Mr Panich and his new Fino friend are eating noodle around 9:00PM last night.

"What do you think I am going to do next"? Mr Panich said.

Cambodia Reinforces Troops Along Border in Surin (TAN)

Thai and Cambodian soldiers are facing in each other in a tense situation at the Ta Muan Thom archaeological site in Surin province.

Meanwhile, Cambodia reinforced troops near the Ta Kwai ancient temple in the province.

The 960th Paramilitary Ranger Company and the Task Force 23 Suranaree Force have been deployed to oversee security along the Cambodian border near the Ta Muan Thom archaeological site in Surin.

The deployment took place after it was discovered that Cambodia has been rotating its troops along the border.

Also, Thai soldiers have closed off the entrance to the Ta Muen Thom temple to the general public.

It also has been discovered that Cambodian soldiers have been reinforced along the border near the Ta Kwai temple in the province.

Cambodia has been building infrastructures to transport supplies and weapons to its troops.

As a result, Thai troops have been reinforced to increase security along the border and in the area.

Vietnamese Ambassador pays a courtesy call on Foreign Minister On the Completion of His Mission in Thailand (Press Release of Thai's MFA)

February 12, 2010, 10:57 am

On 11 February 2010, Mr. Nguyen Duy Hung, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on the occasion of his completion of his mission in Thailand.

Foreign Minister Kasit and Ambassador Hung exchanged views on ways and means to strengthen the bilateral cooperation mechanism between Thailand and Vietnam. Both sides reaffirmed their determination to promote the transportation connectivity in the region and minimize the problems relating to the East - West Economic Corridor in order to increase the economic benefits of Thailand and Vietnam as well as other countries in the region.

On this occasion, Ambassador Hung requested the Thai side to share her experience as the ASEAN Chair last year. He also confirmed Vietnam’s readiness to participate in the first Political Consultation Group to be held in Thailand in March which would also provide an opportunity for both sides to review the overall relations and improve the related mechanism to enhance the bilateral cooperation.

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Kasit also hosted a luncheon in honour of Ambassador Hung and his accompanying party.

Red shirts to rally at NACC (The Nation)

About two companies of policemen and riot forces have been deployed to keep peace at the National Anti Corruption Commission bracing for Friday's rally by the red shirts.

Hundreds of red shirts are expected to protest against the double standards on law enforcement from noon to 6.00 pm.

Security beefed up ahead of court ruling (Bangkok Post)

About 1,500 security officers will guard the Supreme Court building at Sanam Luang and nearby areas leading up to Feb 26, the day of the court’s ruling on whether the state should seize Thaksin Shinawatra’s assets.

Deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Division 1 Vicharnvat Borirakkul yesterday said the security forces would be made up mainly of police.

They will be joined by soldiers and civilian volunteers.

About 1,500 police officers have been ordered on stand-by in their units, Pol Col Vicharnvat said.

Another 5,000 security officers will be mobilised in other areas to safeguard the capital.

The security operation will be launched according to the ‘‘Thanwa 52’’ plan which calls for the division of Bangkok into three zones.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Santan Chayanon is heading the operation.

About 200 checkpoints will be set up around Bangkok and nearby provinces, while security measures will be stepped up at important places such as Government House, parliament and Chitralada Palace.

Red-shirt leaders ready for million-man march (The Nation)

In order to pool together a million people to take part in their anti-government rally later this month, the red-shirt movement and the Pheu Thai Party are making moves to mobilise masses across the country, an informed source said yesterday.

At a meeting yesterday, leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) appeared to have differences over several key issues, including the date for the rally - on whether it should be held before the verdict is read out on former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's assets-seizure case on February 26. The date both sides finally decided upon was February 20.

DAAD leaders Veera Musigapong, Nattawut Saikua and Jatuporn Promphan reportedly wanted the rally to be held before February 26 to pre-empt the first strike, while Weng Tojirakarn and Nit Sinthuphrai wanted it to be held the day after to avoid criticism that the red-shirt movement was established to serve Thaksin.

Deputy PM Visits South to Inspect Security Affairs (TAN)

The deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs inspects the implementation of security measures in the deep South and the development plan for five southernmost provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, along with Deputy Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has inspected security measures and outlined an additional framework for officials in the strife-torn southern provinces.

Region Four Army Area commander and Region Four Internal Security Operations Command Director, Lieutenant General Phichet Wisaichon, and the commander of the joint committee on civilians, military and army forces, Lieutenant General Kasikorn Kirisee attended a meeting to report on the outcome of security measures in the violence-plagued southern provinces.

After the meeting, Suthep left for Tan Yee village in Muang district of Yala to scrutinize the development projects for five southernmost provinces concerning residence construction and repair by a local community development office, and then visited a career development organization in Sa Ba Yoi district in Songkhla province.

Cambodia preparing documents to lodge with International Court of Justice (Khmerization)

Cambodia is preparing legal documents to lodge with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in relations to long-standing border disputes with Thailand, reports everyday.com.

Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for Cambodian Foreign Ministry, said the ministry has received orders from Prime Minister Hun Sen to prepare the documents. He also said that Cambodia will take the border case with Thailand to both the International Court of Justice in The Hague and to the UN Security Council.

The spokesman said Cambodia has not lodged the legal complaints with the IJC yet, but Cambodia had already informed the court of its intention to lodge the complaints.

Cambodian Court to Rule on Land Mine Case (TAN)

A Thai national accused of planting land mines in a disputed Thai-Cambodian border area will appear before the Cambodian court tomorrow for the ruling in his case.

Tomorrow, the Cambodian court will hand down a sentence for the case in which a Thai national, Suphab Wongpakna, was accused of planting several land mines along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Suphab was arrested by Cambodian soldiers in February last year. It is speculated that the defendant will receive a jail term of 15 to 30 years.

His Cambodian lawyer said Suphab has confessed to the court saying that he illegally entered Cambodia with seven other Thai nationals to plant the land mines but only him was captured. The lawyer claimed that Suphab confessed to having been ordered by Thai soldiers to do so, in an attempt to kill Cambodians living in the border area.

The ruling will be made amid fragile relations between the two countries. There is a speculation that the case will benefit Phnom Penh in its political bargaining with Thailand.

Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong stated that the Thai government must take responsibility for the matter while the acting Thai government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn declined giving an opinion. He only said the case should be conducted fairly under the judicial procedure.

Thailand Continues Claims on Disputed Border (KI)

The Thai News Agency this week quoted Abhisit saying the Thai government will not give up the contested strip of land.

The news agency also reported that Thailand would petition Unesco to review a map submitted by Cambodia in 2008, when Preah Vihear temple was award World Heritage status under Cambodian ownership.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told VOA Khmer Tuesday such claims showed a misunderstanding of the law by Thai officials.

“Unesco does not have any jurisdiction to make a judgment over land at all,” he said.

Cambodian officials have said Thailand lobbied Unesco using its own map. Thailand may petition again, officials said, because representatives of the UN body, which protects cultural heritage, have changed.

Thai spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Tuesday that the 1962 decision did not include the 4.6 kilometers of land now claimed by both sides.

Sean Pengse, a Cambodian border expert living in France, said the International Court in fact used the 1904-1908 map when deciding on Preah Vihear temple, thereby legitimizing Cambodia’s claims to the area.

The Thai authorities “can do whatever, but the decision is legitimate and uses this French map,” he told VOA Khmer.

Thaksin Risks His Reputation (online.wsj.com)

Since Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra was forced out of power in a military coup three years ago, he has made a show of traveling the world to keep in the public eye back home. But his latest gambit -- taking up a role as economic adviser to Thailand's neighbor and rival, Cambodia -- threatens to backfire and jeopardize his standing in the country he still hopes one day to lead, analysts say.

On Thursday, Mr. Thaksin, a telecommunications magnate, began his new job by delivering a lecture on economic planning to Cambodian government officials in Phnom Penh, the capital.

PetroVietnam to look for oil in Cambodia (Thanhniennews.com)

PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corp., a member of state-owned Vietnam Oil & Gas Group, plans to explore for oil and gas in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake area.

Under the terms of a contract signed with the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority in Phnom Penh Thursday, PetroVietnam Exploration will do seismic and exploration work in the northeastern part of the Tonle Sap Lake in central Cambodia, according to an e-mailed statement from PetroVietnam.

Hanoi-based PetroVietnam Exploration, which will have 100 percent ownership over Block XV, covering about 6,900 square kilometers (2,664 square miles), can explore for oil for 30 years and gas for 35 years.

PetroVietnam Exploration is also involved in projects in Laos and Myanmar.

PM Abhisit calls an urgent meeting (Bangkok Post)

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for an urgent meeting with his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban and three other ministers after Cambodia rejected the Thai government’s request for extradition of fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Other ministers at the meeting were Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul and PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey.

Reporters were given no indication what they would discuss as the men went in to the meeting.

Indonesia concerns Thailand, Cambodia tensions (CCTV)

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are raising concerns from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Indonesia, says the dispute has to end, and the bloc must return to the usual path of friendship within ASEAN.

Marty Natalegawa, Indonesian Foreign Minister, said, "Tension between Cambodia and Thailand is something we're following extremely closely with a great deal of concern, to be honest, because it affects two fellow members of ASEAN, and we see the deterioration of relations to be in total disconnect with what ought to mark how ASEAN member countries ought to engage with one another."

Situation 'normal' on Thailand's border with Cambodia: Thai army chief (TNA)

Thai army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda affirmed on Wednesday that there has been no military movement along the Thai-Cambodian border by either side, but that in military terms the situation is not worrisome.

Gen Anupong said the military is closely monitoring the situation and avoiding cross-border confrontations after the arrival Tuesday in Phnom Penh of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to lecture Cambodian economists on his first assignment as economic adviser to the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He declined to comment on the visit to the Cambodian capital by Mr Thaksin, saying only that as a former Thai prime minister he should know what is appropriate and what is not.

As for Mr Thaksin’s interview with the Times daily in London, considered deeply offensive to the Thai monarch, Gen Anupong said the army will instruct all military personnel to not to redistribute or discuss the article as doing so has legal implications and might cause further problems.

Cambodia refuses Thaksin extradition (AFP)

CAMBODIAN officials handed over a formal letter to Thai diplomats today refusing to extradite fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Three Thai diplomats gave extradition papers to officials at Cambodia's foreign affairs ministry but were then handed back a note from Phnom Penh denying their request.

"Our diplomatic note answering them is nothing beyond rejecting the extradition request," Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told AFP shortly before officials from the two countries exchanged the formal letters.

Thai Foreign Minister attends 21st APEC Ministerial Meeting (Mfa.go.th)

On the first day, he will join other ministers for a working breakfast for a free flowing discussion on key challenges facing the region and how to address them together.

During the day, Foreign Minister Kasit is also expected to have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Australia and the United States of America.

Termination of the Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf dated 18 June 2001 (Mfa.go.th)

On 10 November 2009, the Cabinet approved, in principle, the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the Area of their Overlapping Maritime Claims to the Continental Shelf dated 18 June 2001. The Cabinet further resolved to submit the draft negotiation framework for the termination of the MOU to the Parliament for approval. Upon receiving the Parliament’s approval, a notification of the termination will be sent to the Cambodian side through diplomatic channels.

Chavalit: Call a general election now (Khmerization)

The government should call a general election as soon as possible now that it believes its popularity rating is high, Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (pictured) said in an interview with foreign media on Tuesday.

"In fact, I want the government to dissolve the House of Representatives today or tomorrow, since its popularity rating is how so high. This should be done now before major problems occur and become more difficult to solve," he said.

Red carpet welcome to Thaksin's new role (Khmerization)

Fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra received a warm welcome on his arrival in Phnom Penh yesterday to serve as an economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

After his private jet landed at Phnom Penh International Airport in the morning, he was whisked away in a motorcade to Hun Sen's official residence.

Thaksin's first day in the Cambodian capital began with a series of courtesy calls to senior people in the ruling Cambodian People's Party and ended in dinner with Hun Sen and his family.

It is said he was treated to a nine-course meal of various traditional delicacies. According to Thai belief, nine is considered a lucky number.

Upon landing in Phnom Penh, Thaksin posted a Twitter message saying he had landed, but was "really homesick".

"Tonight I will dine with P M Hun Sen and his family. I want to reiterate that nation, religion and the monarchy are always on my mind," he wrote.

Cambodia reacts to request to annul 1907 Franco-Thai Treaty (Khmerization)

Var Kimhong, Cambodia's chief border negotiator, reacted to the Thai People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) demand for the annulment of the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty by saying that the act will contravene international laws, reports Radio Free Asia.

Earlier this week, a group of Thai hardline politicians from the PAD had asked the Thai government to cancel the 1907 Treaty and annul the 1:200,000 scale 1907 treaty map produced by France and accepted by the then Thai government. Mr. Kimhong said the Thai government cannot annul the treaty and the map because the International Court of justice in 1962 had accepted and used the treaty and the map to reach its verdict which gave ownership of Preah Vihear and the surrounding areas to Cambodia.

Government seeking international community help in capturing Thaksin (The Nation)

Thailand is turning the heat on fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra by asking fellow Asean members and others in the intentional community to assist the government's determination to capture the former premier.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Tuesday besides Asean countries, the Interpol (International Police) and others in the international community have been asked to keep a look out for Thaksin's whereabout and to arrest him immediately and turn him over to the Thai authorities.

Panitan said all the documents along with evidence have been gathered and are ready to be submitted to the Cambodian authorities so they can arrest Thaksin.

Thailand to submit Thaksin's extradition request Wednesday (The Nation)

Thai Embassy to Phnom Penh will submit extradition request for Cambodia to extradite Thaksin Shinawatra on Wednesday, an official said Tuesday.

The Thai Attorney General Office signed the official request and foward the document through the foreign ministry late Tuesday, a few hours after Thaksin landed in Phnom Penh to perform his job as an adivsor to Cambodian government.

Thailand's Thaksin arrives in Cambodia: AFP photographer

AFP

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov 10, 2009 (AFP) - Fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra landed in the Cambodian capital Tuesday to carry out his new role as economics adviser to the government, an AFP photographer said.

Thaksin exited a small private airplane at Phnom Penh International Airport and was then escorted into the Cambodian capital by a convoy of cars under tight security, said an AFP photographer at the scene.
The visit is set to further escalate tensions with neighbouring Thailand, which have increased since last week when Cambodia appointed Thaksin -- ousted as Thai prime minister in a 2006 coup -- as economics adviser.

China agrees $853 million in loans for Cambodia

Reuters

China will provide $853 million in loans to Cambodia for infrastructure, irrigation and dam projects to boost its economy and reduce poverty, Cambodia's foreign minister said on Saturday.

The agreement was clinched on Friday when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen on the sidelines of an economy and trade fair in Sichuan, Hor Namhong told reporters.

"China continues to help Cambodia's infrastructure development, even though China is itself faced with problems from the global economic crisis," he said.

China will provide $593 million for 11 projects proposed by Cambodia's government in 2009, in addition to $260 million for five projects requested last year, Namhong added.

The money will be invested in new roads near the borders of Thailand and Vietnam and the expansion of existing links to the capital of Phnom Penh.

Cambodian PM returns home from China trade fair trip

Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen returned home on Saturday after attending a trade fair and paying a work visit to China's Sichuan province.

Hun Sen led a high-level government delegation to participate in the meeting which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Commerce as well as other members of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

ASEAN chief: Thai-Cambodian issue unlikely to be aired at ASEAN Summit

TNA

ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan (pictured) on Wednesday said he did not believe that Cambodia will raise the border conflict with its neighbour Thailand at the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the end of this month.

The ASEAN chief commented after French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) earlier quoted Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong as saying Prime Minister Hun Sen will raise the Thai border spat at an upcoming regional summit despite opposition from Thailand, which is hosting the meeting.

Mr Hor Namhong however said "Because there is no answer from Thailand to my official proposal, Cambodia still considers that Prime Minister Hun Sen can raise the dispute in the ASEAN summit."

He said that Cambodia is willing to raise the issue in other international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, and accused Thailand of delaying the resolution of the dispute.

S Korea's Hyundai Group to build vehicle assembling factory in Cambodia: ambassador

Xinhua

Hyundai Company of South Korea will build a vehicle assembling factory in Cambodia, South Korean ambassador to Cambodia said on Wednesday.

"The vehicle assembling factory will be opened in coastal Koh Kong Province," Lee Kyung Soo, South Korean ambassador here told reporters in a news conference on the state visit of South Korea president Lee Myung Bak to Cambodian on Oct. 22-23.

The press conference is organized by the club of Cambodian Journalists.

But Lee Kyung Soo did not give the details about the amount invested by Hyundai in Cambodia. Deputy Director General of Hyundai Group already paid a visit to Cambodia a few days ago, LeeKyung Soo said.

The press release from South Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh said that Camko Motor Company is building a Hyundai car assembly factory in Koh Koh province, about 370 km southwest of capital Phnom Penh. It covered land area of 165,000 square meters with two facilities for maintenance and dormitory. It can assemble 3,000 cars per year and the type of car including SUV, Van and other cars.

A Chinese company to build a new highway detouring Phnom Penh

Source: everyday.com.kh
Reported in English by Khmerization

A Shanghai-based Chinese company, in co-operation with the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, has began a feasibility study to build a 40-kilometre highway running along the east of Phnom Penh.

Mr. Lim Sidenin, Secretary of State of Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, said the new highway will join Highway No. 1 east of Phnom Penh about 20 kilometre from Monivong Bridge and will run through Prek Talorng village in Chak Angrei district through a 700-800 metres long bridge that will be built across the Bassac River to connect the highway.

The Chinese government-funded highway is expected to cost $US42 million. If approved, the highway is expected to commence constructions in 2010 and in expected to be completed in 2011.

Cambodia to raise border issues with Thailand at ASEAN Summit: Cambodian FM

Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will raise border issues with Thailand at area near the 11th century Khmer Preah Vihear temple at the forthcoming ASEAN summit, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said on Wednesday.

"We requested the Thai side (Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya) in my official letter to put the border issues between Cambodia and Thailand in the agenda of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit but the Thai side so far has not replied to me officially," Hor told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Hor stressed that "border issues between Cambodia and Thailand are easy to settle and easy to plant the border markers if the Thai side respects international regulations" as the verdict of international court and border treaty in 1904 and 1907 and existing mechanism.

"It is the last choice that we will take the border issues with Thailand to international institutions," he said, adding that actually, "we want to deal with the issue through bilateral and peaceful deal."