Suthep: Govt won’t lose face

It will be good if former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can use his personal friendship with Cambodian premier Hun Sen to get the release of Sivarak Chutiphong, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday.

“The government has been trying every means to get the detained Thai engineer free and it will not lose face if Cambodian government releases him because of Thaksin’s influence”, Said Mr Suthep.

Citing a Cambodian radio station, a local Thai daily reported that Cambodia had agreed to release the alleged Thai spy engineer and had contacted Puea Thai Party chairman Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to fly to Cambodia to bring the man back.

However, Lt Gen Chawengsak Thongsaluay, a close aide of the party chairman, said Gen Chavalit has not yet decided to fly to Cambodia as he needs time to verify the report.

Thaksin on Tuesday had said on Thaksinlive.com, his internet channel, that he had contacted the Cambodian government and asked it to ensure the Thai engineer receives a fair trial.

Chavanont Intharakomalsut, secretary-general to the minister of foreign affairs, said Cambodia has pressed a charge of spying secret official information threatening its security against Mr Sivarak.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied the charge insisting that the engineer had nothing to do with the spying and that his action had not threatened Cambodia’s security”, Mr Chavanont said.

Mr Suthep said the charge pressed against Mr Sivarak was unjust because the flight schedule of Thaksin was not a secret.

18/11/2009
Bangkok Post