28-9-2023 (BANGKOK) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand is set to meet with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet today in Phnom Penh to discuss key issues such as the Thai-Cambodia border dispute and the crackdown on call centre scams. This visit marks Prime Minister Srettha’s first official trip to an ASEAN country since taking office and aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara stated on Wednesday that the primary objective of the visit is to deepen the ties between Thailand and Cambodia. However, when asked about the border dispute, Minister Parnpree clarified that it was not on the agenda for Prime Minister Srettha’s discussions during the visit.
Similarly, when questioned about human rights concerns and the disappearance of activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, the minister mentioned that he had not received any information regarding that particular case. Wanchalearm Satsaksit had been wanted in Thailand for failing to comply with a summons from the National Council for Peace and Order following the 2014 coup. He had fled to Laos to avoid arrest.
In June 2018, an arrest warrant was issued for Wanchalearm after he allegedly violated the Computer Crimes Act by operating a critical Facebook page against the Thai government from Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.
On June 4, 2020, Wanchalearm was reportedly abducted by armed individuals outside his residence in the city. In response to her brother’s disappearance, Sitanan, Wanchalearm’s sister, submitted a petition to the Prime Minister urging him to pursue the case and seek answers.
