NSC: Don't internationalise the arrest of seven Thais in Cambodia

Jan 05, 2011
(MCOT online news)

BANGKOK, Jan 5 - Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday urged the public not to raise the detention of seven Thai nationals by Cambodian authorities as an international issue, saying this is a normal incident which could occur along the borders.

NSC Deputy Secretary-General Anusit Kunakorn made the statement as he, Sa Kaeo Deputy Governor Chat Kittinoppadon and Royal Survey Department Deputy Director-General Maj-Gen Noppadon Chotsiri clarified the issue to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

The clarification came as the seven Thais, including Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and activists from the Thai Patriots Network, a splinter group of the so-called 'Yellow Shirt' People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), were detained by Cambodian troops last week as they inspected the border of Sa Kaeo province with Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

Mr Anusit said that the infringement of sovereignty usually occurs between Thailand and the neighbouring countries, while reaffirming seven detained Thais did not intend to trespass on Cambodian territory.

The NSC deputy chief stated the boundary posts are still unclear in some areas along the border and this issue should not be raised as international dispute.

Sa Kaeo deputy governor told the House committee that the seven people were arrested while they were in disputed area which conclusion on the clear boundary has still not been made.

He said one of the detainees, Veera Somkwamkid, was once arrested for his illegal entry in last August.

Gen Noppadon said his department sent a team to inspect the area after the arrest was reported and found that the Thais were detained 55 metres from boundary posts No. 46 and 47.

"The area (where they were arrested) was still under dispute and waiting for demarcation," said Gen Noppadon. "The seven might have entered the land from misunderstanding."

In a related development, Sa Kaeo governor Sanit Naksuksri reiterated, as the Thailand Patriot Network were rallying in the province, that they will be not allowed to go further than Khok Sung district office.

Led by Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Karun Sai-ngam, the protesters attempted to enter Sri Pen Road, along the Thai-Cambodian border Wednesday morning, to inspect boundary marker No. 46 whether it belongs to the kingdom or not. It was the area where the seven Thais were arrested.

The group’s access to Sri Pen Road was blocked by troops and local residents who also gathered today opposing the activists move.

The governor and concerned officials negotiated with activists who seek to enter the border area and later concluded that seven representatives of Thailand Patriot Network will inspect the area with the governor and 20 reporters.

Sa Kaeo governor earlier announced that the demonstrators will be banned from the border area at Sri Pen Road as fears that the crowd will cause more problems which will affect the bilateral relations and helping the seven.