PM urges Cambodia to apply international practice on 'spy case'

http://enews.mcot.net/

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

BANGKOK, Nov 16 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged his Cambodian counterpart Prime Minister Hun Sen to apply international practice in dealing with the Thai engineer who was detained in Phnom Penh on charges of spying, but has so far brushed aside an offer by convicted ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to help release the engineer.

Mr Abhisit said that until now there was no clarification from Phnom Penh on the fate of 31-year-old Siwarak Chothipong who was arrested last week and accused of giving Mr Thaksin’s flight schedule to the first secretary at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

He said Cambodia has not given permission to Thai officials to visit Mr Siwarak and there was no clear information that what specific charges have been made.

As for the report that Noppadon Pattama, a legal adviser to the fugitive ex-premier, saying that Mr Thaksin offered to help gain Mr Siwarak’s release from the Cambodian authorities if asked by the government, Mr Abhisit said that Mr Thaksin was the cause of the problem, and declined the offer. Why was it, he wondered, why Mr Thaksin did not consider the national interest in the first place but chose to create trouble.

Mr Abhisit added that there was no necessary to telephone Mr Hun Sen for talks over the matter, but he would like to urge the Cambodian leader to apply international practice such as giving permission to visit the detained engineer.

The Cabinet will evaluate Thailand’s economic cooperation projects with Cambodia, he said, at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because the country may now be at a disadvantage as ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra in now economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

Mr Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, told the media that the ministry had sent letter to Cambodia requesting evidence that led to the arrest of Mr Siwalak under Vienna convention.

He said that Mr Chalothorn Phaowibul, charge d'affaires at the Thai Embassy in Phhom Penh, had contacted the Cambodian Department of Consular Affairs to ask for permission to meet Mr Siwarak.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had discussed with Mr Abhisit finding a way to return him to Thailand as soon as possible, he said.

However, Thai government did not give any deadline, he said.

Mr Kasit said the Thai government would do it best to help Mr Siwalak and that he had tried to contact the Cambodian authorities and to telephone Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, now in Italy, to discuss the matter.

As for the news report that Cambodia had allowed a Thai official to visit Mr Siwalk, Mr Kasit said that he was waiting for confirmation from Cambodia.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency quoted Cambodia’s foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong as saying that the Cambodian government had agreed to allow a Thai diplomat to visit Mr Siwalak at 2 pm in the prison where he is being temporarily detained.

Meanwhile Simarak na Nakhon Phanom, mother of the Thai engineer said her son was definitely not a spy.

Mrs Simarak said she was very worried after learning that her son was detained as he suffers from asthma and sinusitis and needs regular medications. She was afraid that her son may die as his father did if he did not access to the medicine.

She also asked the government to help secure her son's release as soon as possible.

Mrs Simarak said she was very close to his son and could confirm that he was not spy and was uninterested in politics.

She said her son had just returned to Cambodia to work on November 9 and received his call that he was safely in Phnom Penh. On November 13 his son’s friend called, reporting that he was detained. (TNA)

Glowing bugs could find landmines

Monday, 16 November 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Some 87 countries are riddled with minefields

Bacteria which glow green in the presence of explosives could provide a cheap and safe way to find hidden landmines, Edinburgh scientists claim.

The bugs can be mixed into a colourless solution, which forms green patches when sprayed onto ground where mines are buried.

Edinburgh University said the microbes could be dropped by air onto danger areas.

Within a few hours, they would indicate where the explosives can be found.

The scientists produced the bacteria using a new technique called BioBricking, which manipulates packages of DNA.

Alistair Elfick, from the university's school of engineering, who supervised the student-led project, said: "This anti-mine sensor is a great example of how innovation in science can be of benefit to wider society.

"It also demonstrates how new scientific techniques can allow molecules to be designed for a specific purpose."

Each year, between 15,000 and 20,000 people are killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance, according to the charity Handicap International.

Some 87 countries are riddled with minefields, including Somalia, Mozambique, Cambodia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cambodia and Thailand in new spying row

http://news.asiaone.com/

Mon, Nov 16, 2009

AFP

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia and Thailand reignited their diplomatic row Monday over fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, giving disputing accounts over consular visits to a Thai man accused of spying.

The Cambodian foreign ministry said a Thai embassy official was allowed on Monday to visit Siwarak Chothipong, 31, who was arrested Thursday on charges of supplying details of Thaksin's flight schedule to his country's embassy.

But Bangkok, already furious over Phnom Penh's refusal to extradite Thaksin when he visited Cambodia last week, denied that its diplomats had been granted access to the man, an employee at the Cambodia Air Traffic Service.

"Today, we agreed to allow (a Thai diplomat) to visit the man at 2:00 pm (0700 GMT) in the prison where he is being temporarily detained," Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong told AFP.

The spy allegations prompted Phnom Penh to expel the Thai embassy's first secretary Thursday and Thailand reciprocated hours later.

Thaksin, who visited under his new role as economic adviser to Cambodia, left the country on Saturday, ending a contentious four-day visit that deepened a diplomatic storm between already bickering Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

The Thai government was outraged by the appointment, causing the neighbours to recall their ambassadors. Cambodia refused to extradite Thaksin on the grounds that his graft conviction was politically motivated.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said diplomats had not yet been able to visit Siwarak.

"Since he was arrested, Thai embassy officials have kept contacting Cambodian officials to seek permission to visit him, but we have not been granted it yet," Kasit told reporters.

"The visit is an international standard for whoever has been arrested. So far there is no official charge either, the Thai foreign ministry has sent a letter asking and there is no reply from Cambodia."

Thailand has put all talks and cooperation programmes with Cambodia on hold, torn up an oil and gas exploration deal signed during Thaksin's time in power and placed under review two road-building projects worth 42 million dollars.

Tensions were already high between the two countries following a series of deadly military clashes over disputed territory near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple on their shared border.

Twice-elected Thaksin fled Thailand in August 2008, a month before a court sentenced him to two years in jail in a conflict of interest case.

He has retained enormous influence in Thai politics by stirring up protests against the current government and analysts said that in Cambodian Premier Hun Sen he had found a new way to push for a return to power.

Seminar held to promote China-Cambodia trade cooperation

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2009-11-16

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A seminar of China-Cambodia Business and Investment was held Monday in Phnom Penh with the participation of more than 100 Cambodian and Chinese business people.

The seminer was co-sponsored by Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and China Council for the Promotiong of International Trade.

The seminer was aimed at strengthening the understanding between two countries' business people and further promoting the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Kith Meng, president of Cambodia's Chamber of Commerce said at the meeting that China has been the leading investment partner with Cambodia over the past 15 years with which the total investment was 6 billion U.S. dollars.

According to the government's data, China's main investments to Cambodia are on hydropower, trading, tourism, agriculture, telecommunication and infrastructure.

Besides the investment sector, China is also considered one of the biggest donors to Cambodia after Japan.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has recently lauded China's assistance to Cambodia and that he said it has helped improved the livelihood of the Cambodian people, especially, the assistance in infrastructure such as bridges and roads.

Sun Weiren, the economic and commercial counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Cambodia said China has built more than 1,500 kilometers of roads in Cambodia and now hydropower is one of the main projects being implemented in the country.

He said there are seven projects involving in hydropower and power connection lines in Cambodia, totaling more than 720 million U.S. dollars, and there are about 700 Chinese companies are running businesses in Cambodia including the small scale business, garment factories and other enterprises.

Editor: Yan

Cambodia not to respond to Thailand about arrested Thai man

November 16, 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Cambodia has not responded to a Thai request to visit a Thai engineer, who has been arrested of allegedly spying since last week, according to local media Monday.

There was no concrete response from Cambodia concerning the arrested Thai man, Thai News Agency quoted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying.

However, Abhisit said that at this point there was no need to discuss with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old Thai man, worked as an engineer in at Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co Ltd, was arrested on Nov. 11 according to the arrest warrant of prosecutor of Phnom Penh Municipality Court.

"He spied through copying the letters of flights of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Cambodia and Prime Minister Hun Sen from CATS - Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co Ltd which hasduties to control all flights in country...and he sent those reports to Thailand," the Khmer language newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea reported.

"The Thai side wants Cambodia to officially send written documents to explain to the Thai government about the allegation against Mr. Siwarak and his being," Thai News Agency quoted foreign minister's secretary Chawanon Intarakomalsut as saying.

In a related development, Thai Justice Minister Pheerapan Saleerathawipark said that the ministry will cooperate with the Thai Foreign Ministry in a bid to help Mr. Siwarak in legal terms.

Source: Xinhua

Thai-Cambodia Dispute Raises Nationalist Sentiment in Bangkok

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during meeting at Hun Sen's residence in Takhmua, Kandal province, 11 Nov 2009

By Ron Corben
Bangkok
16 November 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over a visit to Phnom Penh by Thailand's former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, is drawing Thais to the streets. The visit has prompted an anti-Thaksin rally in Bangkok, and there are expectations of more protests.

A crowd of around 15,000 people listens to nationalist songs and speeches attacking former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

They gathered in a Bangkok park Sunday to protest Mr. Thaksin's arrival in Cambodia last week, and Phnom Penh's rejection of Bangkok's request to extradite him.

Mr. Thaksin fled Thailand last year to avoid a two-year prison sentence on corruption charges. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has appointed Mr. Thaksin as his economic adviser, calls the charges politically motivated.

Dispute worsens

The issue has worsened a dispute over an ancient temple just on the Cambodian side of the border, and is raising nationalist feeling in Bangkok.

Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, says Sunday's rally supported the Thai government's diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions.

"It's something all the Thais who love our King want to come out and show the support to the government in responding to Mr. Hun Sen's and Mr. Thaksin's collaboration to sabotage Thailand," Sondhi said. "So all of us are coming out in real support and show our spiritual support peacefully."

A short time after Sondhi gave this interview, a small explosive went off near the stage as he was speaking, injuring several people. News reports say one man was arrested in connection with the blast.

Protestor, Nat Yontarak, at Rally Bangkok, 15 Nov 2009

Patriotism is motivator

Nat Yontarak, a musician and teacher, says patriotism brought people to the rally, where paper flags were abundant.

"People feel we need to show the power that we really love the country and the dignity and our pride of our country because what Thaksin has been doing is really unacceptable," Nat said. "This time with Cambodia, with Hun Sen it's too much, it's really ridiculous."

This woman, who gave her name as Suchada, calls Mr. Thaksin disloyal for going to Cambodia.

"This situation, yes [Thaksin] come to Cambodia," Suchada said. "I think he's not a Thai. But the story is he to destroy the Thailand. He don't love the Thailand, he's not a Thai."

Some demonstrators said they attended because they were angry at comments about the monarchy that Mr. Thaksin made in a British newspaper interview. The monarchy is the country's most beloved institution and little criticism of it is tolerated.

Will dispute lead to military conflict?

The dispute has raised concerns in Southeast Asia, and there are fears that it could end in military conflict. The two sides have exchanged gunfire near the disputed temple on a few occasions in the past year.

Officials in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Cambodia and Thailand are both members, have urged them to settle the dispute quickly. And Indonesia has offered to mediate.

Recent political polls show a surge in popularity for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government because of Mr. Thaksin's visit to Cambodia.

Sign critical of former leader, Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Cambodia, 15 Nov 2009

Long term effects unclear

But Chris Baker, an author and commentator on Thai politics, says the long-term effect of the visit is less clear. Mr. Thaksin, ousted in a coup in 2006, maintains strong support among the urban and rural poor and working class. The urban middle class accuses Mr. Thaksin of corruption and authoritarianism.

"Superficially, it looks as if Thaksin has lost badly to identify yourself with a rather unpopular neighbor, it's not good," Baker said. "So I think things have hardened against him. But I'm not really sure whether for many of his core supporters that may not matter too much at all. Perhaps by making himself so visible in the media for several days at a time he's actually revived his position a little bit."

Baker says the question is now whether Mr. Abhisit's Democrat Party will try to press the political advantage by spurring nationalist sentiment.

"The issue is now how does he [Abhisit] sustain that [advantage] or does he want to sustain that? Does it mean that this government now has to play this nationalist card very hard and very constanstly and that of course would be very dangerous," Baker said.

But Baker says he expects the cross-border dispute to ease "quite quickly" and that the Democrat Party will "lapse back" into trying to work with its neighbor to resolve the temple dispute.

However, in Thailand, political analysts warn that domestic divisions could worsen in the weeks ahead as Mr. Thaksin's supporters hold rallies.

Over the past two years, massive rallies of Mr. Thaksin's supporters and opponents have at times paralyzed Bangkok. In April, pro-Thaksin rallies turned violent and a year ago, anti-Thaksin forces closed the country's main international airport for a week, stranding tens of thousands of travellers at the start of the peak tourism season.

Yudhoyono: Thailand, Cambodia can still solve border conflict bilaterally

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Monday, November 16, 2009

Singapore (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed the view that Thailand and Cambodia should solve their border conflict bilaterally without referring it to an ASEAN forum.

In statements at the Marina Mandarin Hotel here on Monday morning before returning to Jakarta after attending a series of APEC meetings here, Yudhoyono said, "In my opinion, there are still opportunities for Thailand and Cambodia to solve their border issue bilaterally, and our foreign affairs minister will maintain communication with their Thai and Cambodian counterparts about the matter," the president said.

Therefore, he said, Indonesia would wait and see how things between Thailand and Cambodia developed while hoping they could eventually find the best possible way out of their dispute.

"Then, whenever in their discussions they agree there is something positive other ASEAN countries can contribute, we will certainly be ready to do so," Yudhoyono said.

He said said he had met and talked with both Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen separately on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Singapore.

"I don`t want to take any further steps because I met with the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers in a friendly atmosphere," Yudhoyono said, adding that at the meetings, he had suggested the two ASEAN member countries solve their border problem bilaterally.

"On the occasion I said it`s better for the two leaders to overcome the problem bilaterally without bringing it to an ASEAN forum or to make it an international issue because it would not be good for ASEAM as a whole," Yudhoyono said.

Tensions on the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia have existed for some years but they increased since July last year, after Unesco granted world heritage status to the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

The dispute led to violence last April when soldiers of the two countries clashed twice near the ancient temple where two Thai soldiers and two Cambodian soldiers died in the fighting while nine Thai soldiers were wounded.

Govt rejects Thaksin's offer of help

Published: 16/11/2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

The government has rejected an offer from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to ask the Cambodian government to ensure a Thai engineer arrested for spying is fairly treated by the courts.

The offer was conveyed by lawyer Noppadon Pattama, a close Thaksin associate. He said had talked the matter over with his boss, who said he was ready to help if asked by the Thai government.

He said Thaksin could not be seen as trying to meddle in Cambodia's justice system and internal affairs, but was willing to ask Cambodia to ensure that the suspect, Siwarak Chothpong31, is fairly treated by the courts and that his relatives be allowed to visit him.

Thaksin's offer to help was promptly turned down by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said although Thai officials had not been allowed access to Mr Siwarak the government did not need to ask Thaksin for help.

'In fact, it was him (Thaksin) who caused the problem," Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister said it was not necessary for him to talk directly with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the telephone over this matter. The Foreign Affairs Ministry was handling it.

Nor was there need for the president of Indonesia to act as mediator.

Mr Abhisit admitted that if Cambodia continued to deny Thailand's request for access to the uspect, the conflict between the two countries might escalate.

He said he still did not know exactly what the charges are against Mr Siwarak.

Earlier today, Newin Chidchob, de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, said Thaksin, who is now economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, should ask Cambodia to release the Thai engineer.

"Thaksin is trusted by Prime Minister Hun Sen. He should use his close relationship with Cambodia to help the Thai engineer, if he still thinks he represents Thai people and considers himself a Thai person," Thaksin's former right-hand man said.

Mr Newin, however, said he would not phone Thaksin to beg for his help.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Wimon Kidchob said Thai charge d'affaires Chalothorn Paovibul had made an official request to visit Mr Siwarak. Mr Chalothorn would like to visit Mr Siwarak himself and meet with Camboldian officials handling the matter. Cambodia had not yet replied to the request, she said.

Mrs Wimon said it was not unusual for Mr Siwarak to personally know the first secretary at the Thai embassy, who has been expelled from Phnom Penh.

She declined to say what action would be taken if Cambodia rejected the request for access to the prisoner.

Cambodian opposition leader stripped of immunity

Cambodian police try to block opposition party leader Sam Rainsy (C) and supporters in Phnom Penh in August

Cambodian opposition members of parliament march along a street during a protest in support of Sam Rainsy

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's parliament stripped immunity from main opposition leader Sam Rainsy Monday, clearing the way for charges against him for uprooting markings at the border with neighbouring Vietnam.

"The National Assembly has lifted the parliamentary immunity of Sam Rainsy," said a statement from the legislative body.

The statement went on to say Sam Rainsy, currently abroad, had committed acts of "uprooting border posts between Cambodia and Vietnam, and inciting (people) to commit criminal offences" in southeastern Svay Rieng province.

The move permits court action against Sam Rainsy, who removed six markers at the border during a march in Svay Rieng last month, alleging that they were illegally placed by Vietnam.

Lawmakers from his eponymous Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) boycotted Monday's closed parliamentary vote and held aloft a map of Cambodia as they marched through the capital's streets, denouncing the decision as "political intimidation".

The French-educated former finance minister is the main rival to Prime Minister Hun Sen. He touts liberal democracy and human rights, while promising to raise wages and fight corruption.

Son Chhay, chief of the party's members of parliament, called the decision a "threat or intimidation against the party leader... (with) political intention to shut up the opposition party".

Vietnam condemned Sam Rainsy for uprooting the border posts, and asked Phnom Penh to protect the two nations? sensitive demarcation process.

Sam Rainsy has said he believed the border markers were erected unilaterally by Vietnamese authorities, and that villagers had removed similar posts in the area early this year.

Cambodia and Vietnam officially began demarcating their contentious border in September 2006, in a bid to end decades of territorial disputes.

The border row has sparked virulent anti-Vietnamese sentiment in Cambodia, fuelled by resentment of Vietnam's expansion over the centuries.

The 1,270-kilometre (787-mile) border has remained essentially unmarked and vague since French colonial times, with stone markers and boundary flags having disappeared, while trees lining it were cut down.

Man killed after online hook-up

2009-11-16

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Phnom Penh - A Swedish businessman visiting Cambodia has been murdered and his body dumped outside Phnom Penh, reportedly after he met a woman with whom he had corresponded online, national media reported on Monday.

The Swedish embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed the victim was Jan Ola Jordansson, 45.

The embassy's counsellor, Karl-Anders Larsson, said he believed Jordansson was visiting the country when he was killed, but had previously lived in Cambodia.

"He had been managing a hotel in [the coastal resort of] Sihanoukville but I understand he was living in Sweden and was on a short visit to Cambodia," he said.

Larsson said the embassy was waiting for the results of the police investigation.

The Cambodia Daily newspaper reported on Monday that Jordansson had died from blows to the back of his head and neck, and said his pockets had been emptied. His hotel room was also robbed.

The Swedish newspaper Kvallsposten reported that Jordansson had gone missing late last week after meeting a woman on Thursday in Phnom Penh with whom he had corresponded online.

Police suggested that the victim had been killed elsewhere and then dumped at the scene. His body was discovered on Saturday.

Grenade caused anti-Thaksin rally blast: Thai police

Demonstrators from Thailand's royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement wave national flags during a rally in Bangkok

Demonstrators from Thailand's royalist "Yellow Shirt" movement wave national flags

Yellow Shirt founder Sondhi Limthongkul now heads the movement's new political party, the New Politics party

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

BANGKOK — Thai police said Monday that a grenade was responsible for a blast at a rally by opponents of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as the number of injured rose to 12.

Organisers said the small explosion at the protest in central Bangkok late Sunday was caused by a firecracker thrown by men on a motorcycle, but police said they now believed it was a more serious attack.

The rally by around 20,000 "Yellow Shirts" was held to condemn Thaksin's visit to neighbouring Cambodia last week and his appointment by Phnom Penh as a an economic adviser to the government.

"This M-79 grenade was likely fired from the side of the venue, where the defence ministry and a court are located," said Lieutenant General Worapong Chewpreecha, chief of Bangkok Metropolitan Police.

"But it was far away so its power was lower and did not cause many injuries," he told reporters, adding that he had ordered the inspection of closed-circuit television cameras in the area.

He said that of the 12 people wounded in the blast three remained in hospital, one of them in intensive care. Two children were among those hurt, he added.

Photographs of the scene showed a small crater in a paving stone and a number of supporters of the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) suffering from slight cuts.

Yellow Shirt founder Sondhi Limthongkul said Sunday that two men on a motorbike had thrown a large firecracker, which caused the explosion.

The royalist PAD said they were also protesting against comments about the monarchy made by billionaire Thaksin, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006.

The Yellow Shirts held mass rallies in the months before the coup and took to the streets again in 2008, blockading Bangkok's airports to drive out the then pro-Thaksin government.

The group has however also held protests in recent weeks asking the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, a bitter foe of Thaksin, to take stronger action against Cambodian territorial claims.

Previous rallies by the Yellow Shirts have been hit by grenade blasts while Sondhi escaped a gun attack on his car in April.

Sondhi was in October voted leader of the movement's new political party, the New Politics Party.

Thaksin's visit to Cambodia sparked a diplomatic crisis between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, with relations already tense after a series of deadly clashes in the past year over disputed land around a temple on the border.

Anti-Thaksin rally in Bangkok

The protesters expressed anger over Thaksin's new job and his comments on the monarchy [Reuters]

Monday, November 16, 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Thousands of people have marched in the Thai capital to protest against Thaksin Shinawatra, the country's former prime minister, and the Cambodian government for appointing him as economic adviser.

Monday's rally in Bangkok, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the so-called Yellow Shirts, was to express outrage at Cambodia's refusal to extradite Thaksin during his four-day visit to the country.

The PAD also criticised Thaksin for comments that he made in a newspaper interview calling for reform of institutions around Thailand's revered monarchy.

Protesters sang along to folk songs and jazz music composed by the king, waved the national flag, and shouted, "Long Live The King".

On stage, in front of a sign reading "Fight for Thailand, Fight For Our King", speakers led the crowd in condemning Thaksin and his followers as "People who sell the country".

Prestige at stake

"Our duty is to protect and preserve the country's honour and dignity and the monarchy. Cambodia violated the extradition treaty and allowed a convicted person to be its adviser," Somsak Kosaisuk, a senior PAD leader, said.

"This action harms our country's prestige. We will denounce both convicted Thaksin and Hun Sen [Cambodia's prime minister] at the protest."

Several people were hurt in an explosion at Sunday's rally in central Bangkok [EPA]

The PAD had led mass anti-Thaksin protests before he was toppled in a 2006 military coup, and blockaded Bangkok's airports in late 2008 to force his allies out of government.

Meanwhile, the Thai police said they were investigating a blast which injured a dozen people including two children at the Sanam Luang parade ground near the area where about 20,000 people had gathered on Sunday.

According to the protest organisers, the small explosion was caused by a firecracker thrown by two men on a motorcycle, but police said on Monday that the cause was still not clear.

Thaksin's visit to Cambodia has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, with relations already tense after a series of deadly clashes in the past year over disputed land around an ancient temple on the border.

Thaksin's comments on the Thai monarchy have also proved sensitive because King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 81 has been in hospital for the past two months. He is seen as a major force for stability in the politically divided nation.

Tit-for-tat expulsions

The two governments recalled their respective ambassadors and expelled the first secretaries of each other's embassies on Friday.

Cambodian police have also charged a Thai man with spying for the Thai embassy.

Early last week, the Thai government announced the cancellation of an oil and gas exploration deal agreed with Cambodia when Thaksin was prime minister.

Two road construction projects with Cambodia involving loans of more than $42 million to Phnom Penh were ordered to be reviewed.

Thaksin, who has been in self-imposed exile since the 2006 coup, returned home briefly last year but fled before being found guilty and was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail for corruption.

Thai authorities have also frozen $2.2bn worth of the assets owned by Thaksin, who remains popular in the Thai political scene especially among the rural poor.

His red-shirted supporters have themselves staged several massive protests over the past year, including the disruption of a summit of Southeast Asian leaders and subsequent riots in April.

But analysts warned that by siding with Cambodia Thaksin could lose public support.

"To identify yourself with Hun Sen is a terrible political mistake," said Chris Baker, a Bangkok-based political analyst who authored a biography of Thaksin.

Gov't ready to arrest Thaksin, if he flies over Thailand's airspace: Deputy PM

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2009-11-16

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

BANGKOK, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is ready to arrest fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, if he flies over the country's airspace, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has warned Monday.

The Thai government already informed airline companies concerning Thailand's readiness to immediately arrest Thaksin, Thai News Agency quoted Suthep as saying.

Thaksin left Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh on his private jet on Saturday after spending several days in the country.

Thailand and Cambodia have downgraded their diplomatic relations due to conflict over an appointment of Thaksin as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov. 4

A day after the appointment of Thaksin, the Cambodian government announced recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.

And, on Nov. 12 the Cambodian Foreign Ministry ordered Mr. Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai Embassy in Cambodia, to leave Cambodia within 48 hours.

After learning the Cambodian order, Bangkok responded by expelling a first secretary at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok ordering him to leave Thailand within 48 hours.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September 2006, in accusation of corruption, and has been kept in exile since then.

He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges, but he later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.

Conflict with Cambodia not to be raised to ASEAN level: Thai Deputy PM

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2009-11-16

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

BANGKOK, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand does not want to raise its diplomatic standoff with Cambodia to an ASEAN level, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Monday.

Thailand and Cambodia have downgraded their diplomatic relations due to conflict over an appointment of ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Nov. 4.

The conflict is an internal affair between the two countries, hence, it won't be raised to the ASEAN level for the ASEAN group to mediate this, Suthep said, Thai News Agency reported.

Thailand's government is ready to negotiate with Cambodia, however, Cambodia has not made any political gesture though Thaksin already left Cambodia, said Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs.

Thaksin left Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh on his private jet on Saturday after spending several days in the country.

Meanwhile, Suthep thanked Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his offer to be a mediator to resolve the Thai-Cambodian problem.

A day after the appointment of Thaksin, the Cambodian government announced recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.

On Nov. 12 the Cambodian Foreign Ministry ordered Mr. Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai Embassy in Cambodia, to leave Cambodia within 48 hours.

After learning the Cambodian order, Bangkok responded by expelling a first secretary at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok ordering him to leave Thailand within 48 hours.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September 2006, in accusation of corruption, and has been kept in exile since then.

He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges, but he later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.

Editor: Lin Zhi

Cambodia hosts international ministerial meeting on transnational crimes

http://www.chinaview.cn/
2009-11-16

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Monday hosts a four-day meeting of the Seventh ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (7th AMMTC), the Fourth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime with their dialogue partners from China, Japan and Republic of Korea, and also the First ASEAN plus China Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime.

In a statement released Monday by Cambodia's Ministry of Interior said the meeting began on Nov. 16 to 19 in Siem Reap province in northern Cambodia.

The statement said that the countries of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) share many common perspectives, and many common challenges.

"The relationship within ASEAN has always been characterized by understanding and cooperation. Together, within the ASEAN framework, ASEAN Member States (AMS) have faced many challenges and accomplished many things," the statement said, adding that today, ASEAN Member States face many challenges within their region. Chief among these is the problem of transnational crime. AMS realized that this is not Cambodia's problem alone. This is all ASEAN Member States face.

"And to meet this problem, and to effectively combat it, ASEAN recently have adopted an important new additional guiding mechanism, the ASEAN Charter," it said.

The perpetrators of international crime are well organized and highly motivated. The ASEAN countries, acting together, are even more organized and even more motivated than them.

The ASEAN Charter provides ASEAN Member States with strength and resolve to commit the ASEAN law enforcement to combat and prevent organized crimes.

ASEAN objective is clear: to stamp out international crime completely, in all its forms. For the safety and long term stability of the entire ASEAN region, ASEAN may not fail at this task. That demonstrates ASEAN: one vision, one identity and one community.

Founded in 1967, the ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Editor: Lin Zhi

TIME examines efforts to combat malaria resistance along Thai-Cambodia border

http://www.news-medical.net/

16. November 2009 03:40

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

TIME reports on evidence along the Thai-Cambodia border that the malaria parasite is gaining resistance to artemisinin - "the only remaining effective drug in the world's arsenal against malaria's most deadly strain."

"With the help of tens of millions of dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and various governments, the global health community - from biochemical engineers in Berkeley to village volunteers in Battambang, Cambodia - is racing to eliminate the increasingly resistant parasite before it's too late," the magazine writes.

One element of the strategy to reduce resistance is Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria (AMFm), a $220 million Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria project that will subsidize artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), so "the best malaria medicine will, for the first time in Cambodia, also be the cheapest."

According to TIME, the President's Malaria Initiative Deputy Coordinator Bernard Nahlen "says that spending hundreds of millions before there's any proof that the plan will work is an ill-advised investment of finite malaria funds." Nahlen said, "In the absence of evidence, it's a little difficult to make that leap." Time writes that last year "Congress specifically forbid any of the $48 billion the U.S. government slated for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria from going to the AMFm program until it proved successful."

Other issues addressed in the article include counterfeit medicines, prevention measures and ACTs versus taking artemisinin alone (Shay, 11/13).

Carter, wife helping build homes in Thailand

By MICHAEL CASEY (AP)

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter helped the housing charity that he champions, Habitat for Humanity, launch a campaign Monday to build homes for 50,000 families in the Mekong River region over the next five years.

Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are among 3,000 volunteers from 25 countries working with Habitat for Humanity this week to help build and repair homes along the Mekong River in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos.

The homes in Cambodia are being built for families currently living in a garbage dump, the ones in Vietnam are for fishermen who now live on their boats, and the project in China involves construction of an apartment building in a part of Sichuan province devastated by a 2008 earthquake.

"In an area of the world where many people live in deplorable conditions, we have a chance to help families improve their housing," said Carter, wearing sneakers, jeans and a work shirt. He and his wife spent Monday helping build homes in northern Thailand's Chiang Mai province, where 82 will be constructed in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrates his 82nd birthday next month.

Habitat for Humanity's Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Reckford said the Georgia-based nonprofit group decided to scale up its activities in the Mekong region over the next five years because the needs were so great.

"This is an area that gets less attention than some other parts of the world," Reckford said. "But if you look at income levels, there are huge numbers of families living at terribly low levels at a dollar a day. There is a huge deficit of decent housing, so it starts with the need."

Carter, who spent the morning filling in the foundation cracks of a home, said his experience over the years with Habitat has been a rare chance to work along with some of the world's poorest families. He was joined by several regional celebrities, including Chinese movie star Jet Li and Japanese football legend Hidetoshi Nakata.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me and my wife to break down the barriers that exist between rich people like us and those in need who have never had a decent home," Carter said. "Every year when we have been in a place side by side with Habitat families, we have always benefited more than we contributed. We have always come out ahead."

Alongside Carter, the several hundred volunteers worked with the new homeowners under a blazing sun to build the foundations and start work on the doors and windows for the homes, which were expected to be finished Friday. Among the volunteers were the U.S. Ambassador Eric John and scores from American companies, including 65 from Delta Airlines.

"It's a good feeling to see everything built for these families," said Carl Leon-Guerrero, a Delta customer service supervisor from Nashville, Tennessee. "As a native of Guam, I know what Asian communities go through with the typhoons and monsoons. So it's good to see a concrete home for these families."

Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built and rehabilitated more than 300,000 homes worldwide, providing simple shelter for 1.5 million people.

PM wants quick visit to Siwarak

Published: 16/11/2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed the Foreign Ministry to coordinate with Cambodia to seek permission for a visit to Siwarak Chotphong, the Thai engineer who was arrested on spying charges, as soon as possible, according to Chavanont Intarakomalsut, secretary to the foreign minister.

"The prime minister wants the visit to be made as soon as today. If the request for a visit is denied, Cambodia must have good reasoning," Mr Chavanont said.

Mr Chavanont said Cambodia had assured that Mr Siwarak was still safe. Officials of the Consular Affairs Department had contact his relatives and told them the Foreign Ministry would do the best it could to help Mr Siwarak.

On Puea Thai MPs' remark that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would visit Cambodia more frequently, Mr Chavanont said Thailand would request for his extradition whenever he did so.

On former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai's suggestion for the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia to hold talks, he said the Foreign Ministry welcomed his advice but this would depend on whether Cambodia would cooperate.

Thai-Cambodian tension eases: Thai gov't spokesman

http://enews.mcot.net/

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

BANGKOK, Nov 16 (TNA) – Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have eased somewhat, in part because the well-being of the Thai engineer detailed on accusations of spying is not at risk, acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn said Monday.

Dr Panitan, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said the overall situation has improved but the government must continue to monitor possible areas of discord such as a domestic protest in which protesters might use language which might irritate Cambodia.

However, he sad, Thailand will clarify to Cambodia and other counties that peaceful protest is the people’s right under the Constitution and the government has no links to the protesters.

Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting will evaluate Thailand’s economic cooperation projects with Cambodia because Thailand may be at a disadvantage as ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra in now economic adviser to the Cambodian government, said the spokesman.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cooperated with Cambodia to assist a Thai engineer detained in Phnom Penh on spying charges. The ministry has proceeded with the case as with other cases in which Thai nationals are held for legal proceedings, he added.

The Thai engineer was accused of stealing information regarding the flight information of Thailand’s convicted fugitive former premier Thaksin prior to his arrival in Cambodia last week.

Thai legal affairs officials are reviewing the charge and the Cambodian judicial process that Thailand must respect. He believed that the defendant can be defended in court regarding the charges.

Dr Panitan said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered agencies concerned to oversee it, so it is not worrisome.

Several countries queried Thailand about the Thai Cambodian situation at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Singapore as they want to see the tensions ease, Dr Panitan said.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as ASEAN chair invited Cambodian prime minister to attend the climate change conference in Denmark in December to demonstrate strong support from ASEAN member countries.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains normal and there is no sign of any violence. (TNA)

Cambodia parliament lifts opposition chief's immunity

16 Nov 2009

Source: Reuters

By Ek Madra

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

PHNOM PENH, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Cambodia's parliament voted on Monday to remove the immunity of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, a step likely to fuel concern the government is using its power to intimidate opponents.

It was the third time this year parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP), has removed the immunity of members from the biggest opposition party.

Lawmakers from the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) boycotted the vote to lead a march of more than 300 people as the house paved the way for courts to impeach Rainsy over a controversial publicity stunt on the border with Vietnam on Oct. 25.

Rainsy, currently in Europe, is charged with misconduct when he encouraged villagers evicted from border land after a demarcation exercise to uproot wooden posts set along the newly agreed frontier with Vietnam.

"The National Assembly has lifted the immunity of Sam Rainsy, who committed an act of destruction ... and convinced people to commit criminal acts," the house said in a statement, adding that 87 of 122 lawmakers voted against Rainsy.

Journalists were barred from attending the house session and police prevented the boycotting lawmakers from returning after the vote.

Rights groups and international donors have accused the government in recent months of using the courts to muzzle opponents and the media.

SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said the government was abusing its power and acting undemocratically.

"The government wants to silence the opposition when it is helping the people," he told reporters.

"These people are losing land day by day because of the border demarcation. This is an injustice and a big step backwards for democracy in Cambodia."

Last month Cambodia's parliament passed laws limiting protests to less than 200 people and tightened defamation legislation at a time when Hun Sen and his powerful associates were already using the courts to stifle criticism.

The CPP has defended the defamation laws, which it said "protected the dignity and reputation" of the country's leaders.

Analysts say that despite the concerns there is little threat to Hun Sen or his party, which won a landslide election victory last year. (Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Alan Raybould and Jerry Norton)

Cambodian AIDS orphans have good plans for future

http://www.chinaview.cn/

2009-11-16

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

by Zhang Ruiling

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- They are a hidden population, living with HIV/AIDS at a very young age. What we do know is that they are very vulnerable. It is this state of being hidden that puts AIDS orphans at special risk during their lifetime.

But those living with HIV in Cambodia are lucky. They live in the National Borey for Infants and Children, a state-run orphanage located in the suburb of the capital city Phnom Penh, which is supported by the government and humanitarian agencies.

"The center accommodates more than 100 orphans, among them 27 are living with HIV, and Sei La is one of them," Sani, a teacher at the center, told Xinhua while pointing at the boy who was orphaned at an early age when his parents died of AIDS.

Sei La is a typical Khmer boy with brown skin. He looks happy and healthy. He said he had just returned from school.

"How old are you, Sei La? Do you know China?" we asked.

"I am 15 years old now. I know China, it's a big country with a lot of people," Sei La answered with a shy smile.

"I am happy here. I have friends here and the teachers treat us like mothers. I study in the Khmer language school in the morning, and in the afternoon I go to English school," he continued.

"I have been working here for nearly 25 years. I love these poor children, they are just like my own sons and daughters," said Sani. Her warmth for these children is reciprocated, as Sani's proteges respectfully call her "Mama."

Sani told us that Sei La was a clever boy, and that he worked part-time in a small restaurant in the city every Sunday.

"Just clean dirty dishes, set tables, and serve as an assistant," he said.

"The payment is little, just 3,000 riel (about 0.73 U.S. dollars)," he admitted. "I only want to earn some pocket money, soI can buy some snacks and sometimes repair my bicycle, but first of all, I want to gain some experience for seeking a good job in the future."

When talking about the HIV/AIDS disease, Sei La looked calm while replying that he knew he was infected with HIV.

"I was very scared at first and hated my parents, but after I learned about HIV/AIDS, I know if I keep taking pills and do some exercise, the disease can be controlled," he explained.

We have reason to believe that Sei La has already overcome his fear and public prejudice, and learned how to stand on his own two feet.

On the playground, we saw a group of children playing frisbee and some girls playing on the swirls.

"I like here very much," Nani, a five-year-old girl, said while riding a bike in the yard.

Enjoying the sight of little boys and girls giggling and running around, one can hardly imagine that this is an orphanage and that these lovely children are AIDS orphans. At that moment, we gratefully realized that poverty and illness would never prevail over the purity of a child's mind, and that these children's aspirations for living and learning would rise above these impediments.

Mak Phanna, director of the National Borey for Infants and Children of the Department of Child Welfare in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation, told us that the Royal Government of Cambodia always paid great attention to children, especially the disabled and orphans infected with HIV. In effect, the government has adopted a law on HIV and AIDS, which went into effect in 2002.

Cambodia diagnosed the first case of HIV in 1993, and HIV prevalence in the country peaked at 3.7 percent in 1997. Chhim Sareth, director of the AIDS Health Foundation, Cambodia Care Organization, said Cambodia had one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the region, but the good news was that the rate was decreasing every year.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that 75,000 Cambodians live with HIV, but the prevalence of the virus among the population halved to 0.9 percent between 1998 and 2006. The measures taken by the government include publicity campaigns and education to raise understanding of HIV/AIDS. Also, a condom campaign, offering free HIV tests, has made some progress.

"It is unfortunate for these children to suffer this illness. However, it is very fortunate for them to have received various assistance. Through much support, these children have attended elementary school without paying any tuition, and have received treatment and medicines free of charge," Phanna said.

We also have high hopes for these children and wish them a happy and healthy life.

Editor: Deng Shasha

Swine flu war chest

Photo by: Tracey Shelton

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Monday, 16 November 2009 15:02 Tracey Shelton

A man walks past a swine flu warning sign in Siem Reap. The World Bank, European Union and Japanese government have offered Cambodia US$11 million to fight the spread of swine flu, officials said. “The money will be used by the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Health to combat the disease and prevent an epidemic,” said NCDM spokesman Keo Vy on Sunday.