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| Southeast Asia |
| Thai charged with spying |
| 2009-11-14 |
| [Straits Times] CAMBODIA has detained a Thai man for allegedly spying on fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the latest sign of worsening relations between the two neighbours. Thaksin, a fugitive from justice in Thailand, was named an adviser to Cambodia's government on economic affairs last week, angering the Thai government and prompting it to recall its ambassador, with Cambodia following suit. Thaksin then arrived this week for a visit to Cambodia, further straining ties. He was expected to depart late on Friday. Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin's flight schedule and sending it to diplomats at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, said National Police Deputy Chief Lt Gen. Sok Phal. Siwarak appeared in municipal court on Thursday and was charged with stealing information that could impact national security. If found guilty, he faces up to 15 years in jail. A Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday. |
| Posted by:Fred |