Photo by: AFP

Anti-riot police walk in formation outside the closed Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Sunday.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by AFP
Monday, 01 December 2008

Annual Asean meeting could be pushed back over protests

THAILAND'S foreign minister said Sunday the kingdom may have to postpone a regional summit until March as anti-government protesters continue their occupation of Bangkok's two airports.

Sompong Amornviwat said that the Thai Cabinet would make its final decision on Tuesday over whether to go ahead with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting scheduled for December 15-18.

"Thailand may have to postpone, but the postponement would not be long - it may be postponed to early March," Sompong said on Thai state-run NBT television station.

"But it depends on the Cabinet's decision, because the postponement would not only affect Thailand financially, but more importantly it will affect the country's image."

Thailand, the current chair of Asean, is in the grip of political chaos, as protesters trying to topple the government on Tuesday seized the nation's main Suvarnabhumi airport and forced its closure.

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) took control of the smaller Don Mueang airport a day later, and have also been occupying premier Somchai Wongsawat's Cabinet offices since August.

The worsening political situation in the kingdom has prompted Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to suggest postponing the Asean summit, and the bloc's secretary general travelled overland to Thailand on Friday to assess the situation.

Thailand announced in late October that the Asean meeting would be moved from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, a government stronghold where Somchai is currently running the country from as the protests drag on.

Authorities said it was because of northern Thailand's cooler climate, but the anti-government protests are believed to be a key factor.

In December 2006, the Philippines postponed that year's Asean summit on the island of Cebu until the following month.

Thailand's crisis could cost Cambodia $100m: minister

AFP

Anti-government protesters stand guard while blocking the entrance at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Kay Kimsong
Monday, 01 December 2008

The occupation of Bangkok's airports has closed Cambodia’s main tourist transit point, putting the choke on foreign travel

CAMBODIA stands to lose more than US$100 million in tourism-related revenue if the political deadlock gripping Thailand's capital - a major transit point for visitors to the Kingdom - does not ease in the next three months, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon told the Post Sunday.

The minister estimated that 1,500 tourists arrive daily by air and land from Bangkok, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total travellers, and that foreign visitors spend $770 on average per trip.

He added that the government expects the turmoil in Bangkok could last for at least a few months."At least 10 to 12 flights arrive every day in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh via Bangkok," Thong Khon said. "We are sure to lose substantial numbers of tourists."

The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy last week stormed Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in an attempt to bring down the government of Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Thai government officials have since declared a state of emergency at both airports, which have cancelled all flights.

Tourism drops

Despite an increase in arrivals from other countries, the number of overall visitors has dropped, Thong Khon said.

"There are many passengers travelling via Hanoi, Japan and Korea, but not as many as we had coming from Bangkok," he said.

"Cambodia wants Thailand to return to normal. If [the situation in] Bangkok continues to deteriorate, it will impact our tourism sector," he said.

Thong Khon urged tourism operators to continue marketing Cambodia as a safe travel destination.Tes Chhaya, a tour guide in Siem Reap, said the crisis in Bangkok has taken a toll on local businesses, including hotels, tourism packages and taxis.

"At this time last year, I would have bookings for nearly 15 days out of every month. Now, we are getting only about five days of bookings per month," he said, adding that his profits have dropped more than 50 percent.

Independent economist Sok Sina said the political turmoil, as well as the global financial crisis, has affected Cambodia's tourism sector this year, making it unlikely to achieve the growth projected by the government.

"Cambodia will not likely reach its target of two million visitors this year," he said, adding that a drop in visitors to Siem Reap would also hurt local farmers who supply produce and meat to area hotels.

Analysts expect the crisis in Bangkok to drag on with the army and police refusing to act on government demands to disband the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, pro-government groups have threatened to directly confront the People's Alliance in what observers fear would be an eruption of bloodshed that could spark a coup.

Garment makers look east for sales amid US downturn

Photo by: Chun Sophal
GMAC President Van Sou Ieng arrives from Japan at Phnom Penh International Airport on Saturday night.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Chun Sophal and Hor Hab
Monday, 01 December 2008

Textile sector leaders seek markets in Japan, other nations to bolster flagging exports as global financial crisis begins to hit industry profits, GMAC says

THE Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia (GMAC) announced Sunday that new purchase orders have been inked with Japan, amid growing concerns that one of the Kingdom's key industries is too reliant on the US market.

The deal represents an important step forward in trade relations between Cambodia and Japan, GMAC President Van Sou Ieng told reporters after his return from Japan.

"We will export 10,000 jackets and 100,000 pairs of shoes in early 2009 to mark the beginning of trade exchanges with Japan," he said.

"We hope that Japan will make more purchase orders for Cambodian garments because Japan is the third-largest garment market in the world after the US and European Union," he added.

Van Sou Ieng, along with officials from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), union representatives and a delegation from the Commerce Ministry, made the trip to Japan at the government's urging in a move aimed at shoring up the garment sector, which last year was worth some US$2.9 billion.

" I think Japan is a good market ... but we have to seize opportunities in russia. "

US exposure

The garment sector has been hit hard by the economic slowdown in the US, which buys about 70 percent of Cambodia's total textile output.

Japan, on the other hand, buys about 90 percent of its garments from China, Van Sou Ieng said. Chea Vuthy, deputy secretary general at the CDC, emphasised on Sunday the importance of developing closer trade relations with Japan and other nations in the wake of declining US and European sales.

One of those new markets, he said, is Russia.

"I think Japan is a good market for Cambodia's garments, but we have to seize opportunities in Russia as well to preserve the sustainability of this sector," Chea Vuthy told the Post.

"Our garment exports to the US are showing signs of decline, so our best option is to find new markets," he added.

Tan Eng Teo, managing director of Thaipore Garment Manufacturers, said, however, that factories would have to increase quality control standards to appeal to Japanese buyers.

Better quality

"The Japanese market demands high-quality products, so we have to face this challenge and try to meet their standards," he said.

"The Japanese market has no confidence in Cambodia, so we have to overcome this barrier and change their minds if we want to have an opportunity to expand there," Tan Eng Teo added.

Cambodia's garment sector employs more than 380,000 workers in 319 factories, and exports are expected to reach US$3 billion this year, according to government estimates.

But independent analysts suggest export revenue will be lower than expected as the global financial crisis takes a larger bite out of revenues and spending, particularly in the US.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY GEORGE MCLEOD

Chinese delegation highlights security

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Vong Sokheng
Monday, 01 December 2008

A HIGH-RANKING Chinese security delegation led by Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu arrived Sunday in Cambodia for talks with Ministry of Interior officials, pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation on the issues of terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and illegal immigration.

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said Cambodia and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding during Sunday's half-day meeting, aiming to strengthen cooperation on security-related issues.

"We are very proud for your visit today, which can help build up our old friendship," Sar Kheng said in his formal address to the delegation.

He added that the Chinese government had also promised to donate US$300,000 to upgrade police equipment and boost human resources in the security sector. "This is not the first time we have cooperated, and we will step towards closer cooperation [in future]," Sar Kheng said.

A strong relationship

Last week, the Chinese government donated 33 ambulances, seven minibuses, one bus, three cars, one excavator and other materials to Cambodia's Ministry of Defence.

Cheam Yeap, lawmaker of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, said that Cambodia is scheduled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with China in early December by hosting another delegation of senior Chinese officials, including National Committee Chairman Jia Qingling, from Tuesday to Saturday.

"The visit of the most senior Chinese government officials will help to improve stronger diplomatic ties between Cambodia and China," he said.

A young Prince addresses Asian and African leaders

Photo by: Michael Hayes
Then-Prince, now King Father Norodom Sihanouk is shown being welcomed to Bandung in April 1955 in a photo that now hangs in a museum honoring the event. Today Sihanouk is the only surviving leader to have attended the Asian-African Conference.

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by Post Staff
Monday, 01 December 2008

Prince Norodom Sihanouk's speech – transcribed from a taped version – to the Opening Session of the Asian-African Conference, April 18, 1955

Mr Chairman,

The world's attention has been centering for the last few weeks upon the present Conference which, for the first time in history, brings together all our nations.

Eminent voices have already defined the main features and revealed the objectives of the present Conference.

I will take the liberty to offer Cambodia's small contribution to this first task.

We do not think that we are meeting at Bandung for our trial. Our ideal and aspirations are well known. But what should characterise our conference, is that:
(a) It puts in concrete form, for the very first time, the solidarity of African and Asian peoples, in their common love of freedom, equality, peace and welfare.

(b) It shatters the frontiers which separated two worlds: the communist and the non-communist. In this respect, our conference appears to be an Afro-Asian offspring of the United Nations Assembly and offers an opportunity for regretting that the United Nations have not yet opened their doors to some nations having already obviously fulfilled the conditions of sovereignty and capacity required for membership.

(c) It is capable of contributing considerably towards international security and co-operation, by fostering all over the world two ideals which most typically mark mankind ie, first of all, freedom and independence for all the peoples of the world, and then world peace, which comes as a corollary and even a consequence of the first ideal.

I will lay emphasis on the peace which, though not being atomic power - and precisely because we are not atomic powers - we may have the privilege of achieving, as a result of the unprecedented union of our countries, and thanks to our policy which is based on equally shared liberty and equality, on non-interference and co-existence principles, and which will be made practicable by the destruction of political and racial barriers and more particularly of the barriers created by suspicion and mistrust.

There is another way by which Cambodia would like to contribute to this conference and it is that which results from her present cast, which might be used to test the practicability and the possibility of accomplishment of the aims laid down at this Conference.

The Cambodians are proud of having, all by themselves, struggled for and obtained full independence before the event of the Geneva Conference and through their union and their gallant determination.

I am proud of having had the privilege of leading my people in their struggle for independence and to have, after the Geneva Conference determinedly steered our national policy towards the Pancha Shila, towards the community of neutral nations - among them: India and Burma.

Independent and neutral Cambodia now finds herself on the separating line of two civilizations, of two races, of two political worlds ... and as such, she has the dangerous privilege of standing the test and the application of the principles of the Pancha Shila.

My country has adopted these principles and wishes to apply them to the fullest extent. In so doing, she only requests an absolute reciprocity. She requests that her independence, her integrity, her security, her traditions and political ideology be not threatened.

It will be the task of more powerful nations to set the example, to give proofs and guarantees to smaller nations, and thereby to take the only course of action that is necessary to overthrow those barriers of suspicion and mistrust I have mentioned.

Looking forward to this, Cambodia through my voice, will express her conviction of the beneficent issue of this Conference and her faith in its most important contribution towards the liberty, equality, welfare and, above all, the peace among peoples.

My country fully realises the primary importance of this Conference with regard to mankind at large, and will take this opportunity to pay a public homage to the five sponsoring powers, to Indonesia which has kindly accepted the heavy responsibility of organising this meeting, and finally with your permission to this great Asiatic: Jawaharlal Nehru, who has done so much for the junction and the mutual understanding of peoples in freedom and in the mutual respect of their national rights and also for world peace.

Source:
Collected Documents of the Asian-African Conference, April 18-24, 1955. Published by the Agency for Research and Development, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Government of Indonesia, 1983.

Restarting Bangkok Aiport To Take At Least A Week

Policemen officers stand guard on the main road to Bangkok`s Suvarnabhumi Airport

Author Reuters

Restarting Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport will take at least a week from the end of the current sit-in by protesters because of security and IT system checks, airport general manager Serirat Prasutanond said on Monday.

"Normally, checking the IT systems takes one week. We have to check, recheck, check, recheck," Serirat told Reuters, adding that the delay would be even longer if any of the airport's massive computer systems needed repair.

"I think some systems are damaged," he said, but he declined to provide further details.

Once Airports of Thailand, the site's operator, was satisfied that everything was working as it should, it would invite the Department of Civil Aviation and airline representatives to do their own checks, Serirat said.

It is not known how long those third-party checks will take.

The closure of the $4 billion, 125,000 passenger-a-day airport since Tuesday has stranded thousands of foreign tourists and is threatening the tourism- and export-driven economy with billions of dollars of damage.

The misery is being compounded by the parallel closure by protesters of Bangkok's Don Muang airport, which served as the capital's main air hub until Suvarnabhumi's opening in September 2006 and is still important as a domestic hub.

Serirat did not talk about Don Muang.

Some international flights are now departing via U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era military airfield 150 km (90 miles) southeast of Bangkok.

The other options for travellers trying to get flights out of the country are via Chiang Mai, 700 km (435 miles) to the north, or Phuket, 900 km (560 miles) to the south.

Some are also driving overland to Cambodia to get flights out of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.

Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu meets with Cambodian King

www.chinaview.cn

2008-12-01

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu met here on Sunday with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on bilateral ties and cooperation.

The king asked Meng to relay his greeting for Chinese President Hu Jintao, saying that the Cambodian-Chinese friendly ties were hammered out by both countries' previous leaders and has been highlighted consistently in recent years.

As the bilateral cooperation scored achievement in various sectors, Cambodia expected to join hands with China to push forward the Cambodian-Chinese relations and make them much closer and everlasting.

He also expressed appreciation for the long-term support and help that the Chinese government and the brotherly Chinese people have given for the kingdom's independence and construction.

Meng relayed Hu Jintao's greeting to the king, saying that the Chinese government attaches much attention to its relationship with Cambodia, which had a long history and has flourished in recent years.

Both sides exchanged many high-level visits, enhanced mutual political trust, and widened the cooperation in various sectors, including that of justice work, said Meng.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Cambodia, China is willing to join hands with Cambodia to lift the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations to a new level, he said.

Meng also expressed appreciation for the support that the Cambodian royal family and government have extended to China over the issues related to China's core interests, such as those of Taiwan and Tibet.

Meng and the 19-member delegation arrived in the kingdom on Nov.28 for an official visit at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng.

On Nov. 30, Meng met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and held talks with Sar Kheng.

He will leave for Vietnam on Monday for the second and final leg of his regional tour.

Editor: Deng Shasha

Viet Nam calls for closer links with UN

HA NOI — Viet Nam wished to enhance co-operation with United Nations organisations, President Nguyen Minh Triet said yesterday while receiving UN Resident Co-ordinator in Viet Nam, John Hendra.

Triet said Viet Nam supported multilateral institutions, particularly the UN, in handling international relations. He said it also backed the general reform of the UN system in the country.

Viet Nam was one of the first countries to adopt the "one UN initiative", a reform programme he said needed to be strengthened.

Triet said he appreciated the contributions made by UN organisations to socio-economic development in Viet Nam, adding that Hendra had played an important role in enhancing the international community’s understanding of Viet Nam.

Hendra said Viet Nam had made significant contributions to the reform process of the UN Security Council, and the UN hoped it would make more contributions to UN activities.

He said UN organisations planned to provide financial consultancy to Viet Nam and enhance its assistance.

He added that UN programmes had many targets, such as improving judicial systems and state management, and that the UN wanted to help Viet Nam learn from other countries’ experiences in these fields.

Cambodian visitor

On the same day, President Triet received the Cambodian Chairman of the Council for Judiciary Reform, Dith Munty, who is on a working visit to Viet Nam until tomorrow.

Triet spoke highly of co-operation between the courts of the two countries, particularly in sharing experiences and training.

He said Munty’s visit would bring practical results for the two court sectors and foster traditional ties.

He said Viet Nam’s foreign policy was to expand co-operation with all countries, particularly between Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia.

The State leader congratulated achievements made by the Cambodian people in raising the country’s position in the international arena.

Chairman Munty said he admired the achievements made by the Party, State and people of Viet Nam, and said Cambodia would never forget the great sacrifice of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in helping Cambodian people escape from genocide.

He briefed Triet about the results of a working session with the People’s Supreme Court of Viet Nam, during which the two sides agreed to increase exchanges of delegations, share experiences and provide mutual training opportunities. — VNS

Airport protests put Thai economy in peril

The siege of Bangkok's international airport by anti-government protesters could be a crippling blow for Thailands economy.

Not only thousands of travellers are stranded. The protests have also paralyzed the countrys international air freight to the tune of millions of dollars.

China builds South East Asia ties

That Luang monastery is a symbol of Lao nationhood.

BBC News
Monday, 1 December 2008

China's top political adviser, Jia Qinglin, has arrived in the Lao capital Vientiane, on a goodwill visit.

Separately, Chinese State Councillor Meng Jianzhu arrived in Cambodia and met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Hun Sen highlighted the importance of China - and its powerful economy - to South East Asia.
Long under Vietnam's umbrella, Laos and Cambodia have been receiving more Chinese investment, aid and migration in recent years.

Chinese state media reported Hun Sen as saying that the fast economic development of China was an encouragement not only for the Chinese people, but for people in the region.

Laos and Cambodia have been willing recipients of growing amounts of financial and other assistance from China, from the building of roads to the migration of traders.

Cambodia appreciated the long-term support and help that China has given for the economic and social development of Cambodia, Hun Sen said.

Officials then signed agreements to promote co-ordination of security between the two countries, part of which will involve China donating police equipment to Cambodia.

Project criticised

In Laos, China is funding several large construction projects, including the now completed road from northern Laos into southern China.

Thousands of Chinese workers have been brought to the country to work on these projects.

Correspondents say that criticism has emerged of what some see as overly close ties with China.

They cite the example of the stadium under construction in Vientiane which is financed by the China Development Bank.

The bank brought in the Suzhou Industrial Park Overseas Investment company from China, which was then granted a 50-year lease on 1,600 hectares of marshland to build a special residential zone in an area of ecological and national significance near That Luang monastery.

Opponents of the That Luang Township have said that the plan to turn a large marshland into a new "Chinatown" cedes too much sovereignty to the large neighbour to the north.

Unofficial estimates of about 300,000 new Chinese residents in Laos are impossible to confirm as many Chinese live without documentation, correspondents say.

The Xinhua news agency reported Mr Jia as saying that China and Laos have enjoyed "frequent contacts between leaders, ever-deepening economic co-operation and trade, mutual support and close co-ordination in international and regional affairs and expanded exchanges and co-operation in diverse areas".

Mr Jia said he hoped that this visit will "promote continuous progress in China-Laos relationship featuring long-term stability, good neighbourliness, mutual trust and comprehensive co-operation".

Sacravatoons : " Siamese Twins "

Courtesy of Sacravatoon

Rising number of NZers trapped in Bangkok

Anti-government demonstrators armed with clubs and iron bars stand watch near a checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. Photo / AP

New Zealand Herald
Monday Dec 01, 2008

The number of New Zealanders stuck in the Thai capital Bangkok is growing, with officials now putting the figure at over 200, Prime Minister John Key says.

The Government is working with foreign airlines and the Australian government to get New Zealanders, trapped by the anti-government protests that have paralysed Bangkok's two main airports, out of the country.

An official estimate last night of the number of New Zealanders stuck in Bangkok was 195, but Mr Key said that number had grown.

"There are at least 200 that are stranded at Bangkok airport as I understand it and there may well be more," he said on Newstalk ZB.

"As each day goes by more holidays and things come to their end so in theory there is a greater backlog."

Mr Key said officials were working to get New Zealanders out and he would have more details on possible solutions this afternoon.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was still warning people to stay away from Thailand as the situation was likely to get worse before it got better.

"There is no real break in the protests that are going on and you never really know where those things are going to end up," Mr Key said on TVNZ's Breakfast programme.

"There are issues there, so unless you really need to go to Thailand I wouldn't go ... Obviously it's a risk we think people shouldn't take."

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully last night told NZPA there was the possibility of using airports beyond the main Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.

New Zealand officials were also discussing alternative options with other airlines.

"The situation is complicated by the fact that not all (the New Zealanders) are headed home.
Some are heading the other way, not all are literally trapped there, and some have made arrangements to go elsewhere."

A group of Australians left from U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era naval airbase 150km east of Bangkok, for home yesterday.

He said that was an option for ticket holders of Thai Airways or its partner airlines.

One of the other options was to catch a flight out of tourist resort Phuket - 900km by road from Bangkok and involving a 14-hour bus trip.

Subject to approval by Thai authorities, Qantas is planning to put on an A330-300 - which can hold close to 300 passengers - from Phuket to Singapore tonight local time.

But it has said Qantas and British Airways ticket holders will get first priority for seats, followed by other Australian nationals.

Mr McCully said chartering an Air New Zealand plane to fly New Zealanders home was the least practical answer.

"Anything involving a carrier that does not habitually fly from the airport they would leave from has complications," he said.

Mr McCully said he believed New Zealanders were not at risk but without intervention it could take weeks to get home.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat has said it could take a month to clear the backlog.

"The levels of frustration are going to rise and we are keen to do everything we can to assist," Mr McCully said.

- NZPA

PAD releases 88 stranded airliners

More than 400 haj pilgrims stranded at Suvarnabhumiairport pick up their belongings yesterday before being taken to U-tapao airport for a flight to Saudi Arabia early this morning. SOMCHAIPOOMLARD

Bangkok Post
Monday December 01, 2008

Planes will help get passengers back home

International and local airlines were removing their aircraft from Suvarnabhumi airport last night after the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) agreed to release 88 planes stranded there, at the request of Airports of Thailand (AoT).

AoT acting president and Suvarnabhumi airport director Sereerat Prasutanont yesterday urged the PAD to free the fleet, both local and foreign-owned, so the airlines can take home passengers who have been marooned by the closure of the airport.

He said foreign airlines were ready to remove their planes immediately.

To ease congestion at U-tapao airport, where foreigners are queueing for flights out of the country, AoT plans to turn Bitec convention centre in Bang Na into a temporary check-in terminal or city terminal, he said.

The Bitec facility is expected to be ready soon.

Suriyasai Katasila, PAD coordinator, said the alliance had no problem if the airlines wanted to take their planes back. The PAD was also concerned about the security of the aircraft.

Airlines began flying out of the airport about 10 o'clock last night.

Earlier, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat said about 300,000 passengers had been left stranded. These included 100,000 foreign tourists caught in Thailand, and 60,000 Thais who were overseas trying to get home.

The rest were foreigners who planned to travel to Thailand but cannot get here.

Flights operating from U-tapao airport have so far sent only 30,000 passengers back to their home countries. It will take 10 days to send back all passengers.

Thai Airways International plc (THAI) yesterday arranged 31 special flights from U-tapao airport.

Hat Yai airport has begun sending flights to U-tapao airport, for passengers in the South who would like to get to Bangkok.

THAI would put on one flight a day from the southern airport to U-tapao.

The government is spending 40 million baht a day taking care of passengers left stranded following the closure of the two main airports.

Earlier yesterday, a PAD member said PAD had dispatched security guards to prevent people entering the area where aircraft are parked. The PAD has also asked AoT to send officials to guard aircraft and runways at the two airports.

PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang yesterday wrote to Mr Sereerat asking him to beef up security for aircraft and runways at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

Tourists wanting to leave the country are also flocking to Songkhla's Hat Yai district to catch buses and vans to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.

Malaysian and Singaporean tourists visiting the South are catching buses and vans in Hat Yai back to their countries.

Some tourists from European countries are also heading for Hat Yai, where they catch vans to Malaysia and Singapore for flights to their countries.

Foreign govts frustrated by Thai airport siege

BANGKOK, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Australia's foreign minister expressed frustration on Sunday at the closure of Bangkok's international airport and said his government was pressing Thai authorities to do more to get stranded tourists out.

Other foreign governments are increasingly concerned at the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport since Tuesday by political protesters as part of their campaign to topple the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. [IDn:LT697926]

Australia's Stephen Smith said hundreds of Australians were still stranded in Thailand and national carrier Qantas (QAN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) had offered to put on additional flights to take them home.

"It's very frustrating for us and it's very frustrating for those stranded Australians," he told Australian television.

Qantas said it will operate a special service from Phuket to Singapore on Monday night for Australian tourists stranded in Thailand.

The Thai government is shuttling tourists to U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era air base 150 km (90 miles) east of Bangkok, as an alternative landing site for airlines, but travellers have complained of long delays and confusion.

Several major Asian carriers have announced special flights to pick up passengers and crew from U-Tapoa or other Thai airports.

China's official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday the first return flights from Thailand reached Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou early on Sunday. Xinhua cited estimates that over 3,500 Chinese tourists have been stranded in Thailand.

The U.S. embassy in Bangkok said it had asked the Thai foreign ministry to provide "appropriate compensation" to U.S. citizens stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and the older Don Muang airport, a big domestic hub.

It said "large numbers" of Americans were unable to leave Thailand and expressed its deep concern to the Thai government.

The European Union also voiced concern in a statement issued in Bangkok by EU ambassadors.

"While respecting the right of protesting and without interfering in any way with the internal political debate in Thailand, the EU considers that these actions are totally inappropriate. They are seriously damaging the international image of Thailand," it said.

"We urge the protesters to evacuate the airports peacefully without delay in order to avoid a major consular crisis and its economic consequences for Thailand," it added.

Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and advised Canadians to stay away from areas where protests were going on, although he noted in a statement that people were free to move around Bangkok.

(Reporting by Alan Raybould; Editing by David Fox and Valerie Lee)

Darwinian Struggle To Find Ticket Out Of Thailand

http://www.scoop.co.nz

New Zealand

Monday, 1 December 2008
Column: Richard S. Ehrlich

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Emergency flights are evacuating thousands of Bangkok's grounded passengers, but that is only a trickle of the 100,000 or more people who want to escape this country's insurrection.

Grenade attacks wounded 51 anti-government protestors on Sunday, heightening fear among travelers stuck in Thailand, though no passengers have been hurt.

In a Darwinian struggle, the rich buy tickets for expensive helicopters and chartered planes, flying from airstrips elsewhere in Thailand, while protesters blockade Bangkok's international and domestic airports.

Others desperately scramble into taxis, buses and trains to reach those few scattered airports, only to find thousands of people in similar straits, sweating, arguing or grinning when told that some waiting lists already include thousands of other names.

One possible way to fly out of Thailand is from U-Tapao's runways, built by America to launch B-52 bombers and other warplanes against Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Today, U-Tapao is a Thai navy base ringed by armed troops, who are letting in baggage-toting travelers for a small number of diverted flights out.

Unlike the zero security at Bangkok's two airports, Thai navy officials said they would use force to protect U-Tapao if any anti-government protesters try to blockade the sprawling facility.

U-Tapao is about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southeast of Bangkok, near Pattaya, an infamously hedonistic, seaside holiday destination.

Some chose to travel overland across into Laos, Cambodia, or Malaysia and hope for international flights from there, or from southern Thailand's Phuket island.

Coming the other way, more travelers arrived in Bangkok on Sunday by bus and train from elsewhere in the region, including many who were on holidays in Thailand's lush countryside, or in China, Burma, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam.

Bangkok is a regional hub for international flights, so some incoming overland travelers had their return bookings scheduled for Sunday, or later this week, and were aggravated to hear the blockade had not been lifted.

The protesters' occupation of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport since Tuesday, and domestic Don Muang airport since Wednesday, destroyed much of Thailand's ability to fly people in and out of this Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country, or airfreight imports and exports.

Thailand is hemorrhaging nearly 100 million U.S. dollars a day in lost tourism, restaurant, hotel, import, export and other revenue, after anti-government protesters shut down this country's two biggest airports without firing a shot.

In a bizarre breach of airport security, Thailand's security officials passively allowed thousands of shouting, club-wielding protestors to march into Bangkok's international airport on Tuesday, and occupy its lavish, sprawling departure and arrival lounges, passport control areas, customs offices, and ultimately its control tower.

A day later, Thailand's security forces stood by and allowed anti-government protesters to seize Bangkok's smaller, domestic airport.

Several commercial airlines also discovered about 90 of their planes were trapped on the tarmac, unable to lift off.

Those planes are still parked next to the airports' abandoned gates, costing the airline companies countless dollars in lost ticket sales and eventual maintenance problems.

The protesters are led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who want to cancel the last election which their preferred politicians lost, and replace democratic voting with a vague system of appointed politicians.

The elitist, rightwing, royalist PAD leads a minority of urban wealthy and middle class protesters against Thailand's majority rural poor and their supporters.

The PAD insists the poor are too ignorant, and easily bribed, to vote correctly.

The PAD is led by Sondhi Limthongkul who is a frustrated telecommunications tycoon.

His sidekick is retired Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang who is a Buddhist spiritualist, alcohol prohibitionist and successful anti-abortion campaigner.

They refuse to vacate Bangkok's two airports until they oust Somchai Wongsawat, who became prime minister in September and leads a hugely popular People Power Party in a coalition.

Mr. Somchai is a brother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup which was cheered by the PAD.

The protesters want all of Mr. Thaksin's political allies barred from politics.

Mr. Thaksin is an international fugitive, along with his wife, after the couple were recently convicted of corruption, and both sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Meanwhile on Sunday, a grenade injured 49 protesters who have illegally occupied the prime minister's Government House offices downtown since August.

About 20 minutes later, two more devices exploded at PAD leader Sondhi's television station, without injuring anyone, and not disrupting his propaganda broadcasts.

But two people were reportedly injured on Sunday in an explosion near Bangkok's Don Muang domestic airport.

Police were unable, or unwilling, to confront protestors at Bangkok's two airports on Sunday.

More than 100 police retreated so rapidly from Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Saturday that protesters were able to collect several police riot shields, and deflate the tires of a few police vans.

Many Thais expect a possible breakthrough on December 2, when a Constitutional Court may rule on alleged electoral fraud by the government's ruling People Power Party, and two smaller parties, which could result in their dissolution.

But the PPP may simply join a different, newly created party, to stay in power.

The other date Thais are focusing on is December 4, when revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej traditionally gives a speech one day before his birthday.

Thais usually ensure the country is calm, peaceful and united during the monarch's birthday, which has led some to predict a possible end to the airports' occupation by then.

The Land of Smile or the Land of Violence?

Thousands of pro-government supporters rally in Bangkok November 30, 2008. Thai police on Sunday ordered thousands of anti-government protesters who have laid siege to the city's airports to disperse, banning gatherings of more than five people and warning offenders would be jailed or fined. The stakes rose as thousands of pro-government supporters also rallied in the Thai capital, their first significant show of strength since the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) launched its "final battle" on Monday to unseat the government.REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)

A view of the exterior of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport November 30, 2008. Thai police on Sunday ordered thousands of anti-government protesters who have laid siege to the city's airports to disperse, banning gatherings of more than five people and warning offenders would be jailed or fined.REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)

Policemen officers stand guard on the main road to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport November 30, 2008. Thai police on Sunday again ordered anti-government protesters who have laid siege to the city's airports to disperse, banning gatherings of more than five people and warning offenders would be jailed or fined.REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)

Hundreds of Thai riot policemen line-up in formation, facing a road block set up by anti-government demonstrators near Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport November 30, 2008. Thai police on Sunday again ordered anti-government protesters who have laid siege to the city's airports to disperse, banning gatherings of more than five people and warning offenders would be jailed or fined.REUTERS/Adrees Latif (THAILAND)

The Land of RED and YELLOW, who will be the winner?

ANTI-GOVERNMENT (YELLOW COLOUR)

An anti-government rally at Suvanabhum airport in Bangkok. Anti-government protesters on Saturday ignored orders to leave one of Bangkok's besieged airports and faced off with Thai police, raising fears of clashes as crippling demonstrations escalated.(AFP/Hoang Dinh Nam)

Anti-government protesters cheer as they join thousands of others after breaking through an attempted police roadblock near the Suvarnabhumi airport compound early Sunday Nov. 30, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. Anti-government protesters who have closed down Bangkok's airports broke through a police cordon meant to shut them off from supplies, raising fears Saturday of widening confrontations in the standoff that has strangled the country's economy.(AP Photo/Ed Wray)

PRO-GOVERNMENT ( RED COLOUR)

Pro-government demonstrators with one holding a portrait of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gather during a rally to support Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat outside city hall Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand. About 5,000 people took part in the demonstration. Attackers set off explosions at anti-government protest sites Sunday, wounding 51 people and raising fears of widening confrontations in Thailand's worst political crisis that has strangled its economy and shut down its main airports.(AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Thousands of pro-government supporters hold a rally in Bangkok November 30, 2008. Thai police on Sunday ordered thousands of anti-government protesters who have laid siege to the city's airports to disperse, banning gatherings of more than five people and warning offenders would be jailed or fined. The stakes rose as thousands of pro-government supporters also rallied in the Thai capital, their first significant show of strength since the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) launched its "final battle" on Monday to unseat the government.REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (THAILAND)

A girl holds a Thai flag during a rally by thousands of pro-government supporters in Bangkok November 30, 2008. Thai police on Sunday ordered thousands of anti-government protesters who have laid siege to the city's airports to disperse, banning gatherings of more than five people and warning offenders would be jailed or fined. The stakes rose as thousands of pro-government supporters also rallied in the Thai capital, their first significant show of strength since the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) launched its "final battle" on Monday to unseat the government.REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (THAILAND)

Global Witness Encourages Donor Countries to Put Pressure on the Hole-in-the-Basket Government - Saturday, 29.11.2008

Posted on 30 November 2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 588

“A few days ahead of the meeting between big donor countries and international organizations and leaders of the Cambodian government, an organization, also big in the world, issued a statement for international donor countries to put pressure on the Hun Sen Cambodian People’s Party government to change the tradition and to eliminate corruption, and change its conduct of human rights abuses from which Khmer citizens suffer.

“Global Witness, an organization that works actively to protect both the natural environment of Cambodia and Khmer citizens, released a statement, talking in detail about corruption under the responsibility of the Hun Sen Cambodian People’s Party government, on the destruction of the natural resources of Cambodia, and on human rights abuses, where Khmer citizens are the victims.

“According to a report of Global Witness which is based in London, the Hun Sen Cambodian People’s Party government did not make any improvement for Cambodia and for Khmer citizens during five years. The report directly addresses corruption against which, so far, the Hun Sen government has not created a law to suppress it effectively, a law against corrupt officials, who are mostly officials of the Cambodian People’s Party.

“This organization talked also about the human rights abuses happening around the country. This is entirely in line with the previous information from other human rights working groups, including high ranking representatives of the United Nations. It is almost entirely the same as a report of Mr. Yash Ghai, formerly the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Human Rights in Cambodia, who conducted studies, covered information and then released the report, stating that Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party government lets human rights abuses happen against citizens, and he wrote that the power in Cambodia is gathered in the hands of one person, referring to Mr. Hun Sen of the Cambodian People’s Party.

“Global Witness talked also about the destruction of the country, including of the forests. An important concern for donor countries and for important individual observers from other parts of the world are the natural oil and gas resources which are in the initial process towards exploitation, to extract oil from the bottom of the Cambodian sea.

“This problem is raised while also important economists in the world used to comment to the Cambodian government: that not only the present Cambodian People’s Party government, but also any future governments will have to carefully think about the income from oil resources.

“Oil experts and economists have expressed concerns with the ruling of the country by the Hun Sen Cambodian People’s Party, which rules, including with very corrupt leadership, destroying resources of the country. Especially, the concerns related to corruption invite the anxiety that the exploitation of oil and gas, natural resources of Cambodia to be extracted from 2009 at the latest, might be ruined by corruption. The national income, which is estimated to be billions of dollar, might disappear by actions of corrupt officials.

“Oil in the Cambodian sea is estimated to provide millions of barrels and will make billions of dollar. It is enough to convert Cambodia into a developed country so that citizens can avoid poverty and misery, if the Cambodian leadership is competent to eliminate corruption.

“This concern is based on the the bad signals of a model like Nigeria in Africa, where there are oil resources worth billions of dollar, but so far, because corrupt officials control the sector of oil resource, the people of Nigeria are still poor. It is a disease which is named the ‘oil curse.’ Although Nigeria has oil resource worth billions of dollar, foreign loan to this country have grown, and the Nigerian people still live in poverty.

Note:

See also StatoilHydro’s Libyan “corruption” scandal shows need for oil industry disclosure laws. Troubling questions remain about oil deals in Libya and Angola.

A scandal over questionable oil industry payments in Libya, brought to light by the giant Norwegian company StatoilHydro, underlines the need for tougher regulations to deter companies from making undisclosed payments in return for access to oil rights.

“Because of the release of a statement by Global Witness some days ago, the Cambodian Ambassador in England responded by criticizing the statement of concerns by this global environmental organization about corruption in Cambodia.

“The mission of Global Witness, formerly supported by the World Bank, had been brought to an end by the Hun Sen government a few years ago, because it collected information, with photos attached, with claims and witnesses, about corruption and crimes of forest destruction in Cambodia, committed by high ranking officials of the Cambodian People’s Party government who collude with businesspeople as their partners.

“On 1 June 2006, just a few days after Mr. Hun Sen’s statement, boasting that there was no corruption leading to the destruction of forests in Cambodia, Global Witness released a document which precisely linked different witnesses and photos under the tile ‘Cambodia’s Family Trees – Illegal logging and the stripping of public assets by Cambodia’s elite.’ This organization mentioned officials of the Hun Sen government by name, saying that they are in the list of those ‘stripping of public assets,’ those who continue crimes of forest destruction in Cambodia.

“The meeting between donor countries and leaders of the Cambodian government will be held next week on 3 December 2008. At that time, the Hun Sen government plans to ask for much international aid of more than US$500 million.

“Global Witness, civil society organizations, and non-government organizations that closely observe the restoration of the Cambodian society and economy, both of politics and of human rights, welcome international aid, but they want the aid to be used efficiently, avoiding corruption. Therefore, Global Witness asked representatives of donor countries to put pressure on the Cambodian People’s Party to eliminate corruption, in order to bring the culture of exploiting the nation and the citizens to an end, a culture which increases the wealth of the powerful leaders who collude with businesspeople.”

Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #293, 29.11.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:

Saturday, 29 November 2008

Yellow, red camps bring country closer to the brink

By The Nation

Sporadic lawlessness spreading on both sides of conflict as Thailand is named "one of most dangerous places on earth"

Sporadic mob rules have threatened to take on a far larger scale this weekend, with protesters on both sides of the political showdown showing less and less respect for the rule of law and human rights.

After the Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports have fallen to the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, now the Constitution Court is in danger of being surrounded by red-shirt pro-government protesters and nobody knows what is going to happen if the court on Tuesday decides to disband three ruling parties.

Equally worrisome are minor incidents across the country. Vendors watching ASTV have been intimidated by red-shirt people. PAD protesters have fired on a reporter's car, although that was described as a mistake (the car was mistaken as that of assailants). Southern anti-government protesters have threatened to seize provincial halls in all 14 southern provinces if a crackdown was initiated against Suvarnabhumi protesters.

Prime Minister Somchai yesterday took a pilgrimage to pay respect to a Buddhist holy site in Nakhon Phanom while redshirt crowds have threatened to become vigilantes to punish yellowshirt protesters.

Somchai went to pray before the Buddha's relic at Wat Phra That Phanom, People Power Party MP Paijit Srivorakan said.

Following his visit to the temple, he would spend a night in Udon Thani where a pro-government rally took place. He is expected today to return to his temporary office in Chiang Mai.

Paijit said northeastern constituents as well as their MPs would rally to show moral support for the prime minister.

In Chiang Mai, several pickup trucks filled with progovernment crowds were driven to a number of crowded public places rousing the people to take the law into their hands and attack the yellowshirt protesters and their supporters.

In the message, people have been encouraged to identify and shut down businesses and shops run by or linked to the protesters led by The People's Alliance for Democracy.

On Friday's night, a number of redshirt men forced a noodle vendor at Nong Hoy market to close down on the ground for watching the antigovernment programmed aired by ASTV satellite station.

Between Friday and yesterday, redshirt crowds distributed flyers in English to foreign visitors criticising the seizure of two major airports at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi.

Speaking in the capital, Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutarak warned that the chance for a negotiated settlement was fast diminishing as time dragged on.

The country is heading for unprecedented violence and bloodshed, he said.

He called for Interior Minister Kowit Watana, who is in charge of crowd control, to quickly commence negotiations with the PAD before it was too late.

He went on to criticise former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for resuming his political activities which have in turn inflamed the situation.

The situation might turn into a violent mayhem following yesterday's rally by the redshirt crowds at Sanam Luang, he said.

In Udon Thani, about 10,000 redshirt crowds rallied to support the government and safeguard Somchai during his overnight stay, organiser Kwanchai Praipana said.

Kwanchai said each northeaster constituency would mobilise about 20,000 people to rally in Bangkok on Tuesday in order to oppose the anticipated disbandment of the ruling party.

He called on the government to allow redshirt crowds to disperse the yellowshirt protesters if police failed to do their job.

Two MPs from Lop Buri, Suchart Lainamngern and Amnuay Klangpha, predicted that more than 100,000 redshirt crowds would turn out to rally by Tuesday in order to counter the PADled protests.

The PAD has, meanwhile, been mobilising the protesters from the 14 southern provinces to reinforce the antigovernment crowds at the three rally sites, Government House, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi.

PAD's Nakhon Si Thammarat chapter leader Osoth Suwansawaet said each local chaper was responsible for dispatching 200300 protesters daily to the three rally sites.

Osoth said PADled protesters were fully braced for crowd dispersal measures and would fight if redshirt crowds descended on them.

He threatened to seize every provincial hall and block interprovincial roads in the South if police cracked down on protesters at the two airports.

Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Panu Uthairat and his counterpart in Songkhla Sonthi Techanan said they had taken precautionary measures to preempt any attempts to blockade provincial halls.

Government spokesman Natthawut Saikua said it was evident from news clips that PADled protesters were armed and tried to attack unarmed police.

"Armed protesters should immediately stop violent attacks against the unarmed authorities," he said.

He said the prime minister and his government have remained fully functioning although the situation has to be reassessed on a daily basis.

The Tuesday's Cabinet meeting is expected to proceed but the venue has yet to be picked, he said.

The governmentsponsored meritmaking ceremony is on track for Tuesday although it is uncertain whether Prime Minister Somchai will leave Chiang Mai to personally chair the event, he said.

Somchai remains uncertain whether he can attend ceremonies relating to His Majesty's birthday, he added.

He insisted that the government refused to step down either by resigning or by House dissolution because this would tantamount to allowing the victory to the PAD.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph newspaper website, www.telegraph.co.uk, has named Thailand as one of the world's most generous countries, alongside Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, South Africa, Jamaica, Sudan, Colombia, Haiti, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Pakistan, Burundi, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, India, Mexico, Isarel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Lebanon.

Wrote Francisca Kellett who compiled the list:

"Major political demonstrations and a temporary state of emergency have affected both of Bangkok's airports. The area around Government House and nearby Ratchadamnoen "Nok" Road, including the area around Metropolitan Police headquarters and Parliament should be avoided. Fighting also broke out last month on the Cambodian border at Preah Vihear and tensions remain high. Civil unrest and frequent attacks continue in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla - the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to these areas."

ASEAN Head Says Time Running Out For Thailand To Host Summit

MORNING STAR
11-30-08

BANGKOK (AFP)--The head of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN said Sunday that time is "running short" for crisis-hit Thailand as it prepares to hold a major summit, adding that a delay would enable better preparations.

Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, issued the statement during a visit to Thailand as the country grapples with a blockade of its airports by anti-government protesters.

"As time is running short, a delay would enable the secretariat to prepare better for the summit" scheduled for Dec. 15-18 in the northern city of Chiang Mai, Surin said in a statement.

The statement said Surin, a former Thai foreign minister, had "reassured" Thai authorities "that a postponement will not negatively affect ASEAN work plans too much."

But it added that he understood the "hesitation" of Thailand, which currently holds the rotating chair of ASEAN, to push back the meeting of leaders of the 10-member grouping.

ASEAN leaders are set to be joined at the summit by heads of government from East Asia as well as the heads of organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization.

"I certainly empathize with the Thai leaders and am grateful for their consideration of the matter. But I assure them that we can rearrange our work plans if Thailand... decides to postpone it for a few weeks," he said.

Thailand is in the grip of political chaos, as protesters trying to topple the government on Tuesday seized the nation's main Suvarnabhumi airport and forced its closure. They have also taken over a domestic airport.

Thailand's foreign minister Sompong Amornviwat said earlier Sunday that the kingdom may have to postpone the regional summit until March, adding that the cabinet would make its final decision on Tuesday.

"This is just my personal comment, but Thailand may have to postpone, but the postponement would not be long - it may be postponed to early March," Sompong said on Thai state-run NBT television station.

"But it depends on the cabinet's decision, because the postponement would not only affect Thailand financially, but more importantly it will affect the country's image."

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman meanwhile said that some Southeast Asian governments have asked for the summit to be postponed.

"There are already requests from some countries to reset the ASEAN summit because of this problem," Arroyo's spokesman Jesus Dureza told reporters, quoting the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok.

"Everybody is also just waiting and hoping that the stand off could be resolved as soon as possible, as peaceful as possible," he said.

He didn't say whether the Philippines has asked for a postponement but said that decision was to be left to the foreign department and Arroyo's security officials.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In 2006, the Philippines rescheduled a December summit for the following month after two powerful storms threatened to batter its central region, although some sources said it was linked to security threats.

Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary:

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Thailand urged to assist Britons

Pro-government protesters gathered in Bangkok to support the prime minister

" I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe "

BBC News
Sunday, 30 November 2008

Thailand has been "strongly urged" by the UK government to help the thousands of Britons trapped in the country by the on-going anti-government protests.

Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said he asked officials to let charter flights land at military airports to help tourists struggling to get home.

But he said the UK would not follow the lead of Spain and Australia and send planes to evacuate its citizens.

Bangkok's two main airports are still occupied by protesters and remain shut.

Mr Rammell told the BBC he had urged the Thai ambassador to take action to help stranded Britons reach airports that are still operating safely.

But he said while using government-chartered flights to bring people home may help the situation, it was not a solution.

"The key issue is the fact the two airports in Bangkok are closed and therefore you've effectively got planes stacking up and not being able to get slots," he said.

Spain's government is sending three planes to evacuate its citizens and Australian airline Qantas is putting on a special flight from the resort island of Phuket, ABC news reported.

Stranded businessman Mick Granger, from Essex, told the BBC Britons were in "no danger".

He said: "I've seen some very sensational headlines, mostly on the internet, about fears for Britons trapped in Thailand... it's perfectly safe."

Mr Granger, who was on a business trip, says he plans to get a train out to the Lao border on Tuesday.

'Retaliation'

Meanwhile, tensions in Bangkok have risen, with fears of clashes between pro- and anti-government groups after a grenade attack on Saturday night.

Around 50 people were injured - three seriously - in the late-night attack on protesters occupying a government compound.

It is widely thought to be retaliation for the airport occupation, said the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.

Police have issued fresh orders for protesters to leave the domestic airport Don Mueang, but say they will not use force.

The closures have hit Thailand's tourist industry hard, with the loss of millions of pounds of revenue.

It is thought some 100,000 passengers remain stranded in the Thai capital.

Thailand in civil chaos, protestors paralyse governance and tourism

NEWKERALA.COM

Bangkok, Nov 30: Civil chaos continued in Thailand today with law enforcement agencies unable to control protests that have shut down a key Asian air transport hub and driven the seat of government out of the national capital.

Violent clashes between anti- and pro-government groups continued with grenade attacks on anti-government protestors injuring over 40 people early today.

An anti-government TV station located in a popular foreign tourist spot came under renewed attack early today with grenades being fired and a prolonged exchange of gunfire reported.

Leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) insisted they would not end their occupation of Thailand's main international airport and the capital's domestic airport until Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns.

The Prime Minister has not been able to enter the capital following his return from the APEC Summit in Peru and has temporarily shifted the seat of government to the northern city of Chiang Mai.

PAD cadres have defied a court order and the declaration of a state of emergency at the two Bangkok airports and beaten back police attempts to evict them.

More than 100,000 foreigners have been stranded in Bangkok by the PAD's forcible occupation of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport and Don Muenag domestic airport a few days ago.

Some 700 international flights have had to be cancelled and the stranded passengers were being flown out of a military airbase 200 km southeast of Bangkok. Major international carriers have set up check-in counters at a number of Bangkok hotels.

Passengers were being driven to the Uta Pao air base near the coastal resort of Pattaya and there were reports of two km-long traffic hold-ups on the highway leading to the military air base.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry estimates it will have to spend about two billion Baht (35 Baht= one US dollar) to put up the stranded passengers in city hotels till they could fly out of the country.

According to a top government minister, the continued closure of the airports will lead to a sharp fall in tourist arrivals in Thailand this year and next and up to a million local jobs could be lost.

Vietnam, Cambodia sign agreement on culture

30/11/2008

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam and Cambodia will step up high-ranking delegation exchanges and organise cultural days in both countries.

This was in a cultural and fine arts cooperation plan for the 2009-2011 period signed in Phnom Penh on Nov. 29.

The plan was signed by Minister of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia Him Chhem and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam Tran Chien Thang on the occasion of the Vietnam culture week being held in Cambodia .

Under the plan, Vietnam will also help train Cambodian students at those schools under the management of Vietnam ’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

(Source: VNA)

Philippines grants duty-free treatment to more Cambodia, Myanmar goods

bworldonline.com
Monday, December 1, 2008 MANILA, PHILIPPINES

PRESIDENT Gloria M. Arroyo has granted duty-free privileges to more imports from Cambodia and Myanmar, in line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Integration System of Preferences (AISP), which seeks to narrow the gap between old and new members of the bloc.

The directive is contained in Executive Order no. 768, signed by the President last November 7.

Under the order, imports from Myanmar that will enjoy a zero tariff are basketballs, wickerwork, "articles made directly to shape from plaiting materials," and articles made of loofah or vegetable materials.

Products from Cambodia that will be duty-free are clothing, specifically women’s or girls’ suits, ensemble jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts; men’s or boys’ shirts, both knitted or crocheted; as well as products made of textiles other than ramie, linen or silk.

The National Economic and Development Authority Board approved the removal of the tariffs of the said items last August 5, the order said.

A preference is a unilateral offer made by old ASEAN members — or the so-called "preference-giving" countries the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand — to new ASEAN members or the "preference-receiving" countries Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

This is meant to narrow the development gap among these countries and to facilitate the integration of new ASEAN members.

ASEAN leaders decided during the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit in Singapore in 2000 to draw up mechanisms that would promote the development of the bloc’s new members. ASEAN members agreed to implement AISP in 2001.

Under the AISP, tariffs would be reduced to zero by 2010 for the original ASEAN members, while the four new members will have until 2018 to do so.

In 2005, Mrs. Arroyo scrapped the tariffs on various imports from Cambodia, People’s Democratic Republic of Lao, Vietnam and Myanmar. These items include plants and plant parts used in perfumery, pharmacy, and for insecticidal or fungicidal purposes; various vegetable products; as well as various wood products.

— A. D. B. Romero

Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu visits Cambodia

Cambodian deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng (front, L) and Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu (front, R), pose for a group photo in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 30, 2008. Sar Kheng and Meng Jianzhu held talks here on Sunday. Meng, who was invited by Cambodian deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, arrived in Cambodia on Friday for an official visit. (Xinhua/Xia Lin)

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2008-11-30

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Meng Jianzhu met here on Sunday respectively with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Interior Sar Kheng on bilateral ties and cooperation.

The Cambodian-Chinese relations have a long history, and enjoyed overall and deep development in recent years and now stay in its best period, said Hun Sen.

The fast economic development of China is an encouragement not only for the Chinese people, but for the peoples in the regional countries, he said.

Cambodia appreciated the long-term support and help that China has given for the economic and social development of Cambodia and the kingdom is willing to join hands with China to push forward the friendly and cooperative bilateral ties in all sectors for new development, the premier added.

Meng, who is also Chinese Minister of Public Security, said that the bilateral relations have enjoyed overall and deep development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 50years ago.

Both sides have enhanced political trust, the economic and trade cooperation have created much fruits, the exchange has become ever more active in all fields and the friendly ties have brought concrete benefits to both peoples, he said.

China appreciated Cambodia's adherence to the "One-China policy", firm stance against Taiwan independence and strong support for the peaceful unification of China, he said.

Meanwhile, the justice cooperation between the two countries has made much achievement and enriched the contents of the bilateral overall cooperative partnership, he said.

The justice cooperation between China and Cambodia is expected to further develop in width and depth, thus bringing more benefits to both peoples, he added.

Cambodian deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng (4th, L) and Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, Meng Jianzhu (6th, L), witness both sides' deputies signing the memorandum of cooperation between the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and Cambodian Interior Ministry in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 30, 2008. Sar Kheng and Meng Jianzhu held talks here on Sunday. Meng, who was invited by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, arrived in Cambodia on Friday for an official visit. (Xinhua/Xia Lin)

During the meeting with Sar Kheng, Meng said that the traditional friendly ties between China and Cambodia achieved consistent development and the cooperative range has kept on widening.

There were also new development of the cooperation between the justice departments of both countries, and a convenient and highly effective model has been set to fight against the crimes related with the two sides, he said.

China expected to further strengthen its cooperation with Cambodia in the fields of countering drug smuggling, anti-terrorism, information exchange, jointly cracking cases, finding and detaining refugees and conducting professional training, he said.

So that we can maintain the social order and normal visits of both peoples, co-establish a safe and stable environment for the region and contribute to the healthy and stable development of the overall cooperative partnership between China and Cambodia, he added.

Sar Kheng highly appreciated the Cambodian-Chinese friendship and the positive development of the justice cooperation between the two sides.

Cambodia is willing to join hands with China in fighting against drug-related crimes, illegal immigration, child sale and other trans-national crimes, he said, adding that his country would like to push the bilateral justice cooperation up to a new level.

After the meeting, the deputies from both sides signed the memorandum of cooperation between Chinese Ministry of Public Security and Cambodian Interior Ministry and the agreement for China to donate police equipment and materials for Cambodia.

Meng and the 19-member delegation arrived in the kingdom on Friday for an official visit at the invitation of Sar Kheng. He will leave for Vietnam on Monday for the second and final leg of his regional tour.

Editor: Yan