Anti-drink lobby to rally at SET

Representatives of more than 260 anti-alcohol groups will rally outside the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today to protest against the listing of Thai Beverage Plc on the stock market. ThaiBev, the country's biggest brewer and distiller, re-applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for listing on Wednesday, claiming the SET invited it to do so. It plans to have the listing completed by the end of this year.

ThaiBev's previous listing attempt was derailed in 2005 by protesters. ThaiBev instead listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in May 2006 after the SEC repeatedly put off a decision to allow it to list in Thailand.

Anti-alcohol activist Kamron Chudecha said about 200 activists representing 264 anti-liquor organisations would rally outside the SET on Ratchadaphisek road about 10am today and at the Finance Ministry on Wednesday.

The activists plan to submit a letter urging the management of the SET to consider the economic and social losses that would result from the listing of the giant brewer and distiller, maker of Beer Chang.

Mr Kamron said the activists would fight to the end to oppose the listing of ThaiBev.

Phra Phayom Kalayano, the abbot of Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi province who is leading the protests, said the share listing would encourage consumption of the company's liquor products and harm society.

''I have repeated my request but there is still a plan to list the company on the stock exchange. I would like them to think whether this is tantamount to harming people and causing tragedy to Thai people,'' he said.

Phra Phayom suspected the company had influenced Public Health Minister Chalerm Yubamrung's decision to back off on his support for a ban on alcohol consumption during the New Year break.

The abbot also criticised consumers for supporting the liquor industry through excessive drinking. He said the profits were huge.

The income from the sale of alcohol in one year is equal to the income from fruit juice sales for 10 years, with alcohol sales being as big as fuel sales, Phra Phayom said.

Surichai Wankaew, director of the Social Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University, said the listing would promote liquor consumption which could get out of hand.

He urged the SET to consider if it should support the listing of a business which would affect young people.

The company should follow the global trend of corporate social responsibility toward consumers and for the negative impact of its products.

''The company must not be too hungry for profits and target groups without considering the impact of its products,'' Mr Surichai said.

ThaiBev plans to float 80 million shares in its public offering on the SET. The offering will represent 0.3% of the total shares in the company.

Once listed, the company would be among the top 10 listed on the SET in terms of market capitalisation

source bangkok post

PAD won't block entry to parliament: Chamlong

People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Chamlong Srimuang affirmed that the anti-government group will not deny access to the parliament on Tuesday in an attempt to obstruct the government from amending Article 291 of the 2007 Constitution.

Regarding the idea to hold a meeting with different sides to end violence, Maj-Gen Chamlong insisted the PAD supporters had never resorted to violent means, and its activities have been under the constitution. However, he said the group is ready to hold talks with all sides

He said the PAD agrees with the army’s announcement that it will take action against people who made statements against the royal institution.

In the case of certain senators who have allegedly received money to approve the charter drafting assembly’s establishment, Maj-Gen Chamlong said this shows that the government is still from an old political system that lacks righteousness, and there is a need for new politics as the PAD has proposed to members of the public.

Touching on the planned gathering of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) at Rajamangala National Stadium on November 1, he said it was not easy to mobilise ten of thousands of people to the gathering as even transportation and food alone are not easy tasks.

The PAD would pay close attention if the UDD moves their supporters to confront its supporters at Government House, he added.

source bangkok post

Thaksin found guilty of corruption

Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions Tuesday found ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra guilty in Ratchadaphisek land deal case and sentenced him to 2 years in jail. His wife Khunying Potjaman was cleared of all charges.

The court ruled 5:4 that Mr Thaksin was guilty of conflict of interest while he was a prime minister by facilitating his wife's land purchase of 33-rai of land on Thiam Ruam Mit road from the Bank of Thailand's Financie Development Fund (FIDF) at a discounted price five years ago.

"Thaksin had violated the article of the constitution on conflict of interest, as he was then prime minister and head of government who was supposed to work for the benefit of the public," one judge said, reading the verdict. "He is sentenced to two years in jail."

The jail term was given without suspension. But because Mr Thaksin is currently living in exile in London, an arrest warrant was also issued for him.

The court ruled 7:2 to clear Khunying Potjaman of all charges, citing that she was not a state official.

Right after the verdict was handed down, Mr Thaksin gave a telephone interview to Reuters, saying that he had expected the jail term.

"I have been informed of the result. I had long anticipated that it would turn out this way," he was quoted as saying, adding that the case was politically motivated.

Meanwhile, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters, who have occupied the compound of the Government House since late August, cheered loudly to welcome the verdict. Together, they screamed "Thaksin in jail" for several minutes.

Thaksin guilty in land deal case

Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions Tuesday found ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra guilty in Ratchadaphisek land deal case and sentenced him to 2 years in jail. His wife Khunying Potjaman was cleared of all charges.

The court ruled 5:4 that Mr Thaksin was guilty of conflict of interest while he was a prime minister by facilitating his wife's land purchase of 33-rai of land on Thiam Ruam Mit road from the Bank of Thailand's Financie Development Fund (FIDF) at a discounted price five years ago.

"Thaksin had violated the article of the constitution on conflict of interest, as he was then prime minister and head of government who was supposed to work for the benefit of the public," one judge said, reading the verdict. "He is sentenced to two years in jail."

The jail term was given without suspension. But because Mr Thaksin is currently living in exile in London, an arrest warrant was also issued for him.

The court ruled 7:2 to clear Khunying Potjaman of all charges, citing that she was not a state official.

source bangkok post

V-day for Thaksin

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is to hand down its verdict in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case against Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman at 2pm on Tuesday (0700GMT).

Mr Thaksin is charged with abusing his authority while prime minister to facilitate his wife's purchase of 33-rai of land on Thiam Ruam Mit road in Ratchadaphisek area from the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) at a sweet price of 772 million baht five years ago.

The reading of the verdict is scheduled to start at 2pm.

If the couple do not show up and the court finds them guilty it will issue warrants for their arrest.

Article 278 of the constitution says that in the event the couple can produce new witnesses or new evidence which might substantially alter the facts of the case, they have the right to file an appeal to a general meeting of the Supreme Court within 30 days of the reading of the verdict.

If an appeal is filed, a general meeting of the Supreme Court will convene to choose a panel of five judges to make an initial inquiry to see whether there are new witnesses and new evidence, as might be claimed by the defendants.

The panel will then present its findings and recommendation to the Supreme Court's general meeting.

In the event the appeal is accepted, the five-judge panel will be instructed to continue the investigation of the appeal and then submit their findings to a general meeting for a decision.

If the general meeting of the Supreme Court then upholds the prosecution's case against Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman, a process to seek their extradition will be launched.

Application will be made for the couple to be returned from Britain where they have sought asylum.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat party, was concerned that whichever way the verdict goes, tensions between anti- and progovernment camps are unlikely to ease.

The conflict could intensify if the government tries to provide backing for its supporters to confront its opponents, Mr Abhisit said.

Pibhop Dhongchai, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said the alliance will stay put at the Government House compound and will not go to hear the verdict at the court today, to avoid any confrontation with pro-government groups.

Government spokesman Nattawut Saikua, who is a staunch supporter of the deposed prime minister, said today's court verdict would neither impact the pro-Thaksin movement nor change the political situation.

Mr Thaksin's supporters would continue to support him no matter what the judges rule.

This court case is only another political manoeuvre aimed at destroying Mr Thaksin, said the co-founder of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

The government spokesman said the verdict would not cause any change to the current political situation because Mr Thaksin no longer had a role in Thai politics, as was the case previously.

"The ongoing political conflict is not a confrontation between the pro- and anti-Thaksin camps, it's a fight between democracy and anarchy," he said.

Even if Mr Thaksin is convicted, the conflict will undoubtedly continue, said Mr Nattawut.

The court has told those planning to attend the reading of the verdict to comply with the law to keep peace and order on and outside the court premises.

source bangkok post

Constitution plan

Senior members of parliament have agreed to set up a 120-member assembly to redraft the constitution, but the senate speaker and the opposition Democrats boycotted the meeting.

There were immediate questions about the legitimacy of the decision at the Monday meeting. Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej and the opposition Democrat party snubbed the meeting, called by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

The rush to rewrite the charter follows Mr Somchai's rejection of army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda's demand that he accept responsibility for the violence on Oct 7 and resign.

Mr Somchai insisted he would stay on and that changing the charter was the solution to the political crisis.

Mr Prasobsuk left before the meeting began, but denied he was doing so to please a group of 40 senators who demanded a boycott.

He said he feared the assembly could lead to violence.

Deputy Senate Speaker Nikhom Waiyaratphanit took over as senate representative in his absence, but Mr Prasobsuk said he had not assigned him or any other senators to represent the upper house at the meeting.

Democrat chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said the assembly would create more problems, push the country into a dead end and force the military to stage a coup.

A House dissolution was the way to put all the conflicts to rest, he said.

Rosana Tositrakul, one of the 40 senators opposing the assembly, said rewriting the charter was not a cure, and termed yesterday's decision a "parliamentary coup".

Thammasat University law lecturer Prinya Tevanaruemitrkul called for a halt to constitutional amendment.

But Anusorn Tamajai, dean of economics at Rangsit University, said while a new drafting assembly may not be the solution, it was better than nothing.

After two hours of talks, the Somchai meeting agreed to form an assembly tasked with rewriting the charter.

Under the proposal, it would comprise 76 members representing each of the provinces, 24 experts in law, political science and public administration, and 20 elected representatives of professional groups.

PM's Office Minister Sukhumpong Ngonkam said the rewrite would take no more than 240 days and the result would be submitted for parliament's approval.

If approved, the draft would be proposed for endorsement by His Majesty the King. If not, a referendum would be held.

Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana MP Prasert Boonchaisuk (Nakhon Ratchasima) said the meeting wanted to give one seat in the assembly to a representative from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy.

But PAD co-leader Pibhop Dhongchai branded the amendment process self-serving, including the attempts to rewrite Article 237.

The article provides for the dissolution of a party if a leader or executive member engages in electoral fraud. This is the basis for the dissolution cases against the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties.

A lavish Brahman ceremony was held to seek a blessing from the King Rama VII statue inside the parliament compound before yesterday's meeting.

The prime minister, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Mr Prasobsuk led the ceremony and ate the same boiled egg and drank coconut juice, presented as the offerings.

Then, the trio walked hand in hand to the meeting room. Mr Prasobsuk left shortly after
source bangkok post

Farcical opinion

As its name implies, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is supposed to be the bulwark in the fight against the scourge of corruption in the bureaucracy. And we have been led to believe that this supposedly independent organisation is among a handful that is free from political interference and can still be trusted. Pitifully though, this myth has been shattered by its ruling last Thursday pertaining to a land auction case dating back to 1998.

The graft watchdog has faulted Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, then justice permanent secretary, for carelessness in failing to take action against Pramarn Tiyapaiboonsin and Manit Suthaporn, then director-general and deputy director-general respectively of the Legal Execution Department.

The two were accused of returning a 70 million baht deposit posted by a bidder in an auction to the landowner without demanding 45 million baht in land tax for the land deal from the landowner, which was construed as causing damage to the state.

A fact-finding committee led by a vice-president of the Supreme Court ruled the Legal Execution Department was guilty of negligence and recommended that the justice permanent secretary follow up the case. Instead, the case was shelved, prompting the judge who initiated the case, Chamnan Raveewanpong, to bring the matter to the attention of the NCCC two years later.

But it was not until two years ago during the government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont that the NCCC found Mr Manit guilty of malfeasance in office and suggested that he be sacked. Mr Pramarn was eventually faulted for a disciplinary violation, also by the NCCC.

Given that the case had grounds, as substantiated by the Supreme Court vice-president's investigating panel's findings and recommendation for Mr Somchai to follow up, the NCCC's ruling which faulted the then justice permanent secretary for carelessness is a big letdown and a big farce. How can someone who is fully aware of something fishy going on choose to sit on it? This is careless. It completely defies logic. Instead, such misconduct should be regarded as an intentional cover-up.

Had the NCCC ruled on the case in a straightforward manner, the consequences would have been much different. Perhaps there would have been no need for the top brass to come out and make a direct suggestion on television for Prime Minister Somchai to stand down to show responsibility for the October 7 violent crackdown on supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Nevertheless, the NCCC will have to live with the shame of this farcical ruling.

Like the mythical Pandora's box which is filled with all the evils of the world, this scandalous land case has implicated several more players. If you dig deeper, more skeletons will emerge, and that will not do any good to the judiciary. Yet the case should serve as a valuable lesson to the current judicial commission which can reflect on the shortcomings of the previous commission regarding corruption in order to see that it is never repeated.

Apparently, the judicial commission at the time was also at fault for its failure in not proceeding with disciplinary action against Mr Manit and Mr Pramarn despite an initial probe which accused the two officials of negligence in the performance of their duty in connection with the land deal. The judicial commission's failure was clearly in defiance of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 which makes it compulsory for a probe to be conducted in instances of suspected disciplinary breaches by judicial officials and a disciplinary investigation held in case there is a gross disciplinary violation.

Last, but not least, my sincere commendation to that rare breed of judge, Mr Chamnan, for without his unusual sense of social responsibility, his courage to the extent of foolhardiness and unwavering resolve to set things right as well as the full support of his family and friends the "evils in the Pandora's box" in the judiciary would have never been exposed.

source bangkok post

PAD distributing VCDs, leaflets on Oct 7 riot

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) gathered Monday morning at a shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok to distribute leaflets and video discs (VCDs) critical of the bloody police crackdown against demonstrators nearly two weeks ago, a PAD core leader said Sunday.

From the stage inside the Government House compound where the PAD has encamped since late August, protest core leader Sondhi Limthongkul reaffirmed on Sunday that the anti-government coalition's plan to gather at Central World, a major shopping mall near national police headquarters, to distribute VCDs and leaflets to passers-by regarding the police crackdown at Parliament on October 7.

The PAD said the VCDs and leaflets showed the police had used excessive force against the protesters.

Two people died and nearly 500 others were injured during the day-long clashes between the police and demonstrators.

Last Friday, the PAD marched through the Silom and Sathorn business districts, passing out their VCDs and leaflets to passers-by in Bangkok's primary business corridor.

Another PAD core leader Pibhob Dhongchai earlier reasserted that his group distrusted the government-appointed committee now probing on the causes of the October 7 incidents due to reports that the government tried to intervene and remove some of the 'straightforward' committee members.

Mr. Pibhob said the PAD trusted the findings of the National Human Rights Commission, a respected neutral body, which announced Friday that the government was responsible for having given the order to disperse, while the police were responsible for carrying out the action.

He said the group would rather entrust an independent investigative committee which could be set up by parliament and be comprised of members of the House of Representatives and senators, including the Opposition. (TNA)

source bangkok post

Triple tension

Anti- and pro-government groups appear to be on a collision course, with the possibility of violent clashes in Bangkok when the verdict in the Ratchadaphisek land case against Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife is handed down tomorrow.

A highly placed source at the Special Branch Police office said police received information that three different groups will mobilise their supporters in Bangkok over the next few days.

The groups are the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and a group of police supporters.

The PAD plans to hold a rally outside CentralWorld Plaza in Ratchaprasong today and distribute VCDs and documents about the government's crackdown on its supporters on Oct 7 and will then march to police headquarters.

The PAD also plans to gather at the Supreme Court tomorrow to hear the verdict in the Ratchadaphisek land case in which former prime minister Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, are the defendants.

UDD supporters and several progovernment movements from the Northeast and the North also plan to gather at the Supreme Court tomorrow to hear the verdict, the source said.

A source at the Supreme Court said clashes between supporters and opponents of Mr Thaksin outside the court are a strong possibility unless measures are taken to control the crowds.

On Wednesday, a mass merit-making ceremony will be held at the Royal Plaza, organised by former deputy police chief Salang Bunnag.

Many retired and serving police officers are expected to take part in the ceremony.

Pol Gen Salang had earlier announced he would mobilise police and force the PAD's supporters out of the Government House grounds.

Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD coordinator, said his alliance is considering canceling its rallies in Bangkok to avoid any clashes with pro-government groups.

"We've been informed that the UDD is preparing to hold a rally near our rally sites," he said.

"We're worried that there could be a confrontation with UDD supporters if we go ahead with our rallies."

He also said the PAD would not accept any new government formed by the ruling People Power party should Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat step down.

He conceded that the PAD wants the military to seize power and return it to civil society and respected parties to form an interim government.

"I don't want to see another coup, but will accept it if it leads to political change by the people," he said.

A 59-year-old PAD supporter died in hospital yesterday after collapsing at Government House.

Somlert Kasemsukprakarn was waiting to have a medical check at a PAD medical unit at Government House when he collapsed. He was rushed to Vajira Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Doctors said he had a history of heart problems.

source bangkok post

Somchai seeks talks with Hun Sen, says external mediation not necessary

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said he would seek face-to-face talks with Cambodian leader Hun Sen after the recent border clash near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

"I am looking for the right time to talk with him. We should have an opportunity to talk," Mr Somchai told reporters after visiting Thai troops stationed along the border yesterday.

The Thai leader echoed Hun Sen's comments on Friday that outside mediation was not necessary to solve the dispute.

"This is between Thailand and Cambodia. We should not let other countries get involved," Mr Somchai said.

Both sides have tried to ease tensions since at least two Cambodian soldiers were killed in Wednesday's 40-minute firefight.

Two Cambodians and seven Thais were wounded.

Both leaders were expected to attend an Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Beijing next week to discuss the global financial crisis, but it was not clear whether they would meet on the sidelines.

Thailand's Second Army commander Lt-Gen Wibulsak Neepal said border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are likely to ease soon as Cambodia is expected to be more willing to enter talks with Thailand.

He said military officers from both sides have been in regular contact and have worked closely together over the past two days.

"The situation should improve. Both sides have had lunch. We have been coordinating all the time," he said.

Lt-Gen Wibulsak, however, admitted that as long as Thai and Cambodian troops are stationed face-to-face, clashes at the border are possible.

Lt-Gen Wibulsak said army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda had given him full authority under the "Chakkri Phuwadol" national defence plan to take retaliatory measures in the event that Cambodian forces fired artillery across the border.

He said Thai troops would retaliate within reason but would try to prevent any small skirmishes from escalating.

Meanwhile, a Thai soldier patrolling at Phu Ma Khua was accidentally killed by a bullet from his own gun yesterday.

Private Winyu Polpruek, who was attached to the Second Infantry Battalion, suffered a gunshot wound to his head. He was taken to hospital in Ubon Ratchathani, where he was pronounced dead.

source bangkok post

Red shirts mobilised

A group of government supporters is planning to take up arms and stage running battles with the army on the streets of Bangkok if the military attempts to stage a coup against the Somchai Wongsawat administration.

Military specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, who is close to the government, said a military putsch will be met by strong resistance from pro-government factions.

United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters and several pro-government movements in the Northeast are poised to take to the streets and fight troops, he said.

Maj-Gen Khattiya, who claims to be training UDD supporters, said Molotov cocktails would be used against tanks if they rumble through the streets.

"If a coup is staged, the 4th Cavalry Battalion [which controls 50 tanks] will be blocked," he said.

"In the Sept 19 [2006] coup, tanks rolled out, but no-one dared to fight. This time, fire-bombs will be waiting.

"There is also a chance people will lie down on the streets and block the tanks. In the last coup people gave them flowers. But if they come out now, people will hurl Molotov cocktails at them."

There have been rumours of a new coup since the leaders of the armed forces, led by Army Commander Gen Anupong Paojinda, appeared on a television programme on Thursday and called on Mr Somchai to take responsibility for the Oct 7 clashes between police and protesters. The military's move was perceived as a threat to stage a coup.

Maj-Gen Khattiya blamed military leaders for creating a climate of fear in their TV appearance, as they were dressed in full military uniform.

When asked about the UDD's forces, he said they were being trained to fight and the training ground had been shifted from Sanam Luang to a training camp.

He said there were hundreds of UDD fighters whose task is to counter the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Maj-Gen Khattiya said UDD fighters had been approached by the government and the police to help block PAD protesters on Oct 7 and Oct 13.

On Oct 7 they were asked to go to Parliament to clear the way for Mr Somchai to leave the premises after delivering his policy statement.

However, the prime minister managed to slip out on his own.

He claimed they were asked to go to police headquarters on Oct 13 to counter PAD demonstrators who threatened to hold a rally against the previous clash. However, the PAD cancelled the rally.

Prime Minister Somchai has reportedly exercised extreme caution to avoid being captured to make way for a coup.

He took a chartered flight, instead of the usual military jet, to Ubon Ratchathani yesterday to visit soldiers wounded in border clashes with Cambodian troops.

Mr Somchai originally planned to travel to a hospital in Sapprasitthiprasong camp in the province with Gen Anupong and take an army helicopter to visit Thai troops near the Preah Vihear temple on the Thailand-Cambodia border.

He cancelled his visit to Pha Mor E Daeng for a situation briefing.

A military source close to Mr Somchai said the prime minister was urged to be cautious following Gen Anupong's televised comments.

Officers from the Air Force's Security Force Command and the police force have been sent to his house on Chaeng Wattana road to beef up security.

The source noted that the relationship between Mr Somchai and Gen Anupong had deteriorated, but the prime minister had no plans to remove Gen Anupong or any military leaders from their posts to pre-empt an attempted coup.

"The relationship between them has been totally severed. They stick with their jobs. Mr Somchai will not demote Gen Anupong. If the military want to stage a coup, let it be," said the source.

During his visit to Ubon Ratchathani, Mr Somchai was greeted by about 3,000 supporters.

However when he was asked about Gen Anupong, Mr Somchai refused to answer and walked away.

source bangkok post

Some sincerity, please

The clash between the Thai military and Cambodian troops along the border on Oct 15 has raised questions about Phnom Penh's sincerity in settling the border dispute through diplomacy.

The road to peace has been ruined despite several rounds of multi-level meetings between the two countries.

The two nations have promised many times in the past few months to exercise restraint. But Phnom Penh has failed to keep its promise.

Every time a clash happens, the Foreign Ministry has summoned the Cambodian ambassador or the charge d'affaires to protest against the Cambodian action, and they always promise to resolve things through negotiations. But a short time later, another clash occurs.

The fighting last Wednesday was quite serious - seven Thai soldiers were injured and two Cambodian soldiers killed.

After the Foreign Ministry went through its usual pattern of protesting through diplomatic channels, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Friday that the conflict would not end in war, that both sides would exercise restraint along the border and the problems would be tackled through bilateral talks. But what does that mean?

Phnom Penh's past record in keeping its word has not been good. And because of this Thailand has started to have doubts about its neighbour's sincerity. Asean members Indonesia and Malaysia have even offered to act as mediators.

The Cambodian government needs to show it is genuine about settling problems through bilateral talks.

Bringing bilateral problems to the international community or to the International Court of Justice, as earlier suggested by Mr Hun Sen, will not help ease tensions and instead will only heat up the conflict.

Cambodia became angry in July after the government opposed its request to take the border issue to the multilateral level through Asean members and the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council.

The Cambodians thought the government feared losing the case if it went to the International Court of Justice, which is what happened 50 years ago when Thailand lost the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in the same court.

In fact, Thailand has never feared taking a case to court. Thanks to many countries like the United States, China and Russia, as well as UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Thailand has stuck to its position and not played Cambodia's game.

The Phnom Penh government should know that the world has changed and no third country wants to get involved or support another country in a war against its neighbour, especially if nothing would be gained by that third country.

A key point in the conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia has been the demarcation of the disputed 4.6-square-kilometre overlapping area. The issue is unlikely to be settled unless border demarcation is finished.

Examples from other countries with similar border problems can be used as a model.

Until the problems are resolved, both countries must abide by their commitment and exercise restraint. This will surely take time, but a victory from the process will likely last longer than one derived from war.

source bangkok post

OAG drops shares concealment case against Thaksin

Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) Wednesday decided to drop alleged shares concealment case against ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, his wife Potjaman and two members of Damapong family cause their transfers of SC Asset shares were not legally binding.

According to OAG spokesman Thanapit Moonpruek, the evidence submitted by Department of Special Investigation, which was working on the case, could not find the four defendants guilty in any of the charges according to the Securities and Exchange Act.

The four suspects have been accused of concealing the structure of their shareholdings in SC Asset, a violation of the Stock Exchange of Thailand's information disclosure regulations.

An investigation by the DSI and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) found the accused had hidden shares in Overseas Growth Fund and Offshore Dynamic Fund without informing the SEC.

Their shares in SC Asset and the two firms which acted as their nominees also gave them full control of the board and the shareholders' meetings. Mr Thaksin and his wife have already been indicted by the Supreme Court for alleged corruption in a land purchase deal.

source bangkok post

PM says Porntip 'out of line' on violence

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said it was not the job of forensic expert Porntip Rojanasunan to speak out about the persons behind the order of the firing of teargas to disperse anti-government protesters last Tuesday, People Power party MP Chaowarin Latthasaksiri said Wednesday.

According to Mr Chaowarin, Mr Somchai said Khunying Porntip was assigned to find out whether teargas contains explosive substances, but she went beyond her assignment by talking to the press about the persons in charge of the order that day.

He also said that the premier is feeling tired, and that his work is loaded during this time.

source bangkok post

Cambodia claims new border clash with Thailand

Cambodian officials were quoted by news wire services that Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire along a disputed border for about 10 minutes on Wednesday afternoon.

The firefight took place at Kantalak district, Si Sa Ket province.

"Cambodian and Thai troops are opening fire at each other now," Cambodian Brig Gen Bun Thean told AFP from the scene.

Reuters photographer Chor Sokunthea at the scene was also quoted that he heard gun fire. "One rocket flew from Thailand over my head and landed. Now you can hear the fighting. They've opened fire," he was quoted as saying.

Preab Tan, governor of Cambodia's northern Preah Vihear province, also confirmed the fighting. "I can confirm there was fighting between Cambodians and Thais. The Thais fired at us first," Preab Tan told Reuters.

source bangkok post

2 RKK members arrested after gunfight in Yala

Two members of the Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) insurgent group were arrested on Wednesday after they opened fire at the officials in Muang district of Yala province.

More than 200 military, police and administrative were surrounding the municipal of Yala’s Muang district after local villagers informed the authority that about five insurgents were taking cover in the area.

A group of five insurgents then opened fire at the officials once they were spotted, and after the fierce gun fight, three of the gunmen were able to escape.

Two of the captured gunmen were identified as 21-year-old Yala resident Masuri Kamoh and another Yala local Marusdee Arong. Their firearms were also confiscated.

One of the three insurgents who fled away was a core member of RKK named Masuki Arong.

The RKK member had committed many crimes in the deep South, and the police had put 500,000-baht-bounty on his head

source bangkok post

Govt to protest to Cambodia over battle

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will invite Cambodian charge d’affaires to Thailand Ouk Sophoin to receive an official protest, following the armed confrontation between troops from the two countries, Information Department director-general and Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Tharit asserted Thai soldiers did not start the shooting, but the gunfight was acted in self-defence, as stated in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations (UN).

As for the evacuation plan for the Thais living in Cambodia, he said his ministry already coordinated with Thai Airways (THAI) to bring them home. Three THAI flights were available to the neighbouring country.

Approximately 1,000 Thai people lived in Phanom Penh and about 400 to 500 Thais were in Siem Reap.

Meanwhile, both sides accused one another for inciting the brief gunfight on Wednesday. Four Thai soldiers were wounded and one Cambodian soldier was killed in the gunfight, according to army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

source bangkok post

An ill wind?

Mounting tensions between Cambodia and Thailand over their overlapping border area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple could be used by those in power to unite Thais and lower Thailand's internal political temperature.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ultimatum on Monday for Thai troops to immediately withdraw from the disputed temple area dealt a personal blow to Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat who was visiting Phnom Penh for talks with the Cambodian leader.

If there hadn't been a crackdown on anti-government demonstrators, Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and his deputy Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who has already resigned, would have led the Thai delegation to Cambodia in place of Mr Sompong.

On Oct 9, Gen Chavalit, who has done many favours for Mr Hun Sen and other Cambodian leaders in the past, said he had already discussed on the phone solutions to the border disputes with the Cambodian prime minister.

"I spoke to both Hun Sen and Gen Tea Banh, the defence minister, that we'd better forget all the issues, turn back the clock to July 15 and start it all over again," Gen Chavalit said.

He apparently wished to see both sides return to the point where Thai troops had not approached the Preah Vihear temple and the adjacent 4.6 sq km overlapping area. That implied the withdrawal of Thai troops from the area.

"I have made all the arrangements and we are only waiting for Prime Minister Somchai to strike a deal with them," Gen Chavalit said. All the arrangements collapsed when he resigned from his post following the Oct 7 crackdown on unarmed demonstrators.

"Cambodia may be trying to raise the stakes on the issue for international backing as it has repeatedly tried to advance its claim on the border area," said Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the Thai Army spokesman.

The government's fatal crackdown on demonstrators on Oct 7 has intensified calls for Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda to intervene and bring down the Somchai administration.

But the calls have made Gen Anupong uncomfortable as he realises that post-coup issues would be too heavy for him to deal with, not to mention the risks involved in trying to overthrow an elected government.

In response to Mr Hun Sen's ultimatum, Gen Anupong and the other Armed Forces chiefs held an urgent meeting with Supreme Commander Songkitti Chakkabatr yesterday.

They resolved not to pull out Thai troops from the overlapping area in Thailand's northeastern province of Si Sa Ket, and plan more troop deployments there to protect the country's sovereignty.

A war with Cambodia would encourage Thais to turn away from internal divisions and unite them to fight the external enemy. But the threat that the Thai government may be left to fight on two fronts simultaneously, Cambodia and the PAD supporters, cannot be ruled out either.

source bangkok post

Warrant No 6

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued another arrest warrant for Thaksin Shinawatra when the ex-premier failed to show up for a case alleging abuse of power in converting mobile phone concession payments to excise tax in 2003.

Mr Thaksin, who has been in self-imposed exile in London since last month, did not appear at the first hearing on the Attorney General's suit which charges that his malfeasance cost state telecommunications monopolies 40 billion baht ($1.2 billion).

It was the sixth arrest warrant against the former prime minister since he fled to England in August.

Although Thaksin faces six arrest warrants and his wife faces a jail sentence in Thailand, he has not been convicted of any crime by a court.

This could change next Tuesday, when the Supreme Court is scheduled to read its verdict in the Ratchadaphisek land case against him and his wife Khunying Potjamarn. It is up to the court whether to proceed in the absence of the defendant.

Khunying Potjaman bound the land at auction with a bid of 772 million baht ($22.7 million), which prosecutors alleged was a bargain for the prime piece of land.

source bangkok post

Gunfire at the border

Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat urged Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave for home immediately after a Wednesday afternoon military battle along the disputed border left two Cambodian soldiers dead.

"Thai businessmen who have no need to be in Cambodia now, please rush back to Thailand," Sompong told reporters.

"We have our evacuation plan ready," he added.

In the Northeast, officials told residents of the border to be ready to move out quickly in case hostilities resume and escalate.

Thai and Cambodian troops fired rockets and small arms at each other for about 10 minutes at the border of Kantalak district, Si Sa Ket province at around 2.30pm.

The incident reportedly occurred three kilometres from Phreah Vihear temple, and at the site of an Oct 3 clash which left two Thai soldiers and one Cambodian wounded. Thailand issued an official protest to the Cambodian government over that alleged border incursion.

Cambodian army commander Brig Gen Yim Pim said fighting had "paused" after the battle, as commanders tried to negotiate a cease-fire.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the two countries' foreign ministers were talking. Both sides said they wanted a peaceful resolution. "Cambodia is a good neighbor. We will use peaceful means. If there is violence, we have to negotiate," he said.

Cambodia’s Preah Vihear governor Prieb Tan claimed that Thailand started shooting at the Cambodian army first. Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, meanwhile, claimed that Cambodian soldiers started the shooting first by firing about seven to eight shots onto the Thai soil so Thai soldiers had to defend themselves by firing them back using small weapons.

According to Col Sansern, four Thai army rangers were wounded while one Cambodian soldier was killed in the incident.

On Tuesday, Col Sansern reiterated that Thailand would not shoot first, but warned that Thai troops were ready if Cambodian forces encroach into Thailand. The Thai army is ready to confront any incident to protect the country’s sovereignty, he said.

Meanwhile, Thailand put air force fighter jets and C-130 transport planes on alert. The C-130s have been used in a previous operation to bring Thais back home from Phnom Penh.

"Normally we have fighter jets on stand-by at various regional headquarters ready for operation within five minutes, but under the current circumstances we have increased our readiness," Grp Capt Montol Suchookorn was quoted by the AFP news agency.

source bangkok post

Conflict looms as troops deploy

Thailand yesterday shrugged off Phnom Penh's ultimatum for its soldiers to leave disputed areas near the Preah Vihear temple and accused Cambodia of laying new landmines on the border.

The decision to maintain troop levels in readiness for a confrontation to defend the country was reached in talks between supreme commander Gen Songkitti Jakkabat, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, navy commander Adm Kamthon Phumhiran and air force chief ACM Ithaporn Supawong.

They met after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued an ultimatum on Monday for Thailand to withdraw its troops by yesterday or risk a "large-scale armed conflict".

Prior to the meeting, the military leaders also held talks with Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat, both stressing the importance of using dialogue to solve the problem.

Security sources said Gen Anupong approved two military operation plans, Chakkri Phuwadol and 512, under which troops from the 6th Infantry Division would be used as the main force.

The navy has despatched its ships to patrol Thai waters off Trat province while the air force has put jet fighters and C-130 aircraft on stand-by.

"The military leaders insist the armed forces are prepared in terms of troop deployment in the areas, back-up forces and weapons capabilities to protect our sovereignty," army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Second Army commander Lt-Gen Wibulsak Neepal has been assigned to take charge of the border situation and cooperate with Suranaree Task Force chief Maj-Gen Kanok Netrakhavesana.

Col Sansern said the military was ready to evacuate Thai nationals in Cambodia, but any such decision would be made by the government.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday urged Thai travellers to Cambodia to closely monitor the situation and advised Thai nationals already there to contact the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh for advisory and situation updates.

Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat also sent a stern warning to Cambodia, saying: "If Cambodia does resort to the use of force in accordance with its so-called ultimatum, Thailand will exercise its right of self-defence to protect our de-mining personnel and Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The spat is over a 4.6 sq km disputed area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and the Preah Vihear temple.

The latest border incident occurred on Oct 6 when two Thai paramilitary rangers stepped on landmines while patrolling at Phu Ma Khua, about 2.5km west of the ancient Hindu temple.

Phu Ma Khua, which is in the overlapping area, was the spot where Thai soldiers on patrol clashed with Cambodian troops on Oct 3.

The ministry said Thai de-mining personnel had found Russian-made PMN2 landmines in the area, which the Thai armed forces have never used or possessed.

"The royal Thai government believes that the landmines were planted after the incident [on Oct 3]," the ministry said in a statement. "Thailand views this development with great alarm."

source bangkok post

Cookies to be tested for melamine after Swiss scare

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday collected samples of S&P milk cookies for melamine testing after Swiss authorities found high concentrations of the chemical in imported products from Thailand.

FDA secretary-general Pipat Yingseree said officials picked random samples of the cookies from S&P factories for testing by the Medical Sciences Department.

The company announced its products had been recalled from the local market after receiving a report from Switzerland.

Authorities in Geneva say tests have found melamine in S&P milk cookies from Thailand and LemonPuff Munchee candies from Sri Lanka.

However, there was no indication of the exact level of melamine found in the two imported products.

European Union guidelines allow an intake of 0.5 milligrammes of melamine per kilogramme of body weight per day.

Dr Pipat said consumers should not be too alarmed as there was no grave risk to public health.

The FDA has tested for melamine contamination in 519 dairy products. Three samples of milk powder contained the chemical, with one of them over the FDA limit of 1mg/kg.

One hundred tonnes of powdered milk under the brand Beijing Shuangwa Daily Co, imported by Dairy Plus Co, was found to have a melamine level of 1.1-1.32 mg/kg. The company is a subsidiary of Dutch Mill Co.

The shipment arrived in Samut Prakan port late last month.

The agency previously seized 22 tonnes of milk powder of a similar brand under the parent company after two samples were found tainted with 0.38 mg/kg and 0.55 mg/kg of melamine.

The product was intended for the production of pasteurised milk.

At least 22 milk suppliers in China have been accused of adding melamine to milk products to falsely boost protein readings.

As a result, four children died and more than 53,000 people were hospitalised in China

source bangkok post

Border business as usual

The resurgence of the Preah Vihear land dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in Si Sa Ket province has not affected cross-border trade in other eastern provinces. Cambodian traders from Koh Kong province were still entering Thailand through the checkpoint at Ban Hat Lek in Khlong Yai district of Trat province to buy goods, immigration officer Pol Lt Thawee Chob-riabroi said yesterday.

It was also business as usual in Chanthaburi province yesterday, as Cambodians entered Pong Nam Ron and Soi Dao districts to buy food and household items and continued looking for work on Thai fruit farms.

Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district similarly did not see any downturn in business at the Talat Rong Kluea border market .

And movements in the other direction also continued as normal, with Thai gamblers heading to casinos in Cambodia's Poipet township.

source bangkok post

The PAD is equally to blame for Oct 7

I agree the government and police must be held responsible for the Oct 7 violence on the streets of Bangkok which cost two lives and left hundreds of people injured.

But I don't think those two parties are the only ones answerable for the incident.

On Oct 7 the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders led thousands of supporters to seal all entrances of Parliament House in an attempt to block MPs and senators from announcing the government policy and formally launching the Somchai Wongsawat administration.

Based on the PAD's earlier move to occupy Government House, it was not pessimistic to expect a repeat at the Parliament, so the police operation to disperse the protesters to pave the way for the assembly was acceptable and not a crime against humanity.

Where the police went wrong was not in their decision to disperse the demonstrators but the way they went about it.

It's not hard to imagine what the police were thinking when the PAD's seizure of several state agencies and Government House on Aug 26 was still fresh in their minds.

On that occasion, order was maintained as police and the government exercised patience in order to avoid violence, for they knew that if it happened, the brunt of the blame would fall on them.

PAD leaders always say their protest is based on "ahimsa", a Hindu doctrine which advocates non-violence and peaceful resolution.

The PAD could be worthy of respect if they truly were really following the path of ahimsa.

If we step back from the recent violence and look back at the overall situation over recent months, we can see whether or not the PAD movement is serving the ahimsa principle well.

Before seizing Government House, PAD supporters occupied and blocked main streets in Bangkok-Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue and Phitsanulok road - to use as a base for their protest, causing a lot of problems for commuters and schoolchildren.

Then, as this proved unpopular, they turned their attention to Government House, taking complete control of the compound, which they maintain to this day, and denying the head of the administration access to his offices. Then followed the siege of Parliament.

PAD leaders insist its protests are peaceful and constitutional.

Let's talk about constitutionality. PAD leaders claim their right to stage peaceful rallies based on the first paragraph of Article 63 of the 2007 charter, stipulating that "a person shall enjoy the liberty to assemble peacefully and without arms".

Still, the PAD has never mentioned the following paragraph, stipulating that "restriction on such liberty shall not be imposed except by virtue of the law specifically enacted for the case of public assembly and for securing public convenience in the use of public places".

In addition, Article 28 of the charter concerning the rights and liberties of the Thai people clearly states that "a person can invoke human dignity or exercise his or her rights and liberties in so far as it is not in violation of the rights and liberties of other persons or contrary to the Constitution or good morals'.'

I'm sure the PAD's moves to block streets, seize Government House, and seal off Parliament have violated other people's rights and liberties and caused public inconvenience.

Should the PAD leaders take responsibility for such unconstitutional actions, which they claim to be peaceful?

The PAD leaders should be held accountable for the Oct 7 bloodshed.

The way I look at it, the government and police can be blamed for the outcome, while the PAD leaders could be blamed for its cause.

Mr Somchai and the police chief have expressed "regret" for the incidents but I have yet to hear a single word of remorse from the PAD leaders.

They may claim their protests are aimed at helping the nation and reforming the political system.

That can be respected, but it's not necessary for everyone else in the country to agree with them.

Moreover, those who disagree should not be labelled as non-patriots or be lumped in with those who have no virtue.

In our long experience, abrupt constitutional changes have not given us actual democracy. Patient learning can achieve this.

Why do the PAD leaders not put their trust in the justice system which is performing its duty?

source bangkok post

First Army chief critical of police

Police greatly overreacted when confronting anti-government demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Oct 7, First Army commander Lt-Gen Khanit Sapithak said yesterday. Political problems should be solved through political means, and authorities should be careful when mobilising the security arms of the state, he said.

On speculation there could be another coup, Lt-Gen Khanit said the military remains loyal to the people, the nation and His Majesty the King.

''We're doing our duty and we don't think about doing the duty of others,'' the First Army chief said.

But he was only the commander of an army unit and not in a position to say whether there would be another coup.

Lt-Gen Khanit suggested that both the leaders of the PAD and the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) be brought to the negotiating table.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew yesterday took responsibility for the violence between police and anti-government demonstrators on Oct 7.

''It's clear that I must take responsibility,'' said Pol Lt-Gen Suchart, but added police needed to use tear gas to prevent demonstrators raiding parliament.

Pol Lt-Gen Suchart said an investigating team had been set up to identify those who should be held responsible for the damage and he would accept the decision.

He said his bureau was not involved in buying the tear gas used by the police.

source bangkok post

Whip files police complaint

The government whip yesterday filed a complaint with Dusit police against the People's Alliance for Democracy, accusing its members of besieging parliament and firing guns in parliamentary premises on Oct 7. Chief whip Suchart Lainamngern, a Lop Buri People Power party MP, said the entrance to the second floor and exterior wall of the parliament were riddled with bullet holes.

Mr Suchart claimed PAD core leaders told supporters to hold MPs hostage, fire shots into the parliament and place petrol-soaked tyres on the premises in preparation for setting the place on fire.

He said it was difficult to imagine what might have happened had the riot squad not stepped in to keep the protesters at bay.

source bangkok post

Court accepts dissolution cases against 3 parties

Constitution Court accepted dissolution cases against the ruling People Power party and coalition parties Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties on Tuesday.

"The Constitution Court judges decided to accept the cases for consideration," according to the document released to the press.

The move came after Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) lodged a petition with the court, seeking dissolution of the three parties for electoral fraud in Dec 23 poll.

source bangkok post

Thailand to defend itself from Cambodian "use of force"

Thailand on Tuesday said the country would defend itself from any Cambodian "use of force," while expressing "surprise" at Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's ultimatum to remove its troops from a disputed border area or face a "large-scale conflict."

"If Cambodia does resort to the use of force in accordance with its so-called ultimatum, Thailand will have to exercise its right of self-defence as provided under the Charter of the United Nations," said the Thai Foreign Ministry in a statement issued to the press.

After meeting Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat in Phnom Penh on Monday, Hun Sen told reporters that he had warned the Thais to withdraw their troops from a disputed area around the Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border or face fighting.

"They must move tonight or tomorrow. If they don't, there will be fighting," he said.

Thailand's foreign ministry expressed "surprise" at Hun Sen's fighting words, noting that it went against the "sprit of neighbourliness" between fellow members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Although Thailand and Cambodia are fellow members of ASEAN, the two neighbours have a long history of animosity.

Thailand and Cambodia nearly came to blows over the Preah Vihear temple in July this year, shortly after UNESCO named the ancient Hindu temple a World Heritage Site despite Thai objections.

The temple, the object of disputed claims between Thailand and Cambodia since the 1950s, was granted to Cambodia by a ruling of the International Court of Justice in 1962.

But land adjacent to the temple compound, including its main entrance on the Thai side, remains under dispute.

Both sides beefed up their troops in the area, situated about 400 kilometres north-east of Bangkok, after some ultra-nationalist Thais crossed into the disputed zone in a show of protest against the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s ruling.

The border conflict was calmed in late August when both sides agreed to settle the matter through bilateral talks held by a joint border committee.

The talks have been hampered by repeated claims of incursions into Cambodian territory and by Thailand's chaotic domestic political situation.

Thailand's current government under the People Power party (PPP) has had four different foreign ministers in four months - Noppadon Pattama, Dej Bunnag, Saroj Chawanavira and the current one, Sompong.

Cambodia has been pressing to have the border spat settled by a regional or international body, but Thailand has insisted it could be handled bilaterally.

The Thai Foreign Ministry acknowledged that Thai troops had undertaken a "de-mining effort" in the disputed area around Preah Vihear, which the Thais call Phra Viharn.

"We are also conducting investigations to verify whether the landmines in the area are old mines or recently deployed in the violation of the Ottawa Mine Ban Convention," said the ministry in a statement.

source bangkok post

Export growth to slow, commerce minister says

Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsab said on Tuesday he believes a six-part economic stimulus will succeed, and will help to boost exports next year by at least 10 per cent - a reduction from previous estimates of a 15 per cent gain..

He said he will have a meeting on the rice market and the measures to support the rice prices on Wednesday at the Ministry of Commerce.

Mr Chaiya expressed his confidence in Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat’s ability to manage the country’s economy and deal with the economic woes in the global level.

Mr Chaiya said Mr Olarn has sufficient experience in the economy and is ready to face the consequences from the global economic slowdown.

source bangkok post

Minister: Thai troops won't leave disputed border

Thai soldiers will not withdraw from the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple despite an ultimatum from Cambodia to withdraw by midday Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said Tuesday morning.

"We are in our homeland. How can they expect us to leave our home?" he told reporters.

His statement came after a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said Thai soldiers could face being fired upon by Cambodian troops.

"If they cannot withdraw tonight, they must withdraw tomorrow," Hun Sen said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat called an urgent meeting with chiefs of armed forces and Foreign Ministry officials at 2pm Tuesday to assess border row.

He said in the morning that troops of both countries should withdraw from the disputed area.

"We would not have any problems if both countries withdraw their troops to avoid confrontation," Mr Somchai said. "I would like the bi-lateral committee that has been formed to state clearly the distance that the troops should stay away from the disputed land."

He insisted that the Thai government is ready to discuss the problem with Phnom Penh.

source bangkok post

Anupong, PM call urgent meetings on border row

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen Anupong Paochinda, on Tuesday morning held an urgent meeting with relevant army officials to discuss the deepening border row between Thailand and Cambodia. The meeting was held at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat, meanwhile, called another urgent meeting with armed force commanders and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assess the situation after Cambodia told Thailand to withdraw troops from the disputed border area before noon Tuesday.

On Monday, the Cambodian authority said a "large-scale" armed conflict may happen, if Thai troops fail to be withdrawn from the border area near the ancient temple of Preah Vihear immediately.

In the meantime at Khao Phra Wihan (Preah Vihear) National Park, many Cambodian soldiers with full arms were dispatched near the temple and most of them were former troops of Khmer Rouge who were very familiar with the border surroundings and environment.

Thai armed forces consequently had tightened security around the national park.

However, the Commander of the Second Army Region, Lt-Gen Wiboonsak Neeparn, on Tuesday morning claimed that the situation at Preah Vihear had returned to normal, as troops from both sides engaged in more talks and shared a better understanding.

The Thai soldiers will do their best to protect the country’s sovereignty, Lt-Gen Wiboonsak added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Sompong Amornvivat affirmed that Thai soldiers were patrolling with the Thai border and did not trespassed into Cambodia's territory.

He said Thai troops will not abandon the border area despite the neighbouring country's threat to launch an offensive attack.

"We are in our homeland. How can they expect us to leave our home," Mr Sompong told the reporter.

The minister believed the border dispute can be alleviated through dialogues between Prime Minister Somchai and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen.

source bangkok post

Cambodia ratchets up border row

Cambodia yesterday told Thailand to immediately withdraw troops from the disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple or risk a "large-scale armed conflict".

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters in Phnom Penh that he had warned Thailand's visiting Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat that without a quick pullout, Thai soldiers could face being fired upon by Cambodian troops, in a further escalation of long-simmering tensions.

"If they cannot withdraw tonight, they must withdraw tomorrow," said Hun Sen.

"We have tried to be patient, but I told the Thai foreign minister today that the area is a life-and-death battle zone."

His comments came after talks with Mr Sompong in Phnom Penh.

Mr Sompong also met with his counterpart Hor Namhong in a bid to resolve the dispute over the area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

The Cambodian foreign minister said yesterday's talks failed to end in agreement because his Thai opposite number "could not sign anything".

Hun Sen and Hor Namhong both told reporters that Cambodia could choose to take the border dispute before an international court if it was not resolved soon.

The comments made by the Cambodian prime minister and foreign minister surprised Mr Sompong and Thai officials, who were adamant that the meetings had not been a failure.

Mr Sompong said the tone during the meetings between the two countries had been different as the Cambodian leaders agreed that both sides had to be patient in resolving the border spat.

He said no Thai troop withdrawals would be made from the 4.6 sq km overlapping area between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and Preah Vihear province of Cambodia until the dispute over ownership is cleared through negotiations in the Joint Boundary Commission that was set up to demarcate the land border.

Thailand reiterated its ownership over the area, Mr Sompong said in Bangkok and rushed to report the talks to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Suranaree Task Force commander Maj-Gen Kanok Netrakavaesana will hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart tomorrow on the border issues and the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers will meet next Tuesday , according to Mr Sompong.

Cambodian Deputy Defence Minister Gen Neang Phat said more Cambodian troops were heading to the area after up to 500 Thai soldiers had tried to cross the border near an ancient Hindu temple that is claimed by both countries.

"We are building up our troops at the border in response to Thailand, but I cannot reveal the number," he told reporters.

Maj-Gen Srey Deok, who oversees the Cambodian military in the disputed area, said: "Thai troops have already entered the area. They are confronting our troops."

But Maj-Gen Kanok denied that more troops had been sent to the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.

Thailand and Cambodia have 10 soldiers each at the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda near the Preah Vihear temple and 45 around the compound on joint patrol, according to the agreement between the two countries to ease border tension.

The two countries also have back-up troops near the border.

The number of soldiers there remained unchanged, Maj-Gen Kanok said.

Maj-Gen Kanok slammed Cambodia for distorting information and taking advantage of the political crisis in Thailand to launch an offensive move for its own political benefit.

The Suranaree chief, his patience wearing thin, called for a quick solution to the border spat and a clear direction to be provided by the government as it could become an armed conflict if it was left unsettled.

"I want the government to solve this problem and make it clear what to do. If it is left this way, nobody knows what is going to happen," he said.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia first flared in July after the Preah Vihear temple was awarded World Heritage status by the World Heritage Committee.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but the surrounding land remains in dispute.

Tensions escalated into a military confrontation in which up to 1,000 Cambodian and Thai troops faced off for six weeks.

The two countries have swapped accusations of violating each other's territory in the dispute.

Funeral rites

Her Majesty the Queen presided over the funeral rites of a 28-year-old woman who died during last week's violence. Her Royal Highness Chulabhorn Valayalaksana also attended the rites, as did army chief Anupong Paojinda and Democrat party leaders Abhisit Vejjajiva and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

The cremation took place at Wat Sriprawat in Nonthaburi's Bang Kruai district on Monday.

Thousands of people, including People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters, military leaders and police officers, attended the cremation.

As Her Majesty arrived at the temple, crowds of people shouted "Long Live the Queen".

During the cremation rites, the Queen spoke to Jinda Radappanyawut, Angkhana's father.

Mr Jinda later said: "Her Majesty gave moral support to our family. Her Majesty said that Nong Bow [Angkhana's nickname] was a decent person who helped the nation and the King. Her Majesty said that His Majesty the King was informed about Nong Bow and that His Majesty had donated money to help the injured people. I am very honoured."

Angkhana's mother was not present at the cremation as she was being treated for wounds received during the clash.

When the Queen and Princess Chulabhorn left the temple after the ceremony, a melee broke out as military commanders were jostled and heckled by PAD supporters.

Security guards had to help army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paojinda push his way past the crowds to his car, which some PAD supporters followed and banged on.

Central Institute of Forensic Science director Porntip Rojanasunan said tests conducted on Sunday found the explosive RDX in the tear gas canisters and tear gas grenades used during the Oct 7 crackdown. The substance is used in powerful bombs.

Most of the tear gas canisters and tear gas grenades used during the Oct 7 crackdown were made in China and contained RDX, Khunying Porntip said.

She said it was found that Angkhana's fatal wound had been caused by the impact of a tear gas canister fired from a shotgun.

"I have sent all the findings to the National Human Rights Commission. It was found that the users of the tear gas did not buy them from China. But someone else supplied the tear gas to them.

"I don't know if they were ever tested before use," Khunying Porntip said.

She said police told her that Chinese-made tear gas bought in 1995 was no longer stored in the police arms depot.

Earlier on Monday, Khunying Porntip said in a radio interview that politicians had pressured police into cracking down on the PAD demonstrators.

"I received information that senior police officers had decided not to disperse the crowds. But they bowed to pressure from politicians," she said..

Khunying Porntip added that she had the details of a joint meeting assessing the damage of the crackdown, attended by concerned high-ranking officials.

She noted that firing only a few tear gas canisters would have been more than enough to disperse the crowds, instead of the hundreds used.

She also questioned why police fired new rounds of tear gas in the evening of Oct 7 when it was known injuries and deaths had resulted from such actions in the morning.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat had an audience with the King at Klai Klang Won Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district on Monday.

Mr Somchai reported the progress on the government's work.

On his return to Don Mueang airport, Mr Somchai appeared tired, stressed and absent-minded. There were long pauses before he answered questions.

source bangkok post