Cambodian authorities along with six other Thais.

Panich said he called his driver to inform Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjjaiva.

He said he was not sure where in Cambodia he was being held.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Thani Thongpakdee said the Thai Embassy in Cambodia has been informed of Panich's arrest and was in the process of negotiating with the Cambodian authorities for his release.

Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panithan Wattanayakorn, acting government spokesman, said the prime minister had been informed of the arrest.

Panithan said local officials were still checking for more information.

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-- The Nation 2010-12-29

Posted

Thai MP and 5 Thai Nationals Detained by Cambodia

Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya has confirmed Cambodia's detention of Democrat MP Panit Wikitset and 5 other Thai nationals while they were investigating the disputed territory of the two countries. Among the 5 were Preah Vihear activists Veera Somkwamkid and Samdin Lertbut.

Kasit also says the prime minister has been informed of the situation and is hurrying help.

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-- Tan Network 2010-12-29

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Posted

Cambodia detains Thai MP in disputed area: police

PHNOM PENH, December 29, 2010 (AFP) - Cambodia on Wednesday detained a Thai ruling party politician and six others for allegedly trespassing on its territory while inspecting a disputed border area, officials said.

"They crossed into our territory illegally," Hun Hean, police chief of northwestern Banteay Meanchey province, told AFP by telephone.

"We do not know yet why they entered Cambodian territory," he said, adding that the authorities were still considering whether to bring charges against the detainees or to release them.

According to Thai media, Democrat Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth was at the time inspecting disputed territory from Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo province, accompanied by activists with the royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement.

A Thai government spokesman in Bangkok said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was aware of the incident and trying to coordinate with Cambodia to resolve the situation.

"Now it's in the process of negotiation between local officers from both countries to release our people," said Panitan Wattanayagorn.

The Thai-Cambodia border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from decades of war in Cambodia.

Relations between the two countries have been strained following a series of deadly border clashes in July 2008 over land surrounding the 11th century Preah Vihear temple after it was granted UN World Heritage status.

Last month the Yellow Shirts held a rally outside parliament in Bangkok, calling on the Thai government to take a tougher stance against Cambodia over the border issue.

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-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-29

Posted

I guess the MP has not brought up his diplomatic immunity as yet? Sounds like the whole group must have thought they were in ga ga land. Next they will say their planned picnic was disrupted by the other side. Let the families sort it out.

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