Cambodia's detention of 14 Thais deplored

Cambodia's detention of 14 Thais deplored

BANGKOK (AFP): The Thai foreign ministry yesterday summoned Cambodian Ambassador Roland Eng to express its "gravest concern" over Phnom Penh's detention of 14 Thais since an abortive coup d'etat a month ago.

A senior foreign ministry official gave Eng an aide-memoire that said the continued detention of the 14 was clearly in violation of Cambodia's obligation to grant a minimum standard of protection to aliens.

"The over-prolonged detention of Thai nationals is being effected without charge, without access to the competent courts or judicial body and even without due right to proper consular access or due right to legal counsel or defense," the aide- memoire said.

The document, a copy of which was sent to AFP, said the Thai government wanted to "reiterate its gravest concern ... over the fate of the 14 Thai nationals."

It urged Phnom Penh to release them without further delay as there was no known substantive evidence against them.

Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri told reporters that if the investigation had been completed the 14 should either be freed immediately or formally charged.

The Thais were arrested at Phnom Penh airport as they prepared to leave the country after a coup bid allegedly lead by Prince Norodom Chakrapong, son of the Cambodian king and half-brother of Co-Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

Prasong said he had asked the ministry's permanent secretary to summon the ambassador because Thailand wanted to avoid a deterioration in relations with Cambodia.

The two neighboring countries have had periods of tense relations recently, principally over repeated allegations from Phnom Penh of Thai support for the Khmer Rouge guerrillas -- allegations which Thailand rejects.

On Monday, Prince Ranariddh accused Thailand of lobbying against international military assistance to Phnom Penh -- an accusation which Bangkok also denied.