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Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Cambodia sentences Thais to lengthy prison terms over border

via CAAI

By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH | Tue Feb 1, 2011 9:18pm IST

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian court on Tuesday handed down jail terms of eight and six years to two Thai activists who were found guilty of trespassing and spying, a verdict that could raise political tension in neighbouring Thailand.

The decision could add momentum to a small but prolonged protest by Thailand's "yellow shirt" activists angered by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's diplomatic approach to dealing with a long-running border dispute with Cambodia.

Relations with Cambodia have become a bone of contention in long-running hostility between Thai political factions with the pro-establishment yellow shirts accusing their bitter foe, ousted former populist premier Thaksin Shinawatra, of colluding with Cambodia to Thailand's detriment.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has also used age-old rivalry with Thailand for his domestic interests.

The Cambodian court verdict also raises concerns about instability along the militarised border between the two countries. Both governments have had heated rows in recent years that have led to deadly skirmishes between troops.

Veera Somkwamkid, leader of a splinter faction of the yellow shirts, and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, were among seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec. 29, when they entered a disputed border area.

The court in Phnom Penh sentenced Veera to eight years and Ratree, six years, for trespassing into the Cambodian territory, illegally entering a military zone and espionage.

"The decision is not acceptable," Veera told reporters. "There is no justice. We will fight this in a higher court."

The five other arrested Thais included a parliamentarian from Abhisit's ruling Democrat party. They were found guilty of trespassing late last month and were released after being given a suspended sentence.

The yellow shirts, formally known as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), have demanded Abhisit revoke a decade-old Memorandum of Understanding with Cambodia aimed at resolving border disputes.

Protest leaders earlier said Abhisit had not done enough to secure the release of the two convicted Thais and accused him of risking a loss of Thai sovereignty by failing to evict Cambodians from the disputed land.

POLITICAL MOTIVES?

The PAD has been demonstrating close to Abhisit's office since Jan. 25 and has until recently backed the premier. But they are now fed up with Abhisit's approach to border issues.

It now has a political party of its own, New Politics, but it has failed to garner much support and is expected to struggle in an election Abhisit insists will take place this year.

The PAD takes credit for helping Abhisit's rise to power having held crippling protests since 2005 against governments led or backed by Thaksin.

Thaksin's supporters, who wear red shirts, staged big and bloody protests against Abhisit's government in Bangkok last year. Tension has simmered since soldiers cracked down to end the protests in which about 90 people were killed.

Charnvit Kasertsiri, a prominent political historian in Thailand, said the border issue was once again being used to push political agendas and stoke nationalist fervour.

"This issue has been used for domestic political purposes on both sides of the border for decades. The question is: Why are they doing it again now and whether it would spill over into military skirmishes," he said.

The two governments have shown restraint in their handling of the issue, but rumours have swirled in the past week of live drills and troop reinforcements near the border. The talks has been denied by both armies, which say they are simply on alert.

"This is what both sides need to watch," Charnvit said. "This sort of rhetoric could spiral out of control and could also force the governments' hand to act if they felt threatened by changing public opinion and action on the other side."

Another standoff could play to the advantage of the royalist PAD, whose protest numbers have dwindled to the hundreds having peaked at about 4,500 a week ago.

Their return has sparked talk of a military coup, which the military and government has dismissed. Sustained PAD rallies in 2006 led to a bloodless putsch against Thaksin.

(Writing and additional reporting by Ambika Ahuja; Editing by Martin Petty)

Opposition Party Wary of Revamped NGO Law

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Tuesday, 01 February 2011

via CAAI

Photo: VOA Khmer

“There should not be such a restrictive law, because it is the people who will lose benefits.”

Despite concessions made in the drafting of a law to govern NGOs, officials from the main opposition Sam Rainsy Party say the legislation still risks limiting freedoms and can be a setback to good governance.

The NGO law is being drafted by the Ministry of Interior and contains provisions for the regulation of the non-governmental sector. But critics warn that it can bog down organizations in red tape and could limit their functions or efficiency.

Mu Sochua, a Kampot representative for the opposition, told VOA Khmer the government could instead focus on strengthening existing registration mechanisms.

“We don’t see any need to have this law,” she said in an interview Friday. “There should not be such a restrictive law, because it is the people who will lose benefits.”

NGOs contribute to sectors spanning education, health, infrastructure, human rights and democracy, she said, and a law that is too restrictive will inhibit rights guaranteed under the constitution.

The Ministry of Interior last week said it was adjusting provisions in the law that were main areas of concern for many NGOs, and its supporters say the law will not run counter to rights and freedoms.

“This law does not contradict the constitution,” Nuth Sa An, secretary of state for the Ministry of Interior and head of the drafting task force, said. “With the law in place, there will be smooth operation” for NGOs.

The most recent draft of the law reduces the number of founders required for an organization, lower requirements for registration and an amended provision for unregistered NGOs, he said.

Cambodia sentences Thai activists for spying

via CAAI

updated 2/1/2011

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A Cambodian court has sentenced two Thais to lengthy prison terms for illegally crossing the border and spying in a high-profile case that will likely have important ramifications for Thai domestic politics.

In a one-day trial Tuesday, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court found Veera Somkwamkid, who heads a political pressure group, the Thailand Patriot Network, and his assistant Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, guilty of espionage, illegal entry and trespassing in a military zone. Veera was sentenced to eight years in prison and Ratree to six years.

Veera's group promotes the claim that border lands held by Cambodia actually belong to Thailand. It has accused the current Thai government of failing to help them in their court fight and tried to use the arrests to inflame nationalism at home.

Worker for Maryknoll arrested in Cambodia

The ancient Angkor Wat complex, a Cambodian icon

http://www.cathnewsindia.com/

via CAAI

Published Date: February 1, 2011

A worker with the Maryknoll mission in Cambodia has been arrested for allegedly distributing defamatory leaflets against a “Cambodian government politician.”

So Khemrak, a former Royal University of Phnom Penh student, was arrested on Jan. 29, as a result of confessions made by four other people arrested earlier for the same offence in Takeo in southern Cambodia, according to the Khmer-language Rasmei Kampuchea, the country’s most popular daily.

Khemrak denied distributing the leaflets, saying he only overheard one of the other four talking about them.

Another person arrested with Khemrak - Ngo Meng Hong - also denied distributing the leaflets but admits he has had some in his possession since 2008.

Police found more than 200 leaflets in Hong’s home, the paper reported. Some 85 leaflets were distributed around Phnom Penh last week.

Op Siphal, a Maryknoll office manager, admitted Khemrak is one of 172 workers for the local Maryknoll mission but denied the Church institution had anything to do with his spare time activities.

Khemrak works for Karol and Setha, (Knowledge and Reflection on Life and Sexuality Through a Holistic Approach), a Maryknoll program, he said.

“We just provide a job for him. We don’t know about his activities outside the office,” Siphal told ucanews.com.

If found guilty Khemrak could face up to two years in jail and be fined 1.4 million riel (about US$345).

The US-based Maryknoll family consists of Fathers and Brothers, Sisters and lay workers dedicated to mission and social work outside the United States.

With a Chance at an Oscar, ‘Inside Job’ Seeks Wide Reach

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 01 February 2011

via CAAI

Photo: Courtesy of Charles Ferguson

With the documentary “Inside Job” now nominated for Oscar contention, its US-Cambodian collaborator says she hopes more people will watch the film.

“Inside Job” is an investigation into the 2008 global financial crisis and of the people in power responsible. Already well received, the film will now compete against four other finalists for an Academy Award on Feb. 27.

“Once people see this film, they can be informed about the issue,” associate producer and photography director Kalyanee Mam told VOA Khmer recently. “It will help shape our thinking about the issue and try to find a way to avoid the recurrence of the crisis.”

The film has broad appeal, she said. “This economic crisis affected us all, not just those in the US, France or Germany.”

Such films are a “critical tool” to help people understand society and “have a say about it,” she said. “When we make a movie, we don’t first think about getting an award.”

U.S senior defense official wraps up visit in Cambodia

via CAAI

Posted on: Tue, 01 Feb 2011

PHNOM PENH, Feb 01, 2011 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Derek J. Mitchell, U.S. principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, on Tuesday concluded his two-day visit to Cambodia focusing on strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation on defense.

During his visit in Cambodia, Mitchell had held the inaugural U. S.-Cambodia defense policy discussion with Neang Phat, secretary of state for the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, according to the press release from U.S Embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday evening.

The objective of this defense talk was to highlight the U.S. department of defense's commitment to assisting the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to develop a professional force, while encouraging Cambodia to continue on a path of improved transparency, governance, commitment to the rule of law, sustained democratic development, and respect for human rights, it said.

Mitchell said on Tuesday in the press briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh that Cambodia has annually received 1 million U.S dollars from the United States for its military training.

During the visit, Mitchell also conducted site visits to the peacekeeping training center in Kampong Speu province, the National Counter-terrorism Special Force, and other sites that has benefited from U.S.-Cambodia defense cooperation.

Smart Mobile soon to offer WiMAX services (Cambodia)

via CAAI

On 02.01.11, In Mobile, By Editor.Smart Mobile

Cambodia’s CEO Thomas Hundt has announced that it is in the testing phase for its planned WiMAX network. The company plans to launch the service in Phnom Penh at the end of the first or beginning of the second quarter.

According to Hundt, Smart held its first live test of the system during the ASEAN Tourism Forum on Koh Pich last week, with excellent results.

The WiMAX service will also be launched in Siem Reap and Battambang in the near future he added. The company has no plans to offer WiMAX capable mobile phones and will be selling the service as an alternative to fixed internet service providers.

Cambodian court jails Thai activist 8 years

via CAAI

Feb 1, 2011

PHNOM PENH - A CAMBODIAN court on Tuesday sentenced a high-profile Thai nationalist activist to eight years in prison on spying and illegal entry charges in a case that has rekindled border tensions.

Veera Somkwamkid - a former leader of the 'Yellow Shirt' movement - and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaibul were found guilty on charges of illegal entry into Cambodia, trespassing on a military area and attempting to gather information that could affect national defence.

The judge at Phnom Penh Municipal Court handed Ratree a six-year jail term. The charges carried a maximum combined sentence of 11 years and six months.

Veera, dressed in a blue prison uniform, denied being on Cambodian soil when he was arrested. 'I was walking on Thai territory,' he told the court through a translator. 'I had no intention to invade Cambodian territory.'

Veera and Ratree were also fined 1.8 million riel (S$568) and 1.2 million riel respectively.

The pair were among seven Thais arrested in Cambodia on Dec 29 while they were inspecting disputed border territory. The other five members of the group - including a ruling party politician - received suspended sentences for illegal entry on Jan 21 and have since returned to Thailand. -- AFP

Small-scale business

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 15:01 Sovan Philong

Yean Yang, 42, dries about 30 kilogrammes of fish on bamboo racks in Boeung Tompun commune of Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district yesterday. Yean Yang says it takes two days to dry the fish in periods of hot and dry weather. Once the process is completed to his satisfaction the fish are packaged and shipped abroad.

Yellow Shirts guilty

Photo by: Pha Lina

Thai Yellow Shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid is escorted from Phnom Penh Municipal Court after being sentenced to eight years jail today.

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 21:32 Cheang Sokha

Phnom Penh Municipal Court today sentenced two Thai nationals, including a senior Yellow Shirt activist, to lengthy jail terms in a high-profile case that has strained diplomatic ties between Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

In a day-long hearing today, Judge Suos Sam Ath found Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the Thailand Patriot Network, and his secretary Ratree Taiputana Taiboon guilty of espionage, illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military base.

Veera, 53, was sentenced to eight years in jail and ordered to pay 1.8 million riel (about US$444) in fines, while Ratree received a six-year prison term.

In handing down his verdict, Suos Sam Ath rejected an earlier request from the defendants that the case be reinvestigated.

“The court found that they entered Cambodia illegally, entered a military base with ill-will and collected information which could damage the national defence,” Suos Sam Ath told the court.

“The court decided not to consider the request from the defendants for the reinvestigation of the case, since it has enough evidence to prosecute the accused.”

During the hearing, Veera remained defiant, dismissing the charges against him and claiming that he was arrested on Thai soil.

“I didn’t have any intention to visit the military base or to cause disaster for the neighbouring country. The court is listening only to the Cambodian side without considering my comment so it is unjust for me,” he told the judges.

“I request the court to reinvestigate at the border, then I will pay the expense. If the court finds it is Cambodian land, then I would accept the mistake, though I still stand firm on my view that it is Thai land.”

Following the verdict, police escorted the pair into a police truck that took them to Prey Sar prison.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Pich Vicheka, a Cambodian lawyer representing the two defendants, said he would discuss with his clients whether to file an appeal.

He declined to comment on the court’s verdict.

The two Thais were part of a group of seven who were arrested on December 29 in Banteay Meanchey’s O’Chrou district, claiming they were investigating the demarcation of the two countries’ shared border.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court last month convicted five of the group of illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military base, but suspended their nine-month jail terms.

The high-profile case has stoked nationalist sentiment in Thailand, where yellow-shirt protestors from the People’s Alliance for Democracy have taken to the streets to demand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva secure the Thais’ release.

Chheang Vannarith, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said the verdict against Veera and his secretary would only increase the pressure on the government.

“I think the Yellow Shirts will mobilise more forces, in order to protest for Abhisit to increase tensions at the border,” he said.

“I think the problem is on the Thai side: whether the Thai side is willing to build a good relationship.”

He said that a Thai decision to resort to force would only increase tensions, and would “not change Cambodia’s position” on the arrests.

Flagging dispute

The verdict also comes amid a diplomatic spat over the presence of a Cambodian flag at Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Svara, a small pagoda close to Preah Vihear temple.

On Monday, the Thai Foreign Ministry issued a diplomatic note claiming sovereignty over the land on which the pagoda sits, and demanding that Cambodia “remove both the pagoda and the Cambodian flag” flying over it.

“This is a reiteration of the many protests that Thailand has submitted to Cambodia regarding the activities carried out in the pagoda and the surrounding area, all of which constitute violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand,” the statement said.

In a statement today, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry responded that the pagoda lay inside Cambodia’s legal territory as determined by the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia.

“Therefore,” the statement added, “the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda is legally well situated in Cambodian territory; and by no means will Cambodia relocate this pagoda elsewhere and Cambodia will continue to fly its flag there.”

According to the statement, a Cambodian flag has been flying over the pagoda since its construction in 1998.

It added that the country reserved the right to defend its territory against Abhisit’s threats to “wage war” against Cambodia.

Today, however, Abhisit reportedly denied Thailand had requested the removal of the pagoda.

“We have never said that the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda should be demolished. We said only that the Cambodian flag flying over the temple should be removed,” the Bangkok Post quoted him as saying.

Abhisit also claimed that a Thai flag had been hoisted close to the disputed pagoda, according to a situation report prepared by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, but did not give additional details.

Meanwhile, the United States has called on both sides to damp down tensions.

“We call on all sides to exercise restraint, to deal with this in a peaceful manner and lower the tensions over the situation,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Derek Mitchell told reporters today at the end of a three-day visit to Cambodia.

“That’s the most important thing.”

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SEBASTIAN STRANGIO AND THOMAS MILLER

New Khmer Rouge suspects investigated

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 21:56 Sam Rith and James O'Toole

The Cambodian investigating judge at the Khmer Rouge tribunal said today that he was participating in investigations in the court’s controversial third and fourth cases, proceedings to which Prime Minister Hun Sen has publicly expressed opposition.

The admission from Judge You Bunleng stands in contrast to a pattern of opposition by Cambodian court officials to the cases, which feature five suspects who have yet to be arrested and whose identities remain confidential.

You Bunleng himself declined to participate in the investigations when they began last year, leaving his international counterpart, Co-Investigating Judge Marcel Lemonde, to pursue them on his own.

“For these cases, I am working with the foreign judge and already have a specific plan,” You Bunleng said today.

“Now we are examining the cases and documents in relation to the previous cases.”

Asked about Hun Sen’s stated opposition to the cases, You Bunleng said: “I’m sorry, I work together [with the foreign staff] as a working group.”

During a visit to Cambodia by United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon in October, Hun Sen reportedly said the pending investigations in Cases 003 and 004 were a threat to the Kingdom’s stability.

“Samdech [Hun Sen] clearly affirmed that Case 003 will not be allowed,” Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters following the meeting. “We have to think about peace in Cambodia or the court will fail.”

“The court will try the four senior leaders successfully and then finish with Case 002.”

Anne Heindel, a legal adviser with the Documentation Centre of Cambodia, said You Bunleng’s participation in the new investigations was “enormously significant”.

“For the legacy of the court, for the perceived fairness of the court, it’s tremendously significant,” she said.

“It shows that whatever led him to [decline to participate] in the first place, there have been discussions or reconsiderations … and now there is the possibility of having the third and fourth case [and] there isn’t the government pressure that people feared would close off the possibility.

“It is possible he’s doing this on his own, but that would be very surprising.”

In June last year, You Bunleng and Lemonde made public letters to one another revealing that they had disagreed on the timing of investigations in Cases 003 and 004.

In one communication, Lemonde called on You Bunleng to sign a rogatory letter authorising preliminary investigations.

You Bunleng responded that he had initially signed the rogatory letter before changing his mind out of concern for the “current state of Cambodian society”. He suggested the matter be considered following the issuance of indictments in the court’s second case, which were handed down in September.

Lemonde and other foreign staff in the co-investigating judges’ office began investigating the cases on their own following the June disagreement.

As recently as late November, You Bunleng said he was still undecided on how to proceed with the matter.

Lemonde announced his resignation following the Case 002 indictments in September and has been replaced by the German judge Siegfried Blunk.

You Bunleng’s initial reluctance to pursue the cases was the latest in a series of disputes between Cambodian and foreign court officials on the issue.

Cambodian co-prosecutor Chea Leang opposed the submissions for Cases 003 and 004 made by international prosecutor William Smith in 2009.

The issue also split judges of the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber along Cambodian vs foreign lines, according to a decision issued the same year.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan declined to be drawn out today on whether the government was still opposed to additional cases at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, as the tribunal is formally known.

“What we understand is right now, we put our utmost attention to Case 002 in terms of resources,” he said.

“Case 003 and 004, we don’t pay attention that much. We want Case 002 to be the legacy of the ECCC.”

Case 002, which features the four most senior surviving Khmer Rouge leaders, is expected to begin within the next six months.

The defendants, including former Khmer Rouge Brother No 2 Nuon Chea and Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, face a raft of charges including genocide and crimes against humanity.

United Nations court spokesman Lars Olsen said today that he had not received any official information about You Bunleng’s involvement in Cases 003 and 004.

“The most recent information I have is that the investigation conducted by international investigators was limited to crime sites and crime bases,” he said.

Long Panhavuth, a project officer with the Cambodia Justice Initiative, said his organisation welcomed the news of You Bunleng’s participation in the investigations.

“The public needs to see a sign of cooperation and progress on Cases 003 and 004,” he said.

Phnom Penh court concludes terror case

Photo by: Pha Lina

DP Paudel, a Nepali national, is lead to Phnom Penh Municipal Court today.

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 19:53 Mom Kunthear

Phnom Penh Municipal Court today completed its hearings against three foreign suspects facing terrorism charges for allegedly sending threatening letters to the American, Australian and British embassies.

During the hearing, Presiding Judge Sun Visal said Cambodian police investigations showed the suspects had links to the al-Qaeda terrorist organisation and the Taliban.

“We think that this is one of the most serious crimes and complicated cases to be considered by the court,” said Sun Visal.

“We will officially announce their verdicts on the morning of February 16.”

The suspects – Rafiqul Eslami, a 42-year-old Bangladeshi national, Miah Muhammed Huymayan Kabir, a 62-year-old Bangladesh citizen, and DP Paudel, a 44-year-old from Nepal – were charged last June under the Kingdom’s anti-terrorism law.

They are accused of signing a letter threatening to attack the embassies and identifying the senders as members of al-Qaeda.

In multiple court hearings, the accused have denied sending any letters to embassies in Phnom Penh and have also denied involvement in any terrorist groups.

During today’s hearing, DP Paudel made a final plea for his release.

“I have not committed this crime against these embassies,” he said.

“Therefore, I would like to ask the court to drop charges against me and release me to go back to my country.”

Eslami, a former restaurant owner in the capital’s Chamkarmon district, has previously testified that he had been framed by people who wanted to extort money from him following the sale of his restaurant.

“I was friendly to all customers and people here ... and I didn’t write any letters that attacked the embassies like in the allegations,” Eslami said during his court testimony in January.

Muong Sokun, a defence lawyer representing Eslami, said: “If you really wrote a letter threatening the three embassies, would you dare to include your name and signature so that police could arrest you?”

If convicted on the terrorism charges, the suspects could receive between five and 10 years in prison.

Traffic officer flees scene of deadly crash

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 20:40 Mom Kunthear

Ratanakkiri provincial traffic police are searching for a traffic police official who fled after crashing his car into two houses in Banlung district’s Laban Siek commune last Saturday, killing two people and injuring three others.

Police said today that the suspect, identified as Kem Pithin, crashed his car into a house-warming party and then into a neighbouring house in Banlung town.

Oung Sopheap, 40, and Keo Phan, 51, died at the scene and three people from Stung Treng province – Keo Phann, 9, Chhoun Pheakdey, 28, and Bun Saroeun, 42 – were injured.

Provincial traffic deputy police chief Chhin Phen said today that he suspected Kem Pithin had fled the province.

“We are searching to arrest him and we already sent the documents regarding this case to the court,” he said, adding that the victims’ families had not yet filed complaints to police because they were holding the victims’ funerals.

Chhin Phen said that Kem Pithin crashed after he swerved to avoid an oncoming motorbike.

“The driver was not drunk, he was learning to drive the car, but he avoided a motorbike which nearly hit his car. That made him lose confidence and he moved the steering wheel of the car and crashed into the party house and continued to crash into another house.”

Police said they are investigating a claim made by a witness from the party that there was a monk seated in the car at the time of the crash.

Chhay Thy, provincial monitor for local rights group Adhoc, said today that traffic accidents appeared to have increased as more people moved to Ratanakkiri province.

“The travellers don’t respect each other while driving and some of them don’t know about traffic laws; that’s why there are traffic accidents,” he said.

“The police have to arrest [Kem Pithin] to punish him through the law even if he is a cop, because he did wrong.”

Chhin Phen said there had been five traffic accidents in Ratanakkiri province this year, causing a total of two deaths and 12 injuries.

Meaty market prices

Photo by: Heng Chivoan

A man transports chickens on the back of a motorbike near Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 21:21 Tep Nimol

Meat prices rose in Phnom Penh’s markets today on the back of soaring demand ahead of Chinese New Year.

Chicken Farmers’ Association president Chhay Sok Huon said some 30,000 chickens were consumed by Cambodians on an average day, but the number could climb as high as 300,000 birds a day during the holidays – which run until February 5.

“Many Cambodian and Chinese people offer food to their ancestors during the holiday,” he said today.

O’Russei Market shopper Chan Nary said she bought chicken at 24,000 riel per

kilogramme today, adding it normally cost 18,000 riel per kilogramme.

“I am not Chinese or Vietnamese but having seen most of my neighbours and relatives offering food to their ancestors during [Chinese] New Year, I just follow suit,” she said.

Vendor Sok Ieng said boiled chicken was fetching up to 30,000 riel per kilogramme, up from 16,000 riel normally.

Pork and duck meat had also increased in price, but not as dramatically, he added.

Cambodian Pig Raisers’ Association director Srun Pov said 5,000 swine would be consumed daily during New Year, up from 4,000 normally.

Phnom Penh SEZ to expand

via CAAI

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 19:15 Jeremy Mullins

The Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone will begin infrastructure work this month to expand land available for businesses, claiming its 141-hectare original development has now been entirely purchased or reserved.

The US$20 million second phase will be fully ready in two years and covers 162 hecatres of land.

Developers aim to attract a number of domestic industries to set up in the new area, as well as international companies - mainly from Japan, PPSEZ managing director Hiroshi Uematsu said in a statement today.

Business at the SEZ had picked up following a quiet 2009, he said.

“We have used 2010 to restructure and streamline our operations, refresh our brand, and prepare for the launch of development phase II,” he said, adding 2011 looked very promising.

Phnom Penh SEZ in Dangkor District is 78-percent owned by Cambodian businesswoman Lim Chhiv Ho, and 22-percent owned by Japanese developer Zephyr Company.

The existing land presently boasts tenants such as Ajinomoto, which makes seasoning, and Yamaha.

Japanese-based firm Minebea will be a new tenant on the second phase of the PPSEZ, according to Hiroshi Uematsu.

In December, Minebea announced it would set up a 5 billion yen ($61 million) manufacturing plant to make motors in Cambodia.

Minebea aims to begin in a leased small-scale production facility in the zone, but transfer to its own factory by the end of 2012.

It aims to eventually employ up to 5,000 people, making it its second largest production base by volume after its Chinese factory, according to a previous release.

Hiroshi Uematsu said the PPSEZ had succeeded due to strong commitment from management to provide quality infrastructure and service for investors.

CDC figures obtained in December showed the Kingdom had 21 SEZs, of which 14 were undeveloped.

Did Thai Declared War with Cambodia?

Thai flag also flies over disputed area while Cambodian Armed Forces are busy evacuate the civillians for their safety. (Koh Santepheap Daily News)

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PAD's selective prattle about territory

via CAAI

Published: 1/02/2011

I know what the People's Alliance for Democracy and ultra-nationalist types think: it is better to lose lives or to take some than to lose a single square inch of Thai territory.

What I do not know is if this "not a single square inch" refrain is a sensible thing to subscribe to, considering the present reality. Border demarcation is never an emotional issue to be dabbled in with passion. In the past - in some places currently still - defining one's territory had to do with one's military might. In short, the border could be changed only by means of war.

Look at the map of Thailand during the reign of King Rama I, King Rama IV or King Rama V. They did not look the same during these different periods. And they certainly did not look like the present-day axe-shaped one we are familiar with.

In modern times, border demarcation or territorial disputes are settled at the negotiating table. There, technical details, treaties and agreements are put forward by each side and they thrash out the differences, point by point. It is hardly a speedy process but it is probably the only one that is internationally acceptable at the moment.

So, while the PAD has the right to make public its opinions, which apparently are different from those upheld by the government, I do not think it is healthy for the group to keep belching out the war cry and selectively use the ultra-nationalistic slogan of "not a single square inch" without considering the reality on the ground, or the reality as seen by other parties.

I said "selectively" because I do not see the PAD or its extremist arm, the Thai Patriots Network, raising a voice over the secessionist movement in the deep South. What about that?

A group of people have proclaimed they want to carve out the three southernmost provinces of Thailand and establish a separate Muslim state. That is a much larger piece of Thailand than the 4.6 sqkm so-called overlapping areas between Thailand and Cambodia that the PAD is harping on about. Why do the yellow shirts only care about the northeastern frontier and not the southern one? Is the deep South not our land?

A little disclaimer is due here. I only raise the issue of the deep South to illustrate the PAD's selective use of its "not a single square inch" war cry. Whether or not the far South should be separated is an entirely different issue which must be explored in another context.

Besides the inconsistent use of its rhetoric in the present context, if we look into the past, we will also see that the PAD's stringent stance and "ultimatum" style of politics is a sharp contrast to the "bending with the wind" diplomacy that Thailand, or Siam, has championed for centuries and which has been acknowledged as an astute move that allowed the country to escape being colonised during the height of imperialism in the 19th century. In fact, it was King Rama V who coined and popularised the sentiment of "losing small parts of the land to preserve the whole country" when the country had to give up an area of 143,800 sqkm (in present-day Laos) along the eastern bank of the Mekong River to France in 1893. Also, in 1903, Thailand agreed to give Luang Prabang and Champassak in Laos (62,500 sqkm) to France in exchange for the province of Chanthaburi which France had earlier seized. In a familiar pattern, the kingdom had to surrender Battambang, Siem Reap and Sisophon - a combined area of 51,000 sqkm - to France in exchange for the city of Trat.

Altogether, during the period from 1786 to 1962, the country lost part of its territory 14 times - the last one being the right over the temple of Preah Vihear as decided by the International Court of Justice. The point is, we still stand as a country despite these losses.

It's true that the "bending with the wind" diplomacy was mapped out a century ago in response to the formidable power of colonialism. But who knows if Thailand's position in the present-day globalised world is not so different from the one Siam was caught in a century ago?I know that the PAD would rather go to war than lose a single inch of the 4.6 sqkm area under dispute. I do not believe it is a realistic option for Thailand.

Govt wants temple pulled down

via CAAI

Cambodia 'insulted' by latest demands

Published: 1/02/2011

The Thai government has renewed its demand for Phnom Penh to remove a Cambodian national flag flying over a temple on disputed land near the border, and is also now pressing for the temple itself to be dismantled.

The demand was included in a statement issued Monday by the Foreign Affairs Ministry amid reports of troop build-ups by both countries along the border.

"Thailand maintains that the 'Keo Sikha Kiri Svara' pagoda is situated on Thai territory, and demands that Cambodia remove both the pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the pagoda," the ministry said in its statement.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday came out to assert Thailand's sovereignty over the 4.6 square kilometres of land on which the ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear is situated.

The statement prompted a fierce response from Phnom Penh, which labelled the demand as "insulting and unacceptable".

Both Thailand and Cambodia claim ownership of the border area.

Bangkok demands Cambodia to remove temple from border area

via CAAI

February 01, 2011

Thailand has reaffirmed that a disputed temple on the common border with Cambodia is situated on Thai territory and demanded that Phnom Penh remove both the temple and its flag.

"Thailand maintains that the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda is situated on Thai territory, and demands that Cambodia remove both the pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the pagoda," the Thai Foreign Ministry said in a statement received by media late Monday.

"This is a reiteration of the many protests that Thailand has submitted to Cambodia regarding the activities carried out in the pagoda and the surrounding area, all of which constitute violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand," the statement said.

Recently, Cambodia erected a controversial stone sign in front of the temple, but later removed it after a request by Bangkok.

The Thai Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the government's commitment to resolve all boundary issues with Cambodia in accordance with international law through peaceful means under the framework of the existing Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC), the statement said.

The two countries' border issue recently heated up after seven Thais were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec. 29 for illegal entry into the neighboring country. Five of them were on Jan. 21 sentenced by a Phnom Penh court to nine months of imprisonment but were able to return home as the jail term was suspended.

Hundreds of the "yellow-shirts" People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have been rallying near the Government House in Bangkok to demand the Thai government to take a tougher stance against Phnom Penh on the border issue.

Source: Xinhua

Extra police at Cambodian embassy

via CAAI

Published: 1/02/2011

The city police have stepped up security at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok to prevent any possible incidents aimed at stirring up trouble.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Jakthip Chaijinda said on Tuesday he had ordered the Metropolitan Police Division 4 and the Wang Thonglang police station to deploy extra police outside the embassy on Pracha Uthit Road.

There would be extra patrols, including plainclothes agents, in the surrounding areas around the clock to guard against any incidents, said Pol Lt Gen Jakthip.

The extra security was aimed at thwarting possible sabotage by a third party that may want to further stir up border tensions.

Police were also monitoring the movements of the groups protesting against Cambodia over the recent border dispute, he said.

Thai flag also flies over disputed area

via CAAI

Published: 1/02/2011

A Thai flag has also been hoisted in a disputed area near the Preah Vihear ruins, where the flying of a Cambodian flag has raised tensions, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday.

Mr Abhisit said this information was included in a situation report made by Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.

"We have never said that the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda should be demolished. We said only that the Cambodian flag flying over the temple should be removed.

"But, meanwhile, we have also flown our flag there," the prime minister said, but did not elaborate.

The Keo Sikha Kiri Svara temple is located in the 4.6 square-kilometre disputed area adjoining the Preah Vihear temple.

The prime minister admitted that Thai and Camboldian military forces were confronting each other along the border.

However, there should be no problems if both sides observe the 2000 memorandum of understanding, and this is the best way of solving the Thai-Cambodian dispute, he said.

Mr Abhisit said Thai and Cambodian authorities have been in contact to ease the tension and prevent possible border infringements by either side.

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha also said earlier today that a Thai flag had been raised in the 4.6 square-kilometre disputed area where both countries claim ownership.

"We have done that acting on orders," Gen Prayuth said.

The army chief insisted that the best way to settle the border dispute with Cambodia is by formal talks.

It is most important the problem is resolved by negotiation through the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), he said.

The Foreign Ministry was trying to arrange a new meeting of the JBC to discuss the matter.

The situation along the border remained normal today, and the 2nd Army was well prepared to ensure peace and order in the border area, he said.

The Cambodians had similar security measures along the border, but that did not mean the two sides were on the verge of clashing with each other, said Gen Prayuth.

“The use of force will be the last means we will turn to.

"It’s now the government’s duty to try to end the problem through talks," he said, reiterating that Thailand had not lost any territorial sovereignty to Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court rejected a lawsuit filed by two members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against Prime Minister Abhisit and three other ministers for alleged negligence causing the loss of territorial sovereignty to Cambodia.

The other three named in the suit were Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Defence Minister Prawit.

The lawsuit was filed on Jan 26 by Samdin Lertbutr and Tainae Mungmajon, two of the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers on Dec 29 for illegal entry.

The two were freed after a nine-month jail sentence was handed down on them by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which found them guilty, was suspended on the grounds that they had already served nearly one month in jail.

The Criminal Court rejected the lawsuit, ruling that it had been filed with the wrong court.

It should be filed with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions under Section 275 of the constitution, the court said.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang claimed the government has a three-stage plan to disperse the yellow-shirt protest outside Government House.

People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) co-leader Chamlong Srimuang looks at a sign criticising Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The sign reads: PM - Liar - Stupid - Sneaky - Traitorous - Slave to Khmer

Maj Gen Chamlong said the government would send senior police officers to ask the yellow-shirt protesters to unblock roads when there is actually little traffic.

The police had changed the settings so traffic lights stayed on red longer, causing people to be frustrated and blame the rally, he said.

The government would then send undercover agents into the rally to stir up confusion and conflict among the yellow-shirt group.

The final stage would be the deployment of more police and a crackdown on the protesters, he said.

"The government's attempt will fail because the PAD will not move anywhere unless the government accedes to our three demands," Maj Gen Chamlong said.

He said the government should concentrate on the Thai-Cambodian problem instead of focusing on the yellow-shirt protesters.

"As a professional demonstrator, I can affirm that our rally will not end. If our rally is dispersed today, we can start it again tomorrow.

"If the government refuses to protect our country we won't end our rally," he added.

The yellow-shirt key member said he had lost count of the number of lies Prime Minister Abhisit had made about Thai-Cambodian border issues.

The government had begun to take action only when the PAD revealed the information about the Cambodian flag being hoisted near Preah Vihear temple, he said.

He said the government should not give in too much in its dealings with Cambodia.

The PAD started its peaceful protest outside Government House last Tuesday, pressing the government to withdraw from the Unesco World Heritage Committee, scrap the memorandum of understanding on the Thai-Cambodian border signed in 2000, and expel Cambodian people from disputed border areas.

Army: Talks the way to end border row

via CAAI

Published: 1/02/2011

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha insisted on Tuesday that the best way to settle the border dispute with Cambodia is by formal talks.

It is most important the problem is resolved by negotiation through the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), Gen Prayuth said.

The Foreign Ministry was trying to arrange a new meeting of the JBC to discuss the matter.

The situation along the border remained normal today, and the 2nd Army was well prepared to ensure peace and order in the border area, he said.

The Cambodians had similar security measures along the border, but that did not mean the two sides were on the verge of clashing with each other, said Gen Prayuth.

“The use of force will be the last means we will turn to.

"It’s now the government’s duty to try to end the problem through

Thailand protests Cambodia's flag hoisting in disputed area

via CAAI

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation (Thailand)

Publication Date : 01-02-2011

Thailand Monday (January 31) officially demanded that Cambodia remove Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda and the Cambodian flag flying over the structure from the disputed border area around Preah Vihear Temple, while reaffirming its vow to resolve boundary issues through "peaceful means".

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement maintaining its claim that the Buddhist pagoda erected by Cambodia in 1998 "is situated on Thai territory".

The statement was issued days after Phnom Penh rejected Bangkok's request to take down the Cambodian flag from the pagoda.

Phnom Penh insisted last Friday (January 28) that it had the legitimate right to fly its flag over the pagoda, which it claimed was on its territory.

The area of 4.6 square kilometres adjacent to Preah Vihear has not yet been demarcated because of the overlapping ownership claims.

The area was delimited in line with the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. Cambodia claims that the Franco-Siamese joint commission produced a series of maps from 1905-08 to indicate that the area in question is Cambodian territory.

Thailand, in the statement Monday, said it did not accept the France-made 1:200,000-scale map to determine the boundary line.

Cambodia argues that the International Court of Justice, when it ruled on the Preah Vihear case in 1962, used the map as a basic document to make the judgement, which says "the temple of Preah Vihear is situated in territory under sovereignty of Cambodia".

Phnom Penh said the memorandum of understanding on land-boundary demarcation signed by Thailand and Cambodia in 2000 also recognised the French map as the legal basis for boundary surveys and demarcation.

The border conflict has become a thorn in the side of the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration after the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy raised awareness of the issue among the public. The PAD accuses the government of ceding Thai territory to Cambodia ever since the MoU signed in 2000, during the Democrat Party-led administration under Chuan Leekpai, recognised the French map.

They called on the government to scrap the pact and use force to evict the Cambodian community from the area, along with the pagoda. Hundreds of PAD supporters and one of its splinter groups, the Thai Patriots Network, are camping out in protest around Government House.

Thai Patriots Network member Samdin Lertbutr Monday sued Abhisit, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya for alleged criminal misconduct in causing the loss of territory.

The Thai Patriots Network has insisted that it has proof that the property belongs to Thailand.

Abhisit urged the protesters to share their information on the boundary with the government, rather than protesting and trying to force him to follow their way.

"We have the same goal to protect the national interest. I wonder why we don't share the information. We have a different stance because we have different information," he said.

The yellow shirts demonstration as well as news of the deployment of heavy military hardware to border areas has exacerbated tensions between the two countries.

Cambodia boosted troops in the border area near Preah Vihear after a report that the Thai military would hold an exercise.

"They [Thai troops] are doing manoeuvres and we are also doing them - that is why we need to send tanks and other weapons to the border," Cambodian Military Division 3 Commander Srey Doek was quoted as saying by the Phnom Penh Post. "Our armed forces are on alert."

Abhisit said he did not want to wage any war with Cambodia.

"The two countries retain their same old stance on the issue to protect their respective rights but both sides insist on settling the problem by peaceful means through negotiation," he said.

The Foreign Ministry in its statement said Thailand was committed to resolving all boundary issues with Cambodia in accordance with international law through peaceful means under the framework of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC).

The determination of the boundary line in the area of Preah Vihear Temple is still subject to ongoing talks under the framework of the JBC, it said.

Abhisit's government also needs to provide assistance to release nationalist Veera Somkwamkid and his aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who go on trial Tuesday (February 1) in Phnom Penh. They have been detained on the charge of espionage.

The two, together with five other activists who have already been convicted and released, were arrested on December 29 while inspecting the disputed border area near Sa Kaew's Ban Nong Chan. Their colleagues from the Thai Patriots Network, who are to be in Phnom Penh Tuesday, want to ask the court to delay the decision, as they will submit more evidence to prove that the two Thais were arrested on Thai soil.

The neighbourhood in Sa Kaew is also in a grey area but Thai authorities said that in this case the yellow shirts had strayed too far beyond the frontier line claimed by Thailand.