Restraint, Not Rhetoric, Needed To Free Thai Detainees

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BURNING ISSUE

Restraint, not rhetoric, needed to free Thai detainees

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Loud nationalistic slogans from the so-called "patriots" will do nothing to help save the seven Thai nationals facing prosecution in Phnom Penh. In fact, these slogans might worsen the situation because Cambodia could interpret them as direct threats to its security.

If activists in Thailand desisted from trying to turn it into a boundary dispute, Phnom Penh could treat it as a normal trespassing case and issue a speedy verdict, and let the seven off leniently. The release of two of the detainees on bail last week was a test for the Thai side - whether they will keep it simple or complicate matters.

The cases of Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth and yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid are two extreme examples.

Both were part of the same group of seven who were arrested on December 29 for allegedly inspecting the disputed area near Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaew province. Initially, all seven faced the same charges - trespassing and unlawfully entering a military zone - which is punishable with 18 months in prison.

In his testimony, Panich said he had crossed the border by accident, compared to Veera, who insisted that he was arrested on Thai territory and that the area belonged to Thailand. Panich and yellow-shirt activist Narumol Jittawarattana were granted bail last Thursday, while Veera will be spending more time in Prey Sar prison.

The other four had obviously learned their lesson; they adopted the right approach, cooperated with the court and ended up getting bail yesterday.

Still, granting bail does not bring the case to an end. The six temporarily out of jail need to stay in Cambodia until the trial, the date for which has not been set yet.

Now, reaction from the people in Thailand would be important and critical for the verdict. If Thais see the case as no more than a normal illegal entry, then it could be treated as a simple trespassing case in accordance with the Cambodian immigration law. However, if the people here see this case as a territorial dispute, then it could become complicated, with Cambodia considering it a threat to its national security.

The so-called group of patriots and the yellow-shirt movement most probably want to make this case bigger than it should be. They insist that the seven were on Thai territory and are singing Veera's praises, calling him a hero who is fighting to protect the motherland. They are trying to push the government to take the same stand by rallying in front of Government House as well as lodging a petition with the Palace, asking His Majesty to intervene. They are also calling on many senior government office holders, including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, to step down.

Several yellow-shirt leaders are also using this as an opportunity to accuse the government of failing to protect Thailand and its sovereignty, as some demand that the government scrap the memorandum of understanding on boundary demarcation signed in 2000. Meanwhile, some crazy nationalists want the military to kick out Cambodian communities living in the disputed boundary area, and one "patriotic" academic is taking things further by claiming that it was a Thai king who built the great Angkor Wat in the early 12th century.

Some media activists have also jumped on to the nationalistic bandwagon and are now floating unconfirmed reports about military deployment in border areas - increasing tension between the two countries.

Though all these moves are aimed at putting pressure on the government, they are also sending confusing signals to Phnom Penh. It appears as if Thais would much rather have a conflict with the neighbouring country rather than maintain good relations and cooperate to solve the problem.

-- The Nation 2011-01-19

[hoaker]

seems like protesting has become a culture here in Thailand. If you don't like something forget the system and protest for what you want. I have been to that area and never arrested. You can actually cross borders with a Thai ID and no passport or visa......but only if your not a politician.

[housepainter]

Why free them?

These are political activists and as such the government should distance itself from the matter. The governemnt did not sanction such actions and its response must bconsidered carefully as not to encourage repetitive behaviour. Therefore, keys and long distance throwing events comes to mind. Preferably held at the end of a jetty over shark infested waters. A sort of point of no return.

The Cambodians on the other hold all the cards and must make the maximum political capital out of it. Good luck to them. I find it hard to sympathise with the Thais when they clearly go off half cocked abroad. OK. They do this sort of nonsense all the time at home whether its on the Bangkok streets or come to that the Pattaya ones.

Mai pen rai does not reach the ears let alone the lips of the average Cambodian. Being able to carry on with out responsibility at home, high so couldn't give a toss I got the power, what can you do to me? doesn't carry a gnat's worth of weight when you're a guest of the Campucha Prison Service.

If only someone could pursuade Chalerm to go walk about, take his lovely sons with him, certain Thai Policemen of the Year too, a few from Pai, the Mayor of Pattaya - he'd just be visiting Dad of course,

Would anyone miss any of them?

I'll give you the post card address later.

[gemini81]

seems like protesting has become a culture here in Thailand. If you don't like something forget the system and protest for what you want. I have been to that area and never arrested. You can actually cross borders with a Thai ID and no passport or visa......but only if your not a politician.

yeah, and ANYWHERE you want, preferably where it will cause the most disruption to get attention. The sky is the limit!