Cambodian Officials Response to Thai FM Kasit's 'Threat' To Review Ties

Phnom Penh 06 January 2011--Reaksmei Kampuchea [Summary Version]--LyKC

Cambodian officials said that they are not bothered by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Phiromya's words proposing that the Thai government review Thailand's relations with Cambodia if the latter did not improve the case of the arrested seven Thai citizens. of Thailand wrote that 'FM Kasit wants the Thai Government to review Thai-Cambodian relations unless Phnom Penh government improves in the next two or three days the case of the arrested seven Thais, including MP Phanich Vikitsret.' Kasit raised this issue at the Thai cabinet meeting on Tuesday 4 January, admitting that he failed to resolve with Cambodia the arrest issue.
The Nation

Not bothered whether this was a Thai threat or whatever, Cambodia has not paid attention to what the Thai foreign minister raised. The spokesman of the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said that Cambodia still considers that the recent arrest of Thai nationals was the enforcement of Cambodia's laws and the matter is now in the hands of the court.

 Koy Kuong, spokesman of the Cambodian Foreign Ministry, specified that 'Cambodia still maintains its stance, considering the arrest of the Thai nationals as a separate case and does not involve bilateral relations. Kasit had also said to journalists when he came to meet H.E Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong not to let this issue affect the two countries' relations.

The Reaksmei Kampuchea report further says:

The Nation, in its 5 January issue, quoted the Thai foreign minister's words considering illegal border crossing as a minor issue. Kasit said that the Thai Government cannot interfere with Cambodia's judiciary system. He hoped that the Phnom Penh authorities would expedite the legal procedure.

For Kasit, 'Illegal border crossing is not a serious offense to the point of being punished.' "'Only the court can determine whether it is a serious or light punishment. We are waiting for the court's verdict.' This was the Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman's response.

It should also be recalled that when Kasit Piromya said that illegal border crossing (apparently refering the case of the seven Thai nationals) is not a serious offense, Thai soldiers had gunned down several innocent Cambodian citizens for this reason of illegal border crossing.