Daniel Schearf
 |
| Members of the opposition Sam Rainsy's party take part in a local commune election campaign in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 18, 2012. |
June 05, 2013
BANGKOK — Thailand has denied entry to Cambodian
opposition leader Sam Rainsy out of concern it could upset Cambodian
authorities ahead of a July election.
Rainsy, who lives in France, was scheduled to launch his
autobiography at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) but, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs told immigration he was not allowed to enter
Thailand.
Manasvi Srisodapol, director general of the ministry's
information department, acknowledged that Rainsy has been allowed into Thailand
in the past. The opposition leader spoke
at the FCCT in 2009 at a press event titled “Cambodia's Deteriorating Environment
for Free Expression and Democracy."
But he says with the timing of Cambodia's election, Thailand did not
want to get "pulled into the political campaign" in a neighboring
country.
"The Thai authorities concerned deemed that such a
visit with such activity has a political motive against a neighboring country
and is timed especially during an approaching election in that neighboring
country," Manasvi said. "Accordingly, the Thai Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has requested immigration department to ban Mr. Sam Rainsy's entry into
Thailand."
According to Manasvi, Rainsy was informed a few months ago
that he would not be allowed to conduct political activities in Thailand. He cited both the book launch and Rainsy's
plans to meet with journalists as being political in nature.
The book, titled "We Didn't Start the Fire: My
Struggle for Democracy in Cambodia," tells Rainsy's decades-long story of
fighting against abuse of power and corruption in the country.
Rainsy has lived in self-imposed exile since 2005 to
avoid prison in Cambodia for charges he says are politically motivated. He was banned from the July election, but his
Cambodia National Rescue Party will take part.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has threatened the country could
devolve into civil war if his ruling Cambodian People's Party loses the
election. Cambodian activists say the National Election Committee is passing
unfair rules and warn if the election is not credible the government could lose
public trust.
Manasvi rejected suggestions that Cambodian authorities
may have urged the ban and says Thailand respects individual rights.
"But at [the] same time, [we]cannot allow
individuals to take any activities that are deemed detrimental to a friendly
country or that may affect Thailand's interests as well as cause damage to
individuals, other individuals," he said.
Nationalist Thai governments of the past have had poor
relations with Cambodia, notably over disputed border territory. Thai Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra revived warm ties with Cambodia established by her
brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
But Manasvi said the improved relations have nothing to
do with the decision, which he called one of standing policy and in line with
the charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"And, this is also reflected in..as a principle, one
of the cardinal principles of ASEAN, that members states should not allow third
parties to use that country, the member state, as a venue to launch political
or activities that threaten the political stability or economic stability of
another member state," Manasvi added.
Rainsy is welcome to visit Thailand any time for a
personal trip, he said, but authorities would not consider allowing him in for
a book launch, or similar activity, until after Cambodia's July election.
-VOA
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