Chuan seeks motive behind massacre

Chuan seeks motive behind massacre

BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai has ordered his government to find out why 17 Thai loggers were killed in Cambodia last week, and officials said the company that sent the workers across the border may face criminal charges.

Chuan on Tuesday directed the Thai defense and foreign ministries to investigate the reason for the killings, which reportedly occurred Nov. 20 in northeast Cambodia's Preah Vihar province, a government spokesman said.

The spokesman said the interior and labor ministries were instructed to provide assistance to the families of the loggers, who are believed to have been slain by Khmer Rouge guerrillas.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Paitoon Kaewthong told reporters Tuesday that executives of the BLP Import-Export Company, which hired the loggers, may be charged if they violated laws requiring official permission to hire Thais to work outside the country.

If convicted, company officials could face jail terms of up to 10 years and fines of US$8,000.