ID :
156290
Fri, 01/07/2011 - 16:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/156290
The shortlink copeid
COURT DECISION HAS NO EFFECT ON TERRITORIAL CLAIMS
BANGKOK, Jan 7 (Bernama) -– A Cambodian court's decision on the case of seven
Thais charged with illegal entry into the country has no impact on the
territorial claims made by both countries.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday, this was because the trial
involved individuals and not the two governments.
The seven Thais include former vice-minister for foreign affairs Panich
Vikitsreth and Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy
(PAD), also known as Yellow Shirts.
They appeared before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday on charges that
they entered Cambodia illegally, and unlawfully entered a military base.
Each of them faces a total maximum jail sentence of 18 months.
They crossed the border from Khok Sung district in Sa Kaeo province and entered
Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia before their arrest by the Cambodian
authorities.
They were reported to be 55 metres into Cambodian soil.
Panich was reported to have told the court on Thursday that he
"unintentionally" crossed into Cambodia while visiting the border to address
complaints from Thai villagers that the border marker had been moved by Cambodians
and encroached on Thai territory.
On whether the Thai Government would ask for royal pardon for the group, Abhisit
said it was too premature to answer the question as the case was still at
preliminary hearing.
The prime minister said Thai officials were coordinating with their
Cambodian counterparts in addressing the issue although Friday was a public holiday
in Cambodia.
On pressure from the Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts supporters on the
government concerning the border and detention issue, Abhisit said:
"The government stands in the middle...and the government's duty is to take care
of the Thai people and the country.
"At the same time, we have to maintain the bilateral relations but it will not
affect the Thai people's rights and the country's sovereign.
There are several unresolved territorial claims made by both countries,
including an area near the Preah Vihear Temple in Cambodia, listed as a world
heritage site in 2008.
-- BERNAMA
Thais charged with illegal entry into the country has no impact on the
territorial claims made by both countries.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday, this was because the trial
involved individuals and not the two governments.
The seven Thais include former vice-minister for foreign affairs Panich
Vikitsreth and Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy
(PAD), also known as Yellow Shirts.
They appeared before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday on charges that
they entered Cambodia illegally, and unlawfully entered a military base.
Each of them faces a total maximum jail sentence of 18 months.
They crossed the border from Khok Sung district in Sa Kaeo province and entered
Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia before their arrest by the Cambodian
authorities.
They were reported to be 55 metres into Cambodian soil.
Panich was reported to have told the court on Thursday that he
"unintentionally" crossed into Cambodia while visiting the border to address
complaints from Thai villagers that the border marker had been moved by Cambodians
and encroached on Thai territory.
On whether the Thai Government would ask for royal pardon for the group, Abhisit
said it was too premature to answer the question as the case was still at
preliminary hearing.
The prime minister said Thai officials were coordinating with their
Cambodian counterparts in addressing the issue although Friday was a public holiday
in Cambodia.
On pressure from the Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts supporters on the
government concerning the border and detention issue, Abhisit said:
"The government stands in the middle...and the government's duty is to take care
of the Thai people and the country.
"At the same time, we have to maintain the bilateral relations but it will not
affect the Thai people's rights and the country's sovereign.
There are several unresolved territorial claims made by both countries,
including an area near the Preah Vihear Temple in Cambodia, listed as a world
heritage site in 2008.
-- BERNAMA
