Thaksin to help detained Thai engineer in Cambodia

http://enews.mcot.net/

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

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)