Chaturon arrested at FCCT

Former education minister Chaturon Chaisaeng was arrested by the military while holding a press briefing at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand at the Maneeya Building on Phloenchit Road in Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon. 

Mr Chaturon is taken into custody shortly after briefing foreign correspondents on Tuesday. - KOSOL NAKACHOL

In a short statement to reporters before his arrest, Mr Chaturon said since he no longer wanted to go into hiding and did not want to leave the country, he was prepared to be arrested.About 3.45pm, a team of soldiers arrived at the FCCT and took Mr Chaturon into custody.  He was then whisked away from the building in a van.

He was quoted by AP as saying at the conference: " A coup d'etat is not a solution to the problems of conflict in Thai society."But it will make the conflict even worse, and ... it may lead to violence. A coup is unacceptable, it is an abrogation of democracy.''

Mr Chaturon said he would not resist arrest or go underground, but  "I still insist on exercising my own rights and liberty to call for the return to democracy''.He decided to hold the briefing at the FCCT because he knew Thai media might have been restricted from reporting what he had to say.

Mr Chaturon is one of the Pheu Thai politicians summoned by the NCPO. Many of them had not complied.  They included Mr Chaturon, Pheu Thai party leader and former interior minister Charupong Ruangsuwan, Payap Panket, Sombat Boonngam-anong, director and founder of The Mirror Foundation, and Arisman  Pongruangrong.This prompted the NCPO to issue Order No. 10 to prohibit individuals, juristic persons and financial institutions from entering into financial and property transactions with Mr Chaturon and Mr Charupong.

They were also prohibited from giving financial assistance to the two politicians and ordered to report to the NCPO any financial transactions made by them between Mar 1 and May 24. Under another order, those who fail to report to the NCPO also face a possible two-year prison term and a fine of 40,000 baht.Mr Chaturon on May 25 gave an interview to Reuters, saying he believed the army had led the government into a trap when it acted as mediator of the peace talks on May 21-22.He was banned from politics for five years after the court disbanded the Thai Rak Thai party in 2007 following a coup the previous year. His exile from politics expired last year.

Prawit, Somkid Pridiyathorn named advisers

 

The coup council has appointed a six-member advisory board to look after security, the economy and laws, according to a source. Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, a former defence minister, is "chairman of the board".Gen Anupong Paojinda, ex-army chief, will look after security issues.Somkid Jatusripitak, a former deputy prime minister, will handle foreign affairs.

M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, well known by his nickname "Mom Oui", a former deputy prime minister, is the economy czar. He is also chairman of the board of Post Publishing Plc, the publisher of the Bangkok Post, Post Today and M2Fnewspapers.Narongchai Akrasanee, a former commerce minister, will be assistant to Mom Oui.

Visanu Krue-ngam, an ex-deputy prime minister, will be in charge of administering laws and justice.Former deputy army chief Gen Daopong Rattanasuwan will serve as secretary-general of the advisory team.Yongyuth Yutthawong, a former science and technology minister, is an adviser to the council. So are former air force chief ACM Itthiporn Supawong, and Noppadon Inthapanya, former secretary to Gen Prawit.Also on Tuesday, coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered all army regions to set up offices to begin yet another attempt at national reconciliation among those divided by colour-coded politics.

A Reconciliation Centre for Reform will be opened by the army in each of the four military regions "to create unity and end the division" between supporters of the red shirts and other-colour groups, army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said.The National Council for Peace and Order will be the main driver of the campaign and the first, second, third and fourth army regions will establish the centres in their areas.

Community leaders and key members of all groups will be selected to run the campaign, Col Winthai added.Army deputy spokeswoman Col Sirichan Ngathong said one of the tasks of the centres was to bring together people with different views to sit at the same table for better understanding and to prevent the spreading of divisive information.The new move came after security authorities led by the army warned or closed down community radios, most of them run by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters. The latest one was the Rak Chiang Mai 51 station in Muang district of Chiang Mai, which was searched by soldiers.

They seized a number of items including documents and equipment in the raid.Protests against the coup have continued since Gen Pruyuth seized power on Thursday after all conflicting parties showed no compromise on their demands.A group of protesters rallied at the Victory Monument again on Tuesday calling for the army leader to end the coup, with banners and shouts for new elections. They were monitored by police and soldiers dispatched to the area.

PM ends exile gov’t talk

 
Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday that his government will work with the Thai junta that came to power in a coup last week, and quashed speculation that the ousted Shinawatra clan may be allowed to set up a government in exile in Cambodia.In a speech to about 3,000 university graduates from the Royal University of Phnom Penh at the Koh Pich Exhibition Center, Hun Sen said Cambodia’s constitution and its membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations prevented it from interfering in the “internal affairs” of countries in the region.

“Cambodia has considered the situation in Thailand, which is the internal affairs of Thailand, and Cambodia will not interfere with its internal affairs,” he said. “Now, a military government has been approved by the Thai king, and I hope that former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck [Shinawatra] … will understand Cambodia’s stance.”The Thai military coup followed six months of political deadlock and violent street protests that left at least 28 people dead.Hun Sen’s remarks came days after a statement from Thaksin’s lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, saying that “a number of foreign governments have already expressed their willingness to host such a government in exile under internationally established rules and practice”, prompting speculation that Cambodia had been approached.

While two senior government officials said earlier this week that the government in exile would not be allowed, ruling Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap on Sunday told the Post that although the constitution prohibited such a move, the final decision would be down to the prime minister.But Hun Sen yesterday said that despite his close personal relationship with Thaksin – he welcomed the ousted prime minister in 2009 as an economic adviser, triggering a diplomatic row with the Thais – to host such a government in exile would be unconstitutional.

“I’d like to stress that Cambodia is not the location for any country or group, even Thaksin’s group, to form a government in exile,” he said. “Cambodia’s constitution does not permit any foreigners to use its territory as a base to create armed forces to attack the government of another country.”
He added that, as Cambodia shares a border with Thailand, it is important to continue to maintain good relations and cooperation despite the military takeover.“There is no other choice, because Thailand has a military-ruled government now, so it is inevitable that we have to work with the military government,” he said.More than 100 Thai opposition figures, activists, academics and journalists have been summoned to report to the military authorities in Bangkok since the coup. Many of those who went to the military voluntarily have been detained.Analysts yesterday welcomed Hun Sen’s comments.Political commentator Kem Ley agreed that to allow such a government in exile would be unconstitutional.

“I appreciate his speech. Cambodia’s constitution says clearly that Cambodia is independent, neutral and sovereign. It does not allow any group or country to cooperate against another. Within the ASEAN charter, it clearly declares no country can interfere in the political and internal affairs [of member states],” he said.“We [also] learned that [the late King Norodom] Sihanouk lost because he fought against South Vietnam and we learned a terrible history from this. And right now, Cambodian people are concerned about the high tension between China and Vietnam.”Analyst Chea Vannath agreed, saying: “It is a perfect position for the government, so it will not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. Cambodia can maintain its political stability.”

International friends demonstrate to support Vietnam

China has acted unilaterally. They’ve acted like uninvited guests who enter your home, plop themselves down on the sofa, and when you start raising objections, accuse you of unfriendliness. This is unacceptable," said Sicard, a Frenchman.

On May 24, about 200 Vietnamese marched in the city of Grenoble, in southeastern France, to protest China’s deployment of its drilling rig in Vietnam's waters. The protest attracted not only students and expatriates who have lived for many years in France, but also many local and international friends. Some local organizations, such as the French Trade Union, the French Students’ Association in Grenoble (UNEF) and the Union of Human Rights (LDH) sent representatives to the demonstration to show their support for Vietnam. Correspondents of many French newspapers, like Dauphiné Libere and France 3, also reported the event. Photo: AEVG The demonstrators walked from Paul Mistral Park to major streets and stopped at Victor Hugo Square. Banners proclaiming "China, respect international law!"; "We want peace" and "China, stop invading!" were raised up with similar slogans chanted by both Vietnamese and foreigners in multiple languages – Vietnamese, French, English, and even Chinese. Photo: AEVG Interview with Mr. Sicard, a French participation in the demonstration. On May 25, about 300 students, Vietnamese expatriates and international friends held peaceful demonstrations to protest China’s acts and to call for peace in the East Sea at the city hall of Sydney, Australia. The participants wore T-shirts with the Vietnamese flag and raised banners in Vietnamese and English demanding that China withdraw its rig from Vietnam’s waters. They also sang songs of patriotism and love of peace. Photo: Bui Viet Ha. The meeting representatives said that to receive support from other countries and prove that Vietnam is not alone in any war, Vietnamese should try to bring the truth out to the world as much as possible. Before the demonstration, Vietnamese students in Sydney issued a statement opposing China’s acts and called on the world community to raise its voice against China’s illegal acts. Photo Bui Viet Ha The community of Vietnamese in Sweden grouped up at the Triangeln Square in downtown Malmo in southern Sweden, to march against China's actions. Representatives of the Communist Party of Sweden in Malmo also participated in the event. At the end of the demonstration, organizers collected signatures of Vietnamese people and local residents to send with a petition to the Government, the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the European Union to protest China. That same day, Vietnamese people in Malaysia gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to protest China’s acts. They gave a protest letter to the Chinese Embassy. Photo: Vietnam + Around 200 Vietnamese and those who support Vietnam also marched to protest China in Hong Kong on Sunday. "The whole world knows that China is encroaching on the waters of our sovereignty. We come here today because we hope that China will withdraw from Vietnam’s waters. We do not want war," said Mo Pak-fung, a Vietnamese native who has lived in Hong Kong for 25 years. Photo: South China Morning Post. More than 200 Vietnamese people in Montreal, Canada on Sunday demonstrated against China's illegal acts. A demonstration will be held in Ottawa on May 31. In a statement released Sunday, the Vietnamese Students Association in New South Wales, Australia said China’s aggressive manoeuvres pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability, the safety and freedom of navigation in the sea, undermine the friendship between Vietnamese and Chinese peoples, and directly challenge Vietnamese national security.   They strongly protested against China’s brutal violation of Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its lawful exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. They demanded that China immediately and unconditionally withdraw its oil rig and escort vessels from Vietnam’s waters. They also voiced support for the Vietnamese government’s efforts to resolve and manage the disputes in a peaceful manner and to take necessary measures to protect the country’s legitimate rights and interests. The association called on peace and justice loving people in China and all over the world to voice their concern about China’s illegal and dangerous actions, and to support endeavours towards justice, peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea.

More protest around the world against China’s act in East Sea
The ambassadors of many countries to Belgium have shared the view that China’s installation of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou - 981 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone is a wrongful act which should be condemned.The ambassadors of Japan, Lebanon, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Monaco, Norway, Brazil, Uruguay, Morocco, Malawi and the Vatican expressed the view at a meeting at the Vietnamese Embassy on May 26.

At the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau gave a full account of China’s violations and follow-up response by Vietnam and the world community. He affirmed that China’s act runs counter to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, seriously threatening peace, maritime security and safety in the region.

The same day, the Vietnam Mission to the EU also sent a diplomatic note and press release to EU bodies, including the European Council, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the missions of EU member countries and the diplomatic corps as well as research institutes and foreign press in Brussels to inform them about China’s serious violation of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.
Meanwhile in France, more activities to protest against China’s act in the East Sea took place in recent days.

In Grenoble city, over 200 Vietnamese, including students, marched peacefully through main streets and gathered in Victor Hugo square in the downtown on May 24.They waved banners written in Vietnamese, English, French and Chinese languages, requesting China to end its illegal presence in Vietnam’s waters. Many French and foreign friends also expressed their support to Vietnam by joining the rally.A seminar on the East Sea situation was held in Lyon on May 25, at which Vietnamese residents and French fellows watched videos recording China’s attacks on Vietnamese coast guard ships, and heard foreign scholars’ opinions on the East Sea situation.
Also on May 25, Chairman of the Association of Korean People Loving Vietnam (VESAMO) in the Republic of Korea, Park Kwang-joo condemned China’s unilateral move in the East Sea and described it as worrisome.

Addressing a Korean language contest held in Ulsan city, Park noted that the Hoang Sa archipelago belonged to Vietnam before China unilaterally used armed forces to occupy the islands on January 19, 1974.He said China’s placement of its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty.On May 2, China stationed the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and 119 nautical miles to Vietnam’s Ly Son Island.Besides, it has deployed a large number of ships of various kinds to the area, including military, coast guard, marine surveillance, marine patrol and fisheries administration ships.Chinese ships have repeatedly rammed and fired water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships which are carrying out their law enforcement missions in the country’s waters, leaving many Vietnamese ships damaged and many fisheries surveillance officers injured.

Vietnamese boat sinks after collision with Chinese vessel in disputed waters

 

A Vietnamese fishing boat has sunk after colliding with a Chinese vessel near an island chain in the South China Sea at the center of a territorial dispute between the two Communist neighbors.

According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, the Vietnamese vessel had been "harassing" a Chinese fishing boat at 5 p.m. local time on Monday in waters near the Paracel Islands, a largely uninhabited archipelago also known by the Chinese as the Xisha Islands.However, Luu Tien Thang, a senior officer aboard a Vietnamese coast guard boat patrolling waters nearby, told CNN Tuesday the Vietnamese vessel reported that it had actually been rammed by the Chinese ship during a distress call.While the Chinese vessel was purportedly a fishing boat, Luu said there were "usually Chinese military boats in the area with the fishing fleet."Other Vietnamese fishing boats and coast guard ships picked up the 10 crew members aboard the Vietnamese vessel, Luu added.

Relations between China and Vietnam have soured in recent weeks after a state-owned Chinese oil company began drilling for oil some 17 nautical miles off the Paracels. Vietnamese officials say Chinese military and civilian ships have been harassing their vessels around the islands -- which are controlled by Beijing but claimed by Hanoi -- even accusing the Chinese of repeatedly ramming into them and shooting water cannon

READ: How an oil rig sparked anti-China riots in Vietnam

China maintains that its current drilling activities are legitimate and blames the Vietnamese for provoking the conflict.At a daily press briefing in Beijing Tuesday, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Qin Gang said the Vietnamese vessel had "forcefully intruded" into the area where its drilling rig was operating, then ran into the left side of a Chinese fishing boat before capsizing.

"I want to stress that the direct cause for this incident is that the Vietnamese side ... insisted on disturbing the normal operation by the Chinese side and took dangerous action on the sea," said Qin. "We once again urge the Vietnamese side to stop immediately all kinds of disruptive and damaging activities."

He said there is "no dispute concerning the sovereignty of the Xisha islands," and that they are Chinese territory."We hope the Vietnamese side will stop its disruptive actions and bear in mind the overall interests of the stability of the region. Only by doing so can the Vietnamese side uphold the overall interests of bilateral relationship," Qin added.The spat recently spilled into violent anti-Chinese protests across Vietnam two weeks ago, prompting Beijing to evacuate thousands of its nationals. Recent video aired by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed some limping or being carried down the stairs of a medical flight arriving in the city of Chengdu, many with limbs bandaged. Two Chinese nationals were killed in earlier clashes, authorities said.

Vietnam characterized the protests as "spontaneous acts" by individuals who were exploiting the situation to "cause social disorder."