via CAAI
The Nation (Thailand)
Publication Date : 14-01-2011
Cambodia should free the rest of the Thai detainees now that Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and yellow-shirt activist Narumol Jitrawarattana have been released on bail Thursday (January 13), Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya said.
Panich and six yellow-shirt activists, including Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested late last month while allegedly inspecting the disputed border area near Sa Kaew province's Ban Nong Chan town.
They are being prosecuted in Phnom Penh for unlawfully entering Cambodian territory and a military zone. Veera and his aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon face additional charges of espionage.
The Thai embassy covered the bail of one million Cambodian riel or 7,500 baht (US$246) for each individual released from the Prey Sar prison yesterday, and provided them with accommodation. Panich and Narumol need to remain on Cambodian soil so they can appear in court when summoned, Kasit's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.
A request for the bail of all seven Thai nationals was filed on Monday and the court is considering each on a case-by-case basis.
"We want all seven (to be freed on bail) and hope the court makes a decision soon," Kasit told reporters. "Thai people would like to see this incident come to an end soon, because the two countries have many other things to do that are mutually beneficial."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called Panich to provide him moral support and assure him that the government was working hard for their safe release. The Democrat MP did not speak to reporters waiting in front of the Thai embassy, while Narumol allowed his photo to be taken.
Despite Panich and Naurmol getting temporary release, things did not calm down back home as more members of the yellow-shirt Thai Patriots Network joined the rally in front of Government House and the foreign ministry.
They demanded that Abhisit, Kasit, Chavanond and Thai ambassador to Cambodia Prasas Prasasvinitchai step down for failing to secure the detainees' release.
A group of protesters surrounded the foreign ministry, blocking the gates for hours. The ministry's permanent secretary, Theerakul Niyom, instructed officials to leave the premises via a secret door, but the protesters found out and blocked it too.
Theerakul later had a hole dug in the wall so officials could make their way out until the police arrived and negotiated with the protesters.
Later, the yellow-shirt protesters threatened to shut down the border checkpoint at Sa Kaew's Aranyaprathet district if the government did not move to get their colleagues released. This threat was met by more than 1,500 local residents gathering in front of the Aranyaprathet Municipality Office, voicing their opposition to the "patriots" closing the border because it would affect trade and tourism.
Cambodian vendor Huan Sey, who regularly crosses over to make purchases in Aranyaprathet, said Poi Pet residents were worried that the border closure would affect businesses.
"We have more than 100 million baht ($3.28 million) worth of goods in Thai warehouses waiting to cross the border," she said, adding that many of her fellow vendors had decided not to trade Thursday because they were not unsure about the situation.
Commander of the Burapha task force Valit Rojanapakdi, who oversees the border area, also called on the yellow-shirt group to desist from shutting down the border as it could worsen the situation and lead to clashes with local residents. "If they really care for the country, they should not be pressuring the authorities in this manner," he said.
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