Week 51 (17th December 2012 – 23rd December 2012)

ASEAN Newspapers Issues pertaining to ‐ politics

Number of article(s): 6

Keywords/criteria used for search: Thailand, Thai

Search Engine: www.google.com

Online newspapers included in search: Borneo Bulletin (Brunei) Brunei Times (Brunei) Phnom Penh Post (Cambodia) Jakarta Post (Indonesia) Jakarta Globe (Indonesia) Vientiane Times (Laos) Vietnam Net (Vietnam) Nhan Dan (Vietnam) The Star (Malaysia) The New Straits Times (Malaysia) The Strait Times (Singapore) The Philippine Inquirer (Philippines) The Japan Times (Japan) China Daily (China) The China Post (China)

Headlines and Summaries

THE PHNOM PENH POST 5

19 /D EC. / 2012 ­ WORKERS FEARING DEPORTATION GET HELP FROM GOV’T 5 ‐ Some 150,000 illegal Cambodian may escape deportation after a plan between the Cambodian and Thai governments is currently in the works that would allow Cambodian officials to travel to Thailand and begin issuing passports at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok. The Thai government would then affix the passports with the proper visa and work permit without forcing the workers to exit the country and come back across the border legally (a process which has forced many migrant workers into debt bondage). ‐ According to Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong, the agreement “… means that we will provide passports to our workers there at our Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok [starting] from the 28th this month.” ‐ Permanent secretary to the Thai Ministry of Labour, Dr Somkiat Chayasriwong, confirmed that talks were indeed in the works, but that nothing was finalized yet. ‐ Labour migration expert Andy Hall of Thailand’s Mahidol University said that he had yet to hear of the agreement but, if it went through, it would be a “commendable” process. ‐ However, he noted, because illegal migrants aren’t allowed to travel between provinces, getting to Bangkok to receive the passports could become cost‐prohibitive.

THE JAPAN TIMES 6

21 /D EC. / 2012 ­ LINCHPIN FOR THAI AMNESTY – OR MORE VIOLENCE 6 ‐ Last week the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) decided to press murder charges against former Thai Prime Minister and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban in connection with their role in the April to May 2010 anti‐government protests. As such, the question is how far will DSI go, whether it will also probe to what extent the military became involved in the deadly operations? ‐ The country has struggled to come to terms with the loss of life during the protests in 2010. While politicians have called for a reconciliation, possibly by forgiving and forgetting in order for the country to move forward, Red Shirt supporters have continued to pressure the current government over the killings of their family and friends. ‐ Some analysts say the charges against Abhisit were part of the government's tactic to compel the opposition to endorse legislation for a "blanket amnesty." ‐ According to Pavin, during a recent interview by the BBC, the former PM Abhisit failed to answer questions fully and win arguments. Rather the former PM came across as overly confident and somewhat aggressive. His denial of any responsibility shocked the BBC as much as viewers at home. ‐ Since the charges, there has been a general question of if DSI will also investigate the involvement of the current army chief, General Prayuth Chan‐ocha, who played a role in the crackdown. Prayuth has forged close ties with the royal palace. As such, could this lead to a new phase of political conflict, potentially even more brutal?

THE CHINA DAILY 8

23 /D EC. / 2012 – THAI DIPLOMACY WILL BE TESTED IN 2013 8 ‐ With recent leadership changes and growing nationalism couple with the rising confidence of Southeast Asian nations, will severely test the tenets of Thai foreign policy. ‐ As the only independent country, which has not been colonized, Thailand has pursued a well known diplomacy of “mai kao kang krai” or in the middle. But with small twist, though, Thailand has, in the past, change sides if there was a clear winner in geopolitical/international disputes/fights. Thailand’s alliance with Japan during WWII and is turn around as well as the close military collaboration with Communist China during the Cambodian conflict in the 1980s serves as prime examples. ‐ Until recently, Thailand was at the forefront of global politics such as its fight against Communism. Yet in the eyes of western countries, Thai strategic values have receded quickly to a point of insignificance. Pundits often blamed ongoing political uncertainties and polarisations that have further handicapped the country's diplomatic versatility and flexibility. ‐ The quality of day‐to‐day resiliency (little/none resiliency), which the country holds dear, is becoming a huge liability in the globalised world of the 21st century. ‐ In this region, continuity and change is a great virtue. However, in the case of Thailand, the countries, which have dealt with it would quickly conclude that there is only change but not continuity. 20 /D EC. / 2012 – THAI ARMY ACCUSED OF KILLING BOY DURING CRACKDOWN 10 ‐ It was concluded by Thailand’s Criminal Court that a 14‐year‐old boy, who did not belong to either red or yellow‐shirt camp, was indeed killed by troops on May 15, 2010. ‐ The court believes that the 14‐year‐old‐boy, Srisuwan Kunakorn, was hit by a hail of bullets when soldiers opened fire at a van that had strayed into an area under Army control near the Airport Rail Link's Rajprarop station. The boy was shot in the back and the bullet pierced through his abdomen. He succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital. 19 /D EC. / 2012 – EX­THAI PM TO FACE 2,000 COMPLAINTS 10 ‐ DSI has set up a centre tasked to handle cases involving the former PM and his deputy, linked to deaths and injuries in the 2010 violent protests. ‐ DSI director‐general Tarit Pengdith said the two (Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban) would face three types of charge ‐ ordering the killings, attempted killings and physical assault. ‐ After the injured victims have filed their complaints, the DSI would take statements and collect evidence before combining the reports on all related cases for the prosecution review in order to expedite the legal proceedings. ‐ Criminal Court chief justice Thawee Prachuablap said if and when the cases reached the trial stage, the court might invoke its mandate to combine all related cases. 18 /D EC. / 2012 ­ EX­THAI PM ABHISIT COULD FACE 700 ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES 11 ‐ Chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) held a meeting last Wednesday with other police investigators to speed up work on cases against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban. ‐ A well‐informed DSI source said about 700 people were severely injured in the 2010 political violence, so Abhisit and Suthep would face a similar number of attempted‐murder charges. ‐ The source said Tarit also ordered investigators to divide the injury cases into four groups based on dates and locations.

The Phnom Penh Post

19 / Dec. / 2012 ‐ Workers fearing deportation get help from gov’t

The 150,000 illegal Cambodian workers currently living in Thailand may escape deportation after all, Cambodian and Thai officials said yesterday. According to representatives of the two governments, a plan is currently in the works that would allow Cambodian officials to travel to Thailand and begin issuing passports to workers out of the embassy in Bangkok, passports that the Thai government would then affix with the proper visa and work permit without forcing the workers to exit the country and come back across the border legally – a process that experts have said puts workers at risk of debt bondage. “So far, our working group is working with their Thai counterparts about that, and now our government has decided to send a working group to provide a passport to our people there, our workers,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said. “It means that we will provide passports to our workers there at our Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok [starting] from the 28th this month.” Kuong said that he did not know when the program would close, but that officials would try to issue passports to “as many Cambodians as possible”. “Our working group tries to work with their Thai counterparts so [workers] will not be deported, because deportation will make the work complicated,” he said. Dr Somkiat Chayasriwong, permanent secretary to the Thai Ministry of Labour, confirmed that talks were indeed in the works, but that nothing was set in stone. “We are talking to Cambodians, [asking] can they send officials to make the passport in Thailand,” he said, noting that Cambodians would then “be able to stay and work for their same employer”. Somkiat also said that if Cambodians got their passports while inside the country, the Thai government would consider issuing necessary work documents in‐country as well. “If they get the passport from the government, we will do it in Thailand too, without going to the border,” Somkiat said. “It is not definite, but we try to do it so it’s more convenient.” Labour migration expert Andy Hall of Thailand’s Mahidol University said that he had yet to hear of the agreement but, if it went through, it would be a “commendable” process. However, he noted, because illegal migrants aren’t allowed to travel between provinces, getting to Bangkok to receive the passports could become cost‐ prohibitive. “It doesn’t have to be, but generally it becomes that way,” he said. “When they have to travel somewhere, they come across enforcement agents, and they come across corrupt officials who just take money from them.”

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2012121960366/National/workers‐fearing‐ deportation‐get‐help‐from‐govt.html

The Japan Times

21 / Dec. / 2012 ‐ Linchpin for Thai amnesty – or more violence

By PAVIN CHACHAVALPONGPUN Special to The Japan Times

KYOTO — Last week the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) decided to press murder charges against former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban in connection with their role in a military crackdown against anti‐government red‐shirt protesters during April and May of 2010.

Abhisit has now officially become the first Thai prime minister ever to have been charged for crimes against the people. The DSI's case centers on taxi driver Phan Khamkong, who was shot dead by the army in May 2010. The case will pave the way for a wider investigation of Abhisit government violence. More than 90 people were killed in the unrest and more than 2,000 injured, most of them civilians. The country has been struggling to come to terms with the loss of life and the slow process of bringing the culprits to justice. While politicians have called for a reconciliation so that the country can move forward, possibly by forgiving and forgetting the events of 2010, the "red shirts" — largely supporters of former Prime Minister — have continued to pressure the government over the killing of their friends and family members. If Abhisit were to be convicted, it would set a new precedent and could end the culture of impunity in Thailand. Political violence has occurred from time to time — such as in 1973, 1976, 1992 and 2010 — but no one has ever been prosecuted before. Abhisit has said he would respect the decision of the court but firmly maintains his innocence. During his recent visit to the United Kingdom, Abhisit was invited to the BBC to discuss the charges laid against him. He hoped to exploit the opportunity to whitewash his involvement in the crackdown. He failed. Abhisit was unable to answer hard questions such as whether he instructed the use of live bullets and whether he, as prime minister at the time, should be held accountable for the death of protesters. During the interview, Abhisit came across as overly confident and somewhat aggressive. He put all the blame on the mysterious "men in black" who were supposedly among the red‐shirt protesters. Abhisit unconvincingly said these men attacked the security forces as well as the red shirts so as to discredit his government. However, until today, not a single "man in black" has been arrested. Many wonder if they exist only in Abhisit's imagination. Abhisit went on to elaborate that the protesters incited violence by throwing grenades at soldiers, who were told to act in self‐defense only. But Abhisit's statement contradicted many pieces of evidence turned up in the course of the investigation as well as the statements of several eyewitnesses and foreign journalists. Those killed were apparently unarmed and wore red shirts. Most of them were shot in the head, evidently by snipers. Abhisit told the BBC that no other prime ministers in the world would have had to take responsibility for the violence provoked by demonstrators. His denial of any responsibility shocked the BBC as much as viewers at home. Abhisit came to power in late 2008 following the dissolution of the pro‐Thaksin party. Instead of calling for a fresh election, Abhisit's Democrat Party, despite being a minority in Parliament, set up a new government through a backroom deal brokered by the military. But his term as prime minister was tainted by countless protests staged by the red shirts, who saw his assumption of power as having cheated the electoral system. As the red shirts set out to remove the Abhisit regime through mass protests in the heart of Bangkok, Abhisit ordered the crackdown, clearly with the support of the Thai Army. Now, the question is whether the DSI will also probe to what extent the military became involved in the deadly operations. In so doing, the DSI will be walking on eggshells. Many believe Abhisit may just have been a puppet of those who held the real power in Thailand. Will the DSI be brave enough to also investigate the involvement of the current army chief, General Prayuth Chan‐ocha, who played a role in the crackdown? Prayuth has forged close ties with the royal palace. Could this lead to a new phase of political conflict, potentially even more brutal? Meanwhile, some analysts say the charges against Abhisit were part of the government's tactic to compel the opposition to endorse legislation for a "blanket amnesty." The government of , Thaksin's sister, tried but failed to get Parliament to pass an amnesty law that could pave the way for Thaksin's return. Thaksin, who now lives abroad, was convicted in absentia and sentenced to two years in prison for corruption. Now that Abhisit stands a chance of being imprisoned as well, his party may wish to reconsider its opposition. The amnesty bill, if approved, could set him free if he were convicted. But it also means that justice would be sacrificed. Any deals that closed this tragic chapter without leading to the prosecution of anyone would certainly infuriate the red shirts, and might drive them back onto the streets of Bangkok. Possibly the charges against Abhisit may kick‐start another critical episode in Thai politics, the episode in which Thais witness the renewed game of political revenge and its impact on the upcoming royal transition. Pavin Chachavalpongpun is associate professor at Kyoto University's Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20121221a1.html

The China Daily

23 / Dec. / 2012 – Thai diplomacy will be tested in 2013

The new strategic environment in East Asia, caused by recent leadership changes and growing nationalism, coupled with the rising confidence of Southeast Asian nations, will severely test the tenets of Thai foreign policy. As the only independent country in the region without any baggage of colonisation, Thailand has pursued a well known diplomacy of "mai kao kang krai" or "not siding with anyone". In other Thai diplomatic discourses, the term "yuen throng klang" or "stay in the middle" is also applied. But with the small twist, though, that Thailand will definitely change sides if there is a clear winner. Thailand's dramatic alliance with Japan during World War II and its turn around, as well as the close military collaboration with Communist China during the Cambodian conflict in the1980's, were prime examples. This policy approach has been quite useful for Thai diplomacy to take advantage of the external environment, which has clearly defined players and outcomes. Over the past six decades, as an American ally, the country's foreign policy has followed the strategic path set by Washington along with its power projection and perceived threats. Thailand was at the forefront of fighting against communism. Since the unification of Vietnam in 1975 and peace in Cambodia in 1991, Thai strategic values in the eyes of Western countries have receded quickly to the point of insignificance. Instead, Thailand's neighboring countries, which were once enemies or isolated, have been quickly and systematically building up their relations with existing super powers and emerging continental powers. It's sad but true, Thailand is no longer the key regional player it used to be or often boasted of being. Pundits often blamed ongoing political uncertainties and polarisations that have further handicapped the country's diplomatic versatility and flexibility. Frankly speaking, throughout Thai history, the country has often been confronted with internal turbulence and infighting. Successive Thai governments, both elected and non‐elected, are used to adopting day‐to‐day survivalist policies. In retrospect, Thailand actually thrives in chaos. The quality of day‐to‐day resiliency, which the country holds dear, is becoming a huge liability in the globalised world of the 21st century with its many aspiring rising powers and competitors. In this region, continuity and change is a great virtue. However, in the case of Thailand, the countries which have dealt with it would quickly conclude that there is only change but not continuity. In a nutshell, Thai policies, indeed any policies, are defined by continued change, all is indefinite. In comparison, Myanmar, as the region's latecomer, has won accolades throughout the world with its reform efforts. Despite its past atrocious record, the international community has expressed strong support for the societal transformation there. There is no sense of ambiguity related to the Thein Sein government's policies and future plans. Next year, three outstanding issues will severely test Thai diplomacy. First, the Thai‐Cambodian conflict over the Khao Praviharn/Preah Vihear Temple. Second, the role of Thailand as the country coordinator for Asean‐China relations and finally, the management of the porous Thai‐Myanmar border and myriads of issues associated with the 2,400 kilometre frontier. Of course, at the moment, there is a sense of deja‐ vu among the Thai top leaders that the relatively calm situation along the Thai‐Cambodian border and the camaraderie‐ties between Prime Minister Hun Sen and de facto Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would positively influence the outcome of the International Court of Justice hearing in The Hague. In mid‐April next year, Thailand will put forward the final defence of its position on the Hindu temple. Whatever the court's verdict, which is expected later at the end of 2013 or early 2014, it will serve as the template for future Thai‐ Cambodian ties. Failure to comply with the decision will greatly affect the region's stability and damage community‐building in Asean. So far, the personality‐led diplomacy has trumped the one led by perceived national interest. Nobody knows how it will play out eventually. As the Asean‐China fixer, Thailand has dual roles for the next three years (2013‐ 2015). Its first priority is to ensure there is tangible progress on their common effort to draft the bidding code of conduct in the South China Sea. Mutual trust between the two sides must be restored as soon as possible. As such, Bangkok must also set paths through the Asean process for future engagements of major powers crisscrossing the resource‐rich maritime areas. Whether Thailand can pull this off, granted its excellent ties with China, remains to be seen. In the 1980's, Bangkok was criticized by serving as a conduit for Beijing's southward expansion which is increasingly visible today. Thailand is not a sea‐faring nation. Except for the 1979 Thai‐Malaysia joint development project in the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok does not have a good record in managing maritime borders with its neighboring countries (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam). Challenges related to efforts to expand maritime territories, particularly over resource‐rich areas, will occupy the Asean agenda in years to come. Beyond the Asean‐China nexus, it would be less complicated if Thailand was not a military alliance with the US. Whatever Thailand does, on its behalf or Asean's, will obviously be viewed with skepticism in the Western countries, especially in Washington. The tenets of Thai foreign policy as mentioned above will be tested, especially the notion of "stay in the middle". This concept has guided Thai diplomacy for centuries. In Thai thinking, it simply means that no decision will be made until there is a clear winner. If the prevailing wind allows and the weather is clear, Thailand will jump on any triumphant ship. If such diplomatic behavior remains unchanged, the ambivalence of Thai positions and perceptions will impact on the overall Asean position as well. Therefore, Thai policymakers must come clean in defining the Thai national objectives and those of Asean at large. In this case, Thailand is not choosing sides but it must make its security views known. So, both the Asean countries and concerned players know Thailand's limits and potential. Finally, managing the Thai‐Myanmar border in years to come will be the most difficult diplomatic task the country has to face. Although Thailand has long experience with displaced persons and refugees, with more than three million Indochinese refugees throughout the 1970's and 1980's, the situation along the Western flank is a different ball‐game. Armed ethnic minority groups straddling the frontier have not yet reconciled and integrated with the greater society in Myanmar. Any attempt to strike a deal bilaterally between Thailand and Myanmar without taking into consideration the interests of ethnic minority groups would have negative consequences in the long run. The future of an estimated four million workers, legal and illegal, along with their families would be another major headache. Thailand's resistance to join the 1951 Refugee Convention remains a big blind spot. Other transnational issues including criminal and various forms of trafficking―narcotics, human, wildlife, teak―also require participation of all stakeholders. Lest we forget, Thailand and Myanmar have engaged in border skirmishes several times over demarcation line disputes and spill‐over fighting with ethnic minorities during the past three decades.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012‐12/24/content_16047037.htm

20 / Dec. / 2012 – Thai army accused of killing boy during crackdown

Thailand's Criminal Court concluded yesterday that a 14‐year‐old boy, who did not belong to either red or yellow‐shirt camp, was indeed killed by troops on May 15, 2010. The inquest concluded that Kunakorn Srisuwan had been shot dead by troops who were carrying out an operation under the order of the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation. The court believes that Kunakorn was hit by a hail of bullets when soldiers opened fire at a van that had strayed into an area under Army control near the Airport Rail Link's Rajprarop station. The boy was shot in the back and the bullet pierced through his abdomen. He succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital. In Kunakorn's case, the court considered recordings, witness testimonies and autopsy results showing that the bullet fragments found in the boy's body came from an M16 assault rifle to decide he had been killed by soldiers. Kunakorn was said to be in the vicinity of taxi driver Phan Kamkong, who the court said on September 17 had also been killed by a military bullet. The Criminal Court said the 43‐year‐old was caught in a volley of gunfire when he ran out of his apartment to see what was happening. This was when soldiers had opened fire at the van. Phan was found collapsed outside the IDO condominium near the Airport Rail Link's Rajprarop Station. A series of political protests were staged against the democrats in Bangkok from March to May in 2010. The protests turned violent leading to the deaths of 80 civilians and six soldiers.

19 / Dec. / 2012 – Ex‐Thai PM to face 2,000 complaints

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The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has set up a centre tasked to handle cases involving two Democrats, former Thai prime minisiter Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, linked to deaths and injuries in the 2010 political mayhem. "Some 2,000 people injured in the violence will file charges against Abhisit and Suthep," DSI director‐general Tarit Pengdith said. Tarit said the two would face three types of charge ‐ ordering the killings, attempted killings and physical assault. The DSI will treat all cases involving the two in a batch instead of treating them as individual cases, he said. After the injured victims had filed their complaints, the DSI would take statements and collect evidence before combining the reports on all related cases for the prosecution review in order to expedite the legal proceedings, he said. For example, for the Phan Khamkong case in which the two were already charged with ordering the killing of a taxi driver, the DSI was preparing to file additional and related charges for attempted killing and physical offence in connection with an injured van driver in the same case. The DSI has scheduled a meeting on December 27 to monitor the work progress. Public prosecutors and police are expected to attend the meeting. Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Maj General Anuthai Lekbamrung is in charge of assisting the DSI to collect evidence in the cases. Criminal Court chief justice Thawee Prachuablap said if and when the cases reached the trial stage, the court might invoke its mandate to combine all related cases. "Let’s wait and see how the prosecutors will proceed and the court is ready to handle thousands of cases because it is empowered to hear all cases at the same time as a combined, single case," he said. Thawee said in his opinion, circumstances surrounding each case would make it very difficult for investigators and prosecutors to complete cases in respective orders within a certain timetable, therefore the court might appoint the same panel of judges to hear respective cases.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012‐12/21/content_16038846.htm

18 / Dec. / 2012 ‐ Ex‐Thai PM Abhisit could face 700 attempted murder charges

Thailand's chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will today hold a meeting with other police investigators to speed up work on more than 700 attempted‐murder cases against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban. DSI director‐general Tarit Pengdith said he would hold the meeting at 9am to tell investigators to speed up the checking of documents in the cases, which involve people who were shot and injured during the political violence of April and May 2010. Tarit said the investigators would later review the cases with public prosecutors before filing attempted‐murder charges against Abhisit and Suthep. Tarit said investigators had been told to separate the cases of about 1,500 people who were injured into those with severe injuries and those with minor injuries. Abhisit and Suthep would be charged with attempted murder in the cases of severe injury, and would face charges of physical assault in the remaining cases. A well‐informed DSI source said about 700 people were severely injured in the 2010 political violence, so Abhisit and Suthep would face a similar number of attempted‐murder charges. The source said Tarit also ordered investigators to divide the injury cases into four groups based on dates and locations. The first group involves people injured at the Khok Wua Intersection on April 10, 2010. The second, third and fourth groups cover people injured on May 13‐19, 2010, at various locations including Ratchaprasong, Bon Kai, Din Daeng and Phya Thai. It was not immediately clear which groups covered which sets of intersections. Tarit said the DSI might wait until the next parliamentary session expires on April 19 before charging Abhisit and Suthep in the attempted‐murder cases. http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012‐12/19/content_16031283.htm