BKK-Post news:extracts

CAMBODIA CRISIS - P. Penh conveys deep regret

The Cambodian government yesterday expressed ``deep regret'' over the riots on Wednesday and pledged to address all damage caused to Thai property and nationals.

In an aide memoire issued after Thailand's protest, Phnom Penh also promised to make a thorough investigation, and to prosecute all those responsible for inciting the violence and the events that led to the ``regrettable incident''.

The Cambodian government cited the injuries to Cambodian police and military police officers in arguing that it had not been negligent about the events The incident had been incited by extremists who spread disinformation about alleged violence against the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok and the loss of lives of its diplomats.

This had ``fuelled the fury and expanded the rage among the Cambodian people, especially among the young.''

``The Royal Government of Cambodia expresses her deep regret about what had happened and considers this as a great loss to our own people and country.''

Phnom Penh would establish a commission to work with Thai counterparts towards compensation for the damage to the buildings and property of the Thai embassy and personnel

It had also taken urgent measures to protect the property of all Thai companies and nationals who had left Cambodia, and to establish an inter-ministerial committee to review and assess the damage caused to them.

COPYRIGHT VIOLATIONS - Police to get two baht for every pirate CD seized

Phusadee Arunmas

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is backing a proposal to reward police with two baht for every pirate compact disc confiscated, Deputy Commerce Minister Wattana Muangsuk says. Informants would also be rewarded.

The payments would be part of a tough new crackdown against intellectual property rights violation, Mr Wattana said. The same approach is being adopted towards drug suppression.

Mr Wattana said the reward would be paid from state coffers and he was confident it would wipe out production, distribution and sale of pirate goods in six months.

It was proposed police would receive two baht for every pirate CD confiscated. A reward would also be offered for fake brand-name products such as handbags, wallets and clothing based on the value of seized goods.

Mr Wattana said reward would galvanise the law enforcement officers into action and motivate the ``minority'' of police who had a hand in churning out pirate products to change their minds and redeem themselves.

``I believe the reward will tackle the police laxity in cracking down [on the pirate goods],'' Mr Wattana said.

While the reward for pirate CDs is lower than the three baht offered for methamphetamine tablets, it was easier to find the source of illegal CDs.

Major stores where pirate CDs were sold were willing to cooperate, he said. CD retailers would also turn to selling more genuine goods to consumers.

More tax would be collected, boosting government revenue.

Mr Wattana called for the quick appointment of an assistant police chief to head the intellectual property violation unit, replacing Pol Lt-Gen Chidchai Wannasathit who was recently appointed Narcotics Control Board secretary-general.

Another problem in dealing with piracy was the unsystematic compilation of data on the registration of businesses selling legal CDs, he said.

Marcosolo: At least it would not be profitable for police officers to burn their own copies. Poor vendors at Pantip Plaza.

SUKHUMVIT SQUARE DEMOLITION - Five senior army officers named

Raid plans found in shop, bar wreckage

Post reporters

Five senior army officers have been named as likely suspects behind Sunday's gangland-style demolition of Sukhumvit Square nightstrip.

The names were compiled by Maj-Gen Trairong Intharathat, adviser to the prime minister. The list reached Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday, a source said.

The five were Lt-Gen Sit Sitthimongkol, a staff officer at the Defence Ministry reportedly close to Maj-Gen Sornchai Montriwat, former secretary to Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh; Col Chamnan Masamran, attached to the army headquarters; Col Apirat Kongsompong, chief-of-staff of the 11th Infantry Regiment and son of the late Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong; Lt-Col Himalai Phiewphan, an officer of the Supreme Command and adviser of Ideal security guard company; and Col Arkom Kruenak, now retired and an executive of Ideal.

A cabinet source said Mr Thaksin believed Lt-Col Himalai plotted and directed the raid. A piece of paper containing plans of the attack was retrieved from the razed site.

The prime minster approved drastic action against the raiders and the masterminds. State officials implicated would be immediately suspended from duty.

The government would also attend to the grievances of the traders and broker talks between them and the management of the square.

The source said Mr Thaksin had instructed the Attorney-General's Office, through his deputy Visanu Krue-ngam, to deal firmly with all culprits.

``Anyone who handles this issue lightly without serious commitment, I will make sure they never see the light of day again,'' the source quoted Mr Thaksin as telling his cabinet yesterday.

Lt-Gen Sit categorically denied any involvement. Col Apirat also insisted he had nothing to do with the raid but admitted knowing some executives of Sukhumvit Silver Stars, the firm which owns the square.

Lt-Col Himalai also denied any involvement. His General Guard Co, affiliated to Ideal, was hired by Nickel Co to send security guards to Sukhumvit Square. His guards arrived after the demolition was over.

None of the raiders were from his company, said Lt-Col Himalai.

Traders at the square put total damage to their properties at 50 million baht.

Lt-Col Himalai is known to have close ties with Maj-Gen Intharat Yodbangtoey, a Chiang Mai senator, and Gen Akradej Sasiprapa, former deputy supreme commander.

Lt-Col Himalai said General Guard was contracted by Nickel Co to keep the traders out of Sukhumvit Square because of an ongoing lease dispute.

Tisco, a financial firm, originally leased the 15-rai property on Sukhumvit Soi 10 to BTR Holding Co, which sub-leased the land to operators of small businesses ranging from beer bars, internet service shops to antique stores.

Later, Tisco wanted to sell the prime property to Sukhumvit Silver Stars Co and did not renew contract with BTR. After the contract expired, BTR continued to collect rents from the traders, resulting in Tisco suing the firm.

Sukhumvit Silver Stars later bought the land for 496 million baht and became the square's rightful owner, but could not make use of the area due to the ongoing court battle.

Sukhumvit Silver Stars sub-leased the land to Nickel Co, said to be owned by a former beauty queen close to Gen Akradej.

All 140 suspects arrested after the raid, including 15 non-commissioned military officers, have been charged with trespass during nighttime, and with damaging other people's property.