Video Clips Worsen Case Of Detained Thais In Cambodia

[webfact]

THAI-KHMER TIES

Videos raise doubts

By The Nation

Clips worsen case of detained Thais; govt stresses bilateral ties

Thailand yesterday urged Cambodia to consider the two neighbours' bilateral relations when dealing with seven Thais, including a Democrat MP, who were arrested and charged with illegal entry into Cambodia last week.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the Thai government would fully respect Cambodia's laws and decisions on the cases.

"[but] what we should do now is to ask Cambodia to think of the relations between both countries being restored after the unpleasant events of the past," he said.

Suthep said he was more than ready to go to Cambodia to help the situation if necessary.

"What we could do now is to pray for the Cambodian leader to take into consideration our attempts to restore mutual ties, which have improved after two separate meetings between our prime ministers," Suthep said.

He said he would wait until after the New Year festival to see if there was any development and reaction from the Phnom Penh side.

Panich Vikitsech, a Bangkok Democrat MP, and Veera Somkwamkid, a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader, are among the group arrested last Wednesday while visiting Thai villagers near the Sa Kaew border, which is opposite Cambodia's Banteay Meanchay.

They were taken to Phnom Penh and detained in a central prison in Phnom Penh pending trial.

The group was charged last week with illegal entry into Cambodia and entering a Cambodian military base without permission. The Cambodian court has not yet set a date for their trial.

Meanwhile two video clips recorded during Panich's trip to the site were distributed on YouTube on Sunday. Panich was heard talking on a telephone and telling someone to tell an aide of the prime minister he was on Cambodian territory.

The clips are believed to make more difficult any defence of the seven Thais because from what Panich said, he was well aware he was on Cambodian soil. Thailand initially planned a defence that the group unintentionally strayed into Cambodia.

Suthep said the issue was now a matter of Cambodian sovereignty and legal process, which Thailand had to respect.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would discuss the matter in today's Cabinet meeting.

"We are now trying to contact the Cambodian side, but it is not easy. We will however keep trying. All the matters concerning the case depend on Cambodian's reaction."

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi confirmed the seven Thais were inside Cambodia when arrested. Thani said the Royal Survey Department and Foreign Ministry officials had inspected the disputed area and confirmed the group had been on Cambodian soil.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the Thai foreign minister, said families of the seven Thais had visited them in Prey Sor prison in Phnom Penh.

The visitors, including Panich's wife, spent about one hour there. All were in good spirits and fine, Chavanond said.

He said he was not sure whether the seven Thais would go before the court today. If the trial starts, their lawyer will submit a bail request for them.

A group of 500 villagers from Sa Kaew's Khok Sung district gathered in front of the district office yesterday to protest against a planned rally by PAD supporters, demanding that it be cancelled, as it would bring trouble to the site.

The Thailand Patriot Network, a splinter group of the PAD, plans to hold the protest near the site where the seven Thais were arrested.

Its leader, Chaiwat Sinsuwoung, declined to disclose the specific protest site, but pledged that it would be held as planned to demand the release of the seven, as they were arrested in Thailand.

Meanwhile PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said Panich had contacted Thepmontri Limpayom, a PAD member, on December 26 and persuaded him to accompany him to the site in question.

Panthep quoted Panich as telling Thepmontri the visit was organised at the order of Abhisit.

However, Thepmontri refused, and Panich invited Veera, a core leader of the Thailand Patriot Network, to go with him.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

[waza]

Sounds like this is a case for the Cambodian judicial system.

[RedNIvar]

I wonder if they are paying to preferential treatment inside the Cambodian prison. I hope the Cambodians treat these arrogant idiots like they would any other inmate. This serves as a lesson to them. "No one is untouchable".

[TAWP]

So let them spend their due time in prison. Next.

[Prapoj]

We do not know who is on the other side of the phone line. The MP could be just acting, talking to a dummy phone, to frame the PM Mark. Just a thought.

[webfact]

Sakaeo governor admits Democrat MP Panit knows he was violating Cambodian territory before he was detained /TAN_Network

[Prapoj]

From the clip above, "More PAD starting trouble in Khmer territory. Don't they have airport they have to hijack?." Khmer soldier arresting the 7 yellow shirt PAD/MP.

Must be quote of the year.

[futureexpat]

From the clip above, "More PAD starting trouble in Khmer territory. Don't they have airport they have to hijack?." Khmer soldier arresting the 7 yellow shirt PAD/MP.

Must be quote of the year.

It would be interesting to hear an actual translation. The person who posted the video obviously took a few liberties when providing the translation.

Unless the aim was to preach to the choir, the commentary left much to be desired as well.

[webfact]

Deputy PM admits Thailand is in difficult position in helping seven Thais detained in Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 4 -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban admitted that Thailand is finding it difficult to help the seven Thai nationals detained by Cambodian soldiers last Wednesday while they were on inspection tour of the border area near Sa Kaeo province adjacent to Cambodia's Banteay Meanchay.

Democrat Party member of parliament Panich Vikitsreth, activist from Thailand Patriot Network Veera Somkwamkid and five others were charged in a Phnom Penh Court with illegal entry and illegally entering a military base, crimes with penalties of up to six months and one year. The Cambodian court has not yet set a date for their trial.

Mr Suthep said the Thai authorities were coordinated in attempting to help the detained Thais but the video clip of Mr Panich admitting that the group was entering Cambodian territory could cause a disadvantage in contesting the case.

He said he would wait until after the long New Year holiday to see if there were any developments and reactions from the authorities in Phnom Penh.

However, he hoped that the Cambodian leader would take into consideration the relations between the two countries which was recently improved.

Mr Panich was vice minister for foreign affairs before he resigned last year to contest a by-election and win a seat as a member of parliament for Bangkok.

He is now a member of a Joint House and Senate panel to examine the three meeting documents provided by the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) which is responsible for demarcating the shared border.

Meanwhile two video clips recorded during Mr Panich's trip to the border area were posted on YouTube, an Internet video-sharing website, on Sunday. Mr Panich was heard talking on a telephone and telling someone at the other end to inform Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva through Mr Abhisit's secretary that they had crossed the border and were on Cambodian territory.

According to the footage, Mr Panich was well aware that he was already on Cambodian soil. The recorded admission is believed to make it difficult to fight the case as Thailand initially planned the group's defence on the grounds that they strayed unintentionally into Cambodia.

The families of the seven Thais, including Mr Panich's wife, visited them in Prey Sor prison in Phnom Penh Monday.

Mr Abhisit said the Cabinet, at its weekly meeting on Tuesday would discuss the matter, and is seeking options to help the detained Thais. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-01-04

[kevc]

We do not know who is on the other side of the phone line. The MP could be just acting, talking to a dummy phone, to frame the PM Mark. Just a thought.

Thought the same thing myself, if your doing something undercover and against the law why would you create evidence by videoing yourself doing it.

[random]

Since Thailand is always asking other countries to respect their rule of law, I expect thailand to do the same here and respect cambodias rule of law

[random]

We do not know who is on the other side of the phone line. The MP could be just acting, talking to a dummy phone, to frame the PM Mark. Just a thought.

Thought the same thing myself, if your doing something undercover and against the law why would you create evidence by videoing yourself doing it.

Arrogance maybe

[Prapoj]

Just watch spring news a few minute ago. There was a phone interview with Sirichoke Sopa (remember him on the Bout affair?), PM Mark most trusted right hand man. Sirichoke Sopa confirm that PM Mark approved of Panich Vikitsech (Democrat MP) fact finding mission, days before he set off. The facts was to be used to aid the government dealing with PAD 25-Jan protest on the matter. Sirichoke Sopa also confirm that PM Mark and Panich Vikitsech did spoke again during the wee hours of the morning when Panich Vikitsech was about to set off from Bangkok to carry out PM Mark's task.

Just a though (my thought):

Sirichoke Spoa may be jealous of Panich Vikitsech, so want to remove a competitor (to be PM Mark balls licker).

[Payboy]

Pity the Khmer soldiers didnt react like their Thai counterparts.

They should've stripped the 7, tied their hands behind their back and made them lie face down on the ground. Belt'em if they even try to look up.

[Prapoj]

Pity the Khmer soldiers didnt react like their Thai counterparts.

They should've stripped the 7, tied their hands behind their back and made them lie face down on the ground. Belt'em if they even try to look up.

Thai nationalists say Cambodia 'kidnapped' border group

Speakers: Werasak Samrit, Thai Patriot Network leader; Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Thai Patriot Network leader; Mrs Pratanapa, Thai Patriot Network member

Does Samritt sound familiar to you? I thought she was a hot babe of ThaiVisa.

http://www.radioaust...01/s3106007.htm

Edited January 4, 2011 by Prapoj

[webfact]

Defense Ministry spokesperson denies minister's alleged involvement in arrest of 7 Thais by Cambodia /TAN_Network

[webfact]

PM says he assigned Panich to inspect disputed border area

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that he sent Democrat MP Panich Vikritseth to inspect the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia before the MP was arrested last week.

Speaking to reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, Abhisit said the meeting would discuss measures for providing help to Panich and six other Thais now detained by Cambodian authorities.

Abhisit said he would hold a press conference over the issue after the Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

[Prapoj]

Defense Ministry spokesperson denies minister's alleged involvement in arrest of 7 Thais by Cambodia /TAN_Network

The 7 were arrested by Cambodia. Why does Thai have to denies? It puzzle me. Am I alone?

[Prapoj]

PM says he assigned Panich to inspect disputed border area

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that he sent Democrat MP Panich Vikritseth to inspect the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia before the MP was arrested last week.

Speaking to reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, Abhisit said the meeting would discuss measures for providing help to Panich and six other Thais now detained by Cambodian authorities.

Abhisit said he would hold a press conference over the issue after the Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

Oh shit. All hell break loose now.

Why did he (PM Mark) kept quiet for 1 WEEK?

If the video were not release by the Cambodia, will PM Mark admit it?

Does not sound good to me.

[termad]

It's about time that all Thai's recognised and admitted that they deservedly lost the temple and some surrounding land because they invaded two peaceful neighbours (Cambodia and Laos) in 1942 after being equiped by the Japanese with weapons and fighter planes.

France was then under the Vichy government and the only French nationals present in Laos and Cambodia were some 10,000 farmers and other assorted civilians armed with shotguns and the like who obviously stood no chance against a large well equiped Thai army. In 1942 the Thais erected the Victory Monument in Bangkok to celebrate their glorious victory.

Unfortunately, for Thailand Japan was beaten and it was given 24 hours to get out of the seized areas by Mountbatten. Again, unfortunately for the Thailand the team that was appointed to draw the borders after the war were all French cartographers and yes they most probably did make a few sqiggles in the line that they drew as the Cambodian/Thai border (and who could blame them) so Thailand lost the Temple and land and also a few other small areas along the borders.

They have as much chance of getting the Temple back as the Germans have of getting back the German land that Poland took,the Polish land that Russia took or the Japanese islands that Russia took. It's also (I think) only a matter of time before Hun Sen has a cable car for tourists installed at the base of the cliff so he can then, if he wants to, close the Thai entrance to the Temple and the present Thai attitude will hasten that line of thought.,

[kropotkin]

it is called "politics".

it is called "cynicism".

The old trick: sure loosers can win an election by diverting the attention of the voters away from the real problems.

Remember Thatcher in the UK - organised a little war against Argentina ......and got reelected.

I can only hope that the thai people are not as stupid as the OOOPS......forum rules.......

[Prapoj]

Once again Youtube seeks and shows the TRUTH!!

Let's ban, or at least block youtube in Thailand, AGAIN (remember the last time?).

[geriatrickid]

Where are PADs loyal fans in TVF?

Not much has changed since their illegal airport seizures it seems.

[Insight]

Where are PADs loyal fans in TVF?

Not much has changed since their illegal airport seizures it seems.

Personally think the govt will have more to gain through having these clowns locked up for a while.

Stage is now set for Hun Sen to release the prisoners to much fanfare and handshakes with Abhisit...

... or not. Time will tell.

[Pi Sek]

PM says he assigned Panich to inspect disputed border area

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that he sent Democrat MP Panich Vikritseth to inspect the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia before the MP was arrested last week.

Speaking to reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, Abhisit said the meeting would discuss measures for providing help to Panich and six other Thais now detained by Cambodian authorities.

Abhisit said he would hold a press conference over the issue after the Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

Oh shit. All hell break loose now.

Why did he (PM Mark) kept quiet for 1 WEEK?

If the video were not release by the Cambodia, will PM Mark admit it?

Does not sound good to me.

Erm... he kept quiet for a week because he is a politician - as such he has to keep lies down to a minimum and only divulge factual information when the circumstances require it (that's the same for politicians all over the world, by the way - except in historical Thailand, where the "lies down to a minimum" bit gets overlooked). I think that's why Abhisit is as popular as he is... because, when he makes decisions and statements, they're considered.

Anyway, it looks to me from the video clip that Panich is the one that caused the problem. Whether Abhisit sent him to "inspect the disputed border" is of no relevance at all. He took matters into his own hands and knowingly walked into Cambodia. Actually, the PAD have a point - what were Thai villages are now Cambodian terrority. Whether those Thai villages were actually on Cambodian soil all along is another matter altogether. Panich even noted that "our soldiers don't dare to cross into this land", so he might have been trying to make a point showing that Thais have a legal right to be on land that historically has been occupied by Thais, regardless of borders drawn up decades ago by some 3rd party.

Still, I think we can all agree that Panich was acting like a bit of a prat and is most defintely in the wrong. Personally I hope that his criminal conviction in Cambodia will disqualify him from being an MP. He's clearly a PAD member (or at least sympathiser) too, and as such should be considered as a divisive figure like the many pro-/anti- Reds/Yellows on this forum.

Also, as many have pointed out, this has nothing to do with the land - it's to do with the maritime border. It wouldn't surprise me if the recent oil-drilling platform in the Andaman coast was a first phase in trying to access the well-documented raw materials in the disputed maritime area.

[termad]

Where are PADs loyal fans in TVF?

Not much has changed since their illegal airport seizures it seems.

Personally think the govt will have more to gain through having these clowns locked up for a while.

Stage is now set for Hun Sen to release the prisoners to much fanfare and handshakes with Abhisit...

... or not. Time will tell.

The problem that the government will have is explaining to the Cambodian Government why the chief clown was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM - see the story in the paper that must not be mentioned today.

[hanuman1]

PM says he assigned Panich to inspect disputed border area

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that he sent Democrat MP Panich Vikritseth to inspect the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia before the MP was arrested last week.

Speaking to reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, Abhisit said the meeting would discuss measures for providing help to Panich and six other Thais now detained by Cambodian authorities.

Abhisit said he would hold a press conference over the issue after the Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

Oh shit. All hell break loose now.

Why did he (PM Mark) kept quiet for 1 WEEK?

If the video were not release by the Cambodia, will PM Mark admit it?

Does not sound good to me.

Erm... he kept quiet for a week because he is a politician - as such he has to keep lies down to a minimum and only divulge factual information when the circumstances require it (that's the same for politicians all over the world, by the way - except in historical Thailand, where the "lies down to a minimum" bit gets overlooked). I think that's why Abhisit is as popular as he is... because, when he makes decisions and statements, they're considered.

Anyway, it looks to me from the video clip that Panich is the one that caused the problem. Whether Abhisit sent him to "inspect the disputed border" is of no relevance at all. He took matters into his own hands and knowingly walked into Cambodia. Actually, the PAD have a point - what were Thai villages are now Cambodian terrority. Whether those Thai villages were actually on Cambodian soil all along is another matter altogether. Panich even noted that "our soldiers don't dare to cross into this land", so he might have been trying to make a point showing that Thais have a legal right to be on land that historically has been occupied by Thais, regardless of borders drawn up decades ago by some 3rd party.

Still, I think we can all agree that Panich was acting like a bit of a prat and is most defintely in the wrong. Personally I hope that his criminal conviction in Cambodia will disqualify him from being an MP. He's clearly a PAD member (or at least sympathiser) too, and as such should be considered as a divisive figure like the many pro-/anti- Reds/Yellows on this forum.

Also, as many have pointed out, this has nothing to do with the land - it's to do with the maritime border. It wouldn't surprise me if the recent oil-drilling platform in the Andaman coast was a first phase in trying to access the well-documented raw materials in the disputed maritime area.

I was just about to say more or less the same thing, adding that if members of the ruling party can go so badly off-script and openly disobey orders directly from the 'Top Man', what does that say about the organizational integrity of the Democrats?

[termad]

PM says he assigned Panich to inspect disputed border area

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that he sent Democrat MP Panich Vikritseth to inspect the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia before the MP was arrested last week.

Speaking to reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, Abhisit said the meeting would discuss measures for providing help to Panich and six other Thais now detained by Cambodian authorities.

Abhisit said he would hold a press conference over the issue after the Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

Oh shit. All hell break loose now.

Why did he (PM Mark) kept quiet for 1 WEEK?

If the video were not release by the Cambodia, will PM Mark admit it?

Does not sound good to me.

Erm... he kept quiet for a week because he is a politician - as such he has to keep lies down to a minimum and only divulge factual information when the circumstances require it (that's the same for politicians all over the world, by the way - except in historical Thailand, where the "lies down to a minimum" bit gets overlooked). I think that's why Abhisit is as popular as he is... because, when he makes decisions and statements, they're considered.

Anyway, it looks to me from the video clip that Panich is the one that caused the problem. Whether Abhisit sent him to "inspect the disputed border" is of no relevance at all. He took matters into his own hands and knowingly walked into Cambodia. Actually, the PAD have a point - what were Thai villages are now Cambodian terrority. Whether those Thai villages were actually on Cambodian soil all along is another matter altogether. Panich even noted that "our soldiers don't dare to cross into this land", so he might have been trying to make a point showing that Thais have a legal right to be on land that historically has been occupied by Thais, regardless of borders drawn up decades ago by some 3rd party.

Still, I think we can all agree that Panich was acting like a bit of a prat and is most defintely in the wrong. Personally I hope that his criminal conviction in Cambodia will disqualify him from being an MP. He's clearly a PAD member (or at least sympathiser) too, and as such should be considered as a divisive figure like the many pro-/anti- Reds/Yellows on this forum.

Also, as many have pointed out, this has nothing to do with the land - it's to do with the maritime border. It wouldn't surprise me if the recent oil-drilling platform in the Andaman coast was a first phase in trying to access the well-documented raw materials in the disputed maritime area.

As I said above it's time Thais accepted the facts. It's pointless saying that because villages in Cambodia were once Thai they should rightfully belong to Thailand because the international borders have been drawn and there is no way they're going to be changed. Accept it as a fact and move on.

[Siripon]

Where are PADs loyal fans in TVF?

Not much has changed since their illegal airport seizures it seems.

Personally think the govt will have more to gain through having these clowns locked up for a while.

Stage is now set for Hun Sen to release the prisoners to much fanfare and handshakes with Abhisit...

... or not. Time will tell.

The problem that the government will have is explaining to the Cambodian Government why the chief clown was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM - see the story in the paper that must not be mentioned today.

There's nothing in the Bangkok Post that says Panich was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM. it merely says he was told to check the contested border areas.

The deliberate intrusion into Cambodia seems to have been his group's own initiative.

[Prapoj]

Where are PADs loyal fans in TVF?

Not much has changed since their illegal airport seizures it seems.

Personally think the govt will have more to gain through having these clowns locked up for a while.

Stage is now set for Hun Sen to release the prisoners to much fanfare and handshakes with Abhisit...

... or not. Time will tell.

The problem that the government will have is explaining to the Cambodian Government why the chief clown was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM - see the story in the paper that must not be mentioned today.

There's nothing in the Bangkok Post that says Panich was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM. it merely says he was told to check the contested border areas.

The deliberate intrusion into Cambodia seems to have been his group's own initiative.

Try reading the Nation.