Thai Patriots Network Lawyers Gather Data To Defend Veera, Ratri

[webfact]

Lawyers gather data to defend Veera, Ratri

By The Nation

A team of lawyers for the Thai Patriots Network went to the border area in Sa Kaew province yesterday to collect information for the defence of two Thai nationals facing trespassing and spying charges in Cambodia.

The eight-member group, led by Thammasat University researcher and TPN leader Walwipha Charoonroj, inspected the area in Ban Nong Chan of Sa Kaew's Khok Sung district where seven Thais were arrested by Cambodian authorities in December.

The legal team was guided by members of the Burapha Force's special taskforce in an operation led by deputy commander Lt-Colonel Apiram Ramanat.

Walwipha said the team had submitted a written request with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and had sought permission from Cambodian authorities to inspect the area. She said the information and facts obtained would be used to defend TPN leader Veera Somkwamkid and Ratri Pipattanapaiboon in court, which has scheduled the first hearing for Tuesday. The two face the additional charge of espionage.

The five other Thais who were arrested for trespassing, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, recently returned home after being sentenced to a suspended jail term in Cambodia.

The TPN is part of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, which is rallying outside Government House to demand decisive action about the border conflict with Cambodia.

Before Walwipha's group arrived, Ban Nong Chan residents expressed dissatisfaction for fear the yellow shirts would stage a protest, which would further complicate the situation in the border area. However, they did not show much opposition after being told by the taskforce that the lawyers' group would be small and that they were only visiting to collect information.

In a related development, Cambodian forces stationed at the border area near the Preah Vihear temple are in two minds about bringing down the Cambodian flag raised at another temple in the disputed area, a security source said yesterday.

Cambodian military commanders General Chea Dara and Maj-General Srey Doek agree with Thailand's demand that the flag raised at Wat Keo Sekha Kirisvara be taken down, while other commanders disagreed, the source said.

Hundreds of Cambodian troops - stationed since the controversy over a stone tablet in which Thai troops were called "intruders" and the disputed area marked as "Here is Cambodia" - are still in place along with heavy weaponry and some 30 tanks.

The source described the border situation as being tense, though no serious incidents have taken place.

-- The Nation 2011-01-29

[asiawatcher]

Lawyers gather data to defend Veera, Ratri

How can you defend arrogance and ignorance in one package? Self confessed and no remorse - why bother?

Edited January 29, 2011 by asiawatcher

[Bagwan]

Who is Mr Angry depicted above? Whoever it is, the message that I am getting is that Buddhism isn't the 'peaceful religion' either.

Just what is the acreage of this scrub ground that all the fuss is over? The locals seem to want the pipsqueak politicians to go forth and multiply and leave them in peace so are they so obtuse not to take the hint?

Why not explore the possibilities below?

1. Set up the area as an international duty free zone. King Power would just love that so no problems from this side of the border. The tourists that want to come from all corners to inspect a pile of rubble can then be ripped off without any blame attaching to Thailand or Cambodia. BTW if a pile of rubble is a must to see I'd recommend a visit Iraq or Afghanistan.

2. Hold an auction for the land with Thailand and Cambodia being the sole bidders. Whoever is prepared to pay the most wins and the loser disappears into the distance counting a bundle of readies. I volunteer to be auctioneer for the low low price of only 15%, no VAT to be paid. The phenomenon of 'face' should ensure rich pickings.

3. Sell the plot to Thaksin and move his family there; then build a wall around the place. Takania would be a suitable name and has a ring about it. Tacky could make himself Prez for life and he could build lots of historic casinos extolling the virtues of Chinese and Khmer culture. Membership of the Disunited Nations would be a formality. If Pojaman should take up residence - if somebody mentions jail time that would be distinct possibility - then Prada and all the other posh shops (read shops for those with more money than sense) would climb over each other to set up branches.

4. Bury lots of land mines in the disputed area and invite Veera and his friends to freely wander about. It would be a one off tourist attraction with a difference.

P.S. I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every second of it.