Bangkok: "Somkid" counters "Hun Sen's spokesman", says there's no need to challenge him to go to the International Court of Justice, it's useless, it's too far away, asks to fight according to Thai law, not fight anywhere else.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Somkid Cheukong, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, addressed the challenge from Mr. Chea Thirith, spokesman for Samdech Hun Sen, President of the Senate, regarding a legal dispute. Mr. Chea Thirith had suggested that Mr. Somkid take the matter to the International Court of Justice following a complaint filed against Samdech Hun Sen over a leaked audio clip. Mr. Somkid stated that the issue should be resolved within the framework of Thai law, specifically citing the Computer Crime Act, and dismissed the need for international legal involvement.
Mr. Somkid further commented that the matter should have been resolved diplomatically, with the Thai embassy addressing the issue through a formal protest. He criticized the involvement of Samdech Hun Sen's spokesperson in escalating the matter and expressed his desire to leave the case in the hands of the Thai police, emphasizing that any further legal proceedings would follow Thai legal procedures.
When questioned about the ongoing status of the complaint, Mr. Somkid clarified that the audio clip in question was not leaked but released. He reiterated that the complaint, filed on grounds of national security, could not be withdrawn and would proceed through the legal system. He outlined the process, stating that should Samdech Hun Sen fail to comply with legal summons, an arrest warrant could be issued, restricting his travel to Thailand. Mr. Somkid reinforced his stance that the legal confrontation would remain within national jurisdictions, rejecting any calls to involve the International Court of Justice.