Thailand Sends Kasit To Discuss The Arrest Of 7 Thais With Cambodia

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed he is trying every means to convince Cambodia to release the seven Thai people who were arrested near the border.
He decided to send Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to talk with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong Thursday evening and will wait for the result of the negotiation before deciding whether to increase soldiers along the border, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.
Abhisit Vejjajiva met security authorities at Government House for about an hour on Thursday morning to find ways to help the seven Thai people who were arrested from the Thai-Cambodia border.
Later he said that the seven people had inspected an area relating to complaints from Thai villagers about land use and demarcation. The seven people include Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth who has been assigned to gather information from the people who complained about problems relating to the Thai-Cambodian border.
The prime minister said that disputes had not been resolved in the area.
However, he insisted that he would not tolerate any encroachment by an alien troop on the Thai soil. If the arrest took place in the Thai territory, that would be absolutely unacceptable to him. However, relevant information from different parties is inconsistent and it has yet to be verified. If the seven people are proved to step inside the Cambodian territory, that will be accepted.
However, the Thai premier said that no matter where the people had been arrested, they should be released right away because policy-makers had stated that the people who were arrested along the border and did not carry a weapon should not be tried in a court in order to avoid complications and concerned parties would arrange for their return.
Abhisit said he was trying to arrange for the release of the Thai people through all channels. He decided to send Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to talk with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong later in the day.
"At this stage, I will continue with the approaches and take appropriate actions. I think that Cambodia must consider that if we want smooth relations between both countries, we should adhere to the directions that we have discussed. Failing to do so, there will be damages," Abhisit said.
The Thai prime minister added, "Now all our units are ready to insist on the stance that I have stated and I will wait for a response from Cambodia before deciding whether soldiers along the border should be reinforced Thursday."