Tuesday, 12 January 2010

News in Pictures



Cambodian villagers are silhouetted in the evening near the Mekong river in Koh Okhnatey village, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Mekong River are very vital to Cambodia as it provide water for industrial and agricultural development, to sustain subsistence fishing, for transport, to maintain delicate ecological. There are over 11 million Cambodian lives along the river. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) via CAAI News Media


A horse draws a cart carrying Cambodian villagers along the Mekong river bank in Koh Okhnatey village on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Mekong River are very vital to Cambodia as it provide water for industrial and agricultural development, to sustain subsistence fishing, for transport, to maintain delicate ecological. There are over 11 million Cambodian lives along the river. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) via CAAI News Media


The sun sets over banana trees at Koh Okhnatey village along side Mekong river on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Mekong River are very vital to Cambodia as it provide water for industrial and agricultural development, to sustain subsistence fishing, for transport, to maintain delicate ecological. There are over 11 million Cambodian lives along the river. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) via CAAI News Media

Song Saa Island Resort Launch Event Receives Unprecedented Response


Monday, 11 January 2010
via CAAI News Media

The launch of Song Saa Island Resort Cambodia just before Christmas received an unprecedented response, with over 60% of the units at this exclusive private island development booked during the launch. The launch event was held at the Catch Beach Club, Twinpalms Phuket on December 17th with a strong turn out of over 70 people.

Brocon Investment Co., Ltd., the developer selected Phuket for the launch on the advice of agents CB Richard Ellis as the ideal location to introduce Song Saa Island to potential resort buyers.


"We are extremely pleased with the immediate success we've had in bookings for this project. The Phuket market has clearly identified with the product. Despite being an emerging destination, Song Saa has attracted a global mix of investors, including Norwegian, French, Hong Kong Chinese, Hong Kong expatriate to British" said David Simister, Chairman, CB Richard Ellis Thailand. Within one week of sending out the launch invitation, the project has received substantial response and 8 bookings were made by the end of the event.

Song Saa Island Resort is located on Koh Ouen and Koh Bong in the Koh Rong archipelago, a 30 minute boat ride from the Cambodian resort town of Sihanoukville. The resort comprises a total of 14 one and two-bedroom residential villas, in a private island setting with a starting price of USD 200,000 and a 10% guaranteed yield for three years. Resort facilities include a five-star over-water restaurant and bar, swimming pool, spa & wellness centre, yoga & meditation centre and a beachside water sports centre. Construction of the resort will begin next month with expected completion in Q2 2011.


Song Saa's success marks the beginning of the international development of the Cambodian coastline and is the first project to target foreign buyers. The project offers a 99-year leasehold tenure, the best available ownership structure for foreigners compared to other resort markets in the region. The success also proves that there is a market of international investors who are attracted by quality design and operators in an emerging location. Pioneering investors who have invested in this new frontier expect to be rewarded by the significant upside in capital appreciation.

The opening of Sihanoukville Airport will further push the development along the Cambodian coastline and surrounding islands. The airport construction is now complete and includes a runway expansion and terminal renovation. The airport is currently open for chartered flights and private jets. Flights from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are expected to begin in the near future, with rumours of regional airlines also planning scheduled flights in 2010. The airport, once fully operational, will be the principal gateway to Cambodia's southern coast and a critical catalyst for the area's development. Transfer from the airport to Song Saa Island is approximately 30 minutes by boat.

There are currently a limited number of resort developments in Sihanoukville such as the Sokha Hotel and Koh Puos (Snake Island), off the southern coast. A number of international investors have purchased beachfront land in the area and it is expected that the official opening of the Sihanoukville Airport will increase development activity, particularly for four and five star hotels. Song Saa Island Resort is the first project to reach the market.

Song Saa Islands are nestled in the lee of Koh Rong, Cambodia's most important resort island, pitched to be a future Phuket. The entire island is owned by one of Cambodia's largest corporations, The Royal Group. Pre-development plans are now underway for the island and the aim is to position the island as Asia's first environmentally planned island development. With an unparalleled quality of water, beach and the environment, the Koh Rong archipelago and the Cambodian coastline has the potential to become the next Asian Riviera, comparable to established markets such as Phuket, Samui and Bali.

"The launch of Song Saa Island Resort has certainly put Cambodia on the global map and has paved the way for future developments in the area. I believe the uniqueness of the product, the charm of the island and pricing have been the key factors for Song Saa's success" said Rory Hunter, Chairman, Brocon Investment Co., Ltd.

CAMBODIA BEGINS USING OWN UNICODE


via CAAI News Media
PHNOM PENH, Jan 11 (NNN-AKP) — The long-awaited Unicode in Cambodian language has been allowed to use in all government’s institutions and private sectors, a government spokesman said.

Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Council of Ministers said that the Khmer Unicode, the only standardized encoding of the Khmer script has been allowed to be used nationwide.

He said the government already announced the use of this Unicode last month by a decree dated Dec. 24.

He said most of the government’s institutions and ministries, especially, the Council of Ministers have already used this Unicode for about two months.

So far, many Cambodian computers users have complained about the changeable computer script and time constraint once they type in Cambodian language.

According to the legal procedure and law, the decree on the official use across the country will come into effect 60 days after the official announcement is made. — NNN-AKP

Chea Mony: That Demonstrations and Strikes Decreased Does Not Mean that there Are Proper Working Conditions – Monday, 11.1.2010

http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com/
Posted on 11 January 2010
The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 647

via CAAI News Media

“Phnom Penh: The president of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers stated that there were more than 100 demonstrations and strikes held by workers in 2009, but this number is less than in previous years. However, the decline in numbers is not due to better working conditions, but due to restrictions imposed by the government on demonstrations and strikes, especially due to suppression of workers movements by the local authorities.

“Generally, demonstrations and strikes do not achieve 100% results, but only through them can problems of workers get solved up to 70%. He said that when demonstrations and strikes are conducted by workers, there can be solutions, but if not, there are not any solutions for their problems. He added, ‘We do not use demonstrations and strikes as a weapon to trouble factory owners or the government, but it is because some factories do not respect working condition regulations at all, and strikes are held because the relevant ministries are incapable of implementing the law. Thus, the procedures to demonstrate and to strike is a good way for workers, or it can be considered as a good medicine to solve their problems.’

“Deum Ampil contacted the secretary of state [of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training], Mr. Oum Mean, to comment on the claim of the free trade union leader, but he did not make any comment, saying that he was fulfilling his mission in a province, and then shut off his mobile phone.”

Deum Ampil, Vol.4, #384, 10-11.1.2010
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 11 January 2010

Thaksin supporters rally at royal aide's house


File photo shows supporters of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra during a protest in Bangkok. Thousands of pro-Thaksin protesters have rallied outside the house of royal adviser Surayud Chulanont to rally against alleged judicial double-standards. (AFP/File/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)


by Thanaporn Promyamyai Thanaporn Promyamyai

via CAAI News Media

BANGKOK (AFP) – Thousands of supporters of fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra rallied Monday outside the house of a royal adviser to protest against alleged judicial double standards.

Around 10,000 people chanted slogans saying that the home of ex-premier and privy councillor Surayud Chulanont in the Khao Yai Tieng forest, 200 kilometres (120 miles) northeast of Bangkok, was built illegally in a national park.

The protest is the first by Thaksin's so-called "Red Shirts" in 2010, and is apparently aimed at building support for big new anti-government rallies promised by the movement later this month in the capital.

Thaksin, who is living abroad to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption imposed in 2008, gave a speech via video-link to the rally saying that the deeply divided kingdom needed justice for reconciliation.

"We came here today because we cannot stand unfair treatment. We will fight until the truth is revealed. We will fight fairly," Thaksin said. "We will not give up until there is justice in this society."

Police said around 10,000 protesters had gathered and that there were about 1,500 police officers guarding Surayud's house.

"Surayud's house is encroaching on the forest," core Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan told reporters earlier, adding that forestry department officials had "failed in their duty" by allowing Surayud to build there.

Another Red Shirt leader, Suporn Attawong, said that people who trespassed in the forest normally faced legal action but Surayud had escaped censure because he was part of Thailand's powerful establishment.

Surayud headed the military administration that ran the country from after the 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin until elections in December 2007 that were won by Thaksin's allies.

Support for Thaksin is strongest in Thailand's impoverished rural northeast, where the forest is located, while the billionaire tycoon remains loathed by the Bangkok-based cliques in the palace, military and bureaucracy.

The Red Shirts are pressing for the resignation of current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who took power in December 2008 following the collapse of the previous pro-Thaksin government.

They have held a series of protests, which turned violent last April when they derailed a major Asian summit hosted by Thailand and then rioted in Bangkok, leaving two people dead and 123 injured.

Monday's rally comes a day after Abhisit's embattled coalition government faced fresh pressure when the deputy public health minister resigned after being implicated in a corruption scandal.

Manit Nopamornbodee was the second minister to quit over the case, which involves a 2.6-billion-dollar healthcare scheme, following the resignation of public health minister Witthaya Kaewparadai on December 29.

The Thai government is also locked in a drawn-out diplomatic stand-off with neighbouring Cambodia over Phnom Penh's appointment late last year of Thaksin as an economic adviser.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong Monday hit back at comments made by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya in a newspaper interview that the two countries could not normalise relations until Cambodia revoked Thaksin's job.

"It (the appointment of Thaksin) is the sovereign right of Cambodia. Thailand has no right to interfere in this issue," Hor Namhong told AFP.

Both recalled their ambassadors in November and expelled senior diplomats, while diplomatic tensions soared further when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit to Cambodia.

The two countries have fought a series of gunbattles in the past year over land surrounding a disputed temple on their border.

Thais protest 'double standards'


Police said thousands hiked up a mountain to Surayud's home but he was not in [Reuters]


Monday, January 11, 2010
Via CAAI News media

Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters have rallied against a royal adviser they blame for masterminding the 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra from office.

Members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered outside the rural home of Surayud Chulanont located at Khao Yai Thiang, about 175km northeast of the capital Bangkok.

Police said some 5,000 protesters hiked up a mountain to Surayud's home on Monday demanding he give up the house, which they say was illegally built in a state-run forest preserve.

They also want him charged with trespassing on public land.

Police Colonel Direk Plangdee said the protest was peaceful and there were no arrests, adding that Surayud was not home at that time.

No intention

Last week, prosecutors agreed that Surayud was not the rightful owner of the plot of land, which he will have to return to the state.

"This area was meant to be allocated to the landless. What is this if not unlawful privilege?"
Jatuporn Phromphan, UDD protest leader

Tanapit Moonprauk, a spokesman for the attorney-general's office, said prosecutors would not press charges against Surayud because he had not intended to break the law.

Surayud sits on the Privy Council and the UDD says members of this body orchestrated the bloodless military coup that ousted Thaksin in September 2006.

A former army chief, Surayud became interim prime minister one month later and served until elections in December 2007.

Since the coup, supporters and opponents of Thaksin have repeatedly taken to the streets to spar over who has the right to rule the country, sometimes sparking violence.

Double standards

The UDD, which draws its support largely from the rural poor who helped Thaksin twice win election landslides, accuse Surayud and Thailand's powerful elite of hypocrisy.

"We want to tell the international community that a double standard exists in the country," Jatuporn Phromphan, a protest leader, told the rally.

He said Surayud was able to escape charges "while ordinary people have been sued by the state for trespassing and encroaching on the forest reserve".

"This area was meant to be allocated to the landless. What is this if not unlawful privilege?" added Jatuporn.

The protest by the so-called "red shirts" is seen as a prelude to a bid later this month to bring down the embattled coalition government of Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai prime minister.

Political crisis

The UDD has planned a prolonged anti-government rally while the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party prepares for a censure debate, probably in February, to exploit cracks in Abhisit's coalition.

It comes ahead of a court verdict on whether to confiscate $2.3bn of assets belonging to the Shinawatra family.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a Thai political scientist, said it was unlikely Monday's demonstration or rallies later this month would succeed in toppling the government.

He said Abhisit's best hope of easing Thailand's polarising five-year political crisis was to engage with the UDD, which he says cannot succeed "without powerful backers".

"Yes, there is much hypocrisy and double standard. They can protest and cause rumblings, but it is unlikely to derail the government," Thitinan said.

"Right now, it appears the government is winning, but they would be making a mistake if they don't address [UDD] grievances, setting the stage for more frustration and anger."

Abhisit urged to opposed to Preah Vihear administration plan


(CAAI News Media)

Since Cambodia was to propose the administration and conservation plan for Preah Vihear on February 1, PM Abhisit Vejjajiva should express Thailand's stance that Thailand has never agreed and joined in the plan making, an academic said Monday.

ML Wanwipa Charoonroj of Thammasat University's Thai Studies Institute said the Cambodian plan would be submitted to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to seek the World Heritage Committee approval in the 34th general meeting in Brazil's Brasilia City.

She urged Abhisit to notify the World Heritage Center in Paris about the Administrative Court ruling that evoked the PM Samak Sundaravej's cabinet resolution on June 17, 2008 to assign former foreign minister Noppadol Pattama to sign a Thai-Cambodian statement over the matter.

The Nation

Volunteer heads to Cambodia


VOLUNTEER: Tess Guiney spent her childhood in Omapere before attending Whangarei Girls’ High School.


By DENISE PIPER - Whangarei Leader
Last updated 12/01/2010

(CAAI News Media)

A young woman from Whangarei is about to spend a year volunteering with orphans in Cambodia.

Tess Guiney, 21, leaves for Cambodia on January 29 with Volunteer Service Abroad.

She is one of 12 new university volunteers, or UniVols, who are heading to Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, South Africa and Tanzania this year.

The UniVols programme provides opportunities for students from Otago and Victoria universities to gain practical field experience.

Tess is doing a masters in geography at Otago University, looking specifically at development geography.

"I am especially interested in the gap which exists between countries of the developed north and those of the developing south.

"By travelling to Cambodia I will be able to see how development and poverty are actually experienced within nations," she says.

Tess hopes the programme will give her an opportunity to see real life examples of the
theoretical themes covered in her studies.

Cambodia is a largely rural economy and the second poorest in southeast Asia, causing serious disadvantages in health, education and employment, she says.

"I feel that by travelling to Cambodia I will hopefully be able to share my knowledge with them but also to gain a new understanding of development by learning from the people of Cambodia," she says.

Tess will work with the rural Economic Development Association, a non-governmental organisation in the province of Svay Rieng.

The association works with those in the community who are most vulnerable, including people living with HIV AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, and those people with chronic illnesses.

She will be a childcare worker for orphans and will organise activities for them and help to improve their living conditions.

The work will be done alongside the Cambodian staff to ensure development occurs in a form the local community desires, a guiding principal of Volunteer Service Abroad, she says.

"Volunteer Service Abroad arranges for people to live within and work alongside local communities in an attempt to ensure more representative development, something that my own studies have firmly convinced me is the key to reducing poverty," she says.

Like other Volunteer Service Abroad volunteers, Tess will be covered for travel, initial resettlement, accommodation and utilities, a living allowance and insurance. Her student loan is interest-free for the year of the assignment.

Tess spent her childhood in Omapere before moving to attend Whangarei Girls' High School. In 2006 she went to study at Otago University but still visits her family in Whangarei during holidays.

Thai protesters rally outside royal adviser's home




KHAO YAI THIANG, Thailand (Reuters) - Thousands of supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra rallied on Monday outside the rural home of a royal adviser they accuse of involvement in the 2006 coup that toppled the billionaire.

(CAAI News Media)

At least 5,000 protesters from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered to denounce Surayud Chulanont for his alleged illegal occupation of forest land in the mountains of northeastern Thailand.

Surayud sits on the Privy Council and the UDD says members of this body orchestrated the military coup that ousted Thaksin in September 2006. Former army chief Surayud became premier one month later and served until elections in December 2007.

The protest by the "red shirts" is seen as the prelude to an offensive later this month by pro-Thaksin elements inside and outside parliament to bring down the embattled coalition government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Concern about the planned protests has unsettled the stock market in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy. Previous clashes led to downgrades in Thailand's credit ratings.

Prosecutors agreed last week Surayud was not the rightful owner of the plot of land, which he will have to return to the state. Tanapit Moonprauk, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's office, said prosecutors would not press charges against Surayud because he had not intended to break the law.

However, the UDD, which draws its support largely from the rural poor who helped Thaksin twice win election landslides, accuse Surayud and Thailand's powerful elite of hypocrisy.

"DOUBLE STANDARDS"

"We are here because there is a double standard in law enforcement," protest leader Supon Attawong said on a makeshift stage near Surayud's house, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

"This area was meant to be allocated to the landless. What is this if not unlawful privilege?"

The UDD is planning a prolonged anti-government rally while the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party prepares for a censure debate, probably in February, to exploit cracks in Abhisit's coalition. It comes ahead of a court verdict on whether to confiscate $2.3 billion of assets belonging to the Shinawatra family.

The UDD insists it is a pro-democracy movement opposed to the domination of Thai politics by royalist business elites, the military and the aristocracy, elements they say have conspired to remove governments elected by the majority.

Thai political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak said it was unlikely Monday's demonstration or rallies later this month would succeed in toppling the government, which the UDD has been attempting to do since Abhisit took office a year ago.

Thitinan said the Oxford-educated premier's best hope of easing Thailand's polarizing five-year political crisis was to engage with the UDD.

"Yes, there is much hypocrisy and double standard. They can protest and cause rumblings, but it is unlikely to derail the government," Thitinan said. "You can protest all you want but you won't succeed without powerful backers.

"Right now, it appears the government is winning, but they would be making a mistake if they don't address (UDD) grievances, setting the stage for more frustration and anger."

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

Cambodia: Program Inspires Students to Dream Big



1/11/2010
Source: World Bank

Meas Sokhunthea, a shy 8th grade student at Preah An Kosa secondary school in Siem Reap town, has wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl. “With the scholarship that I’ve been given and my mom’s strong support for my studies, I believe I will reach my goal,” she said.


Sokhunthea is one of 36,000 lower-secondary and primary students who received scholarships through a component of the Education Sector Support Project (ESSP), which is financed by the World Bank in Cambodia. Under the program, students will receive scholarships ranging from US$45 to US$60 per year to support their study. Sokhunthea got US$45, which she used to buy her uniform, books, pen and her school bag. Sokhunthea thanks the program because it helps to reduce her mother’s financial burden of buying her school materials.

Her schoolmate, Cheng Sopheap, who received US$60, said the money is helping him to concentrate on his studies. He said it makes him less worried about finding money to buy school materials. Sopheap has three brothers and a sister; all of them are in school. “If there is no support, I won’t be here because my parents are very poor,” he said.

In a classroom at Borkeo secondary school in Borkeo district, around 25 km from Ratanakiri provincial town, another 9th grade scholarship recipient, Pov Theary, has been given a scholarship for grades 7, 8 and 9. Each school year she gets $60. Like most of other scholarship students, Theary uses the scholarship money to buy books, uniforms, and a bicycle, and the rest she gives to her mom for buying food for the family.

Theary had been asked by her mom to quit school when she finished grade 6 because her family could not support her continuing schooling.

Cambodia firm on Thaksin job



Relations between Thailand and Cambodia, plunged to a new low late last year when Phnom Penh appointed the fugitive billionaire Thaksin (above) as an economics guru. -- PHOTO: AFP

Jan 11, 2010
(CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIA refused on Monday to revoke the appointment of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser and said it was up to Bangkok to resolve the diplomatic row between the two countries.

Relations between Thailand and Cambodia, which have fought a string of deadly gunbattles on their border, plunged to a new low late last year when Phnom Penh appointed the fugitive billionaire Thaksin as an economics guru.

Both recalled their ambassadors in November and expelled senior diplomats, while diplomatic tensions soared further when Phnom Penh refused to extradite Thaksin during his first visit to Cambodia.

'It (the appointment of Thaksin) is the sovereign right of Cambodia. Thailand has no right to interfere in this issue,' Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told AFP in an interview. 'The appointment was made by the king's royal decree, we cannot revoke as (Thai Foreign Minister) Kasit Piromya has demanded.'

'It is not a childish game.'

Thailand's Kasit said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Monday that the two countries could not normalise relations until Cambodia revoked Thaksin's appointment. -- AFP

Cambodian govt returns air traffic firm to Thais


The Associated Press January 11

(CAAI News Media)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia

Cambodia's government on Monday returned management of the country's air traffic control company to its Thai owners, a small concession in a dispute over its overtures to ousted former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Control of Cambodia Traffic Air Services, or CATS, was seized in November after Cambodia arrested a Thai employee, Siwarak Chutipong, on a spying charge. He allegedly stole the flight schedule of Thaksin -- who is a fugitive from Thai justice but who was visiting Cambodia as a VIP guest -- and gave it to a Thai diplomat.

Other Thai employees of the company were barred from coming to its offices, but not otherwise penalized.

Samart Corp., the parent firm of CATS, said Cambodia's Cabinet returned control of the company on Monday.

In 2008, a Thai court sentenced Thaksin in absentia to two years in prison for violating a conflict of interest law, but he fled into exile before the verdict. He was ousted by a 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power.

In early November, Cambodia named Thaksin as an adviser to the government on economic affairs. The appointment, and a subsequent visit by Thaksin, set off a diplomatic imbroglio in which the two countries recalled their ambassadors. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thaksin had been unfairly convicted for political reasons.

Siwarak was convicted and sentenced to seven years in jail by a Cambodian court but was pardoned soon afterward and allowed to leave for Thailand.

The statement by Samart quoted its president, Watchai Vilailuck, as expressing appreciation for the handover and saying that it signaled "that Kingdom of Cambodia is open and fair to the foreign businesses and shall win investor's confidence in the long-term."

It said that Samart in 2001 won a concession to operate CATS for 32 years.

Thai ultimatum to Cambodia over Thaksin's role


By Tim Johnston in Bangkok

Published: January 11 2010

(CAAI News Media)

Battle lines have deepened in a long-running diplomatic standoff between Thailand and Cambodia after Bangkok issued a blunt ultimatum to its neighbour.

Kasit Piromya, Thailand's foreign minister, said that there would be no normal-isation of the country's strained relations with Phnom Penh until the Cambodian government revoked the appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister, as a financial adviser.

The decision by Hun Sen, Cambodia's long-serving prime minister, to appoint Mr Thaksin as a government adviser in October brought relations between the south-east Asian neighbours to breaking point. Both sides withdrew their ambassadors.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Kasit said that relations were unlikely to improve as long as Mr Thaksin's appointment stood.

"The only thing we have told Hun Sen is that his appointment of Thaksin and his interference in Thai politics is not acceptable by any international norms and standards. It is blatant interference, so it is not acceptable," Mr Kasit said.

"He must delink himself from Thaksin, otherwise there cannot be normalisation of diplomatic relations, pure and simple."

The relationship between the two countries had already been strained by a border dispute over land near the 10th-century Preah Vihear temple. Although the World Court awarded the temple itself to Cambodia in 1962, Thailand still claims a block of the surrounding land. There were a number of skirmishes between troops guarding the border last year.

Late last month Mr Hun Sen said he had obtained a document outlining a Thai government plan to mount a coup against him. He said he had passed the document to Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni to show the "bad character of our neighbouring leaders".

Mr Thaksin was removed from office in a military coup in 2006. He is now living in exile to avoid a two-year prison sentence imposed in absentia after he was found guilty of breaching conflict of interest laws - a verdict which, he says, was politically motivated.

Despite his exile, the telecommunications billionaire remains the de facto leader of Thailand's opposition and the arch-enemy of the government of Abhisit Vejjajiva, the current prime minister. Mr Thaksin's supporters, known as "red shirts", have vowed to launch a series of street demonstrations, starting today, until the government resigns.

"There is no international norm or practice for any leader of any country to say that 'I back one political party in order to topple down the existing and rightful government'," said Mr Kasit, who is trying to win over other regional governments to his cause.

Mr Hun Sen is unapologetic. In October he refused to extradite Mr Thaksin on the grounds that his conviction was politically motivated. He also startled observers by comparing the former prime minister, whose administration was dogged by widespread allegations of corruption and brutality, to Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate being detained in Burma.

Thai-Cambodian ties stuck as Phnom Penh rejects minister's demand


Mon, 11 Jan 2010
By : dpa

(CAAI News Media)

Phnom Penh - The Cambodian government on Monday rejected a demand by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya that Phnom Penh dismiss Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an adviser before relations between the two countries could improve. Kasit's comments appeared Monday in the Financial Times newspaper, which quoted him as saying Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen "must delink himself from Thaksin; otherwise, there cannot be normalization of diplomatic relations, pure and simple."

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan told the German Press Agency

DAP News ; Breaking News by Soy Sopheap


World Bank Funded School Program Inspires Cambodia’s
Students to Big Dream

Monday, 11 January 2010 08:20 DAP-NEWS/ Ek Madra

(CAAI News Media0

PHNOM PENH, January 11, 2010 — The World Bank-assisted Education Sector Support Project is expanding educational facilities in poor and underserved areas, delivering scholarship programs to poor children, providing training and capacity building at local levels to improve education services and addressing specific implementation issues around the Government's Education Strategic Sector Plan, said the Bank report seen by DAP.

The program is also known as “Based Classroom Improves Student Learning”
Under the program, students, especially poor girls and ethnic minority children, receive scholarships ranging from US$45 to US$60 per year to support their studies, it said.

Meas Sokhunthea, a shy 8th grade student at Preah An Kosa secondary school in Siem Reap town, has wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl.

“With the scholarship that I’ve been given and my mom’s strong support for my studies, I believe I will reach my goal,” the Bank quoted Sokhunthea said.

Sokhunthea, is one of 36,000 lower-secondary and primary students, received scholarships through a component of the Education Sector Support Project (ESSP), which is financed by the World Bank in Cambodia. Under the program, students will receive scholarships ranging from US$45 to US$60 per year to support their study.

Sokhunthea got US$45, which she used to buy her uniform, books, pen and her school bag. Sokhunthea thanks the Bank’s program because it helps to reduce her mother’s financial burden of buying her school materials.

Her schoolmate, Cheng Sopheap, who received US$60, said the money is helping him to concentrate on his studies. Sopheap said it makes him less worried about finding money to buy school materials.

Sopheap has three brothers and a sister; all of them are in school. “If there is no support, I won’t be here because my parents are very poor,” he was quoted in the Bank’s report.

In a classroom at Borkeo secondary school in Borkeo district, around 25 km from Ratanakiri provincial town, another 9th grade scholarship recipient, Pov Theary, has been given a scholarship for grades 7, 8 and 9. Each school year she gets $60. Like most of other scholarship students, Theary uses the scholarship money to buy books, uniforms, and a bicycle, and the rest she gives to her mom for buying food for the family.

Theary had been asked by her mom to quit school when she finished grade 6 because her family could not support her continuing schooling.

“When she passed grade 6, I asked her to quit school because I don’t have money to support her and I have to look after my old parents,” her mother, Pov Loth, said.

“I am alone, with no husband. It has been difficult. I couldn’t support her to continue to study,” said Theary’s mother.

“The school is far. I had no money to buy a bicycle for her as well as to pay for her school uniforms and school materials. I remember, Theary looked so sad and worried. I really sympathized with her. Luckily she got a scholarship,” said the mother.

Like Sokhunthea and perhaps many students, Theary’s end-goal is to be a teacher.

“I want to be a teacher because I like it and I see that there are not enough teachers in my community,” said Theary.

Still No Thai Ambassador, Ahbsit Under Pressure

Thailand still has yet to assign an ambassador for Cambodia following the recall of their previous ambassador November 4, 2009. There are no signs that Thai leaders are about to appoint a new ambassador.

Thai leaders recalled their ambassador from Cambodia at the beginning of November last year after fury at the appointment of fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra as Cambodian PM Hun Sen’s advisor and the government’s advisor on economic matters on November 4, 2009.

After Thailand recalled its ambassador, Cambodia did as the same.

The argument has quickly descended into a blame game, with Thai leaders blasting Cambodian leaders for interfering in Thai internal affairs by appointing Thaksin.

However, Thailand may be overlook- ing the fact that other foreigners, such as South Korean President Ly Myung Bak, have been appointed as Cambodian advisors.

Cambodian leaders have assured that the Cambodian government has absolutely no intention of interfering in Thai internal affairs but refused to deport Thaksin to face criminal convictions in Thailand.

Koy Kuong, Cambodian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, on Saturday told DAP News Cambodia that he has not seen any signs that Thai leaders are willing to send another ambassador.

“So far, it is so quiet; it’s quiet from Thai party and we are waiting for that party, then we’ll follow,” Koy Kuong said, adding that “Thailand was wrongdoer so they have to solve the problem.”

However, he confirmed that present relations between the two embassies are being done by the two acting deputy ambassadors. Though, diplomatic ties have slipped, but the situation at the border is normal as soldiers often meet to discuss in order to keep the peace.

Many nations have offered their help, but Thailand has rejected arbitration by a third party. The Cambodian government has expressed hopes that the issue can be solved bilaterally, via ASEAN or the international community.

Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva is facing pressure as around 100.000 red shirt protesters are ready to rally at former Thai Prime Minister Surayud’s house on Monday next week, as they alleged that Surayud encroached illegally upon a forest reserve.

Abhisit thus may have little time to consider diplomatic ties.
Ahbisit on Saturday encouraged students to become more interested in politics instead of dismissing politics as an evil, according to the Nation on Saturday.

The students visited the Thai prime minister at the Thai Government House on the occasion of the National Children’s Day. They were given a chance to sit on the prime minister’s seat.

However, Cambodia’s Foreign Affair spokesman had little to say about Abhisit’s remarks. “It is Thai internal affairs as the premier Abhisit’s remarks and it is not related to Cambodia’s policy.”

“This time, Thai government’s policy affects nearby countries as Thai citizens, especially red shirts protesters, are protesting against him,” he added.

Meanwhile, Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday told Thai children that current politics is full of deception.

Thaksin made a phone call to address children who gathered for a Children’s Day celebration, held at the Waroros Grand Palace under his sponsorship.

He told the children to ignore the current politics because it was full of lies.

“Don’t follow an example of a stupid person who allows a bankrupt person to lead him. Or, don’t follow example of grownups who are still acting like children,” Thaksin was quoted as saying by the Nation.

Abhisit also seems to be facing dissent from other coalition parties, with a possibility that those parties would join hands to push forward a constitutional amendment without waiting for support from the Democratic Party.

The Democrat Party and PM Abhisit have not been trying to delay the constitutional amendments bid as it will have to seek opinion from all members, personal spokesman of party leader Thepthai Senpong said on Saturday, according to Bangkok Post.

“The Democrat will hold a meeting of party members soon and the final conclusion on charter change will be derived before the opening of the forthcoming parliamentary session,” Thepthai was quoted as saying by the Bangkok post.

Thepthai’s remarks came after the three coalition parties—Chart Thai Pattana, Bhumjaithai and Puea Pandin —on Friday announced that they would join hands to push forward the constitutional amendments without waiting for support from the Democrat party.

Banharn Silpa-archa, chief adviser of Chart Thai Pattana Party, said his party and other coalition partners, Bhumjaithai and Puea Pandin, will file a motion in parliament to amend two sections of the 2007 constitution, once they have garnered enough support for the motion. He denies their stance threatens coalition unity.

Banharn made the announcement on Friday when leaders of Puea Pandin called on him to present their New Year’ s greeting at his residence on Charan Sanitwong Road.

The filing of the motion needs the support of at least one-fifth of parliament members. Puea Pandin Party leader Charnchai Chairungruang said the three parties have enough support in the Lower House to introduce the motion.

Cambodia Passes Fisheries Legislation

The Cambodian government has approved a sub-decree regulating fisheries investment though public bidding, said a press release from the Council of Ministers obtained on Saturday.

This sub-decree, which regulates payment for renting fishery lots, is in line with government policy and focuses on the management and control, as well as effectiveness and transparency, the press release said. It will help to promote the living conditions of local people and reduce poverty, the CoM claimed.

“The sub decree will help to collect the national income to support the government and guarantee to use the fishery product sustainability, and develop fishery through trade,” it added.