Sourn Serey Ratha broadcasts his message on the Thai Yellow Shirt's ASTV channel. Why does he use a platform that holds hatred against Khmer?

Please find below a broadcast by Sourn Serey Ratha on the Yellow Shirt ASTV channel. In our opinion, while his message against the Hun Xen's regime sounds reasonable, his use of the Yellow Shirt's platform, a group that maintains hatred against Cambodians in general, is unreasonable and a poor decision. In the long and arduous road to democracy, the enemy of one's enemy is not necessarily one's friend.

Nevertheless, we leave it up to you to judge Mr. Sourn Serey Ratha's decision.

Thank you,

KI-Media team

Thailand and Cambodia agree to roadmap for troop withdrawal

http://thailand-business-news.com/

via CAAI

May 11, 2011

Boris Sullivan

Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and Mr. Hor Nam Hong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, agreed to propose to their respective governments a “roadmap” in the form of “a package proposal” on how to move forward.

The agreement was reached during their meeting on 9 May 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Mr. Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, in his capacity as the current Chair of ASEAN, attending and facilitating said meeting.

The roadmap encompasses the issues of the exchange of notes between Thailand and Indonesia and between Cambodia and Indonesia regarding the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Indonesian Observers Team, the convening of a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC), and the withdrawal of Cambodian troops from the Temple of Phra Viharn, Keo Sikha Kiri Svara Pagoda and the surrounding areas, namely, the local community and market, before the Indonesian observers can be deployed. The roadmap must be approved by both the Thai and Cambodian governments before further action.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed that a roadmap will be drawn up for the two countries to withdraw their troops from the areas surrounding Preah Vihear temple and the adjoining community, according to Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Thani Thongphakdi

Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of the Department of Information and the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson reiterated Thailand’s position that Cambodia must withdraw all of its troops from the specified areas before the Indonesian observer teams can be dispatched. Both sides agreed to take the agreed roadmap to the respective governments for consideration, the implementation of which would be as a package. It is thus mutually understood that Cambodia must withdraw its troops from the specified locations before the Indonesian observers are sent in.

In response to the question about a time-frame for considering the proposed roadmap, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that this would depend on when it would be included on the Cabinet’s agenda. He noted that all concerned would like to see progress on this matter at the earliest possible but that it has to proceed in accordance with domestic processes of the respective countries.

Regarding the question on whether the proposed roadmap also calls for a ceasefire or cessation of hostilities in the border area, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stated that this issue should be discussed in detail within the GBC framework, which Thailand has called for since the beginning. Agreement in this connection would be considered as part of the package. Be that as it may, military units on both sides have been in contact and so far no recent clashes took place, which is a positive sign.

In response to a reporter’s question on Indonesia’s view on the matter, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stated that Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, saying in a press interview that it was “better than expected.” Thus, media reports suggesting that Indonesia was not satisfied with Thailand’s position are inaccurate.

As for the view of the Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia, which was reported in several media outlet, criticizing Thailand as the instigator of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that it was most likely due to his misunderstanding or a mistake made in the news report.

Thai To Review Ties With Cambodia In Wake Of Fresh Border Clash

By ONE Liners Agency

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva orders for a fresh review of the nations tie with neighbor Cambodia in the wake of re-clashes in the border between the two countries.

The proposal for the review came from Thailand Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Tuesday at the weekly Cabinet meeting.

According to government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn, the Cabinet resolved that border dispute will only be confined to dispute and not clashes as it is seen for past few days.

Wattanayagorn also added that Thailand government would cooperate with international organizations and all the relevant agencies. He said the military would take retaliatory action in pushing out the Cambodian soldiers from disputed areas and also diplomatic measures to be taken to bring Cambodian government to bilateral talks.

Spokesman believed further that after the two countries' meet in the sideline of ASEAN summit in Indonesia, the situation would improve. ASEAN will be held on May 7 and 8. Also, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is scheduled to meet on April 28 the Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa.

It is learned from Wattanayagorn that Thailand and Indonesia may reach to an agreement on the deployment of Indonesian observers at the disputed border areas.

Meanwhile, for the fifth consecutive day fighting erupted between Thai and Cambodia soldiers along the mountainous disputed border.

Thai as well as Cambodia spokesmen said the fight broke out near the 11th Century hill-top Preah Vihear temple today.

Last four days the fight was around Ta Krabey temple, 160km to the west.

In the five days violence between the two countries at least twelve soldiers have been killed.

Due to recent fighting about 36,000 people have been displaced.

Calling for ceasefire, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday that both the countries need to resolve the crisis through serious dialogue and not through military means.

In February about ten people were killed in violence around Preah Vihear temple.

Even after international court awarding the Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, both the neighbors claim for the ownership of the surrounding area.

Border Clash Between Thailand And Cambodia Resumes

By MALILA Harris

THAILAND NEWS – The clash between Thailand and Cambodia has once again ignited when in an incident four soldiers have been killed, increasing the number of death to 10 in two days.

The clash has started when both sides have exchanged fire in jungle around Ta Krabey temple, which both sides claim. The disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple is spread around 200 km and a place for fatal clashes between two nations. Since February, the scene has turned into a battleground and eventually people were evacuated from the area.

According to a news source, the reason of this immediate violence is still to be known and both sides blamed each other for the clash.

“Fresh fighting started at around 0600 (2300 GMT Friday) with rifles and mortar shelling," said Thai army spokesman Col Prawit Hookaew.

"We are negotiating to stop the fighting," he added.

Both sides blamed each for the killing, as Thai officials said one Thai soldiers had been killed and more than four injured whereas Cambodian officials claimed to lose three of their soldiers.

It is reported that some artillery shelling had also taken place and fighting became more intense in a week.

Indonesia has been playing a negotiator between two countries and appeal for immediate ceasefire.

In 1962, an international court had awarded Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia, however, the conflict between two neighbors have been continuing over the surrounding area. There are other parts of the Thai-Cambodian border, which have not yet been formally demarcated.

Southeast Tourist Mecca Thailand Suffers From Deadly Flood

By MALILA Harris

THAILAND NEWS – Thailand Tourist Island is almost submerged in torrential rains and heavy flood. The unnatural biting cold and heavy rains have cleared through the south of the country.

The rising water has swept away people and many just buried under mudslides caused by torrential rains. The communication system has already on halt where trains have been cancelled and several airports shut. Flights are now landing at Koh Samui, but in a long delay.

The Thai navy has already rescued about 1,200 stranded tourists from Koh Samui and Koh Tao on its only aircraft carrier.


"There are roughly one million people affected in many provinces. At first we thought the flood would last a day or two, but now it has already been one week," Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Rising floods have reached almost more than eight provinces where Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Trang, Krabi and Phatthalung are the most affected. The high water level is also hampering rescue effort and many tourists stuck in the provinces.

Not only communication but also electricity cut to many areas. The government has declared 80 districts in eight provinces as a disaster area and sent rescue teams to evacuate the place.

Koh Samui is one of the major tourist hub where it is reported about 13, 000 tourists have been trapped.

UN General Assembly Approves New Resolution For Universal Moratorium on Death Penalty

December 22, 2010: The United Nations General Assembly yesterday approved a new resolution in favour of a universal moratorium on the death penalty. It is the third time after the historic resolution approved in December 2007 and then again in December 2008.

108 countries voted in favour, with 41 against and 36 abstentions (another 7 countries were absent at the time of the vote). It recorded a decisive step forward compared to 2007 when in a plenary assembly the votes in favour were 104, with 54 against and 29 abstentions (with 5 absent at the time of the vote). Another step forward was taken also in respect to the second vote on the pro moratorium Resolution in December 2008 when there were 105 in favour, 47 against and 34 abstentions (6 were absent at the time of the vote).

The most significant political data regarding the favourable is that of 6 countries that in 2008 voted against (Kiribati, the Maldives and Mongolia) or abstained (Bhutan, Guatemala and Togo) or the abstentions of 4 countries (Comoros, Nigeria, the Solomon Islands and Thailand) that in 2008 voted against. The number of cosponsors of the Resolution also increased, 90 in total, three doing so for the first time: Cambodia, Russia and Madagascar.

The only new part of the text of the Resolution concerns the request – in part contained in the 2007 text – directing the member states to ‘make information available relevant to the use of the death penalty to allow an informed and transparent national debate.'

“The new vote at the UN in favour of the moratorium records the positive evolution happening for more than ten years around the world towards the end of the State-Cain and the ending of the fake and archaic principle of an eye for an eye,” Hands Off Cain secretary Sergio D’Elia said.

Sources: Hands Off Cain, December 22, 2010

Dead Fetuses Found In Buddhist Temple In Thailand

By MALILA Harris

THAILAND NEWS - In an abhorrent incident, more than 300 human fetuses have been found hidden in a Buddhist temple in the capital, Bangkok. Thailand police reported.

Police suspected that the fetuses came from illegal clinics.

It is reported that a member of temple staff confessed to being bribed by clinics to dispose the remains.

Abortion is illegal in Thailand, however, it can be done if mother's life is in danger or pregnancy is caused by rape. The recent growth of teenage pregnancy rate has caused problem to the government, and as a result with help of NGOs they opened a school for teenage mothers.

Police chief Sumeth Ruangswasdi told reporters that they were hinted by special informer that something was going fishy in the temple. When they raid the temple, they found a total of 348 fetuses in plastic bags.

It is believed that remains were disposed by different clinics at different times because they showed different coloration and conditions.

The fetuses were covered by newspapers and plastic bags and found in a mortuary storage area.

The Buddhist temple in Thailand performs cremation ceremonies and stored bodies in specially refrigerated areas.

Asia's Biggest Lifestyle Design Event In Bangkok, Thailand

By MALILA Harris

BANGKOK NEWS - Asia's best lifestyle design event, known as a Bangkok Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair(BIG+BIH) will be held for the 30th time in Bangkok. This year the event will showcase the ancient style of Orient, though with a contemporary twist.

The event will jointly organized by Department of Export Promotion and Thai Lifestyle Product Federation, displaying Thai lifestyle products and lifestyle industry of the region at a glance. The fairs are famed as a cornerstone for the upcoming designers and the lifestyle industry.

Over the years the (BIG+BIH) is considerably a successful event that involved both private and public sectors. The event is mainly aimed at promoting the lifestyle products from Thailand. Analysts have predicted that this year event would probably fetch over US$2.6 billion revenue for the industry.

The event will showcase the modern lifestyle of Orient character, the traditional craftsmanship, the excellent quality of materials that lures Western countries and boost the export. The highlighting products of the event will be gifts, premiums, home decorative, artificial flowers and plants, handicrafts, household items, spa products, home textiles, toys & games, stationery, and other design objects.

Apart from exclusive products at fairs, the organizers are planning to attract more people by presenting then exclusive privileges from the moment they land at the Bangkok International airport. Some additional facilities for buyers are perks on accommodation, dining, and recreation facilities.

BIG+BIH October 2010 will be scheduled at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC). For traders the fair will open from 19-22 October and between 10am and 6pm they can do all their business negotiations. The general public will witness the event on 23-24 October between 10am and 9pm. Admission is free.

Global Warming Threatens Rice Growth: Study

A Recent study has revealed that global warming could hamper the growth of rice. They advised farmers to implement innovative farming management techniques and switch over to more heat tolerant varieties.

Rice production slow down would affect billions of people worldwide as it the most important crop and staple diet for almost half the population of world. A drop in production could result in food scarcity, exponential price rise and in a worse case famine.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers from University of California, San Diego. The study also enumerated that yielding of rice slow down at night temperature as it has been witnessed that due to rise in global temperature night temperature is gradually increasing. However, researchers are still in doubt about the exact reason of drop in night temperature.

"With few exceptions, most statistical studies on temperature and rice yield have focused on the impact of daily mean temperature," the team says in the study, published online in the latest issue of the U.S. journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Earlier study said that a high temperature could be beneficial for rice production, but to the point and after that yielding would hamper. Nevertheless, the study revealed that higher night temperature would perilously harmful for rice production or totally wipes out any grains.

The new research depends on the IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) data, which has covered six year (1994-1999) in countries like China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and India.

The data covered six years from 1994-1999 based on a major study by IRRI on the productivity of intensively managed irrigated rice farms in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and India.

Blast not stopping Najib from visiting southern Thailand

Published: December 8, 2009

THAILAND - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is not worried about visiting southern Thailand Wednesday, despite Monday's bomb blast in Narathiwat.

“Yes, I am going. God Willing, I don’t think the Thai Government will allow it to happen because as a host country, they have to ensure the security and safety of leaders visiting the country.

“If they think it is not safe, then they will not allow the visit to take place,” the Prime Minister told Malaysian media after holding annual consultations with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjiva here Tuesday.

Two people were killed and 11 others wounded when a bomb, hidden in a motorcycle, blew off at a busy market in the main town in Narathiwat, one of three mainly Muslim provinces where more than 3,700 people have been killed in nearly six years of violence. The attacks came two days ahead of a planned joint visit by Najib and Abhisit.

Najib is scheduled to visit several places in Narathiwat before flying home.

At a dinner hosted by Abhisit, Najib said he wanted to have a first hand account of the situation in southern Thailand.

Najib is the first Malaysian Prime Minister to visit the area.

“I had made clear of our readiness to assist Thailand in whatever possible and acceptable ways to help resolve the problem,” he added.

In NARATHIWAT, it is business as usual for the locals as they they await the arrival of the leaders.

Traders are pinning their hopes that the visit would bolster business confidence.

Businessman Hamad Awang, 45, said business had been bad everytime violence or murder occurs in the province.

"I do not know how long I can maintain the losses. I am hoping that the visit by both prime ministers will bring peace and stability here,” said Hamad who runs a hardware shop.

Another businessman, Ismail Mohammad, 34, expressed his scepticism of such a visit but hoped that a solution could be reached to restore the elusive economic prosperity.

"I really do not know who or what is causing the instability. I cannot see any peace accord being worked out here because I believe the authorities have no inkling who is behind this,” Ismail said.

Narathiwat Chamber of Commerce chairman Kukiat Buraphaphong said Najib’s visit would benefit the province by boosting international investor confidence.

Security in Narathiwat has been tightened with intensive ground and air patrols.

Bomb disposal squads have been combing areas where the two prime ministers will pass through.

Abhisit and Najib will officiate the opening of a bridge over the Sungai Golok linking Ban Buketa in Waeng district to Kelantan.

source: http://thestar.com.my/