Sat, May 18, 2013 15:48:11 PM
Bangkok Post
Sat, May 18, 2013 15:48:11 PM
Bangkok Post
Cambodia's social media network erupted in frenzy over a photo of a Thai Channel 3 reporter standing near a copy of a local newspaper placed on the ground showing a picture of the late king Sihanouk.
The outrage prompting Thailand's Foreign Ministry to express sincere regret over the unfortunate incident to Phnom Penh.
The ministry took the matter seriously, calling for an urgent briefing of the Thai media, while saying this unfortunate incident did not affect the good relations between the two countries.
Paskorn Siriyaphan, outgoing head of the East Asian Affairs Department, said Wednesday that while Cambodia was mourning Samdet Sihanouk's death, Thailand and her people were also regretting this loss of a great neighouring king.
"We did not want (the incident) to happen, we love and respect the Cambodian monarchy the same way as we adore and revere our own monarchy institution," said Mr Paskorn, who is soon to be the Thai ambassador to Indonesia.
The reporter herself had clearly explained it was unintentional act, he said, and this unfortunate incident should not affect the warm relations between the two countries.
Mr Paskorn believed the statement issued by the Channel 3 would be sent by the company to the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok, or to Phnom Penh. The Channel 3 management and the reporter had gone to the embassy in Bangkok to pay respect and show remorse for the passing of the former king of Cambodia.
Thai ambassador to Phnom Penh rushed to explain the situation to vice minister for foreign affairs Ung Sean, a former ambassador to Thailand, said Mr Paskorn, who was posted to Phnom Penh during the 2003 embassy-torching that followed a famous Thai actress's remarks implying Thai ownership of Cambodia's Angkor Wat.
Mr Paskorn said he believed the explanation was already conveyed to the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Hor Namhong.
He said security at the Thai embassy remained normal as there was no sign of any trouble. The Thai embassy had also followed the situation closely and found no negative signs, he added.
Reporter Thapanee Eadsrichai said in the Channel 3 statement issued right after her return to Bangkok that she did not mean to insult or show disrespect to the monarchy, which was adored and respected by the Cambodian people. She was in the Cambodian capital to report on the Cambodian people expressing their respect and mourning for their beloved former king.
The Channel 3 reporter explained that as she was doing a stand up report in front of the main pavilion, Chaturamouk, and she needed to lay down all of her personal belongings including mobile phones, notebooks, and the newspapers which carried stories and the photo of the late king Sihanouk.
She said she did not lay the stuff close to her. The photo that appeared on Facebook was shot from behind and to the side, making it appear that the items were on the ground near her.
Learning about the misunderstanding on the social media on Tuesday night, she had returned to the same spot and made gestures of remorse in front of the king’s photo board. She decided to return to Thailand right away to show her innocence and sincerity and to prevent any adverse impact to the good relations between the two countries.
Ms Thapanee also expressed her regret to the Cambodian people for the disturbing and hurtful incident.
The Channel 3 management in the same statement expressed deep sorrow about the incident and expressed sincere apologies to the royal family of Cambodia and hopes that this issue would not affect bilateral relations.
