The Nation : Diplomessy

Diplomessy - By Supalak Ganjanakhundee - The Nation - Phnom Penh

In a rather weird day diplomatically, Cambodia arrsted a Thai for spying while some Thai politicians paid cordial visit to the neighbouring country as strained ties near breaking point

Cambodian police yesterday charged a Thai national with spying on fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra, worsening the already tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Siwarak Chothipong, 31, who has been working for the Cambodia Air Traffic Service (CATS) for more than seven years, was arrested and charged on Thursday with supplying details of Thaksin's flight schedule to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodian officials said.

The information was allegedly sent via e-mail to Kamrob Palawatwichai, the first secretary of the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, a Cambodian source said. Cambodia ordered Kamrob's expulsion on Thursday.

Cambodian national police spokesman Kirt Chantharith told Agence-France Presse that authorities were investigating whether more people were involved.

The news agency also quoted Cambodian deputy national police chief Sok Phal as saying the spy allegations had prompted Phnom Penh to expel the Thai Embassy's first secretary on Thursday. The Thai Foreign Ministry retaliated hours later.

Thai officials said Siwarak could be jailed for more than 10 years if convicted on the charges of spying. As of yesterday, he was being held at the Prey Sor prison, about 17 kilometres outside Phonm Penh, where he awaits trial.

Neither officials from the embassy nor his family members have met him.

Speaking to reporters as he boarded a plane for Singapore with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to attend the Apec Summit, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya rejected the spying accusation as "malicious and false".

"Thaksin feels he must destroy Thailand and collaborate with Hun Sen," he said.

Thaksin, convicted by a Thai court on corruption charges, arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday to take up the role of economic adviser to Hun Sen.

Thailand responded by downgrading its diplomatic relations with Cambodia and recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh. Cambodia reciprocated the moves the following day.

Source: Political News, Cambodia news. Read full story at The Nation.