Man gets 10 years for insulting monarchy

By: SURASAK GLAHAN

Published: 4/04/2009 at 12:00 AM( bangkokpost)

The Criminal Court on Friday sentenced an internet user to 10 years in jail for posting web material deemed insulting to the royal family.

Suvicha: Worried about family

Suvicha Thakhor, a 34-year-old former oil engineer, held back tears as he listened to a brief statement by the court which found him guilty of posing a threat to national security.

It is the first lese majeste ruling based on the controversial 2007 Computer Crime Act which critics said could have an impact on online political debates.

The court cited offences under both the Computer Crime Act, which prohibits the posting and circulation of material regarded to be detrimental to national security or capable of stirring public panic, and the Criminal Code's lese majeste provision.

After Suvicha admitted the charges, the court reduced his jail term from 20 years to 10.

Suvicha, using an internet pseudonym, last year made available at the YouTube website an altered video clip and information which were found defamatory to the royal family, according to the court. It also said Suvicha conspired with associates, but did not name them, nor say to what extent his actions threatened domestic security.

Suvicha's lawyers said their client could appeal within a month.

Suvicha and his family burst into tears after leaving court.

"How can my family live without me? I need help," said Suvicha, a father of three.

He had spent time in prison since being arrested on Jan 14 after his bail request was denied.

Police told him to confess so that things could come to an end, he said.

"I have not met my children because I don't want them to see me here [in prison]," he said.

His wife, Thitima, said she was without work and worried about her children's future.

Suvicha's elder sister said she and her family would have to provide financial support to the children but this would be tough.

Supinya Klangnarong, of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, said the verdict could have an impact on internet users. "It could affect many users who engage in political debates online. For them, the internet could now become a dangerous arena to exchange views," Ms Supinya said.

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Man gets 10 years for insulting monarchy

By: SURASAK GLAHAN

Published: 4/04/2009 at 12:00 AM( bangkokpost)

The Criminal Court on Friday sentenced an internet user to 10 years in jail for posting web material deemed insulting to the royal family.

Suvicha: Worried about family

Suvicha Thakhor, a 34-year-old former oil engineer, held back tears as he listened to a brief statement by the court which found him guilty of posing a threat to national security.

It is the first lese majeste ruling based on the controversial 2007 Computer Crime Act which critics said could have an impact on online political debates.

The court cited offences under both the Computer Crime Act, which prohibits the posting and circulation of material regarded to be detrimental to national security or capable of stirring public panic, and the Criminal Code's lese majeste provision.

After Suvicha admitted the charges, the court reduced his jail term from 20 years to 10.

Suvicha, using an internet pseudonym, last year made available at the YouTube website an altered video clip and information which were found defamatory to the royal family, according to the court. It also said Suvicha conspired with associates, but did not name them, nor say to what extent his actions threatened domestic security.

Suvicha's lawyers said their client could appeal within a month.

Suvicha and his family burst into tears after leaving court.

"How can my family live without me? I need help," said Suvicha, a father of three.

He had spent time in prison since being arrested on Jan 14 after his bail request was denied.

Police told him to confess so that things could come to an end, he said.

"I have not met my children because I don't want them to see me here [in prison]," he said.

His wife, Thitima, said she was without work and worried about her children's future.

Suvicha's elder sister said she and her family would have to provide financial support to the children but this would be tough.

Supinya Klangnarong, of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, said the verdict could have an impact on internet users. "It could affect many users who engage in political debates online. For them, the internet could now become a dangerous arena to exchange views," Ms Supinya said.

Read more!

Evacuation of Cambodian civilians in Preah Vihear

Cambodia refugees are seen in Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire, in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees walk in Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire, in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees are seen in a truck at Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire, in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees walk after getting out from a truck at Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees get out from a truck at Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire near an ancient Hindu temple in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

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Evacuation of Cambodian civilians in Preah Vihear

Cambodia refugees are seen in Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire, in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees walk in Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire, in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees are seen in a truck at Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple, where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire, in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees walk after getting out from a truck at Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Cambodia refugees get out from a truck at Sra Em village after leaving Preah Vihear temple where Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rifle and rocket fire near an ancient Hindu temple in Preah Vihear province, 543 km (337 miles) north of Phnom Penh April 3, 2009. Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rocket and rifle fire on a disputed stretch of their border on Friday, killing two Thais in the latest flare-up of an ancient feud over the 900-year-old Hindu temple. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

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Thai soldiers killed as border temple battle flares

Saturday Apr 04, 2009
By Andrew Buncombe
The Independent (New Zealand)

Intense fighting involving machine guns and rocket launchers broke out on the border between Cambodia and Thailand yesterday as an old dispute over an 11th-century temple flared up. Up to four Thai soldiers were killed; others may have been taken hostage.
A Cambodian government spokesman, Khieu Kanharith, said that in addition to the four fatalities, 10 Thai troops had been seized after two separate clashes. But Thailand said just one soldier was killed and seven injured, and that none had been taken.

The fighting is the latest violence to break out near the cliff-top Preah Vihear temple. It is located on the Cambodian side of an ill-defined border that has led to conflict between the two neighbours for several decades.

The intensity of clashes in the area last year prompted fears the two countries could go to war.

Reports said that in the first round of fighting yesterday morning, Cambodian forces fired at about 60 Thai soldiers after they crossed the border. The ensuing firefight lasted about 10 minutes but there were no casualties.

In the second clash, Cambodia insisted that Thai soldiers fired rocket-propelled grenades into their territory, but Thailand's foreign ministry spokesman, Tharit Charungvat, denied the claim.

He also said the initial clash took place when Thai soldiers arrived to investigate the site where a land mine had blown the leg off one of their colleagues on Thursday. He said that as they approached the area, Cambodian soldiers had opened fire.

The border area around the Khmer-era temple has long been the subject of disputes. In 1962, the temple, used as recently as 10 years ago as a hide-out by Khmer Rouge guerrillas, was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice.

Tensions flared again last July after Unesco announced that it was awarding the temple World Heritage Site status. Cambodia hopes the new award will encourage tourism in a part of the country that is rarely visited by outsiders.

The border had been quiet for several months while the neighbours sought to jointly demarcate the jungle area where one Thai and three Cambodian soldiers died in last October's exchange of rifle and rocket fire.

The Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, said this week that his soldiers would fight if Thai troops crossed the disputed border again.

The Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee will meet again tomorrow for three days of talks in the town of Siem Reap, located next to the ancient Angkor Wat site, to search for a solution to the ongoing row.

Even until recent years, the temple complex at Preah Vihear has had a strategic role. In 1975, it was used by troops loyal to the Cambodian government to make a last stand against the Khmer Rouge.

And in 1998, long after the Maoist fighters had been forced from power, the last remnants of their army holed up at the temple while ceasefire talks were held.

Read more!

Thai soldiers killed as border temple battle flares

Saturday Apr 04, 2009
By Andrew Buncombe
The Independent (New Zealand)

Intense fighting involving machine guns and rocket launchers broke out on the border between Cambodia and Thailand yesterday as an old dispute over an 11th-century temple flared up. Up to four Thai soldiers were killed; others may have been taken hostage.
A Cambodian government spokesman, Khieu Kanharith, said that in addition to the four fatalities, 10 Thai troops had been seized after two separate clashes. But Thailand said just one soldier was killed and seven injured, and that none had been taken.

The fighting is the latest violence to break out near the cliff-top Preah Vihear temple. It is located on the Cambodian side of an ill-defined border that has led to conflict between the two neighbours for several decades.

The intensity of clashes in the area last year prompted fears the two countries could go to war.

Reports said that in the first round of fighting yesterday morning, Cambodian forces fired at about 60 Thai soldiers after they crossed the border. The ensuing firefight lasted about 10 minutes but there were no casualties.

In the second clash, Cambodia insisted that Thai soldiers fired rocket-propelled grenades into their territory, but Thailand's foreign ministry spokesman, Tharit Charungvat, denied the claim.

He also said the initial clash took place when Thai soldiers arrived to investigate the site where a land mine had blown the leg off one of their colleagues on Thursday. He said that as they approached the area, Cambodian soldiers had opened fire.

The border area around the Khmer-era temple has long been the subject of disputes. In 1962, the temple, used as recently as 10 years ago as a hide-out by Khmer Rouge guerrillas, was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice.

Tensions flared again last July after Unesco announced that it was awarding the temple World Heritage Site status. Cambodia hopes the new award will encourage tourism in a part of the country that is rarely visited by outsiders.

The border had been quiet for several months while the neighbours sought to jointly demarcate the jungle area where one Thai and three Cambodian soldiers died in last October's exchange of rifle and rocket fire.

The Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, said this week that his soldiers would fight if Thai troops crossed the disputed border again.

The Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Committee will meet again tomorrow for three days of talks in the town of Siem Reap, located next to the ancient Angkor Wat site, to search for a solution to the ongoing row.

Even until recent years, the temple complex at Preah Vihear has had a strategic role. In 1975, it was used by troops loyal to the Cambodian government to make a last stand against the Khmer Rouge.

And in 1998, long after the Maoist fighters had been forced from power, the last remnants of their army holed up at the temple while ceasefire talks were held.

Read more!

At Least 2 Thai Soldiers Killed in Cambodia Border Clash

Thai soldiers patrol at the entrance of the Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket province near the Thai-Cambodia border, 03 Apr 2009

By Daniel Schearf
Voice of America
Bangkok
03 April 2009

Thai officials say border clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers have left at least two Thai soldiers dead and seven others wounded. There were conflicting reports of casualties on the Cambodian side.

The casualties came after Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire in two incidents Friday in a disputed border area.
The first clash was early Friday morning. Thailand's foreign ministry issued a statement saying there were no casualties on the Thai side from the morning fighting.

But, more fighting broke out during the afternoon and Thai officials later confirmed the casualties.

There were conflicting reports of casualties on the Cambodian side.

Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong says Thai soldiers were to blame for starting the fighting on what he called Cambodian territory.

"This is a disgraceful and intentional aggression without any legal ground by the Thai soldiers," he said.

Thailand's foreign ministry in turn blamed the Cambodian side for starting the fighting and encroaching on what it said was Thai territory.

Thailand's government spokesman, Panitan Wattanyagorn, says there were casualties on both sides, but he could not give exact numbers as the situation was still under investigation. He sought to play down the clashes, saying the incidents were possibly sparked by a misunderstanding.

"This is not a war. This is not a sharp conflict," he said. "This is just a border incident, a small incident that has taken place."

A Thai soldier lost his leg Thursday after stepping on a landmine in the area. The Thai foreign ministry statement says the landmine was believed to be laid recently and that Thai soldiers were in the disputed area to investigate the incident.

Both sides confirmed their military commanders in the met soon after the fighting to discuss the incidents.

The fighting took place near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, where both sides claim territory.

An international court in 1962 declared the temple to be in Cambodian territory but Thai nationalists dispute the ruling.

Border clashes first broke out last year after the UN granted world heritage status to the temple.

Fighting has periodically broken out since then, with casualties on both sides.

Read more!

At Least 2 Thai Soldiers Killed in Cambodia Border Clash

Thai soldiers patrol at the entrance of the Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket province near the Thai-Cambodia border, 03 Apr 2009

By Daniel Schearf
Voice of America
Bangkok
03 April 2009

Thai officials say border clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers have left at least two Thai soldiers dead and seven others wounded. There were conflicting reports of casualties on the Cambodian side.

The casualties came after Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire in two incidents Friday in a disputed border area.
The first clash was early Friday morning. Thailand's foreign ministry issued a statement saying there were no casualties on the Thai side from the morning fighting.

But, more fighting broke out during the afternoon and Thai officials later confirmed the casualties.

There were conflicting reports of casualties on the Cambodian side.

Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Koy Kuong says Thai soldiers were to blame for starting the fighting on what he called Cambodian territory.

"This is a disgraceful and intentional aggression without any legal ground by the Thai soldiers," he said.

Thailand's foreign ministry in turn blamed the Cambodian side for starting the fighting and encroaching on what it said was Thai territory.

Thailand's government spokesman, Panitan Wattanyagorn, says there were casualties on both sides, but he could not give exact numbers as the situation was still under investigation. He sought to play down the clashes, saying the incidents were possibly sparked by a misunderstanding.

"This is not a war. This is not a sharp conflict," he said. "This is just a border incident, a small incident that has taken place."

A Thai soldier lost his leg Thursday after stepping on a landmine in the area. The Thai foreign ministry statement says the landmine was believed to be laid recently and that Thai soldiers were in the disputed area to investigate the incident.

Both sides confirmed their military commanders in the met soon after the fighting to discuss the incidents.

The fighting took place near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, where both sides claim territory.

An international court in 1962 declared the temple to be in Cambodian territory but Thai nationalists dispute the ruling.

Border clashes first broke out last year after the UN granted world heritage status to the temple.

Fighting has periodically broken out since then, with casualties on both sides.

Read more!

Dispute turns deadly as Thai and Cambodian troops fight it out

BORDER CLASH
April 4, 2009
By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

One Thai soldier, two Cambodians killed; PM cites misunderstanding

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has blamed a "misunderstanding" as the cause of a Thai-Cambodian border clash yesterday near the Preah Vihear Hindu temple in which one Thai and two Cambodian soldiers died.

Several other people, including officials, were injured as both sides exchanged gunfire on two occasions, in the morning and afternoon.
The first round at 7am lasted only five minutes and caused no casualties. But the second clash at around 2pm at Phu Ma Khua hill, west of the Hindu temple, killed one Thai soldier and injured seven officials.

Private Wuthikrai Weruwanarak died in the battle, the Thai military said.

Two Cambodian soldiers whose names were unknown were also killed, according to Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith.

The gunbattle and mortar explosions from the hill were heard for 25 minutes in the afternoon, said a local villager some 5 kilometres from the clash site.

Local residents did not panic and continued to work in their farms as usual since there was no instruction to evacuate, said the villager via a phone interview from Si Sa Ket province.

The afternoon clash erupted just seven hours after the morning's brief gun exchange and a phone call by Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss the problem.

The skirmishes followed a warning by Hun Sen last Tuesday that Thai soldiers should refrain from entering Cambodian territory. He said his soldiers had been instructed to fire on any intruders.

Prime Minister Abhisit, who returned from the London Group-20 Summit yesterday, said there may have been misunderstanding between troops in the area.

"It could happen - since both sides claim the same area as their respective territory. We try to use the existing mechanism of negotiation to prevent the conflict from escalating," Abhisit said.

Abhisit, who planned to visit Phnom Penh on April 18, said, if necessary, he might make a phone call to Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss the situation.

"At this stage, I'll let the concerned officials of both sides work it out," he said.

The clash yesterday took place in the same area where, last October, fighting killed four soldiers on both sides.

Cambodia has claimed Thai troops had invaded its territory and would write a letter of protest to Bangkok.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said it had also prepared an official protest, since Cambodian troops apparently opened fire first on a Thai patrol.

Both sides should exercise utmost restraint since the Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) is working out a settlement to the border dispute and demarcation of the boundary, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat. The JBC is scheduled to meet in Phnom Penh on April 6-7.

Read more!

Dispute turns deadly as Thai and Cambodian troops fight it out

BORDER CLASH
April 4, 2009
By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

One Thai soldier, two Cambodians killed; PM cites misunderstanding

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has blamed a "misunderstanding" as the cause of a Thai-Cambodian border clash yesterday near the Preah Vihear Hindu temple in which one Thai and two Cambodian soldiers died.

Several other people, including officials, were injured as both sides exchanged gunfire on two occasions, in the morning and afternoon.
The first round at 7am lasted only five minutes and caused no casualties. But the second clash at around 2pm at Phu Ma Khua hill, west of the Hindu temple, killed one Thai soldier and injured seven officials.

Private Wuthikrai Weruwanarak died in the battle, the Thai military said.

Two Cambodian soldiers whose names were unknown were also killed, according to Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith.

The gunbattle and mortar explosions from the hill were heard for 25 minutes in the afternoon, said a local villager some 5 kilometres from the clash site.

Local residents did not panic and continued to work in their farms as usual since there was no instruction to evacuate, said the villager via a phone interview from Si Sa Ket province.

The afternoon clash erupted just seven hours after the morning's brief gun exchange and a phone call by Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss the problem.

The skirmishes followed a warning by Hun Sen last Tuesday that Thai soldiers should refrain from entering Cambodian territory. He said his soldiers had been instructed to fire on any intruders.

Prime Minister Abhisit, who returned from the London Group-20 Summit yesterday, said there may have been misunderstanding between troops in the area.

"It could happen - since both sides claim the same area as their respective territory. We try to use the existing mechanism of negotiation to prevent the conflict from escalating," Abhisit said.

Abhisit, who planned to visit Phnom Penh on April 18, said, if necessary, he might make a phone call to Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss the situation.

"At this stage, I'll let the concerned officials of both sides work it out," he said.

The clash yesterday took place in the same area where, last October, fighting killed four soldiers on both sides.

Cambodia has claimed Thai troops had invaded its territory and would write a letter of protest to Bangkok.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said it had also prepared an official protest, since Cambodian troops apparently opened fire first on a Thai patrol.

Both sides should exercise utmost restraint since the Thai-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) is working out a settlement to the border dispute and demarcation of the boundary, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat. The JBC is scheduled to meet in Phnom Penh on April 6-7.

Read more!