Siem urges Cambodia to free detainees…a Sino-Siem MP

Thai Democrat Party political stunt man of Sino Panich Vikitsreth is escorted by Cambodian police at Phnom Penh Municipal Court. -- PHOTO: AFP

Yellowed Democrat Abhisit is desperated to get re-elected to power in next unscheduled election. Assigned obscured Democrat MP to make a name for Abhisit’s anti-ASEAN’s hamonious relations with neighbors.

(AFP)—BANGKOK – Thai’s premier on Thursday demanded the immediate release of seven Thais, including a ruling party politician, who were detained by Cambodian troops near the countries’ disputed border.

‘Cambodia must release all seven Thais immediately,’ Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters. ‘Cambodia should not take this case to court as it will further complicate the issue.’ The seven, including Democrat Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth, appeared in a court in Phnom Penh on Thursday for questioning, a day after being detained by Cambodian authorities, who said they had entered its territory illegally.

They were taken to the Phnom Penh municipal court under tight security in the morning for a hearing that was closed to the media, according to an AFP reporter. By mid-afternoon there was still no announcement by the court.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Wednesday the seven, who also include members of the royalist ‘Yellow Shirt’ movement, would be charged and put in jail to await trial.

In an attempt to secure their release, the Thai foreign minister was due to travel to Cambodia to meet his counterpart later on Thursday.

‘Cambodia must take into consideration that if they want cordial ties they should rely on negotiations. If not then there is a problem for both sides,’ Mr Abhisit said.