Kasit leaves for Cambodia

via CAAI

Published: 30/12/2010

Online news:

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Thursday flew to Phnom Penh to negotiate for the release of seven Thais, including an MP, arrested on Wednesday for trespassing.

Mr Kasit was accompanied by Thani Thongpakdi, director-general of the Information Department, Mathurapojana Itharong, deputy director-general of the Consular Affairs Department, and high-level Foreign Ministry officials.

The foreign minister said before his departure that he would first look into the circumstances of how Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, People's Alliance for Democracy activist Veera Somkwamkid, and five other Thais were arrested.

Ministry officials had been sent to examine the border point in question so that he could negotiate with Cambodian authorities for their release.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva wants the seven to be released because he had an agreement with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that if people of either side were arrested in connection with the border dispute, the other side could seek the release of its people, he said.

Mr Kasit said he would today meet and talk over the matter with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Mr Panich and his team's trip to the border had nothing to do with the government. The Bangkok MP went there in his capacity as a member of the Joint Border Commission. It was not known whether the team had encroached on the Cambodian soil., he said.

Mr Kasit said he had a reserve plan, in case Cambodia refuses to release the seven Thais.