Thailand urges Cambodia to release MP in border incident
BANGKOK, Dec 30, 2010 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday demanded the immediate release of seven Thais, including one ruling party politician, who were detained by Cambodian troops near the countries' disputed border.
The apprehended Thais, including Democrat Party member of parliament Panich Vikitsreth and members of the so-called 'Yellow Shirt' protest movement, were to appear in court in Phnom Penh on Thursday on charges of illegally entering Cambodia a day earlier.
"Cambodia must release all seven Thais immediately," Mr Abhisit was quoted as saying by French news agency Agence France-Presse. "Cambodia should not take this case to court as it will further complicate the issue."
Mr Abhisit said the Thai foreign minister will fly to Cambodia today to meet his Cambodian counterpart to discuss the issue.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday the seven would be charged and put in jail to await trial.
Mr Abhisit convened a meeting Thursday morning to discuss securing release of all seven Thais detained in Cambodia.
Comprised of security officials, the meeting discussed helping Bangkok Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and six others arrested by the Cambodian authorities earlier Wednesday for alleged trespass into Cambodian territory.
The security meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya, Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Tawin Pleansri.
Mr Suthep said that he and Mr Abhisit contacted the Cambodian government after the arrest but Cambodia refused to accept Thailand’s request. However, the Thai government will negotiate with Cambodian agencies.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed that the government has tried utmost attempt to help the seven Thais. The foreign ministry will send lawyers to help them if they are brought to trial in court.
"The unstable relations between Thailand and Cambodia are an obstacle in helping them. Thailand’s domestic politic was part of the problem and Cambodia wants to make a deal in exchange for something," Mr Suthep said without elaborating.
Mr Suthep said he did not know how Mr Panich was involved in the incident but it was more difficult to secure his release as Mr Veera had earlier been arrested in the nearby area.
Yesterday, there were signs of a possible release but after they saw Mr Veera's name, the process to secure their release failed , Mr Suthep said.
Asked whether or not the area where seven people were arrested was in Thai territory, Mr Suthep said that he was awaiting the result of an investigation and confirmation on that. As far as he knew, they drove past the checkpoint of Thai border police. When police tried to follow them to warn them to come back, they had already been arrested.
Mr Suthep said that they trespassed at least 300-400 metres into Cambodian territory.
Meanwhile, the Thai foreign minister said Mr Panich and the other six would be brought to court on Thursday but he did not know what charges will be filed against them. The foreign ministry has speeded the process of negotiation.
Mr Panich, a former vice minister for foreign affairs, activist Veera Somkwamkid of the Thailand Patriot Network and five other people were arrested by Cambodian soldiers while they were inspecting an area at the Thai-Cambodian border in Kok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province.
