Alleged Thai Spy’s Hearing Today

Tuesday, 08 December 2009 04:33 DAP-NEWS

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

The alleged Thai spy arrested by Cambodia last month is to have a court appearance today at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The alleged spy man will be represented by his new lawyer, Khiev Sambo, after the Phnom Penh Court decided deny bail last week.

A Cambodian opposition MP on Monday said that information from the alleged spy, Sivarak Chutipong, will rock the Thai government when he returns to Thailand after the hearing takes place on December 8.

Sivarak could reveal information that will destabilize the Thai government when he eventually returns to Thailand from Cambodia, Puea Thai MP for Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province Ma Phongam was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post on M?onday.

Sivarak, 31, an employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested on Nov 11 on charges of stealing sensitive state information, fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight plan when he visited Phnom Pehn, and passing it to a Thai diplomat.

“The case is over if the court finds Sivarak innocent. But if he is guilty, a royal pardon will be sought and it would be up to the Cambodian king,” Ma said.

The opposition MP said former prime minister and party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh wanted to help out because he had close ties with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen. He pointed out that the Cambodian government had denounced Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

“This case does not need Thaksin’s help. Gen Chavalit can handle this,” he said.

He repeated claims the party was not indulging political one-upmanship by helping Sivarak, but was intent on helping a Thai in trouble.

“Let’s wait until Sivarak returns. The things he’ll say will, I believe, affect the government’s stability because he is the victim,” Ma said.

Meanwhile, the alleged spy’s mother arrived Phnom Penh on Monday morning to attend the hearing accompanied a Thai Foreign Ministry official and her another son.

An opposition Phue Thai party leader in Thailand last week expressed confidence that the alleged Thai spy detained by Cambodian authorities will be freed after his first hearing next week.