Arisman spotted by tourists singing in Siem Reap hotel

via Khmer NZ

Published: 14/08/2010

The Department of Special Investigation is working with police to hunt down Arisman Pongruengrong, a hard-line red shirt protest leader, who is reported to have been seen in a hotel in Cambodia.

On Tuesday, Mr Arisman who has fled the terrorism charge against him, was apparently spotted by Thai tourists in the City Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap.

He was reportedly seen among a group of 10 Thai people in a restaurant in the hotel singing songs. DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said DSI officials are working with police to bring Mr Arisman back to Thailand as soon as possible.

The DSI's indictment of 25 red shirt protesters and pro-Thaksin Shinawatra politicians on terrorism charges has prompted state agencies to gear up efforts to bring back those who have fled abroad, including Thaksin, he said.

Two Puea Thai MPs - Jatuporn Prompan and Karun Hosakul - have enjoyed parliamentary immunity from being held by police, but Mr Tharit said that in the wake of their indictments they are now suspects and must appear at the first court hearing scheduled for Aug 16 and also seek a court ruling on bail.

Sirisak Tiyapan, director for international affairs of the Office of the Attorney-General, said the only way to bring Thaksin back is to ask the country where he is now staying to extradite him.

Thaksin is believed to be living in Montenegro in southeastern Europe where he has secured citizenship.