According to Thai media, Thai Government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, have said the seven Thais were on Cambodian territory when they were arrested although the arrested Thai MP insisted that he was on Thai soil. YouTube video clips recorded during the "inspection" trip appears to suggest that the MP was aware of his presence on the Cambodian territory. The nature of and who was behind the video clips posted on YouTube will be discussed and speculated, but the video clips will make defense of the detainees' unintentional trespass even more difficult. The Thai Government appears to make much effort to secure the release of the seven Thais being held in Cambodian prison awaiting their trial reportedly set on 6 January. Reports also suggest that effort to have negotiations with Phnom Penh is being made. Bangkok appears to work hard to contact Phnom Penh while admitting that it was not easy. Suthep, however, said the Thai Government would fully respect Cambodia's laws and decisions on the cases.
The People's Alliance for Democracy [PAD] has been rallying to pressure Cambodia and threatened to do so until all detainees are freed. Their effort to secure the release may backfire as it would complicate any attempts to negotiate the release by the Thai Government. Thai mainstream media has criticized the group of unnecessarily protesting to seek the release of their colleagues. Thai Governor has echoed Suthep's remarks that Veera Somkwamkitone --a yellow-shirt leader who is one of the detainees -- is the "main obstacle" to the negotiations. Veera was, reportedly, arrested before by Cambodian troops and freed after "lengthy" negotiations.
Bangkok is trying to avert planned PAD's protests at the border town of Sa Keo. But it remains to be seen how successful it would be. Any improper protests close to the sensitive border areas that lead to another illegal trespass would not be a wise move on the part of PAD. Major Thai media has urged them to call off the plan to hold the protests. Cambodia has already warned them of any incursion, saying that they will meet the same fate as those arrested.
The relations between the two countries were improving at the end of 2010 as both governments had worked hard to restore the troubled relations. Depending on how both governments handle it, but as it stands now and if Thai political dynamic is not so complex, the latest trespass case is unlikely to lead to renewed tensions in the improving bilateral relations. Cambodia has repeatedly made it clear that the case will not affect the bilateral relations. And Thai PM Abhisit has made his 2011 foreign policy of easing tensions with Cambodia the "main goal".
With that, let's hope for the best!
Bangkok is trying to avert planned PAD's protests at the border town of Sa Keo. But it remains to be seen how successful it would be. Any improper protests close to the sensitive border areas that lead to another illegal trespass would not be a wise move on the part of PAD. Major Thai media has urged them to call off the plan to hold the protests. Cambodia has already warned them of any incursion, saying that they will meet the same fate as those arrested.
The relations between the two countries were improving at the end of 2010 as both governments had worked hard to restore the troubled relations. Depending on how both governments handle it, but as it stands now and if Thai political dynamic is not so complex, the latest trespass case is unlikely to lead to renewed tensions in the improving bilateral relations. Cambodia has repeatedly made it clear that the case will not affect the bilateral relations. And Thai PM Abhisit has made his 2011 foreign policy of easing tensions with Cambodia the "main goal".
With that, let's hope for the best!
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