Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Cambodian court set Thursday for hearing - reports


The Cambodian Court sets Thursday for hearing the case of seven Thais, including a Democrat MP, charged with illegal entry into Cambodia.

The hearing will start in the morning and spend about one or two days as there were altogether seven suspects, a Thai media online reported Tuesday.

The seven Thais, including Bangkok MP Panich Vikitsetr and Veera Somkwamkit, an activist, were arrested while inspecting an area in Sa Kaew's Koksung district which is opposite Banteay Meanchay of Cambodia last week.

They were brought to Phnom Penh and detained in a central prison pending trial. They claimed that they were on the Thai soil when they were arrested. However Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya claimed that they were in Cambodia.

Some video clips believed to confiscate from the group by Cambodia troops were posted on the YouTube during the weekend. A clip showed that Panich was well aware that he was really in Cambodia.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the thai authorities were coordinated to help the detained Thais but the video clip of Panich admitting that the group was entering Cambodian territory could cause a disadvantage in defending the case.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said Tuesday that Panich informed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajvia that he would visit the border area. "However Khun Panich changed the spot of visit," he said.

"If Panich had informed the premier that he would enter Cambodia, the premier would have prevented him from going there."


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