The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 561
“Phnom Penh: According to news published by Thai Rak Thai on 17 May 2008, the former Thai prime minister Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra plans to make big investments in the province of Koh Kong, Cambodia.
It should be noted that a few days ago, there were many newspapers in Thailand which published the news mentioned above. To make sure whether it is true or not, Thai Rak Thai and other journalists interviewed the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense of Cambodia, Mr. Tea Banh, and he said that the news that the Thai newspapers had published, that the former Thai prime minister, Mr. Thaksin, plans to invest in Koh Kong is true, but it is still being studied. According to this investment plan, Mr. Thaksin is interested to establish casinos and other recreation sites with the guarantee to continue to operate them. Mr. Thaksin plans to invest approximately US$10 billion. [???]
“It should be stressed that, when Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra was the prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, he had wanted to run casinos and recreation sites in Thailand for a long time, but his plan was opposed by Thai officials. Thai Rak Thai reported that General Tea Banh had given an interview to journalists during the inauguration of the National Road 48 from Koh Kong to Srae Ambel, which had been presided over by Samdech Hun Sen and had also the attendance of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Mr. Somchai Wongsawat, who is Mr. Thaksin’s brother-in-law.
“The same newspaper stated also that the fact that Mr. Thaksin plans to invest in Koh Kong, creating casinos and other recreation sites is not surprising, because when Mr. Thaksin first had returned to his country [after he had been overthrown by a military coup], he went to play golf with Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen in Siem Reap, and he had already discussed also this plan, because this colossal investment needs also the support from Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
“The Cambodian government strongly intends to convert Koh Kong into a special economic zone and to developed the area soon. Kampuchea Thmey tried to ask for a comment from General Tea Banh and from officials of the Council for the Development of Cambodia [CDC] but could not reach anybody.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1644, 18-19.5.2008
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 19 May 2008
Chuoy Khmer, Vol.2, #102, 19.5.2008
- The United Nations Linked Aid of US$114 Million for the Khmer Rouge Tribunal with the Arrests of Three Former Khmer Rouge Officials [former Commander-in-Chief of Pol Pot’s regime and Ta Mok’s son-in-law Meas Mut, former Khmer Rouge senior official Nai, and another former Khmer Rouge who is now a general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces]
- Phnong Tribespeople from Pichda District of Ratanakiri Are Angry with the Khov Chily company that Has Grabbed Their Land, and They Have Declared Not to Vote for the Cambodian People’s Party
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.7, #1644, 18-19.5.2008
- Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra Plans to Make Big Investments in Koh Kong
- Japan Mine Action Service Provided US$200,000 to Support Mine Clearing in Tasaeng Commune [Kamrieng district, Battambang]
- Two Female Sex Workers [one was six month pregnant] Shot Dead [by four perpetrators on 17 May 2008 at Monireth Boulevard, Phsa Deumko, Phnom Penh]
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.2, #157, 18-20.5.2008
- Mondolkiri Authorities Restricted the Freedom of Expression of Minority Tribespeople [by rejecting request of hundreds of minority tribespeople to march, and by rejecting to accept invitations for some representatives of the provincial authorities]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.41, #6348, 19.5.2008
- By 10 May 2008, Six Parties [the Cambodian People’s Party, the Norodom Ranariddh Party, the Hang Dara Democratic Movement Party, the Human Rights Party, the Sangkum Yutethor Party (the Just Society Party), and the League for Democracy Party] among Twelve Parties Are Officially Recognized by the National Election Committee
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.15, #3463, 19.5.2008
- [Twentytwo – eleven among them female] Security Police [of Preah Vihear] Have Been Deployed to Patrol the Preah Vihear Temple after There Was a [territorial integrity] Dispute with Siem [Thailand]
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.16, #4592, 18-19.5.2008
- Cambodia Will Construct One More Big Hydro-Electricity Plant [420 to 480 megawatts] in the Northeast of the Country [in mid 2009 with Vietnamese investments of US$611.230.000]
- Oil Price Increased to US$127 per Barrel after Mr. Bush Had Asked Saudi Arabia to Decrease the Price [by increasing oil production]
- Number of Deaths from Tropical Cyclone in Myanmar Climbed up to 77,738
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.15, #3312, 18-19.5.2008
- Fuel Increased by Riel 200 [Caltex Gold quality fuel increased from Riel 5,100 to Riel 5,250 per liter]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #657, 19.5.2008
- General Ms. Chea Ratha Arrived in Bangkok [by a flight from China]; Ms. In Soklida Is in Vietnam
- [Sam Rainsy Party president] Sam Rainsy Might Flee the Country like Prince Ranariddh because of the Lawsuit of the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Hor Namhong
- Tuberculosis Strongly Spreads among Garment Workers [according to non-government organizations and the Ministry of Health]
