ID :
142567
Sat, 09/18/2010 - 13:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/142567
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Saudi Arabia, Thailand discuss bilateral relations
BANGKOK, Sept 18 -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya conferred early Saturday with Saudi Charge d’Affaires in Thailand Nabil Hussein Ashri on relations between the two countries which have been deteriorating following the recent appointment of a senior police officer.
Details of the talks--which lasted about 45 minutes—are still unknown but the three men apparently discussed the recent promotion of Provincial Police Region 5 Commander Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom as new assistant national police chief.
Thailand’s Office of the Attorney-General early this year indicted five police officers and an ex-police officer--including Lt Gen Somkid--in connection with the disappearance of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili in 1990.
Saudi Arabia earlier issued three statements opposing the controversial promotion fearing that it will affect progress in the investigation of Mr al-Ruwaili's disappearance, but Thailand stood by its decision, saying it will be able to explain the reasons of the promotion to the Saudi government.
The case dates back to the late 1980s when Kriangkrai Techamong, a Thai worker employed in the palace of a Saudi prince, stole jewellery from the palace and escaped to Thailand.
The Thai police retrieved some of the stolen items and returned them to the Saudi Arabian authgorities. However, the centrepiece jewel, the "Blue Diamond", was later found to have been replaced with an artificial stone.
Although a Thai police general has been imprisoned for his involvement in the scandal, the overall case remains unresolved, including the murder of several Saudi diplomats as well as Mr al-Ruwaili's disappearance, resulting in the downgrading of Saudi diplomatic relations with Thailand to the charge d'affaires level.
Lt-Gen Somkid has been the prime suspect in the premeditated murder of Mr al-Ruwaili, who was believed to have held vital information on the murder of four Saudi diplomats in Bangkok.
Another major issue discussed at the Saturday’s meeting was regarding rumours that the Saudi embassy in Bangkok would deny visas to Thai-Muslims wishing to travel to Mecca for the annual haj pilgrimage in October.
The rumours that the Saudi embassy had recalled visas given to a group of Thai-Muslims planning to travel for the haj pilgrimage have worried local Muslims.
The Saudi embassy has denied the rumours. (MCOT online news)
Details of the talks--which lasted about 45 minutes—are still unknown but the three men apparently discussed the recent promotion of Provincial Police Region 5 Commander Pol Lt Gen Somkid Boonthanom as new assistant national police chief.
Thailand’s Office of the Attorney-General early this year indicted five police officers and an ex-police officer--including Lt Gen Somkid--in connection with the disappearance of Saudi businessman Mohammad al-Ruwaili in 1990.
Saudi Arabia earlier issued three statements opposing the controversial promotion fearing that it will affect progress in the investigation of Mr al-Ruwaili's disappearance, but Thailand stood by its decision, saying it will be able to explain the reasons of the promotion to the Saudi government.
The case dates back to the late 1980s when Kriangkrai Techamong, a Thai worker employed in the palace of a Saudi prince, stole jewellery from the palace and escaped to Thailand.
The Thai police retrieved some of the stolen items and returned them to the Saudi Arabian authgorities. However, the centrepiece jewel, the "Blue Diamond", was later found to have been replaced with an artificial stone.
Although a Thai police general has been imprisoned for his involvement in the scandal, the overall case remains unresolved, including the murder of several Saudi diplomats as well as Mr al-Ruwaili's disappearance, resulting in the downgrading of Saudi diplomatic relations with Thailand to the charge d'affaires level.
Lt-Gen Somkid has been the prime suspect in the premeditated murder of Mr al-Ruwaili, who was believed to have held vital information on the murder of four Saudi diplomats in Bangkok.
Another major issue discussed at the Saturday’s meeting was regarding rumours that the Saudi embassy in Bangkok would deny visas to Thai-Muslims wishing to travel to Mecca for the annual haj pilgrimage in October.
The rumours that the Saudi embassy had recalled visas given to a group of Thai-Muslims planning to travel for the haj pilgrimage have worried local Muslims.
The Saudi embassy has denied the rumours. (MCOT online news)
