Jan 24, 2011
(MCOT online news)
BANGKOK, Jan 24 -- Ruling Democrat Party member of parliament Panich Vikitsreth, one of five Thais released by the Cambodian court on Friday, affirmed his honest intention to travel to the Thai-Cambodian border only to help villagers, with no determination to trespass on Cambodian soil.
Mr Panich, former vice-minister for foreign affairs, also insisted he had neither confessed nor admitted at the Cambodian court that he or the other six Thais had entered into Cambodian territory. He also believed that the verdict would have no binding effect on the border disputes between the two countries.
Speaking for the first time at a news conference held at Samitivej Hospital where he is having a medical check-up and treatment, Mr Panich said he went to the border with determination to inspect the area following a complaint from local villagers that they could not enter their land for farming, preventing by Cambodian soldiers, even though they had their land ownership documents.
During the 40-minute news briefing, Mr Panich also thanked the government and agencies concerned which provided assistance to him and the other six. He said he believed that the government would try its best to secure the release of the remaining two people still being held in Cambodia.
He said he is a new MP, so he was eager to help the villagers and never thought that the incident would escalate. He felt very sorry and wanted to apologise to everyone who was affected by the incident.
The MP also affirmed that the area he and the group investigated was the contested area, being claimed by both countries.
Mr Panich said he will attend the joint sitting of parliament session dealing with constitutional amendments Tuesday and Wednesday, for their second and third readings, and is awaiting permission from his doctors.
The Democrat MP said he was confident that his status as an MP remains intact, but it is acceptable for him if the involved agencies rule that he is no longer qualified to serve as an MP.
His status was thrown into doubt after he was given a suspended jail term by a Cambodian court. The Thai Constitution stipulates that MPs lose their status when convicted and jailed, or convicted and given a suspended jail term.
Mr Panich said after returning to Bangkok, he was admitted to hospital for treatment as he felt that irregularities had occurred regarding his health.
Dr Chokchai Jarusiripipat, director of Samitivej Hospital said the medical tests would confirm in five to seven days whether he had contracted malaria or typhoid while being held in Prey Sar Prison in Cambodia.
Dr CHokchai said the results of the check up will be known this afternoon, and that based on that, whether to allow Mr Panich to attend the Parliament session.
Mr Panich and four other Thai detainees returned to Bangkok Saturday after the Cambodian court ruled that they were guilty of illegal entry and intentionally trespassing into Cambodian territory. They were sentenced to nine-month suspended jail terms and a fine of one million riel (US$250) each.
The five were among seven Thai citizens who were arrested Dec 29 on charges of trespassing on Cambodian territory.
The remaining two Thais are Veera Somkwamkid, coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, the sole Thai detainee still being held in Prey Sar Prison, and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, Mr Veera's secretary.
They faced additional charges of espionage and the court is expected to hand down its on their cases verdict on Feb 1 as earlier scheduled.
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