Cambodian PM to attend ASEAN leaders' meeting with U.S. president in Singapore

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) will lead a high delegation to Singapore to participate in the first ASEAN leaders' meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, said a press release from Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

The meeting with Barack Obama will be held on Nov. 15, 2009 in Singapore.

The delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh and other members the Royal Government of Cambodia.

During the upcoming meeting, the leaders will exchange views ona wide range of concern and adopt a joint statement, the press release said.

Founded in 1967, the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asia Nations) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Read more.............!

PM regrets Cambodian rejection of extradition request for Thaksin

Thaksin (R) shares a laugh with Hun Sen.

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he regretted Cambodia’s rejection of Thailand's extradition request for convicted ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and would explore other options to return the self-exiled Thaksin to serve his sentence in Thailand.

The Cambodian government on Wednesday rejected a request from Thailand to arrest Mr Thaksin, who was sentenced by Thailand’s Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to a two-year prison term in absentia for having a conflict of interest in the Bangkok Ratchadaphisek land purchase case. He jumped bail and fled the country.

Mr Abhisit said the Cambodian government declined to follow international practice by rejecting Thailand's request for extradition even though the two countries had signed a treaty covering such action.

The Thai premier said he had given the Cambodian letter to the Office of the Attorney General to consider and explore other legal options to address the matter.

More measures were expected to be implemented to protest the Cambodian move, he said, adding that the government would review assistance and bilateral cooperation, but without measures that could affect the people-to-people relations of the two countries.

Mr Abhisit reiterated that Thailand has no policy to close the border but would implement more strict measures on Thai gamblers who crossed the border to gamble in casinos on Cambodian soil.

The government did not want to end the row by using the military action as it was unnecessary, he affirmed, adding that the kingdom also did not want to bring this diplomatic spat into a wider arena such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or ask a third country to mediate as it was a bilateral issue. He believed the problem could end through diplomatic mean.

He also believed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Singapore in which Thailand and Cambodia will participate could run smoothly.

ASEAN and US will hold a summit on November 15 after the APEC meeting.

The ASEAN-US meeting will be co-chaired by Mr Abhisit and US President Barack Obama. Thailand serves as the ASEAN chair until the end of the year.

As the news reports that Mr Thaksin offered to mediate to mend the rift between Thailand and Cambodia, Mr Abhisit said Mr Thaksin had done everything to protect his own interests and had caused serious problems for Thailand. Therefore how could he become a mediator.

The Associated Press (AP) news agency quoted a statement from Cambodia's foreign affairs ministry which said that the request to detain Mr Thaksin for extradition would not be honored because the legal case against him was politically motivated, and therefore not covered by the two countries' extradition treaty.

The statement also noted that the request to detain Mr Thaksin for extradition would not be honoured because the legal case against him was politically motivated, and therefore was not covered by the countries' extradition treaty.

Mr Thaksin, ousted in bloodless coup in September 2006, stepped off his personal aircraft in Phnom Penh on Tuesday for a lecture to some 300 Khmer economists on Thursday as his first assignment after being appointed as economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

The Thai foreign ministry's Information Department Director-General Wimol Kidchob noted that Cambodia said briefly in the letter that it could not comply with Thailand's request because it was political issue, not a criminal offense.

Ms Wimol, as ministry spokeswoman, said the ministry's legal team will thoroughly examine the wording and reasons provided in the document in Cambodia's denial of the request before considering any further move.

In related development, Ms Wimol said that Thai Ambassador to London Kitti Wasinondh had written to editor James Harding of the Times informing that the Richard Lloyd Parry’s article on November 9 which included the interview of Mr Thaksin was contains points of misinformation and misunderstanding concerning the role of the Thai monarchy and status of Mr Thaksin.

The letter said the King is above politics and does not take sides.

The ambassador stated in the letter that Mr Thaksin is neither Thailand’s current opposition leader nor a leader in exile, but a person who is choosing to stay aboard to avoid a two-year jail term resulting from a finalised corruption case.

The ambassador also requested the Times to publish the letter. (TNA)

Read more.............!

Cambodia rejects demands to extradite Thaksin

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (C-R), Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (C), Bun Rany Hun Sen (C-L) and Hun Sen's family pose for picture at a house that Hun Sen prepared for Thaksin in Phnom Penh, on November 10. Thaksin arrived in Cambodia to start work as a government economic adviser, fuelling tensions between the two countries after a series of border clashes.

(AFP/HO)

Wednesday, 11 November 2009
By Cheang Sokha and James O'Toole
Phnom Penh Post

Move to further deepen diplomatic rift with Thailand

CAMBODIA rejected a formal request Wednesday by the Thai government for the extradition of visiting former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces a two-year prison term in Thailand after his conviction in absentia on corruption charges in 2008.

In a statement that followed through on a verbal promise the government has made repeatedly over the last few weeks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would not extradite Thaksin because the legal charges he faces in Thailand are “politically motivated”.

“The condemnation of HE Thaksin Shinawatra is logically the consequence of the military coup d’etat in September 2006, which resulted in his removal from the post of prime minister, while he was overwhelmingly and democratically elected by the Thai people,” the statement read.

Thai Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said Thailand was mulling its options in the wake of the rejection.

“We have received a copy of the diplomatic note that the Cambodian side has sent to us and at the moment, our legal people are examining the details and the contents of the letter,” Thani said, adding that this legal team would then make a policy recommendation for the government to consider.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has threatened to terminate the extradition agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in the event that a request for Thaksin is denied, though Thani said his government has not yet settled on a response.

“I think a review of all the agreements that we have is being examined. I don’t want to prejudge what the outcome of that review will be,” he said.

Read more.............!

Thailand cites Thaksin in nixing oil agreement

Wednesday, 11 November 2009
By Steve Finch
Phnom Penh Post

Thai cabinet backs move to scrap 2001 deal on overlapping area, claiming former PM would undermine Bangkok’s position

Photo by: NATHAN GREEN
A motorbike rider fills up with fuel Tuesday at a Thai-owned PTT petrol station in Phnom Penh.

THE Thai cabinet moved Tuesday to cancel a memorandum of understanding agreed with Cambodia in 2001 aimed at solving overlapping claims in the Gulf of Thailand, reasoning that Thaksin Shinawatra’s appointment as an economic adviser to the Kingdom undermined Bangkok’s negotiating position.
Panitan Wattanyagorn, a Thai cabinet spokesman, told the Post Tuesday that the agreement would be cancelled “for the time being” subject to Thai parliament approval.

The cabinet decision would now head to the Thai parliament “as soon as possible”, he said, adding that it might not be passed this year due to the chamber’s full schedule up to the end of next month.

Thailand’s decision to cancel the agreement, which relates to a 26,000-square-kilometre area in the Gulf of Thailand, has been portrayed in the media as a tit-for-tat response by Bangkok to Thaksin’s appointment, as bilateral ties have become strained in recent weeks.

Panitan said Tuesday that Bangkok had a right to cancel the agreement, given that Thaksin was prime minister of Thailand when it was signed on June 18, 2001, meaning he could share his considerable knowledge on the subject with the other side – Cambodia.

Thaksin “knew extensive details of the negotiations, and now he’s on the other side of the table”, he said. “We have to protect our own interests.”
The proposal, first made at the end of last week by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the subject of discussions within the cabinet in Bangkok as well as the office of the council of state, the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Commission and the ministry’s department of treaty and legal affairs before the decision was made, a report by the official Thai News Agency said Tuesday.

In response to the proposal Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Bangkok’s actions regarding the agreement would undermine confidence that international agreements would be respected by Thailand.

“You cancelled agreements. … Such agreements are the inheritance of states,” he said.

Proving Thailand’s point
Panitan said Tuesday that Thailand was legally within its rights to cancel the agreement on the disputed area, and that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs would publish a full report today that would clarify and justify the decision.

“We have the right to cancel the MoU,” he said.

Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Cambodian Council of Ministers, Tuesday accused Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of playing populist internal politics – a regular charge against Thaksin prior to his ouster in a September, 2006 coup – that would ultimately only undermine the country’s position on the world stage.

“Thailand needs energy to further its economic growth,” he said, adding that Cambodia “would hold its patience” on the long dispute over the area.
Signed in 2001, the agreement established a framework for discussions on the disputed area with the aim of a joint agreement being finalised that would lead to the sharing of energy production from the zone, which is thought to be rich in fossil fuels.

Both sides have allocated blocks within the disputed area. Cambodia is in the final stages of negotiations to allocate Area III to French energy giant Total, a deal that has been long delayed. The firm’s negotiator, Jean-Paul Precigout, was not available Tuesday for comment on progress.
Te Duong Tara, director general of the Cambodia National Petroleum Authority, was also not available.

The government recently opened bidding for Area IV, also in the disputed zone. Chevron and Mitsui of Japan were reported to have made offers, although no final decision has been announced.

Read more.............!

Trade with Thailand immune to border row

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (R) speaks with Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen during their meeting in Phnom Penh November 10, 2009. Thaksin, wanted at home for a graft conviction, arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday to take up a job offer from the government that has set off a diplomatic row with Bangkok. Sen has made Thaksin an economic adviser to his government and offered him a home in his country. Thaksin is set to brief more than 300 Cambodian economic experts at the Ministry of Economy and Finance on November 12 in the capital.

REUTERS/Stringer (CAMBODIA POLITICS BUSINESS CONFLICT)

Wednesday, 11 November 2009
By May Kunmakara
Phnom Penh Post

THAI-Cambodian border trade continued as normal despite the escalating war of words between the two countries in the wake of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent decision to appoint his ousted Thai counterpart Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Friday his government would “maybe seal off all border checkpoints”, if Cambodia did not reverse its decision. Both countries also recalled their ambassadors last week, and tensions were ratcheted up further Tuesday as Thaksin landed in Phnom Penh.

Koh Kong provincial Governor Yuth Phouthang said Tuesday that traders continued to operate normally. Construction materials, processed foods and fruit were making the daily journey across the border from Thailand, while Cambodia continued to export fish and agricultural products, he said.

He added that Thailand would be the hardest hit by any closure as most traded goods emanated from there. “If the border closed, we won’t see any bad impact on us because Thailand mostly exports,” he said.

Thailand’s exports to the Kingdom were worth just over US$1 billion in the first eight months of the year, a drop of 30.29 percent on the same period last year, according to figures from the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

In Banteay Meanchey province, Kim Heng, deputy chief of Immigration Police at the Boeung Trakoun checkpoint, also said activity had continued unchanged.

Thai cabinet spokesman Panitan Wattanyagorn moved to defuse the situation Tuesday. “We have no plan to close the border,” he told the Post.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STEVE FINCH

Read more.............!

Russia refuses to cancel debt

Wednesday, 11 November 2009
By Khouth Sophakchakrya
Phnom Penh Post

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

National Assembly President Heng Samrin greets officials at Phnom Penh International Airport after his return from a six-day state visit to Russia.

THE Russian Federation has refused to wipe out over a billion dollars of Cold War-era debt, despite National Assembly President Heng Samrin’s appeals to senior Russian officials during his recent six-day visit to the country.
Cheam Yeap, a senior lawmaker for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party who accompanied Heng Samrin on the trip, said Tuesday that Russian officials have not yet accepted the government’s bid to cancel the debt, which totals around US$1.5 billion. The money was borrowed from the Soviet Union in the 1980s for the purchase of military equipment during Cambodia’s decade-long civil war.

Cambodia requested debt cancellation from Russia in 2006 and 2008, but was unsuccessful both times.

“We made an effort to convince them by saying that China cancelled $300 million of a $5 billion debt and the IMF canceled a debt of $82 million. But they said nothing,” he said.

The delegation travelled to Moscow and St Petersburg, where they met with Sergey Mironov, chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Federal Assembly and other government representatives to discuss a potential air route linking Moscow with Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

He added that Russia’s deputy prime minister and investors from the country will visit Cambodia on November 15 to investigate a possible dam project.

“They will look into investing in a hydropower project in Stung Treng that will be able to produce 980 megawatts of electricity,” he said.

Read more.............!

King Father wants PM to look into VN border

Wednesday, 11 November 2009
By Meas Sokchea
Phnom Penh Post

KING Father Norodom Sihanouk (pictured) has written letters urging Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior officials to examine opposition party allegations that Vietnamese authorities are encroaching on Cambodian soil.

The letters follow Cambodian and Vietnamese officials’ criticism of opposition leader Sam Rainsy for uprooting six markers along the countries’ loosely defined border in October.

Sihanouk’s letters urged officials to “consider” Sam Rainsy’s allegations. On Saturday, the opposition leader wrote a letter to the King Father, saying that villagers along the border in Svay Rieng province’s Chantrea district were losing valuable farmland to Vietnam.

Var Kimhong, the government’s senior minister in charge of border affairs, declined comment, noting only that Sam Rainsy’s letter mentions that villagers uprooted border posts – omitting his own involvement.

Read more.............!

Thailand receives Cambodia's denial of extraditing Thaksin

Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) meets with ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (L) at his house in the Kamdal province, near the outskirts of Phnom Penh November 11 ,2009. Thailand formally asked Cambodia on Wednesday to extradite fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin in a widening diplomatic row that threatens to worsen Thailand's political crisis. Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh submitted the request for extradition a day after he arrived in Cambodia to take up a job as economic adviser to the Cambodian government, a move that has infuriated the Thai authorities. The diplomatic spat looks set to undermine any attempt by Southeast Asian leaders to project a united front in talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday in Singapore, the first-ever meeting between a U.S. leader and all 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) REUTERS/Stringer

(CAMBODIA POLITICS)

BANGKOK, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand has already received a copy of an official denial letter from the Cambodian government to extradite ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand, Thai Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Vimon Kidchob told Xinhua Wednesday.

Earlier in the morning, Thailand submitted a letter to Cambodia' s government requesting the country to extradite Thaksin to Thailand.

However, the ministry could not explain in details about the official denial from Cambodia, the spokeswoman said.

"Involved legal divisions are now looking at the details of the official denial letter from Cambodia," the spokeswoman said.

Asked for the next movement to be made by Thailand, the spokeswoman said the involved legal divisions will consider the denial letter of Cambodia prior to suggesting for the next movement by Thailand.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Wednesday it is not easy to ask Cambodia to extradite Thaksin to Thailand, Thai News Agency reported.

The Thai government has not had any other special means, apart from the diplomatic practice in asking Cambodia to extradite Thaksin.

Meanwhile, the International Police can report only about Thaksin's movement to the Thai government, Suthep said.

The government announced Tuesday that apart from the ASEAN member countries, the International Police together with others in the international community have been asked to closely monitor Thaksin's movement and to arrest him immediately and send Thaksin to Thailand.

Also, Suthep said he is worried about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's giving interview to media since through media interview Hun Sen has challenged Thailand to close the Thai-Cambodian border.

But, Thailand will not use emotion to make any decision on the Thai-Cambodian border, Suthep said.

Thailand and Cambodia have downgraded their diplomatic relations due to conflict over the appointment of Thaksin as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government on Nov. 4.

A day after the appointment of Thaksin, the Cambodian government announced recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.

Thaksin, who arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday, will on Thursday hold a briefing with over 300 Cambodian economics experts at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Hun Sen said earlier.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September 2006, in accusation of corruption, and has been kept in exile since then.

He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges, but later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.
Editor: Zhang Xiang

Read more.............!

Interview: Thai-Cambodia tensions - 11Nov 09

Read more.............!

Bangkok regrets Cambodia's refusal : Abhisit

By The Nation

Thaksin should have realised that he had caused problems between Thailand and Cambodia.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (pictured) said Wednesday he regretted Cambodian government did not adhere to the international laws by rejecting Thai request to send ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra back to serve two-year jail term.

Thai Foreign Ministry will however re-submitted the extradition request to Cambodia soon.

Abhisit was speaking after Thai officials of Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh submitted extradition papers to Cambodia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday only to be handed back the documents.

"Thai government will review more mutual cooperations following the incident. We will restrict more on border crossing to prevent people from crossing to gamble in casinos on the Khmer soil," he said.

However he said he wanted to insist that there would be neither closure of the border nor use of force.

Thaksin should have realised that he had caused problems between Thailand and Cambodia, Abhisit said.

Commenting on reports that Hun Sen refused to extradite Thaksin because he did not trust Thai justice system, Abhisit said Hun Sen may be misinformed.

Abhisit also reiterated that the problem could be solved on a bilateral basis and it would be escalated to Asean forum.

Read more.............!

Cambodian stubbornness raises tensions

Ambassador Prasas Prasavinitchai left Cambodia on 5th November 2009, after recalled.

Published: 11/11/2009

Bangkok Post

The Cambodian government's refusal to acknowledge a Thai protest played a part in Bangkok's decision to recall its ambassador and downgrade relations with Phnom Penh.

The Foreign Ministry summoned Cambodian ambassador You Aye to the ministry to accept a formal letter of protest the day after Thaksin Shinawatra's appointment as an adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was announced last Wednesday.

But the envoy neither appeared in person nor sent a representative to receive the protest.

The ambassador's action was seen as unacceptable as it demonstrated Phnom Penh's lack of concern over the matter.

Thai ambassador to Cambodia, Prasas Prasasvinitchai, was ordered to return to Thailand that day.

Phnom Penh then recalled You Aye, who travelled back to her country by car on Friday.

The government has now gone a step further by terminating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the disputed maritime boundary dividing the two countries.

The ministry cited "a fundamental change in circumstances" under the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of the Treaties as the basis for the revocation. The convention states: "A party may claim that a treaty should be terminated, even without an express provision, if there has been a fundamental change in circumstances. Such a change is sufficient if unforeseen, if it undermined the 'essential basis' of consent by a party, if it radically transforms the extent of obligations between the parties, and if the obligations are still to be performed."

It is applicable in this case as Thaksin's appointment as an economic adviser will give Cambodia an undue advantage in future negotiations. Thaksin's administration was involved in drawing up the MoU. The document was signed in 2001 when he was prime minister.

Thailand believes Cambodia has violated an objective of the MoU whereby the two sides agreed to jointly develop the area and delimit the overlapping maritime zone together under a clause saying the two things are "an indivisible package".

The Foreign Ministry's legal experts met on Sunday to discuss Thailand's decision to terminate the MoU. The meeting decided the move was possible.

They briefed Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on his return from the Japan-Mekong summit in Japan.

Yesterday's cabinet decision to terminate the MoU will require parliamentary endorsement. If approved, it will be the first time Thailand has unilaterally revoked a treaty with another country.

Read more.............!

Thai govt won’t use security law against PAD

Published: 11/11/2009

Bangkok Post

The government has no plan to invoke the Internal Security Act to control the planned mass gathering of supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Sunday, acting police chief Gen Pateep Tanprasert said on Wednesday.

Pol Gen Pateep earlier this morning met with Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban to discuss plan to deal with the yellow-shirt demonstration.

“Police believe the Sunday demonstration by PAD supporters will be peaceful,” the acting police chief said. Mr Suthep directed him to refrain from the use of force against the protesters.

Pol Gen Pateep it had not yet been decided how many police would be be deployed during the rally.

The PAD said in its statement on Tuesday that it would stage a major rally on Nov 15,to show dissatisfaction with Cambodia's appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser and Thaksin's interview with The Times online about the monarchy.

The demonstrators would send a message to the world community that Thai people were loyal to the monarchy and denounce Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Thaksin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for having trodden on the dignity and integrity of Thailand, said Suriyasai Katasila, PAD coordinator.

Read more.............!

CAMBODIAN MAN ARRESTED WITH OVER 2000 PILLS CONCEALED IN FLIP-FLOPS

Updated: [November 11, 2009 ]
Pattaya Daily News

Navy officers from the Sattahip region have arrested a Cambodian national in possession of over 2000 pills of the class-1 drug Ya-Ba on Tuesday. The navy officers were acting off a tip given to them by Frontier Border Patrol officers from the crossing at Baan Laem, Janthaburi.

Sattahip, the 10th of November, 2009 (PDN): Navy Major General Reungrit Bunsongprasert from the Sattahip Navy Center, along with an extraordinary joint force team of over 10 officers came together in an effort to rid the area of a major drug dealer. The brief was to set up a meet with the dealer under the pretence of doing a deal, were subsequently the arrest would be made and information gathered on his accomplices. It was known to officers that the Cambodian man had been smuggling the drugs across the Thai-Cambodian border at the crossing of Baan Laem in Janthaburi.

After an extensive investigation it was discovered that two Cambodian nationals a Mr Wanna Leng age 34 (already apprehended, for selling drugs) and a Mr Long Wannark age 27, where being used to deal drugs in the Sattahip area by a third man, known only as Mr Nad age 40. Mr Nad is believed to have come across the border at Janthaburi with a large quantity of the class-1 drug Ya-Ba, (over 2,000 pills). It was also discovered that Mr Long Wannark had been selling the drugs off to smaller Thai dealers in the Sattahip area, so the joint taskforce decided to act.

Undercover officers set-up an appointment to meet Mr Nad out the front of the Nok Yang karaoke bar on the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi Sukhumvit 13 roads, Sattahip. At the meet officers noticed a black Volvo (unknown plates) dropping off a man now known to be Mr Long Wannark the dealer used by Mr Nad. Officers quickly gave the signal to the hidden force that he was the target. After a brief chase Mr Long Wannark was apprehended with 2,120 orange Ya-Ba pills and a further 20 green Ya-Ba pills all contained within the soles of his flip-flops, Mr Nad did not appear at the scene.

After extensive interrogation Mr. Long Wannark declared that he was employed by Mr. Nad - a major drug dealer in the region of Janthaburi - to deliver over 2,000 amphetamines in the area of Sattahip. The agreed amount for Mr Long Wannark’s services was 20,000 Baht. Mr. Wannark further declared that he had performed a similar service for Mr Nad on one other occasion without managing to be apprehended. Mr Wanna Leng had previously divulged to officers that the drug deals usually consisted of over 2000 pills at between 120-150 Baht each (240,000 – 300,000 baht total cost). In order to receive delivery of the drugs the smaller Thai dealers needed to place an amount of money in the region of 200,000 baht into Mr Nad’s account, bringing the remainder of the money to the meet where the exchange would take place.

Navy Major General Reungrit Bunsongprasert stated that the problem of illegal Cambodian drug dealers in the Sattahip area was becoming an increasing problem. The smaller Thai drug dealers preferred to do business with the Cambodians over their Thai counterparts due to the product being sold at nearly half the price for the same amount. The two Cambodian’s arrested have been charged with supply and possession of a Class-1 drug and remain in custody awaiting trail. Mr Nad’s whereabouts are as yet unknown. The joint taskforce is continuing to investigate the situation in an attempt to eradicate the Cambodian drug influence in the Sattahip area.

Read more.............!

Preah Vihear held to ransom by Thai domestic politics

Op-Ed by Khmerization
10th November, 2009

“The Preah Vihear issue is increasingly in danger of becoming a “lost cause” by the day. Therefore, the longer the border conflict drags on, the more Cambodia gain to lose.”

The continued and escalated diplomatic row between Cambodia and Thailand has seen Mr. Hun Sen being demonised and condemned as the instigator of the conflict from all circles of the Thai political spectrum. Strong and unfair condemnations often came from influential people of Thai hardline politicians and political commentators. Newspaper editorials in Thailand, in the English-language as well as the Thai-language press, have all launched scathing personal attacks and put the blames for the bickering squarely on Mr. Hun Sen, forgetting about the preludes and the precursors to the current diplomatic confrontation.

But before launching carpet condemnations, one must examine the root cause of the conflict first. The current diplomatic spat was caused by Thai internal politics which culminated into border conflict with Cambodia. The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which was strongly backed by the Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, used the Preah Vihear issue to depose the Samak-Noppadon and Somchai Wongsawat government, which was a proxy of Mr. Thaksin. The PAD stoked nationalistic fervour and the border dispute flared up which culminated into Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear areas. As a goodwill gesture, instead of using the military and international diplomatic options, Mr. Hun Sen opted for bilateral talks to resolve the issue peacefully, however to no avail due to Thai insincerity and obstinacy.

Furthermore, the incessant taunting of Mr. Hun Sen from the PAD and certain Thai politicians have certainly contributed to the present diplomatic tensions that reached the level we’ve seen today. Since the coup d’etat that toppled Mr. Thaksin in 2006, many Thai politicians and political commentators have all used Mr. Thaksin, Preah Vihear and Mr. Hun Sen as their convenient punching bags for their domestic political consumption. Comments from certain prominent Thai politicians like the current Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya who called Mr. Hun Sen “nak leng” (gangster) and vowed “to use Hun Sen’s blood to clean his feet” have built up tensions which have certainly played a big part in the lead up to the present diplomatic war of words.

While I strongly disagreed with Mr. Hun Sen for appointing Mr. Thaksin that sparked the latest diplomatic tit-for-tat, I can understand his frustration over the continued occupation of the Preah Vihear areas by the Thai army and the deliberate attempt by Thai politicians and parliament to stall the progress of the border resolution by delaying the ratification of the agreements. Fair-minded people would have known that the Thai occupation of the Preah Vihear areas was the root cause of the present diplomatic war. The Thai tactics have frustrated Mr. Hun Sen and their continued patronising policy has exhausted all his patience and pushed him to the brink like a cornered dog who will bite back and bite back hard, when cornered.

While Mr. Hun Sen has been smeared and labelled a troublemaker by the Thai media, the Thai side has not been innocent either. The reckless macho-man-like behaviours of the Thai government by over-reacting and flexing its diplomatic muscles is nothing short of arrogance and a standover tactics. By recalling its ambassador, revoking MoU of maritime border agreements, the threats of border closures and the cancellations of joint projects with Cambodia, Thailand, believing in its superiority complex, has embarked on a collision cause with Mr. Hun Sen with the aim of teaching its poorer and weaker neighbour a hard lesson. The Thai leaders must have known that Mr. Hun Sen is an autocratic strongman who wielded unchallenged powers in Cambodia. These sorts of Thai tactics will not make him budge, but only make him more determined and stronger.

Many Cambodians see the cancellation of the maritime border agreements as a positive step for Cambodia’s border woes. Many Cambodian critics of Mr. Hun Sen claimed that the “26,000 km2 overlapping areas” are actually Cambodian territorial waters under the 1907 treaty. By cancelling the agreements singed in 2001, Thailand has given Cambodia ammunitions to take the case to the international forums, should Cambodia chooses to do so. And the loss from border closures will be mutual. But Thai businesses, rather than Cambodian, will bear the greatest brunt of the closures and will be at the losing end because Thai businesses have invested heavily in Cambodia, especially in telecommunications, hotels, casino and constructions. Furthermore, Thailand gains to lose more than $2 billion in trades surplus with Cambodia.

The continued diplomatic spat has served no purpose for the two people and nations. Prolonged dispute, especially when diplomatic channels have been shut, can escalate into a larger and more dangerous confrontation. The sooner it can be de-escalated or ceased altogether, the sooner for the resumption of land border and maritime border talks to take place.

Both Thai and Cambodian leaders should cease this diplomatic bickering now and concentrate on resolving the more confronting and challenging problems of border conflict. The Preah Vihear issue is increasingly in danger of becoming a “lost cause” by the day. Therefore, the longer the border conflict drags on, the more Cambodia gain to lose.

Read more.............!

Cambodia will reject Thaksin's extradition

Mr. Thaksin, his brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat (seated right) and his sister (seated left) with Mr. Hun Sen's family at his home.

By Khmerization

A Cambodian government spokesman said Cambodia will reject any request to extradite Mr. Thaksin to Thailand, saying that he is a political victim and not a criminal fugitive, reports Radio Free Asia.

Mr. Phay Siphan, Council of Ministers spokesman, also said that Cambodia will give a warm welcome to Mr. Thaksin during his stay in Cambodia. He also indicated that Mr. Thaksin had already had a very cordial dinner with PM Hun Sen. "His Excellency Thaksin had already arrived in Cambodia and this is an honour for Cambodia in relations to the economic sector and we hope that the Cambodian (people) across the country well welcome him warmly", he said.

Mr. Phay Siphan said Mr. Thaksin will probably stay for three days in Cambodia, but refused to disclose the exact location of his whereabouts. He only said that Mr. thaksin will give lectures to about 300 Cambodian economic experts at the Ministry of Finance on 12th November in order to fulfill his role as Cambodia's economic advisor.

Asked whether Cambodia will extradite Mr. Thaksin or not, he said as both countries had recalled their ambassadors, it would be very difficult to send extradition documents between the two countries. "We believe that Thailand had every rights to send extradition documents to request the Cambodian government to extradite (Mr. Thaksin). But it is regrettable that Mr. Abhisit had withdrawn his ambassador, so through which channels can the documents be sent?", he added.

He, however, said that Cambodia will not extradite Mr. Thaksin to face prosecution in Thailand because Cambodia considers him to be a political victim and not a criminal.

Read more.............!

Cambodia reacts to request to annul 1907 Franco-Thai Treaty

Var Kimhong (r) shook hand with Thai negotiator Mr. Vasin Teeravechayan during border meeting in Phnom Penh on 6-7 April 2009.

By Khmerization

Var Kimhong, Cambodia's chief border negotiator, reacted to the Thai People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) demand for the annulment of the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty by saying that the act will contravene international laws, reports Radio Free Asia.

Earlier this week, a group of Thai hardline politicians from the PAD had asked the Thai government to cancel the 1907 Treaty and annul the 1:200,000 scale 1907 treaty map produced by France and accepted by the then Thai government. Mr. Kimhong said the Thai government cannot annul the treaty and the map because the International Court of justice in 1962 had accepted and used the treaty and the map to reach its verdict which gave ownership of Preah Vihear and the surrounding areas to Cambodia.

He said: "Now the Abhisit government doesn't recognise the 1907 Treaty? He cannot say like that because the International Court of Justice in The Hague had already given its verdict and the Thai side had already recognised the 1962 verdict which used the 1907 and the Dangrek maps which Thailand accepted in 1907...So it means that they do not accept the court's verdict. As a member of the United Nations, Thailand cannot do like that. In accordance with the letter from Mr. Tharit Komman (Thai Foreign Minister) in 1962, he accepted the verdict after the court decided. The Thai side has to recognise the court's verdict in relations to Preah Vihear. I don't know what they think about (international) laws, it is difficult, because they have accepted the verdict already. Furthermore, we have worked together until we achieved an MoU and in 2003 we all have made it very clear to each other that we will use the (1907 Franco-Siamese treaty) 1:200,000 scale map to delimit the Khmer-Thai borders."

He said Thailand had signed many border agreements with the French colonial ruler such as the 1904 convention and 1907 treaty and the acceptance of the map commissioned by Franco-Siam Mixed Commission and produced by France in 1908. "There were many agreements that recognised the map, so they cannot annul it (the map)", Var Kimhong said.

Read more.............!

Red carpet welcome to Thaksin's new role

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee, Agencies

The Nation, Phnom Penh
Published on November 11, 2009

Ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (C-R) and Khmer PM Hun Sen (C) pose for photos with the latter's family in Phnom Penh Tuesday. Ex-Thai PM Somchai Wongsawat and his wife, Yaowapa, were also present.//epa

Thaksin 'not here to engage in political activities'

Phnom Penh - Fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra received a warm welcome on his arrival in Phnom Penh yesterday to serve as an economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

After his private jet landed at Phnom Penh International Airport in the morning, he was whisked away in a motorcade to Hun Sen's official residence.

Thaksin's first day in the Cambodian capital began with a series of courtesy calls to senior people in the ruling Cambodian People's Party and ended in dinner with Hun Sen and his family.

It is said he was treated to a nine-course meal of various traditional delicacies. According to Thai belief, nine is considered a lucky number.

Thaksin is due to give a lecture to more than 300 Cambodian economists tomorrow.

The former PM's new role in Cambodia has fuelled friction between the two countries, as Thailand wants to seek his extradition in connection with a corruption case but Phnom Penh has clearly said it will not entertain the request.

However, Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Thaksin would only be concentrating on economic matters for the country's development and should not spark any more tension with Thailand.

"He is here for economic reasons, not activities related to politics," he said. "Cambodia does not allow foreign nationals to engage in political activities within our country."

Cambodia wants to live in harmony with her neighbours, he added.

Meanwhile, upon landing in Phnom Penh, Thaksin posted a Twitter message saying he had landed, but was "really homesick".

"Tonight I will dine with P M Hun Sen and his family. I want to reiterate that nation, religion and the monarchy are always on my mind," he wrote.

However, Thaksin's arrival in Phnom Penh angered the Thai government, which retaliated by tearing up the maritime memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries during Thaksin's time. Sources say the government fears that the ex-PM, who knows each and every detail about the pact, might reveal some national secrets to his new boss.

The MoU was signed in 2001 to thrash out matters involving the demarcation of territorial waters and the joint development area in the Gulf of Thailand, where abundant reserves of natural gas are believed to be waiting to be discovered.

Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said the MoU was not meant for Cambodia alone, but would benefit both parties. He added that the agreement had been signed by two nations, and could not be broken by one party.

"It's funny to say that the MoU must be terminated just because Thaksin and Hun Sen have vested interests," Koy Kuong told The Nation yesterday. He added that Cambodia had not yet decided on its response.

However, analysts believe Thaksin's visit has sparked anger and fear that could drag down relations between the two countries and have the borders simmering.

Cheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, a Phnom Penh-based political research organisation, said Hun Sen had obviously factored in the Thai general election expected to be held next year.

"Hun Sen clearly believes the Thaksin group could win the next elections," Vannarith said. "By that time bilateral ties can be rebuilt and the friendship restored."

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, disagreed. "It could boomerang on him," he said. "We Thais might fight among ourselves, but as soon as you have an outsider meddling, we tend to close ranks and turn against it."

Thaksin's move benefits both the ousted leader and his Cambodian host, but could bring the two countries closer to war, analysts have said.

Experts are warning that the two neighbours are now locked in a dangerous game of brinkmanship that could reignite deadly clashes over the Preah Vihear Temple issue. They say the pressure is now on Thailand not to overreact, after it angrily pulled its ambassador from Phnom Penh last week and scrapped the oil and gas exploration deal.

"How bad it gets will depend on whether Abhisit keeps his cool and resists pressure from those who are intent on this conflict escalating," said Michael Montesano, a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

"But if he keeps making announcements of the kind he has made in the past few days then things could get much, much worse," he added.

Analysts said all three parties could lose if the temperature boiled over and fresh clashes erupted.

Hun Sen, with an army that is smaller than Thailand's, is playing a "dangerous game", while Thaksin risks appearing unpatriotic and PM Abhisit Vejjajiva risks ruining his own and Thailand's image on the international stage, analysts warn.

Read more.............!

Letter from Phnom Penh

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on November 11, 2009

Jackie Chan

Phnom Penh's roads are crowded with cars as usual. But these days vehicles have to give way frequently to heavily-guarded motorcades as two famous figures are in town at the same time

One is the world-class martial arts actor from Hong Kong, Jackie Chan, and the other is the fugitive politician from an undisclosed location, but very close, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The two have contrasting backgrounds and intentions but both claim they will speak only good things to Cambodians.

Chan will deliver the keynote address in the Peace Foundation's "Bridges" series on Wednesday. His talk on "Arts and culture as a pathway towards peace" is scheduled to be held at the University of Cambodia.

The next day, former prime minister of Thailand Thaksin will lecture to a forum of some 300 economists from the public sector, hosted by Cambodia's Ministry of Economy and Finance. Thaksin will discuss a "Strategy to Fight the Financial and Economic Crisis" on Thursday.

People in Cambodia expect different things from the two different guest speakers who would appear at different forums for different purposes.

Chan will talk on peace, which Cambodia is about to reach now, while Thaksin will show them how to develop a good economy, which this country is still far from reaching.

Thaksin's arrival in the capital is the talk of the town here. People love to discuss the topic if they know the foreign guest is a Thai.

Immigration officials who usually are not so friendly to journalists gave a quick clearance to Thai reporters who told them that they came to cover Thaksin's story. All media were allowed to witness Thaksin's landing and took pictures when he got off the plane at Pochentong airport. His plane was allowed to park at a military base at the airport.

Heng Ly, a taxi driver, said he liked both Thaksin and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, who he believes could make the Cambodian economy get better.

Thaksin could help Cambodia to become rich like he did for Thailand years ago, he said with high hopes.

Nobody here wants to discuss Thaksin's corruption as they say it's a Thai problem. Cambodians are also familiar with the case but don't want to talk about it now.

Thaksin's presence in Cambodia has raised tensions in Thailand but nothing like that would likely be seen in Phnom Penh as residents here are still friendly with Thais.

A local media colleague said this time is absolutely different from 2003 when a rumour sparked anti-Thai sentiment and an arson attack was launched on the new Thai embassy.

This time Prime Minister Hun Sen has stepped forward and kept the conflict with Thailand only at the government level, he said.

Cambodians know those who stirred up the conflict over Preah Vihear Temple are in the current Thai government and Hun Sen told his citizens that he would deal with those people by himself.

Economic retaliation by Thailand wouldn't be really painful, said Heng Sring, a motorcycle shop owner. "Yes, we import a lot of motorbikes from Thailand but now we have a lot of choices from other countries too," he said.

"We don't expect Thailand to seal the border to block goods but if your government really tries that, we won't get hurt anyway," he said.

Life in Phnom Penh goes on as usual. Ordinary people do not care much about the dickering between the two governments. Hun Sen can deal with it, they say.

Read more.............!

Point of no return

By Noppajak Attanont
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on November 11, 2009

Thakin's arrival in Cambodia crushes hope of late U-turn; visit coincides with rumour of 'war room' in Phnom Penh

Yesterday was the first time Thaksin Shinawatra had come so close to Thailand since he fled the country about a year or so ago. He landed in Phnom Penh at the controversial invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Yet the hero's welcome, the embraces and the elaborate "family" photograph he took with the Cambodian elite may have pushed several issues well past the point of no return.

Already suffering bilateral relations were in even worse shape yesterday as Thaksin and Hun Sen had a celebratory dinner and the Cabinet in Thailand resolved to tear up the memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime claims.

Earlier speculation that Thaksin might decide to make a last-minute U-turn due to political concerns from his main political backers in Thailand was quelled by the presence of his brother-in-law, former PM Somchai Wongsawat, and Somchai's wife Yaowapa in Phnom Penh.

In one of the most tantalising political photos ever taken, Somchai and Yaowapa were seen posing with Hun Sen, his wife and their family members. Hun Sen, shrugging off the fast-deteriorating ties with the Abhisit government, obviously wants everyone to know that Thaksin is the Thai political horse he is betting upon.

Thaksin's private jet landed at Phnom Penh International Airport in the morning and he was escorted to the capital by a convoy of cars under tight security. He suddenly became a media star, with local and foreign reporters scrambling to cover every detail of the visit, which was also featured on television news.

"Thaksin is here for the economy and not activities related to politics. It is an honour for Cambodia's economic sector and we hope that Cambodians nationwide welcome him warmly," Cambodian cabinet spokesman Phay Siphan said.

However, Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party was left suffering from a political backlash at home, so much so that some party members wished he would just thank Hun Sen for the invitation and return to his exile as far away and as soon as possible.

With Hun Sen and Cambodia as a whole being dragged into Thai politics - leaving Thaksin's supporters seething and Hun Sen's supporters worried - the already slim chances of reconciliation have become even slimmer.

Cambodian state television, showing Thaksin and Hun Sen embracing, reported that the Cambodian leader had pronounced him an "eternal friend" and "the best adviser with economic leadership". In return, Thaksin reportedly thanked Hun Sen for offering him the post of an adviser, adding that "nothing could compare" to his excitement over the new job.

Thaksin also plans to visit the famous Angkor Wat temple during his trip, TV reports said.

Hun Sen was also seen hugging Somchai and Yaowapa, whose presence in Phnom Penh coincided with earlier rumours that Thaksin's innermost circle was setting up a "war room" in the Cambodian capital amid concerns that the Hun Sen saga was threatening Thaksin's popularity back home.

There was also the possible complication of a Thai extradition request, although Hun Sen has unequivocally said such a demand from Bangkok would be rejected.

Even before landing in Phnom Penh, Thaksin's future in Thailand looked particularly grim after Times Online published an interview quoting him as calling for a reform in the institution of monarchy. Thaksin strongly denied having criticised the monarchy, but his defiant touchdown in Cambodia is unlikely to help his political predicament.

From his Phnom Penh sanctuary, Thaksin again last night insisted on his loyalty to the Thai monarch and his love for the country. He attacked the Democrats for taking advantage of the "distorted" Times Online report and using it to smear him.

Thaksin said he had "made a mistake" in responding to a question

posed by the British journalist about the succession of the throne, adding that he had simply thought of the rule of succession in general, without thinking of His Majesty's health.

"I want to bang my head against the floor. I forgot that His Majesty was in hospital," he said during a broadcast from Cambodia. "I pray for the King to recover quickly from his illness and remain the guiding light for Thai people for a long time to come."

He said on the Internet-based ThaksinLive radio and People's TV that he had complained in writing to The Times for misinterpreting what he had said and making the headline and lead paragraph in the article offensive to the Thai people. He said he expected the newspaper to rectify the report in a day or two.

As a new economic adviser to the Cambodian government, Thaksin said he would be lecturing Cambodian cabinet members and senior bureaucrats about how to reduce the country's poverty tomorrow.

"I won't come to this country too often. I am afraid the [Thai] government will have no time to work," he said.

But coming just once might be enough to damage many things beyond repair, some observers believe.

Read more.............!

Chavalit: Call a general election now

Published: 10/11/2009
Bangkok Post

The government should call a general election as soon as possible now that it believes its popularity rating is high, Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (pictured) said in an interview with foreign media on Tuesday.

"In fact, I want the government to dissolve the House of Representatives today or tomorrow, since its popularity rating is how so high. This should be done now before major problems occur and become more difficult to solve," he said.

Asked to elaborate on the ''major problems'', Gen Chavalit said the government already has problems with the economy and poverty.

When asked about his readiness to take on the leadership of the Puea Thai Party, Gen Chavalit said his prime objective inreturning to politics was to solve the country's problems - particularly relations with neighbouring countries, conflict among people in society, and southern unrest.

Gen Chavalit was non-committal when asked if he would later take the Puea Thai leadership.

"I have returned for wanting to solve problems. Initially I planned to be a party member only and did not think of becoming a party executive. But, with support from people in the party, I am glad to accept it. However, I do not think I would be party leader or prime minister. My real intention is to work on solving the problems for only one year or one and a half years," Gen Chavalit said.

On the appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Gen Chavalit said this happened because the two are friends. He said he envied Thaksin for having such a good friend.

He had not talked to Thaksin and therefore did not know how long the former Thai prime minister would remain in Cambodia.

On the possibility of Thaksin being extradited, the former prime minister said he had not studied the relevant laws in detail.

Gen Chavalit, however, cited a case in which Thailand turned down Cambodia's request to extradite Sok Yoeun, who was wanted for the alleged attempted assassination of Hun Sen in 1998.

Read more.............!