‘Thai spy’ to be released

By The Nation
Chavalit undecided whether to pick up Thai engineer

File photo shows Gen Chavalit shakes hands with Camodian PM Hun Sen after a meeting in Phnom Penh in October.

Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has not decided whether he would fly to Cambodia to bring back a Thai engineer charged for spying in Cambodia, his aide Chawaengsak Thongsaluay said on Wednesday.

Chawaensak said he needed time to verify the new reports related to Chavalit.

The Thai press reported from a Cambodia radio programme claiming Chavalit’s involvement, he said.

According to the Cambodian report, Cambodian authorities are expected to try Siwarak Chotipong for spying before granting him a pardon. Then Chavalit is expected to escort him back home.

Thaksin asks for fair treatment of ‘spy’

Published: 18/11/2009
The Bangkok Post

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has posted a message on Twitter saying that he has talked to Cambodian authorities about the Thai man who was arrested on spying charges and the Cambodian government has promised him a fair trial.

“I’ve been in touch with them. They said they would investigate first and will treat him fairly,” he said in his Thai-language posting.

Noppadon Pattama, Thaksin’s legal adviser, said his boss will try his best to ensure Siwarak Chutiphong gets humanitarian support.

The Thai engineer, who was employed by the Samart-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Service, stands accused of obtaining Thaksin’s flight schedule and supplying it to the Thai embassy in Cambodia.

Mr Noppadon said Thaksin had talked to Cambodian senior officials and asked them to ensure fair treatment for Mr Siwarak.

He believed Mr Siwarak’s case would proceed through legal proceedings soon.

He then called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to stop accusing Thaksin of being the cause of Mr Siwarak’s arrest. He said the problem was the inefficiency of the administration of the government.

Thaksin to help detained Thai engineer in Cambodia

BANGKOK, Nov 18 (TNA) - Fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is willing to help the Thai engineer detained in a Cambodian prison as his mother has earlier asked, Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama affirmed Wednesday.

Mr Noppadon commented after the mother of Siwarak Chothipong, detained by Cambodian authorities on spying charges, said through a media interview that she wanted Mr Thaksin to help her son to get out of jail there.

The Thaksin aide said that the former premier has acknowledged her demand and is willing to help on humanitarian grounds, but that it should wait for the Cambodian legal process to unfold first.

“Mr Thaksin reaffirmed that Mr Siwarak will be treated fairly without any prejudice,” the attorney said. “Currently he is considered innocent, but if he is found guilty, the former premier hopes that the Cambodian court will give him mercy.”

Mr Noppadon said that Mr Siwarak’s mother told him to pass her gratitude to Mr Thaksin after being informed about his reaction to the matter.

“It is hard to lean on the government during this period due to diplomatic spat,” said Mr Noppadon, while reaffirming that the former Thai premier is willing to help, but only after the Cambodian court’s ruling.

Mr Noppadon however denied to specify what kind of “humanitarian” help would be extended and how it would help Mr Siwarak, saying only that the detained Thai national will be given mercy by Cambodia despite court ruling.

Ex-premier Thaksin’s legal adviser also refused to give details of the charges but said that he believes the Cambodian authorities had clear evidence before arresting Mr Siwarak.

Some Thai media reported that Mr Thaksin had contacted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asking him to free Mr Siwarak and that opposition Puea Thai Party chairman Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth will fly to accompany him back to Thailand.

Mr Siwarak, 31, an employee of Cambodia Air Traffic Service (CATS), was arrested last week after being accused of giving information about Mr Thaksin’s flight schedule to a Thai embassy official in Phnom Penh. (TNA)

Cambodia won’t drop spy charges

18th November, 2009
The Bangkok Post

Military tries personal appeal to free engineer

Thailand’s hopes of a quick release for Sivarak Chutipong have been dashed.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh said the alleged spy will not be freed any time soon.

In a phone interview with the Bangkok Post, Gen Tea Banh said legal proceedings against the Thai engineer must be allowed to run their course.

Thai military chiefs, including Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, are using their communications channels with Gen Tea Banh to try and help the government secure the release of the Cambodia Air Traffic Services engineer who is being detained in Phnom Penh’s Prey Sar prison.

They hoped the general would convince Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to allow his release.

“I told them I am sorry but that it is not possible,” Gen Tea Banh said. “Lawbreakers must face legal proceedings first. They must face investigations and will be taken to court. They cannot be let off scot-free.

“I don’t know what to do. The law is there and Cambodia must stick to the law … the judicial proceedings must be allowed to take their course. It’s impossible torelease him [Mr Sivarak] straight away.”

Gen Tea Banh said Cambodian authorities had questioned Mr Sivarak and found allegations he illegally obtained information about fugitive former primer minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight schedule had grounds.

Mr Sivarak was arrested on Thursday for allegedly obtaining confidential information about Thaksin’s flight details and supplying it to the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

The Cambodian government expelled the Thai embassy’s first secretary Kamrob Palawatwichai in response.

Both Mr Sivarak and the Thai Foreign Ministry denied the allegations.

Mr Sivarak has not yet been formally charged, said Thani Thongphakdi, deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.

After blocking several attempts to meet the detained Thai, Cambodian authorities yesterday allowed Chalotorn Phaovibul – the highest ranking diplomat at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh – and two other staff to visit Mr Sivarak for 30 minutes.

“He is in good condition and good spirits. He is also being well taken care of by Cambodian authorities,” the deputy spokesman quoted Mr Chalotorn as saying.

Mr Chalotorn has been in charge of the Thai embassy since ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai was recalled in protest over Phnom Penh’s appointment of Thaksin as an economic adviser.

Mr Sivarak spoke with his mother, Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, in Nakhon Ratchasima by phone after being given permission by prison authorities.

Mrs Simarak, who works at Nakhon Ratchasima Technical College, said she was happy to speak to her son for the first time since his arrest and to learn that he was safe.

She appealed to the government to quickly secure her son’s release.

The deputy director-general of the Consular Affairs Department, Madurapochana Ittarong, yesterday visited Mrs Simarak in the northeastern province and offered to help her arrange a visit to see Mr Sivarak in Phnom Penh.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva applauded Cambodia’s decision to allow Thai diplomats to visit Mr Sivarak in prison in accordance with international standards.

Mr Abhisit told Mrs Simarak the government would try its best to secure his release as soon as possible.

“The government hopes he will be released soon following proper legal procedures,” Mr Abhisit said.

Thaksin said on thaksinlive.com, his internet channel, that he had contacted the Cambodian government and asked it to ensure the engineer receives a fair trial.

“If there is anything I can do to help, I’ll do it even though it [the charge] is real,” he said.

The recent deterioration in Thai-Cambodian relations started last month when Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as an economic adviser to his government. Tensions increased when Cambodia rejected Thai requests that Thaksin be extradited.

Foreign Ministry: Thai charged with gaining secret information affecting Cambodia’s national security

BANGKOK, Nov 18 (TNA) – Cambodian authorities filed charges Wednesday against a Thai engineer, accusing him of acquiring secret information which affects Cambodia’s national security, according to the secretary of Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chavanond Intarakomalyasut.

Siwarak Chutipong, 31, an employee of Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested in the Cambodian capital on spying charges last week after he was found releasing the flight schedule of fugitive ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to a Thai embassy official in Phnom Penh.

Mr Chavanond said that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs had prepared a lawyer for Mr Siwarak, but it depends on him whether he wants to use the ministry’s or his personal lawyer.

He said the ministry is now preparing legal materials to help the defendant against the Cambodian accusations, but that will be done under Cambodian legal procedure.

Foreign ministry official Thani Thongphakdi, deputy information director, said the ministry has received official notification from Cambodia of the charge, but details cannot be revealed now as the matter is now in court.

Mr Thani said that the foreign ministry is providing a Cambodian lawyer for Mr Siwarak as Cambodian law indicates that only Cambodian attorneys are allowed to represent a client in court.

He said that the lawyer is experienced in human rights issues, adding that the Thai Justice ministry has dispatched its senior officials to help take care of the case.

Following news reports that opposition Puea Thai Party chairman Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth will fly to escort Mr Siwarak back to Thailand, Mr Thani commented that the incident happened due to the visit to Phnom Penh of the convicted ex-premier, and that whoever gives a hand to help Mr Siwarak is doing good, but must not make the story more complicated.

The deputy director-general added that deputy director general of the Consular Affairs Department Mathurapojana Ittharong visited Mr Siwarak’s family in Nakhon Ratchasima province to offer moral support and later took them ready passports for their trip to Phnom Penh to visit the defendant if they are allowed by Cambodian authorities.

Meanwhile, opposition member of parliament Jatuporn Prompan, also a leading member of the co-called ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) revealed that the Cambodian authorities have got three clear pieces of evidence which indicate Mr Siwarak’s guilt and is a danger to Cambodia’snational security.

Mr Jatuporn said the three items of evidence are the flight schedule, an audio clip of conversation between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and the first secretary of Thai embassy to Phnom Penh, and an audio clip in which the first secretary instructed Mr Siwarak to steal Mr Thaksin’sflight schedule.

The Puea Thai MP said that Cambodia considers that Thailand has interfered in its domestic affairs as it considers that the flight schedule is related to its national security.

Mr Jatuporn urged the Thai foreign minister to admit what he had done before the Cambodian authorities expose the audio clip to the public, which he said will destroy Thailand’s credibility, as well as his own.

The Puea Thai MP added that former premier Thaksin has coordinated with Cambodian authorities about the case and has been told that the legal procedure will be rapidly conducted with the minimum punishment.

He said if Mr Siwarak is convicted with a suspension of imprisonment, the Cambodian authorities will inform Gen Chavalit to take the Thai engineer back to Thailand. (TNA)

PM Abhisit: Thai official meets detained engineer; Legal process to be clarified Wednesday

BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) - Legal procedures in the case of the Thai engineer arrested on spy charges by the Cambodian authorities will be clarified Wednesday, Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday, confirming that the Thai charge d’affaires in Phnom Penh met the detained man for the first time in a Cambodian prison and helped him telephone his mother, telling her he is fine.

Siwarak Chothipong, 31, a Thai national employed at Cambodia Air Traffic Service (CATS), was arrested last week after being accused of giving information about ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight schedule to a consular official at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

The Thai premier said that he has talked to Mr Siwarak’s mother who is now deeply concerned for the well-being of her son.

“She told me that she wants to see her son and urges for his release as soon as possible,” said Mr Abhisit.

“What she requested was what the Thai government is trying do to right now.”

Mr Abhisit said there is a chance that Mr Siwarak will be freed, but everything must be conducted within established legal processes. The Thai official there met Mr Siwarak Tuesday and gave him some necessary medicine.

The Thai government is conferring with Cambodian authorities to conform to the Cambodian legal process and is sending a lawyer to help Thai national there, while Cambodia is also following international practice.

Asked how Thailand will respond to Cambodian government claims regarding the Thai engineer’s actions, the Thai premier said that there is still no clarity as to what specific charges have been made. He said he hoped that legal procedures relating to the charges will be clarified on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Thai charge d’affaires in Phnom Penh was allowed to meet Mr Siwarak at a Cambodian prison on Tuesday for the first time since he was detained last week.

The Thai official helped Mr Siwarak telephone his mother, telling her not to worry and that the Cambodian authorities were giving him good care.

The diplomatic falling out between the Thai and Cambodian governments flared up after the Cambodia appointed Mr Thaksin as its economic adviser. The two kingdoms recalled their respective ambassadors in retaliatory actions.

Mr Thaksin visited Cambodia last week to lecture over 300 Cambodian businessmen and economists as his first assignment. The Thai government submitted an extradition request of the fugitive former premier, which was immediately rejected by itsCambodian counterpart. (TNA)

Khattiya admits sneaking across border to meet Thaksin in Cambodia

Maj Gen Khattiya Sawatdiphol admits Monday he had sneaked into Cambodia to meet ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian PM Hun Sen last week. Some criticised his presence with Thaksin as he is still serving in the military.

Maj-General Khattiya Sawatdiphol admitted Monday that he had sneaked into Cambodia to meet former premier Thaksin Shinawatra andCambodian prime minister Hun Sen last week.

The politically active Army specialist better known as “Seh Daeng” said he managed to slip past immigration at the checkpoint by using his connections withCambodian troops along the border.

The Nation

Please save my boy

By Jednipat Chansopeekul
The Nation
Published on November 17, 2009

Mum worried about health of son who has serious heart condition and is detained by Cambodia which alleges he is a spy
Siwarak Chutipong is either a perfect spy or a perfect victim of a dysfunctional diplomacy. A good son who called his mother every week while on a job abroad and a good pal who is well loved by friends, he is – by appearance at least – someone you would least suspect of trying to steal national security information of utmost importance.

His mother, Simarak, does not believe the Cambodians, who have put him in jail for alleged spying, knew something she did not. The woman is strongly convinced her son is a victim in the Thai-Cambodian showdown over Thaksin Shinawatra.

In an interview yesterday with The Nation, Simarak, a teacher at Nakhon Ratchasima Technical College, pleaded with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to help her son, who was still in Cambodian detention yesterday after being charged with stealing Thaksin’s flight schedule.

Contradicting accounts

Adding to her growing concern, Bangkok and Cambodia yesterday gave contradicting accounts over whether her son had been allowed a first visit by a Thai official.

Siwarak, an engineer at Samart subsidiary Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested last week, and those wanting to contact him from the Thai side have been given no access to the man. AlthoughCambodia claimed a visit was allowed yesterday afternoon, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya denied knowledge of such permission. This has aggravated Simarak’s anxiety, because her son has heart problems and needs daily medication.

“We planned to see a doctor during his next vacation to discuss a heart operation, which is the only way to cure his problem,” she said.

“All I want is for the prime |minister to help my son. I can’t and won’t do anything at the moment – until I’m certain there’s no progress, that is.”

Cambodia said a Thai Embassy representative met Siwarak in prison yesterday. But Koy Kuong, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman, provided no other details except that the visit took place at 2pm, while in Bangkok Foreign Minister Kasit told reporters Thai officials had still been unable to see the suspect.

“Since he was arrested, Thai Embassy officials have kept contacting Cambodian officials to |seek permission to visit him, but it has not been granted yet,” Kasit said.

“The visit is an international standard for whoever has been arrested. So far, there is no official charge either. The Thai Foreign Ministry has sent a letter asking, and there has been no reply fromCambodia.”

Siwarak’s plight will feature during today’s Thai Cabinet meeting, among other issues related to the bilateral conflict. Thailand has stood firm on its denial of any attempt to steal classified information and insisted the charges against Siwarak are politically motivated.

Simarak described Siwarak as a “very good son who has never done anything to upset the family”.

“He’s gentle, likeable and has a lot of friends,” she said. “We talk on the mobile phone once or twice a week. He always tells me everything, and I’ve never heard him discuss or debate politics.”

Siwarak, the oldest of Simarak’s two children graduated from |the Suranaree University |of Technology in Nakhon Ratchasima and started working for Samart in Thailand after graduation. Almost 10 years ago, he was sent to work at CATS, which remained his employer on the day he was arrested.

Govt rejects Thaksin’s offer of help

Published: 16/11/2009
The Bangkok Post

The government has rejected an offer from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to ask the Cambodian government to ensure a Thai engineer arrested for spying is fairly treated by the courts.

The offer was conveyed by lawyer Noppadon Pattama (pictured), a close Thaksin associate. He said he had talked the matter over with his boss, who said he was ready to help if asked by theThai government.

He said Thaksin could not be seen as trying to meddle in Cambodia’s justice system and internal affairs, but was willing to ask Cambodia to ensure that the suspect, Siwarak Chothpong31, is fairly treated by the courts and that his relatives be allowed to visit him.

Thaksin’s offer to help was promptly turned down by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said although Thai officials had not been allowed access to Mr Siwarak the government did not need to ask Thaksin for help.

‘In fact, it was him (Thaksin) who caused the problem,” Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister said it was not necessary for him to talk directly with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the telephone over this matter. The Foreign Affairs Ministry was handling it.

Nor was there need for the president of Indonesia to act as mediator.

Mr Abhisit admitted that if Cambodia continued to deny Thailand’s request for access to the uspect, the conflict between the two countries might escalate.

He said he still did not know exactly what the charges are against Mr Siwarak.

Earlier today, Newin Chidchob, de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said Thaksin, who is now economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, should askCambodia to release the Thai engineer.

“Thaksin is trusted by Prime Minister Hun Sen. He should use his close relationship with Cambodia to help the Thai engineer, if he still thinks he represents Thai people and considers himself a Thai person,” Thaksin’s former right-hand man said.

Mr Newin, however, said he would not phone Thaksin to beg for his help.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Wimon Kidchob said Thai charge d’affaires Chalothorn Paovibul had made an official request to visit Mr Siwarak. Mr Chalothorn would like to visit Mr Siwarak himself and meet with Camboldian officials handling the matter.Cambodia had not yet replied to the request, she said.

Mrs Wimon said it was not unusual for Mr Siwarak to personally know the first secretary at the Thai embassy, who has been expelled from Phnom Penh.

She declined to say what action would be taken if Cambodia rejected the request for access to the prisoner.

Yudhoyono: Thailand, Cambodia can still solve border conflict bilaterally

Monday, November 16, 2009
Singapore (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (pictured) has expressed the view that Thailand and Cambodia should solve their border conflict bilaterally without referring it to an ASEAN forum.

In statements at the Marina Mandarin Hotel here on Monday morning before returning to Jakarta after attending a series of APEC meetings here, Yudhoyono said, “In my opinion, there are still opportunities for Thailand and Cambodia to solve their border issue bilaterally, and our foreign affairs minister will maintain communication with their Thai and Cambodian counterparts about the matter,” the president said.

Therefore, he said, Indonesia would wait and see how things between Thailand and Cambodia developed while hoping they could eventually find the best possible way out of their dispute.

“Then, whenever in their discussions they agree there is something positive other ASEAN countries can contribute, we will certainly be ready to do so,” Yudhoyono said.

He said said he had met and talked with both Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen separately on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Singapore.

“I don`t want to take any further steps because I met with the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers in a friendly atmosphere,” Yudhoyono said, adding that at themeetings, he had suggested the two ASEAN member countries solve their border problem bilaterally.

“On the occasion I said it`s better for the two leaders to overcome the problem bilaterally without bringing it to an ASEAN forum or to make it an international issue because it would not be good for ASEAM as a whole,” Yudhoyono said.

Tensions on the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia have existed for some years but they increased since July last year, after Unesco granted world heritage status to the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

The dispute led to violence last April when soldiers of the two countries clashed twice near the ancient temple where two Thai soldiers and two Cambodian soldiers died in the fighting while nine Thai soldiers were wounded.