Govt moves to cool Cambodia protests

via CAAI

Published: 1/01/2011

The government is trying to calm anti-Cambodia sentiment to avoid harming efforts to release seven Thais held in Phnom Penh on charges of trespassing on Cambodian land, a government source says.

Members of the Thai Patriots gather yesterday outside the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok to demand the release of seven Thais being held in Phnom Penh. The protest included burning a coffin with a picture of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. KOSOL NAKACHOL

The source said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been upset by protests by a group linked to the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Members of the Thai Patriots network gathered yesterday in front of the Cambodian embassy on Pracha Uthit Road to demand the immediate release of the seven Thais, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth and PAD co-leader Veera Somkwamkid. They burned a coffin with a picture of Hun Sen on it.

The source said it was feared efforts to secure the release of the seven Thais could be hampered by these activities.

The protesters are vowing to continue their protest until the seven Thais are freed.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry expects the Thais to be tried next week, after which the ministry would ask Hun Sen to consider allowing them to return home. The source said the government had told officials to use GPS technology to pinpoint where the arrests were made.

``We would like to set the facts straight with the group,'' the source said.

``If it is proved the seven trespassed on Cambodian soil, we will ask the group to stop protesting,'' the source said.

First Army commander Udomdej Seetabutr yesterday met Cambodia's 5th military region commander Bun Seng in Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo.

Lt Gen Udomdej told reporters the two men had been unable to reach an agreement.

The 1st Army chief admitted the seven Thais did not ask authorities to escort them when they inspected the disputed border area.

Lt Gen Udomdej said the governments of the two countries must be left to make a decision on the issue. So far, there have been no troop reinforcements on the border from both sides, Lt Gen Udomdej said.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya confirmed yesterday the results of the findings by the Treaties and Legal Affairs Department and the Survey Department showed the seven did stray about one kilometre into Cambodian territory.