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Cambodian court ruling `will not bind Thailand'
Published: 8/01/2011
The upcoming Phnom Penh court ruling on the seven Thais held for allegedly trespassing on Cambodian soil will not bind Thailand on the disputed border, says the prime minister.
Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the ruling, expected on Monday, will concern only the charges against the seven individuals arrested on charges of illegal entry into Cambodia and encroaching on a restricted military area.
``The ruling cannot be used to support any claim by Cambodia over border demarcation,'' he said.
The prime minister also admitted he gave approval for Panich Vikitsreth, a Democrat MP for Bangkok, to look into the problems of Thais living along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Mr Panich is among the seven detained Thais. The six others include Veera Somkwamkid, coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) splinter group; and representatives of the Santi Asoke sect, the PAD's key ally.
Mr Abhisit said a group of Thai citizens had lodged a complaint with the government, saying they could not make use of their land within the disputed border area.
Mr Abhisit said the PAD and Santi Asoke were also concerned about the issue, so Mr Panich volunteered to join them in an inspection of the area.
The PAD and Santi Asoke had been pressuring the government to take a stronger stance toward Phnom Penh over border disputes.
``I don't believe those seven Thais intended to either trespass on or spy in Cambodia,'' said the prime minister.
Mr Abhisit said he wanted the PAD to give a comprehensive statement to the public, particularly regarding the message that the movement has linked the arrests to the 2000 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia.
Mr Abhisit explained that there are both Cambodians and Thais living in the disputed area, but the MoU prevents all of them from owning land there.
If the government revokes the 2000 MoU, as requested by the PAD, Cambodia would be free to manage its side of the disputed area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple, he said.
Cambodia would also get everything it is asking for at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Bahrain, scheduled for the middle of this year, if Thailand withdraws from the committee, which the PAD has also requested, said Mr Abhisit. ``I don't want to see these things happen.''
``Since the PAD views any people who disagree with them as traitors, it is difficult to see how we [the government and PAD] will reach an understanding.''
Meanwhile, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday asked all parties to stop criticising the government over the issue.
He said the criticism could complicate the case, which is now in a Cambodian court in Phnom Penh.
``Don't accuse Thai soldiers of being afraid [of Cambodian soldiers],'' he said.
``We are ready to fire to protect the country's sovereignty if the border line is clear, but since [this] border line is unclear, it must be judged by the law,'' he said.
Gen Prayuth added that people entering the area must seek permission from the authorities.
The demarcation between the 46th, 47th, and 48th border pillar, where the seven Thais were arrested, has not been completed, said the army chief.
Sqn Ldr Prasong Soonsiri, former National Security Council chief and former foreign minister, said the Thai government had been too submissive.
He asked the government to insist that the seven Thais were arrested on Thai territory and not to accept the Cambodian court's verdict if they are found guilty.
``These seven Thais have contributed to society by making the public more aware of border disputes,'' he said.
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