Cambodian Opposition Leader Denied Entry To Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Thai immigration police yesterday turned away Sam Rainsy, leader of the Cambodian opposition party, as he arrived in the country to attend his book launch event.

The Phnom Penh Post reported the incident, adding that there is no immediate explanation from the Thai and Cambodian authorities.

Mr. Rainsy was scheduled to appear at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand in central Bangkok tonight for the introduction event of his new book "We Didn’t Start the Fire: My Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia".

It is understood that the book launch event is to go ahead as planned, and Mr. Rainsy will be speaking to the audience via video conference.

The incident raised speculation about friendly relationship between Mr. Hun Sen, the Cambodian PM, and Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the former PM of Thailand.

The current Thai government, led by Mr. Thaksin′s sister Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, is seen as being on friendly term with the Cambodian leader.

Full story: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM01EUXlNVFEzTUE9PQ

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-2013-06-05

So Austrians voted 99% to join Germany... wonder if there will be a referendum for this little union....

Democracy Shinawatra style

Thailand refuses entry to Cambodian opposition leader

BANGKOK, June 05, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand said Wednesday that it had refused entry to Cambodia's opposition leader-in-exile because of concerns he would criticise Prime Minister Hun Sen's government ahead of national elections.

Sam Rainsy, who lives in France to avoid an 11-year prison sentence which he contends is politically motivated, was turned away on Tuesday when trying to visit Thailand to launch his new autobiography "We Didn't Start the Fire: My Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia".

"We have banned Sam Rainsy for using Thailand to launch his book and to attack a friendly country," foreign ministry spokesman Manasvi Srisodapol told AFP.

"We do support democratic rule but on the other hand we do not support other people using our country to attack others for political gain," he added.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has led the country since 1985 and Rainsy, his main challenger, is barred from running in the polls due to convictions including for publishing a "false map" that showed Vietnam controlling Cambodian territory.

Cambodian opposition members last month appealed for the help of the United Nations and the European Union to ensure free and fair elections.

Hun Sen, who has friendly relations with the government of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, recently said he would step down when he turns 74 -- having previously said he would serve until 90.

Hun Sen is now 60 but officially lists his age as 62 which he said was the result of a typing error.

Thai immigration officials said they had been instructed not to allow entry to Rainsy until after the election.

"Sam Rainsy can enter Thailand normally after that. We explained to him and he seemed to understand and he's now in Singapore," said Lieutenant General Panu Kerdlaprphol, commander of Thai immigration police.

Rainsy was not immediately available to comment.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-06-05

One thing that you could say about the Shinawatra band of thieves , there is never any shortage of material to sling mud , and the Pm was only talking last week about democracy, what a fine example of upstanding people , the PTP portray.

This is really bad. Just as I was expecting. Thailand IS the next Cambodia.

It is understood that the book launch event is to go ahead as planned, and Mr. Rainsy will be speaking to the audience via video conference.

It should go pretty well. Thailand has a lot of experience in video conferencing.

Just last Saturday.

COLOMBO, June 1 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told Sri Lanka's parliament on Friday that democratic countries should join forces in protecting people's rights and freedom.

But then Cambodia is democratic in name only so I suppose it doesn't count.

No surprises here. Usual PTP hypocracy and double standards. Ok to use Mongolia as a mouth piece for our propoganda but we don't want someone coming here and saying something bad about one of our friends. Democracy clan style.

If he changes his name to Pol Pot he should be fine for entry...

It was only because he had not applied for a work permit, didn't anyone tell him??

This is really bad. Just as I was expecting. Thailand IS the next Cambodia.

Soon the penny will drop with everyone else in Thailand, but probably when it's too late.

The irony is, had he been allowed to come in, he would have attended his book signing and hardly anyone would have known he was here. Now we all know he is here and why he has been banned from entry. Another shot in the foot for team Shiniwatra.

Just last Saturday.

COLOMBO, June 1 -- Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told Sri Lanka's parliament on Friday that democratic countries should join forces in protecting people's rights and freedom.

But then Cambodia is democratic in name only so I suppose it doesn't count.

It's also only a kingdom in name.

I wonder if he threw a tantrum or is that reserved for students?

This is really bad. Just as I was expecting. Thailand IS the next Cambodia.

Soon the penny will drop with everyone else in Thailand, but probably when it's too late.

The irony is, had he been allowed to come in, he would have attended his book signing and hardly anyone would have known he was here. Now we all know he is here and why he has been banned from entry. Another shot in the foot for team Shiniwatra.

Excellent point! Especially a book signing in Thailand. Thais are rarely if ever spotted reading a book.

I wonder if he threw a tantrum or is that reserved for students?

Or the ruling party